History of 4x4/AWD - The story of off-roading

[@matadorprime]

Great informative video! Thank you. Thanks to all those innovators and dreamers that contributed to making 4WD and AWD a reality. Amazing feeling of freedom when driving a Jeep with the windshield down in a rugged area not many can make it through, or have even seen in person.

[@ProjectDanH]

I love your passion for automotive history! Keep it coming!! Ironic that you mentioned the Japanese and making their vehicles work for them... I recently watched something about how the Zero became an inferior aircraft after the introducing of the Hellcat, but they still did their damage!

[@chieffirewolfBorgman]

Your passion for 4x4 is awesome.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks for watching and commenting! It is appreciated here!

[@BRado]

im a toyota fan boy and i love your channel. i never realized how awesome jeeps are. you really know your stuff. the reason we stick around is because we bust balls but theres a mutual respect. We can all make fun of the Honda Ridgeline!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hell yea, brother! Yota and Jeep are Frenemies. I have respect for what Yota does

[@garyd.7294]

Hey Doug, great 4×4 history! I had a '72 Blazer (all gear NP 203)w/4 inch suspension lift, 35 BFG'S, RANCHO shocks in 1988. I put an L-48, out of my '67 SS Camaro in it prior and this truck would go anywhere! , and drove a 40 mile round trip to work, bullet proof! With that said I love my 2000 Grand. Thanks Doug.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hot damn that sounds like an awesome truck!

[@willohwhite2372]

I'm one of those Toyota fans, sort of. I wish that I could get jeep innovation with toyota durability, like a WJ built like an FJ80 (or an FJ80 with all the features of a WJ). I used to be bitterly brand loyal to Mopar and Jeep, but into my 30s I decided to fly the flag of no nation. I was getting into rally racing and unfortunately, so I had no choice but to try something new. I've never looked back, there are just so many cool cars to appreciate.I've always wanted a Jensen, big block mopar in a euro coupe. The FF also introduced an antilock brake system with the AWD. Great video!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hey man, we are truly glad to have you in the comments. I can't help but rag on Yota a bit, but at the end of the day I know what they are.

[@willohwhite2372]

@@DEInTheGarage The nice part about not being brand loyal is not having to be apologetic when something sucks. The WJ and FJ80 are two of my favourite 4x4s, but both have some serious shortcomings. Combine the 2 and you get something like a gwagen that i can't afford!

[@paulnewton1127]

Hi from the UK again ! Enjoyable and informative video. I'm no expert but I understand someone in the UK had seen the willys jeeps in the war and thought that was a good idea. Britain was broke and we needed to export goods to make money. There was a surplus of aluminium from war production and so that's how we got our first landrovers. Also, some other jeep history for you. I've just read a book about the exploits of the LRDG. That's the long range desert group in WW2. Basically a small group of British soldiers in north Africa who worked behind enemy lines gathering intelligence and raiding German/ Italian military outposts. These guys would drive out into the desert in very small groups in willys jeeps and 1941 Chevy pickups. They would be gone for weeks, surviving with just what they could carry, and covering upto 3000 miles across the Sahara desert in temperatures upto 50oC on each mission. Soft sand, hard sand, rocky mountain's etc, real tuff terrain. I understand the jeeps were standard apart from some water recovery system on the radiator seen mounted on from bumper? We often like to say how good modern vehicles are so it's astonishing what these guys did in those old jeeps. Google LRDG for the full story and keep up the good work with the WJ videos 😀

[@DEInTheGarage]

That is fascinating! I love history like that,. Thanks for sharing!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

My 79 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup was full time all wheel drive ..some one added lock out hubs however and swapped the gears from 2.70 to 3.73

[@tommalich8890]

That was awesome. Thought i knew everything about Jeep. No. No i did not. This has to be one of the best videos i have watched. Keep it up. You guys are on your way to the top. Loyal follower. Always look forward to your videos. Watch them at night,

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hey, thanks man! Means a lot to hear folks are enjoying our content

[@davidvoinier6008]

As you know living in the rust belt, every family wants a AWD or 4WD vehicle for the snow. There are so many on the road now that 2wd are in the minority. I find it amusing when I pass a Subaru Forester on icy roads with my jeep because they are going WAY too slow and don't really know how to drive them. I'm not exceeding my capabilities but I know how to use my 4wd to it's best advantage.

