guess we're splitting hairs here but what you are saying is still not right. AWD and full-time 4WD is exactly the same thing. Now, there are many different flavors and configurations of AWD/full-time 4WD.
Taking your example of having one axle driving normally with the ability to send torque to the other axle when slippage is detected. This is how the Quadra-Drive on WJ Grand Cherokees work. (Is the Grand Cherokee AWD?) The older (ZJ) Grands had a semi viscous coupling with a default 50/50 split between front and rear.

AWD and Fulltime 4WD are differnt,AWD you don't have a choice it sends power where it wants to.FullTime 4WD you have a choice to lock the center diff(part time 4wd) and 4-low,and it is constently sending power to both drive axles no matter what.

The Grands QuadraDrive is a 4WD t-case since you have the option of 4-low,and the QD is sending power F/R at all times but has the ability to send more/less to where it is needed.The terms AWD and FullTime 4WD and 4WD get confused alot,just think of AWD as a "almost" 4WD drive system but not really.

But once your Quadra-drive transfer case is in 4-low, you are no longer in full-time 4WD; you are in part-time 4WD. Operation of full-time 4WD is exactly the same as AWD. full-time 4WD is _one_ option of the transfer case, it has nothing to do with whether it has low-range or whether it can be locked or not.

Keeping to the WJ as an example, there is the Quadra-trac I transfer case. It has no selector and only one mode (full-time 4WD high) this transfer case is not lockable nor does it have a low range. This system in a car would be called AWD, in a Jeep they call it full-time 4WD.

You just explained the differenc between AWD and fulltime 4WD,fulltime 4WD has the OPTION of other ranges,AWD does not.

The Quadra-trac I is a AWD,the original Quadra-trac is a fulltime 4WD system,I know I had a '79 Grand Wagoneer with it and it had a 4-lo option.Like I said they loosely use the terms "AWD" and "FullTime 4WD" all the time,how the system operates is the factor not some marketing ploy.

Which is exactly why AWD and full-time 4WD is the exact same thing

Okay I'm done with this,you need to look up the definition of AWD and Fulltime 4WD,they are 2 different systems and the terms are used loosely as a marketing ploy,manufactures will say it's "4WD" when in fact it is not a true 4WD system so it seems more disireable to a specific age group.Stop reading the dealer info and read how the systems work by any other person then the manufacture to get past the misused terms.

i would say that yes, if you do have a full time 4WD system, its like havind All-4-Wheel Drive (which is what the system used in montero sports were called). this system gives the driver more options and more capability. as far as jeep not wanting to put it intheir vehicles i can see the problem of R&D costs and drivers actually not wanting to have a full time system with their manual transmission... opting instead for hte more "rugged" part time system.

What is the difference between Full time Four Wheel Drive (4WD) All Wheel Drive (AWD) and automatic All Wheel Drive (auto AWD)?



Full time four wheel drive, also called permanent 4WD, (not to be confused with: part time 4WD ) is a system that powers all four wheels at all times and can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement. The additional feature of a differential incorporated into the transfer case makes it possible to use 4WD all the time.
2WD is no longer available. Each tire creates about 25% of the available torque when the ground is level with a consistant surface. Driver has a choice of a "4-high" (that's your every day setting) and "4-low".

When "4-low" is selected the wheels create substantially more torque (on a Grand Cherokee its 2.72 times more) than in "4-high" - at the same time the vehicle moves at substantially slower speeds (2.72 times slower on a Jeep Grand Cherokee).

Important: "4-low" does not create more traction - it creates more torque and that can be detrimental when traction is marginal. Slipping tires are more likely in "low" than in "high"!

The low setting is an advantage for drivers who need to tow and maneuver a heavy trailer etc. and for drivers who at one point or another may want to negotiate difficult off-road terrain, when more torque and/or slower speed is needed.

All wheel drive (AWD) is a system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle at all times as well. Full time symmetric AWD would be the best term to be used. Difference to full time 4WD is that a "4-low" setting is not available in AWD cars. Due to the lack of "low range" AWD vehicles are much less capable in off-road settings than full time 4WD vehicles, but work perfectly well on-road.

