Ford Raptor Uses Trick Setup to Offer Both 4WD and AWD
Unique transfer case design allows the new Ford Raptor to offer optimal traction in any conditions.
There’s no doubt that the new Ford Raptor is one impressive piece of off-road machinery. And we already know that much of that capability derives from technology. A selectable drive system allows the driver to quickly change the truck’s settings depending on the surface they’re driving on at the time. This means that whether you’re traversing desert sand or snowy winter roads, optimal traction is only a turn of the dial away.
The real magic, however, is how Ford managed to make it all work in one vehicle. After all, most trucks simply feature a four-wheel drive mode that simply locks both axles together. It’s a great system for off-roading, but isn’t entirely optimal for on-road driving. That’s where the beauty of all-wheel drive kicks in. AWD sends power to all four wheels, yet allows for some slip so you can drive it on pavement without the binding that occurs in a locked 4WD system.
The Ford Raptor is able to offer the best of 4WD and AWD thanks to its wet multi-plate clutch. As Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained, uh, explains in this video, that allows the Raptor, when in 4Auto mode, to distribute power to the axles as traction demands. Which is essentially exactly how a traditional AWD system works, minus the use of a center differential.
The Ford Raptor retains traditional 4WD capabilities in 4Hi and 4Lo, which lock the axles together. Which essentially means that the truck offers the best of both worlds. The basic concept is quite simple, really. But the real magic lies in a series of innovative parts and technology that enables the Ford Raptor to conquer any road it sets foot on.
