4x4 Terms

[Chris]

It occurred to me that a directory of 4x4 Terms would be helpful to many people depending on their level and breadth of knowledge and their experience.

After thinking of this I did a check and see many already exist on the web so please don't copy & paste any of those. Be creative and descriptive with you addition. :thunb:

Direct Link: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/vbglossar.php?do=showcat&catid=1

[Pathrat]

YES YES YES YES YES THANK YOU! :bow: You know I would need this.

[Chris]

Aha! Needing a way to get this started and here you find a way. How about a list of words you don't understand 100%? :thunb:

[Pathrat]

LOL!!! Let me think about it and spell them correctly! I have to create a list that delineates my ignorance into wheeling terms and regular automotive terms categories.

I can give you one right now that I don't get. While I have been searching for a Tacoma for my SO, I ran across one with shackle mounts somewhere underneath doing something so you can do other things. What are these and why are more highly modified rigs in need of them?

[4Runninfun]

can you find a link for exactly what you are talking about there pathrat? i'm not sure what you're asking.

[Funrover]

Quick referance of terms:

Disco - Land Rover Discovery
Taco - Toyota Tacoma
RRC - Land Rover Range Rover (Classic body style)
Diff - Differentials(or 3rd member)
Trouble - Pete, Chris, and others here on FR4X4

[Pathrat]

I have to dig through my computer at work, think that is where it is. I am not even sure how to better phrase my question about shackle mount set ups. I did a quick google image search and found these pictures of what I am trying to ask about.


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://image.jpmagazine.com/f/editorials/junkyard-jeep-hot-rod-buildup/7194853%2Bw700%2Bcr1%2Bre0%2Bar1/rear-shackle-mount.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blogs.jpmagazine.com/6217797/editorials/junkyard-jeep-hot-rod-buildup/index.html&h=525&w=700&sz=56&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=SnnXt13rp6dmgM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshackle%2Bmount%2Bjeep%26gbv%3D2%26hl %3Den%26sa%3DX

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/0711_4wd_24_z%2B1997_jeep_cherokee_sport%2Bshackle s.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/0711_4wd_rubicon_express_long_arm_system/photo_25.html&h=480&w=640&sz=77&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=I059uXXaLnIEXM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshackle%2Bmount%2Bjeep%26gbv%3D2%26hl %3Den%26sa%3DX

[Funrover]

Shackle - basically they are how you mount your leaf springs on one side. they allow the movement for suspension. On the picture they are the pieces that go from the frame to the spring. What a lot of people do is a "Shackle lift" where they get a larger shackle that lowers the spring(thus raising the vehicle). There are also differnt types the expand like a hinge sord of and this gives you more flex (and often more problems).

Did that answer?

[Chris]

Fill in the definition:

ABS -
Approach angle -
Articulation -
Camber -
Castor -
Departure angle -
Diff-lock -
Differential -
Electronic traction control -
Engine braking -
Four-wheel drive -
Full-time 4x4 -
Ground clearance -
Hi-lift -
Locker -
Ramp angle -
SAS -
Selectable four-wheel drive -
Spool -
Traction -
Transfer box -

[Funrover]

Fill in the definition:-

ABS - Antilock Brake System

Approach angle - the angle your truck as for approach to an object(the closest to vertical you can go before there is an item touching on the front)

Articulation - The amount your suspension can travel

Camber - The amount your tire "leans"

Castor - a lot like being "toed in or out" make sure tires are on same angles

Departure angle - just like approach, but for the rear

Diff-lock - Equal power to both wheels on the same axle. Normally power goes to least resistance. An option for an upgrade

Differential - The section of the axle that host all of the gears,that part on a solid axle that hangs down and gets hit

Electronic traction control - Same concept as lockers, but eletronically controled. Often by a

Engine braking - using the compression in your motor to slow you down on a slope instead of stressing your brake system

Four-wheel drive -Power supplied to all 4 wheels of the vehicle

Full-time 4x4 - Like my Rover, you have all 4 wheels driveing unlike part time where you can choose to have 2 wheels doing the pushing/pulling

Ground clearance - The max amount of room you have from the ground to the lowest point on your rig

Hi-lift -A great device, also called sheepheardeds jack, lets you jack up on an object or recover your truck, Pic coming soon

Locker - The mechanism that locks your differential. Names you might know ARB, OX, Detroit.

Ramp angle - on a ramp for testing flex this is the angle you can reach with all 4 tires still touching

SAS - Solid axle swap. Removing the indepdent suspension up front for a solid axle.