Recently some new "automatic" AWD systems have emerged. Fancy names like "Real Time 4WD" or "active AWD" are hiding the fact that they are essentially sophisticated 2WD systems. Automatic asymmetric AWD would be the best term for them. Unfortunately, since they offer AWD only part of the time, some magazines have now called it "part time 4WD" - but that term has been used since WW II for cars like the Willys and Jeep Wrangler and their part time 4WD - the name coming from the fact that 4WD can only be used part of the time (when off-road), most of the time they have to operate in 2WD (on-road). Automatic asymmetric AWD is much less capable in off-road settings than full time AWD systems and inferior to full time 4WD. However, automatic asymmetrical AWD is becoming more and more sophisticated and offers pretty much everything consumers expect for everyday (pavement) driving.

Here is how they work: During traction loss at the driven axle (could be front or rear) a fully automatic system (hydraulic, mechanical or electronic) routes torque to the axle with traction. This means you have to completely lose traction in 2WD on your driven axle first and then the other axle will take over and try to keep the car moving and stable. So, for a moment you have AWD. Once the primary driven axle regains traction and both axles rotate at the same speed again, the system reverts back to 2WD.

Examples: Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, LandRover Freelander, Isuzu Trooper (TOD), Volvo V70, 1999 and later Jeep Grand Cherokee (in high range)

A frequent consumer complaint about some automatic AWD is, that all 4 tires need to be replaced even if only 1 or 2 are bad.

Confusing but true: some vehicles have a combination of part time and full time 4WD systems, or even a combination of 2WD, automatic asymmetric AWD and part time 4WD (low range). Impossible to give those custom mixes a name..
more...

To offer the best of all 4WD systems some manufacturers combine some or all sytems. Sometimes to your advantage - sometimes not.
I have seen systems that have:

automatic asymmetric AWD Hi
part time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Ford Control-Trac)


automatic asymmetric AWD Hi
full time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(I forgot which truck)


2WD
part time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Merceds G 460 series, Jeep Command-Trac [NV231], Liberty, Wrangler)


2WD
automatic 4WD Hi
full time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(I forgot which truck)


2WD
automatic asymmetric AWD Hi (TOD)
part time 4WD Lo
(Isuzu Trooper, VehiCROSS)


full time 4WD Hi
full time 4WD Lo
part time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Mercedes-Benz G 463 series, LandRover)


2WD
full time 4WD Hi
full time 4WD Lo
part time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(2003 Toypota 4Runner)


automatic asymmetric AWD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Quadra-Trac II,Grand Cherokee WJ + KJ [NV 247], Liberty, Dodge Ram, Chevy Suburban)


automatic asymmetric AWD Hi
part time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Dodge Ram)


2WD
part time 4WD Hi
full time 4WD Hi
part time 4WD Lo
(Jeep Grand Cherokee Selec Trac (NV242 ), Mitsubishi Montero)

4WD and AWD systems explained


A word of caution first. Manufacturers tend to obscure the true nature of their 4WD/AWD systems behind phantasy names like "Active 4WD", "Quadra-Drive", etc. - others might call their automatic AWD "Real Time 4WD".

There is plenty of confusion about what is what. Does it matter? Can't you just call "four wheel drive" "all wheel drive"? Yes you could. If all eight wheels of your big truck are driven, isn't it all wheel drive? Yes it is.
However, there are so many different 4WD systems on the market now that it is important to be precise and specific. It is important to call AWD when it is AWD and full time 4WD when it is full time 4WD. Just to say 4x4 is not sufficient any longer.
Wrong terms lead to misinformation - intentional or not. Wrong terms might make you buy something you neither want nor need! Do your homework before buying a 4WD - to get what you really need. If necessary, ask me.

There is no sanctioning body who ever established the definition of terms regarding 4x4. The terms I use below are the ones used internationally by engineers and competent magazines.

4WD has been invented a very long time ago and various concepts have been tried. Here is a simplified synopsis of what is what. Links within this page provide detailed insight.

#1 Part time 4WD is a system that can only be used part of the time in four wheel drive.
This 4WD system was created to provide a vehicle with more traction to either carry higher loads and/or to travel in adverse terrain conditions. Clearly purpose built to do hard work. It can only be used for adverse terrain conditions - not for dry pavement.
Typical lever settings are 2WD, 4WD Hi, 4WD Lo.
Very good off-road. Most competent when combined with axle differential locks.
• 2WD setting must be used on dry pavement.
• If 4WD is selected, all 4 wheels are permanently powered.
Prominent examples: 1942 Willys, Jeep Wrangler.


