Hey all,

I'm having a discussion with a friend and he is asking why there are no trucks made with front wheel drive. I'm hoping you guys can give me a couple of reasons to give him. I thought of a few myself, but wanted some more opinions. Thanks.

-SB

 

because trucks are American, and rear wheel drive is American

 

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of drives. The obvious advantage of front wheel drive is the ability to steer the power wheels. Disadvantages of front wheel drive include increased tire wear, more weight over the front axle, increased cost, and a tendency to "torque up" under hard acceleration.

Of all of these items, increased weight in front is one of the biggest problems, I'd guess. Pickup trucks are already very light in the back compared to the front end.

 

1st Trucks are rear wheel drive because that is the best set up for them but some trucks do have the optional front wheel drive aka 4x4 versions of them. 2nd reason it is the american way a V8 up front and rear wheel drive. 3rd that is the way God and Henrey Ford wants them to be.

 

Great replies guys. I basically told him that already. I was hoping for a highly technical answer to let him know exactly why, but those will work just fine. Thanks

-SB

 

It would also be cost prohibitive to produce a front wheel drive truck that can tow 8,000 lbs. The drive train would have to be either massive or use very strong exotic materials. To top it off, when you load down the rear of the truck with a lot of weight, the front drive will tend to slip because the center of gravity moves towards the rear.

BTW, there was a front wheel drive truck at one time. It was made by VW and was built on the Rabbit platform. It wasn't all that popular and I haven't seen one in a few years.

 

Have you ever seen the length of these blocks? I'd like to see someone cram one of those between the fenderwells!! It'd be bad enough trying to fit the V-6 horizontally...

I also second what Dennis said. The power to the rear wheels allows for better articulation to the wheels with power (as opposed to a FWD IFS setup). This allows for power to the wheels with more grip more of the time.

-Flea

 

Ever seen a truck fully loaded? The front tires are being 'lifted' off the ground, not completely, but steering can be hairy w/ a fully loaded truck. Now imagine the wheels also trying to pull the truck with the load. With a load in the weight in the back of a rear wheel drive, traction is increased. Also, a truck on boat ramp would have trouble, again, because the front wheels are being 'lifted'. imagine trying to pull a large boat out of the water, while on ramp. the weight of the trailer and boat are applying downward force behind the vehicle, which would results in the front end being forced upward. Now once you try to drive up the ramp, the tires would have difficulty getting traction.

Not to mention you would have to put it in reverse to do donuts!!!

 

I think dennis hit the nail on the head. Personally as far as cars go, I belive that front wheel drive is the way, anybody that drives in the snow would agree.

 

Most front wheel drive cars use half shafts instead of straight axles.

V-8 + big tires + towing = half shafts will never hold up

 

Huh... doens't the F150 and Chebbys 4x4's use half shafts??

 

4x4 is the way to go in the snow....Have seen many 2x4 and frontwheel drive cars just sit and spin at stop signs on hills.....I can do that to in my 4x4 if I really try.....Not only that, you can't really get a good power slide going in a front wheel drive car.

 

Not all the time and not for towing and there not the only thing helping the trucks move. If it was just half shafts in the front all the time only, they would break easy, but the solid rear end helps out alot when 4x4 is on.

 

Be carefull you can powerslide a 4x4 very easily also. You know when the front end slides...

Thats the basic difference between a FWD car and 4x4 truck during winter (on roads) I find that my FWD will spin and take longer to take off at stop signs but once it gets going it's about the same as my truck was. Of course I try not to get out of my way to destroy fresh snowbanks with a car But slippery highways the car feels about the same as the truck did.

Most vehicles that take the ditch around here in winter are 4x4s (SUV's mostly). A 4x4 requires a special skill on slippery roads, as dumb as that might sound, it's true!

 

Eph-
I know that you can get good powerslides going in a 4x4......I only do those when I am in a parking lot there there is nothing to hit. It makes/forces you to learn how the truck will handle in the snow. Living in snow country all my life has also helped out a lot. It is a lot of fun to destroy new snow banks as well.....Knock on wood I have never had any problems with my truck in the snow.