4 Wheel Drive Zone

A vehicle with a four-wheel drive system can bring many advantages to those who buy it. The system itself increases the power of your tires to hold on a surface without slipping. This is one great advantage especially when you are fond of driving in muddy areas, the sand or even on slippery surfaces.

When people hear this kind of system, most of them associate it to SUVs and trucks. Because of this feature, some of the vehicles cost a little extra compared to the usual ones. Despite being so pricey, people still use it and more people opt to buy them.

There are disadvantages of using this kind of system for vehicles. Some say it is less efficient when it comes to fuel usage; others say it is requires heavy maintenance. However, more people have proven that the advantages of using these kinds of vehicles outweigh the downside of using it. They have been increasingly popular for comfort riding. The torque on the wheels is distributed thus most drivers gain control of the vehicle on all sorts of road conditions. However, the mechanism of the wheels is only one way in gaining control. Suspension is also one aspect that can help in maintaining control of the vehicle.

Some people modify their vehicles. The need for change varies according to how you use your vehicles. That is why most of the big four-wheeled vehicles (like pick-ups, trucks and SUVs) have accessories that allow them to be at their best at all times; may it be through looks and the feeling that you get when you drive around with it. Accessories like skyjacker lift kits add more beauty or better performance for your four-wheel drive automobiles. These types of accessories allow your vehicle to look bigger.

Everyone wants to have this kind of look for their automobile because it makes them look mighty and strong. For men more of them find it more masculine. On the other hand, for women, it makes them tough despite the soft appearance. Appearance is not the only thing that will be modified in here. When you install the right lifts for them, the suspension of your four-wheel drive vehicles are enhanced. No wonder most automobiles with this system are better with off-roads because the tractions of the wheels can be greatly complimented with an improved suspension system.

People might have discovered the down side of using four-wheel drive vehicles. However, there are many good things about it (especially when put into good use). If you want to go past the limits of your vehicle without putting yourself in danger, you can modify them. All cars have built-in system to absorb shock. They also have their own suspension systems, as they are very important to maintain the control over varying speeds. Sometimes what is built-in may not be enough. Add accessories like skyjacker lift kits to enjoy your vehicles even more. Not only will it make them look steamy and sexy, it will also make your four-wheel drive vehicle run smoothly anywhere at anytime.

Most early motor vehicles had a basic set up with the engine mounted in the front with a gearbox attached to it driving the rear wheels only and this became the normal design of most vehicles for many years. As design progressed engine position and transmission (gearbox) position was experimented with to help with traction and handling. Rear engine and mid-engine vehicles became available as did front and all wheel drive. Four wheel drive vehicles began life early in the twentieth century and a number of companies had their own designs for supplying off road trucks for business and commercial use. The importance of having load carrying vehicles that could transverese harsh terrain was important due to the lack of roads. Both the British and American armies during World War One had four wheel drive trucks for heavy terrain use for carrying troops and equipment. However the need for a true multi purpose on and off road vehicle became apparent.

With the onset of World War Two the need for off road vehicles that could literally drive over any terrain became a necessity of the military and with any technology war tends to drive designs forward quickly. In the early days of the war the United States Military required a light-weight four wheel drive vehicle that could transverese almost any terrain. A number of companies came forward with designs including Bantam, Ford and Willys. The result of this was the world famous Willys Jeep. The jeep proved to be both very rugged and dependable through out the war and by the close it had become well known for its on and off road ability and its durability.

After the war the potential within the civilian market for jeeps was clearly apparent and Willys filed for the trademark registration of the name Jeep and began production for the public sector. The first models named Civillian Jeeps (CJ) began production in 1945 and the name Jeep became an icon of tough go anywhere vehicles soon to become a legend to future four wheel drive owners. The history of the Jeep and production models are as follows:

1945 - 1949 CJ-2A

1946 - 1953 CJ-3A

1947 - 1965 Willys Jeep Truck

1948 - 1950 Willys Jeepster

1952 - 1968 CJ-3B

1954 - 1983 CJ-5

1955 - 1981 CJ-6

1976 - 1986 CJ-7

1981 - 1986 CJ-8

1953 Kaiser buys Willys Overland.

1970 American Motors Corporation AMC takes over Kaiser-Jeep.

1987 Chrysler Corporation buys American Motors Corporation.

1998 Daimler-Benz merges with Chrysler Corporation.

The modern day Chrysler Jeep has many models and incorporates all the benefits of modern technology and comfort but it has tried to retain some of the old willys features as the front grill shows.

Back in the United Kingdom the Land Rover project was first born and the legend began.