#2 Full time 4WD - also called permanent 4WD, can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement.
Full time 4WD was created to provide a vehicle with more traction and to make 4WD more useful for everyday life. The additional feature of a differential incorporated into the transfer case makes it possible to use 4WD all the time.
2WD is no longer available. Can still be a strong workhorse. Some rough terrain competence is retained - the priority is added stability as a safety gain for everyday driving.
Typical lever or switch settings are 4WD Hi, 4WD Lo. Very good off-road when center diff is lockable. Even better when combined with axle differential locks.
• All 4 wheels are permanently powered.
Prominent examples: pre 2006 Mercedes M-Class, Mercedes G500, LandRover, RangeRover, Toyota Prado, Lexus GX470.


#3 Full time symmetric AWD is similar to full time 4WD - only it lacks the slow speed torque enhancing low range feature. Can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement.
Symmetric AWD was created as a safety feature for modern day vehicles. Not designed for hard work. Clearly a safer, more comfortable vehicle. Rough terrain competence has almost vanished - focus is on added stability and performance.
Limited use for off-road.
• All 4 wheels are permanently powered.
Prominent examples: 2006 Mercedes M-Class, Audi Quattro, most Subaru, pre 2006 RAV4


#4 Automatic asymmetric AWD was created solely as a stability enhancing system. Auto AWD can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement. AWD only briefly activates automatically when stability threatening conditions arise. Essentially a 2WD car with 2WD handling characteristics. Absolutely no adverse terrain capabilities. Clearly built for added road stability and safety.
Not recommended for off-road beyond graded dirt roads.
• 2 wheels are powered most of the time
• 4 wheels are only temporarily powered.
Prominent examples: Volvo AWD, 2006 RAV4, Honda CRV.

A more detailed explanation of the differences between 4WD and AWD.

So, is "real time 4WD" really 4WD? No, it is a sophisticated 2WD car with automatic asymmetric AWD. There is no commonly accepted standard how to name the different 4WD systems - companies and especially their PR departments use terms for 4WD systems very loosely - transparent consumer information is not their priority.

Many vehicles are offered with a combination of 4WD systems outlined above. Very confusing for consumers.

and remember i posted up that the suzuki grand vitara was the only SUV i could think of in the states that offered full time 4WD with its manual transmission? well, thats only one out of many suv's... SSSSSSOOOOOOOOO you could say that there is no competition out there really to encourage jeep to make the system compatible with its manual transmission! i think im on to something...
1. no consumer demand for the setup
2. jeep not wanting to spend a boat load of money on R&D
3. no competition from imported or domestic manufactures!

1. no consumer demand for the setup
2. jeep not wanting to spend a boat load of money on R&D

I said this a few posts back but I think it got lost in the AWD / 4WD shuffle that's going on... I never knew the FJ had a FT w/ 6speed MT. Sounds like a fun little trucklette - except for those huge blind spots.

wow the fj has a full time standard on their 6 speed manual transmission!. didnt think of the h3, then again does anybody think about the h3?? not saying its a bad suv, but i dont think they sell too great.

Manual transmissioned vehicles are more sensitive to tip-in & tip-out driveline clunk issues. That's primarily why Jeep has not offered a full-time transfer case with a manual transmission in production. But I've had a full-time transfer case in my personal manual transmissioned Wrangler since 1987. I did put in front axle half shafts with CV joints to cut down on crow hop while turning. Now that it is retired to being on off-road only vehicle, I've gone back to conventional cardan joints in the half shafts. If you do a swap, the only possible downside of which I am aware is the above-mentioned clunk and some crow hop effects while turning on dry pavement.

So far has anyone actually said why the full-time 4wd in a Jeep would cause "binding issues"?

And the only way I'd get an H3 is if it was a 5.3 liter H3 Alpha with a manual trans, which I dont think you can even get.

And it still doesn't explain why you couldn't get a liberty with manual and full-time mode; both the KJ and the KK must have CVs in their front half-shafts right?