Selectable four-wheel drive - The ability to have 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive high and 4 wheel drive low

Transfer box - This is the part under the truck that gives power to both the front and rear axles

SYE - Slip yolk eliminator, seen on Jeeps where they have a nose cone on the transfer case. this part elimates a lot of driveshaft angle problems and makes more possible

[Pathrat]

Fill in the definition:

I am going to make an attempt (posted before Funrover, now I have my corrections and additions)

ABS - anti lock brakes
Approach angle - the maximum angle at which your front end/bumper/skid, whichever is first, can ascend a solid object in front of you. If I have a 16 inch high shelf of slick rock, and my approach angle of 30deg, I need to be able to have enough room to get myself up and over without faceplanting. I know I am missing a key component here!
Articulation - how much travel your wheels have, up and down
Camber - the angle you are at, or the trail is, measured side to side with flat at 0degrees?
Castor -
Departure angle - high enough not to scrape the rear bumper off?
Diff-lock - a mechanism that locks your open differentials so both wheels get equal power and spin at the same time?
Differential - transfers power to the wheels so they can spin at different speeds
Electronic traction control - The thing that gets turned off when I shift into 4x4
Engine braking - using the compression of the engine, by downshifting, to slow your rate of speed.
Four-wheel drive - power is delivered to all four wheels
Full-time 4x4 - full time 4wd without low range capability
Ground clearance - the distance between the ground and the lowest part on the underside of the vehicle
Hi-lift - big old farm jack that is capable of lifting taller, heavier vehicles than the standard bottle jack, providing you have somewhere to put the foot
Locker - device, stock or add-on, that can lock the differential
Ramp angle -
SAS - solid axle swap, not an IFS
Selectable four-wheel drive - part time 4wd, meaning you have to engage the tcase to transfer power to all four wheels? When not engaged, power is going to two of the four wheels.
Spool -
Traction - the amount of pressure I tire can make in contact with the ground, making your car go?
Transfer box - same as T-case? transfers power from engine to axles?

[Pathrat]

Shackle - basically they are how you mount your leaf springs on one side. they allow the movement for suspension. On the picture they are the pieces that go from the frame to the spring. What a lot of people do is a "Shackle lift" where they get a larger shackle that lowers the spring(thus raising the vehicle). There are also differnt types the expand like a hinge sord of and this gives you more flex (and often more problems).

Did that answer?


Yes, now I have an idea of what it is and how it relates to the lift. Thanks! :)

[Brody]

Wow! That is sure a nice response from everyone. Thanks!

Pathrat-I am impressed! If you get the latest Toyota Owners Magazine, there is a really great picture on the last page of a 1/4 eliptical suspension set up-on the rolled rig..

Aaron-you have some serious issues....

[Pathrat]

Wow! That is sure a nice response from everyone. Thanks!

Pathrat-I am impressed! If you get the latest Toyota Owners Magazine, there is a really great picture on the last page of a 1/4 eliptical suspension set up-on the rolled rig..

Aaron-you have some serious issues....

I liked Aaron's differential answer, he is right you know.

Brody, thanks. The next step is gaining the understanding of how the parts work. Watching the FJC trail teams videos about suspensions helped because they have nice easy stick figure drawings. I never see TOM at the store, so I never remember that magazine exists. I swear I am not fishing for reassurance or anything, but before I spend my money I want to ask if you think that is a good magazine for a person new to things automotive and off road? Will I get it or at least pick up enough to get some hints?

[Pathrat]

Admin, I plan to post here when I don't understand a term, thanks for starting this thread! :clap:

[Funrover]

Aaron-you have some serious issues....


More like suscriptions LOL.. issues implies I only have a few problems not a whole set HAHAHAHAHA:D

[Pathrat]

issues implies I only have a few problems not a whole set HAHAHAHAHA:D


LOVE THIS, going to use it :lol:

[Chris]

a good magazine for a person new to things automotive and off road? Will I get it or at least pick up enough to get some hints?

4 Wheelers Bible by Allen would be good for you to read if you haven't already


Admin, I plan to post here when I don't understand a term, thanks for starting this thread! :clap:

I'll add some terms like I did before too. Others besides you may find them worthwhile.

[Chris]

Electronically Controlled Coupling (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Open-Center Differential (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Axle Articulation (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Progressive Axle (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Axle (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Shift-on-the-Fly (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Breakover Angle (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Ground Clearance (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
High Centered
Skid Plate (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Center Differential (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
High-Range (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Solid Axle (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Coil Springs (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Clutch Plates (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Suspension Travel (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Coil Springs (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Tow Hooks (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Continuously Variable Transaxle (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Limited-Slip Differential (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Traction (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Crawl Ratio
Transfer Case (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Low Crawl Speed (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Transmission
Low-Range (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Two Wheel Drive (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Maneuverability (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)
Viscous Coupling (http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/glossary/#)

[Pathrat]

THIS IS GREAT!:cheers: