I saw this Jeep today, a big “4 x 4” written in large letters on the back. So I got to wondering, why not just say 4WD for four wheel drive? Presumably one of the 4’s mean it is 4WD, but what’s the purpose of the other “4”? I mean, think about it, no secret it has 4 wheels like any other passeng…

LOL, that’s the arithmetic forum definition.

Technically it is hubs or axle ends. The number of wheels on the hub or axle end does not matter. So you could have a vehicle with 4 total hubs x 4 driven hubs but if the rear axle has duallys, you would have 6 wheels but still be a 4x4

@keith Sounds like you are agreeing with me, but you worded it differently

db, I never disagreed with you. I used tire initially because it was easier, I didn’t expect this to get this complicated. Transmissions and doors were never a part of the designation.

Anyone able to point me to any use of 4x4 referencing transmission?

Just distant memories, but carp every car truck had 4 wheels, Not all had 4 gears. Could be like shrimp scampi, scampi is french for shrimp, shrimp shrimp, mmmm

Wheels x driven wheels has been used since WWII, or earlier. So some folks may have swapped in doors, windows, speeds, whatever, but that’s not where it started.

What does "4 x 4" actually mean?

General Discussion

Barkydog March 30, 2016, 4:07am 27

Agree with others that initially it was 4 speed trans with 4 wheel drive, and morphed into 4 tires and four wheel drive, four doors was not included, but 4x4 could also be put as a sticker on a redneck truck for the bumper

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What does "4 x 4" actually mean?

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