[@DEInTheGarage]

It is true. they dont realize how capable their vehicle is!

[@ericdesmeules8117]

Have you ever heard of a Lada Niva from Russia... They were sold up here in Canada back in the mid 80's. They are still in production back in Russia. Very capable little 4X4

[@DEInTheGarage]

I have heard of them and seen videos, but never had the opportunity to see one in person. They are good little 4x4s?

[@donabaypro6782]

Thanks for the history lesson.

[@pumpdump4476]

Being a WJ fan I have gained a lot of information from your videos and really like your channel. However with that being said you omitted a very important piece of the history puzzle. The International Scout 80 was the first American made vehicle built of the SUV concept. While the term "SUV" wasn't coined until much later in 1960 the Scout 80 was the only competitor in the light (compact) marketed to both farm utility and family daily get around that had any amenities.

[@imjeepnmike]

Great review of history!

[@harveyschifeling9068]

thank you for the passion.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Always :-)

[@colinstokes3826]

Great content 👍.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks!

[@shawnriddle3018]

As a Dodge 4x4 fan i think your video leaves a lot to be desired. I can tell before you mentioned you were a jeep fan. Not only was Dodge the first vehicle used in u.s. combat in 1916. Dodge was also years ahead of jeep in 4x4 history. 1934 Dodge 1.5 ton 4x4. 40's Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4's, 3/4 ton 4x4's and H.D. 4x4's. in every size and shape from inclosed van type abulance trucks and carry all SUV type to open jeep like command cars which was General Pattonts favorite. G.I's didnt write home about the 4 banger jeep. They wrote home about Dodge 4x4's G.I's called the Dodge beeps for big jeep. Dodge was the sole provider for all full size 4x4's Ford and Chevy before borg warner with Chryslers own New Process gear transfer cases and manual transmissions. I don't recall Ford having a 4x4 truck in WW2. All 2 wheel drive. I suggest you look into Dodges history in military vehicles including the M37. You like SUV's check out the power wagon town wagon.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

They had 4 wheel drive Conversions for Model T Fords very early on .

[@87fubar]

ive wanted to play around with a Suzuki samurai prices have gone way up though

[@DEInTheGarage]

They are basically classics at this point

[@jeepdogjl8687]

What about the International Scout it proceded the Bronco by four years.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Damn... I knew I was going to froget something... you are 100% correct!

[@lanedexter6303]

It seems that way with any technology, cars, airplanes, guns, you name it, that in the beginning there are LOTS of guys trying MANY different approaches. Then after a while, things settle down and become standardized, not many folks thinking outside the box anymore. But those early years are fascinating.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Cant argue there..

[@davidricharddrutherosky4940]

Keep up the good work (2004wj)

[@AlecG0]

Good stuff. One question for ya. How did you securely put that car seat in? Do you just have the seat belt in? My wife and I are having a baby soon and i have a wj with no anchor points for car seats. Is there a way to install one?

[@DEInTheGarage]

What year is your WJ? My 2001 (in this video) has an anchor point in the cargo area on the ceiling where the one strap goes and then i used the stock seatbelt for the bottom and it is more secure than in my wife's Compass with the dedicated tie downs under the seat. That said, my 2000 WJ does not have that anchor point in the cargo area. I had that issue when we first brought my daughter home as I was driving an XJ with no tie down points. I discovered that Jeep sells a kit for all modern Jeeps to install factory tie down points. Call your local dealership, explain the vehicle you have, and they can order the kit for you. There are other ways to "make it work", but I do not feel comfortable disseminating that knowledge. When it comes to your kid, just do it right, right?

[@ProjectDanH]

Congrats! Jeepers make the best parents!

[@jimcarlson6157]

@@ProjectDanH jeepers put 4" lift kits and knobby tires on strollers

[@lanedexter6303]

Kubelwagen was 2WD, but the more rare Schwimwagen version was 4WD along with being amphibious. I never understood that.

