AWD vs. 4WD

[Fat Boy]

whats the difference, and which do you prefer?

myself, i dont really know the difference, obviously, but ive driven both 4WD and AWD, and i just prefer the regular driving feel of AWD, maybe its just because i drive an AWD truck everyday.

 

[Jason_25]

Do you mean in general? Or in Explorers? I don't really know the science between the two but I know a few things.

97-01
V8 Explorer -AWD, Viscous clutch in transfercase, varying amounts of torque sent to axles depeding on traction situation. Not as efficient on gas as 4x4. Better traction though.
V6 Explorer -4x4. Electric transfer case. 4-auto means front axle kicks in when needed. 4-high means 50/50 torque split w/o gear reduction. 4-low means 50/50 torque split with gear reduction.
95-96
V8 Explorer-AWD, same as above (i think)
V6 Explorer-4x4, same as above, except they have 2WD, 4-auto, and 4-low, they also have a front axle vacuum disconnect which was needed because Ford was unsure as to whether the Control Trac transfer case could handle the constant on-off required of the 4-auto.
93-94-4x4, electric case. 4 high, 4low, automatic hubs or manual hubs
91-92- same as above, except some models (i think just xl's) came with the BW1354 manual transfer case
BTW, If I had to do it over again I would get a 97-99 V8 explorer and swap in a 95-96 V6 front axle,lock it up, and swap the stock t-case with a Dana 20 manual T-case.

 

[JDraper]

AWD implies that the vehicle is always using both the front and the rear to drive the vehicle, and you don't have a hi-lo transfer case. 4WD implies that you have a hi-lo transfer case. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can run in 2wd mode though (aka selectrac and quadratrac). I prefer 4WD because you have the low range for offroading. I really prefer it where I can manually disengage my front hubs and run in 2wd mode for economy on the road, but I'm kinda stuck with my current system.