Brian, you've got it all backwards. 4wd Part time is the original system,
used on the jeeps in ww2 (and I think 1 as well, but i'm not a history
buff). It locks all 4 wheels to go the same speed all the time, which is
great for off reading, because you'll never be stuck with 1 spinning wheel
and being unable to move. However, on dry pavement, it adds a lot of
stress to the driveline, as the outside wheels need to turn faster when
taking a corner and cannot with 4pt.
4wd full time is a system that has 3 differentials (pt has only 1, the
standard rwd unit), so all 4 wheels can turn at different speeds as
conditions require. This is perfectly suited to dry and wet road
conditions, but can cause a loss of traction in severe conditions (stuck
in mud, etc). This is why manufacturers often include either an automatic
or manual locking center differential, which prevents all the engine's
power from going to one spinning wheel.
AWD, or all-wheel drive, is a lot like 4ft except you cannot turn it off.
often times these systems are designed EXCLUSIVELY for road use and are
far less suitable for off-roading.
Just my .02 on the matter,
David Gloff
Ford Ranger Splash Supercab 4.0 Slushbox
(coming soon!!) '99 Dakota CC 5.2 5-speed 4x2
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