[@piccachoooo]

Wassup D, I own a '98 XJ and an '04 Avalon lol, long story. Should i put a diff lock in the toyota? or lsd? is that a thing? Even if cars are 2WD they should come with at least a selectable diff lock? otherwise they are 2WD on road and 1WD off road. right?

[@DEInTheGarage]

well that is definitely true.. your open diff is realy a 1 wheel drive if one wheel starts slipping. I am not sure how much you would benefit from an LSD in an Avalon.. also, aren't those front wheel drive? If so, the diff is likely part of the transmission (kind of) and cannot be modified. I am certainly not the right person to talk to on that one. Somewhere there is a Toyota forum with two guys hashing that out as we speak

[@jimcarlson6157]

I haven't yet diagnosed your exact personality disorder, but I kinda like it. you would be a good trivial pursuit partner

[@DEInTheGarage]

If you figure it out, can you let me know?

[@jimcarlson6157]

@@DEInTheGarage I'm looking at a 3.0 diesel gk overland. 07 with 90k miles for $5g. rust free west coast. it looks immaculate with all records from new. any reason not to buy?

[@stoff3r]

Subaru had the boxer in the early 80's.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yep, but they didnt standardize it until the 90's. That really improved their sales as vehicles all shared the same motor making maintenance and parts cheap

[@rustybrowneye]

Honey's play me close like butter play toast from the Mississippi all the way to the East Coast

[@jonb2046]

Awesome video, well researched and presented as usual. I'm curious about your disdain for Toyota. I'm a Jeep and Ford guy through and though but I've always regarded Toyota as being far superior when it comes to reliability. I like working on stuff so it's never bothered me, lol. Watching your videos, I've come to respect the hell out of your opinion and would be very interested in your reasons for disliking them.

[@DEInTheGarage]

That is a difficult questions to answer and it is not one thing. First, in my experience Toyotas are not all that reliable or easy to work on. I know all the stories of guys driving Tacomas 1,000,000 miles, but the ones that have hit my garage floor have been just as rusty and broken as anything else and in a lot of cases they are over engineered so they are difficult to work on. A second reason is that I hate independent front suspension which Toyotas all have these days. It is just a personal preference, but I find a solid axle easier and cheaper to maintain and generally more reliable (less pieces to make everything work). I do not mind the rough ride that goes along with them. Finally, there is a Toyota vs Jeep "agree to disagree" type thing that exists in the off-roading community and I suppose I have bought in to it fully. I 100% DO respect what toyotas can do, but they don't do it in a way that makes me want to own or work on one. As a result I also do not endorse them to anyone asking my advice. I find them over rated. As a final consideration... Toyota made the Prius, so nuff said, right?

[@jonb2046]

@@DEInTheGarage LOL, good point on the Prius. Thanks for the input. I 100% agree with IFS being an overly complicated system for the little benefit it offers. Sadly, even Jeep has bought into it these days unless you go Wrangler... or Gladiator *Homer Simpson drool*

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@jonb2046 Yea buddy... word on the street is that we are getting a full frame Grand Wagoneer sometime in the 2020's... just a rumor for now, but would be truly an awesome addition to the lineup!

[@MrMrsregor]

@@DEInTheGarage i do not like toyotas, i do not like the way they drive, never had any good luck with them, and they are kind of a pain to work on. but my brother just sold his perfectly good running 2006 toyota prius with *350,00 mile*

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@MrMrsregor damn. hahah 350k is nothing to sniff at, but there isn't enough tea in Boston Harbor to get me into a Prius..

[@rhameparralax8006]

First!😊

[@twohats8462]

Toyota sucks!!!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Now that is something I can get behind

[@libertyordeath1788]

*yawn*

[@jimcarlson6157]

if liberty is lacking, take the second option

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Walter all-wheel drive differential for axles and transfer case which was incorporated into the Transmission. When a wheel starts to spin the differential puts more toque to the wheel with more traction. patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/08/87/fb/8e29aff04bea4e/US1620246.pdf