We provide these definitions for words,
terms and phrases used on this website to give you specific meanings. We hope
these will help prevent any confusion over the meaning & use of these terms.
(a "?" in behind the term means we
don't have an acceptable definition)
If you have a better definition or something to add to ours - just notify us.
| Term | Definition |
| A/T | All Terrain Tires, compromise tire for use on highway and off-road, usually with tread-life warranty (see also "M/T") |
| Approach Angle | see Entry Angle (see also "Departure Angle") |
| Air Lockers | Differential which can be switched from 'open' operation to locked operation by using air pressure. |
| Breakover Angle (?) | angle formed from the center of the bottom of body to the contact point of the front and rear tire. (e.g. lift kits increase the breakover angle) |
| Corner Clearance | clearance below the bumper at the corner of the vehicle. Important when entering & exiting washes, ravines, etc. at an angle or climbing over or dropping into an obstacle with the wheel at that corner. (see also: Entry/Departure Clearance) |
| Corner Protection | protection for marker lights, turn signal lights and rear taillights. Also includes protection for grill clip corner and corner fender sheet-metal. |
| Entry/Departure (angle) Clearance | clearance below the bumper at the middle of the vehicle. Important when entering & exiting washes, ravines, approaching & exiting vertical obstacles. (see also Corner Clearance) (see also "Approach Angle") |
| Limited Slip Differentials | While similar to standard differentials, limited slip type differentials add a friction medium to the assembly to maintain equal power to both axles even if one tire begins to slip. When load is applied to the differential, the friction plates are also loaded, causing a good positive power flow to both tires |
| Locking Differentials |
Manual locking differentials - offer the driver the option of choosing between a conventional or a fully locked differential at the touch of a button (cable, etc.). This provides versatility in a vehicle that will be used in both street and extreme off road situations. Automatic lockers - This type of differential transmits power to the tires through a set of locking dog clutches. This unit provides automatic locking action that will keep both axles locked together even if a tire leaves the ground. |
| M/T | Mud Terrain Tires, for use primarily off-road, heavy lugs, wide tread spacing, usually does not come with tread-life warranty (see also "A/T") |
| MTR | Common name for Goodyear MTR tires |
| Full-Time 4WD | Four wheel drive is engaged all the time, has center differential located in the transfer case, also called All Wheel Drive |
| Part-Time 4WD | allows driver to control which axle(s) has power applied to it in some combination (front wheel drive only, rear wheel drive only, both front and rear wheel drive |
| Standard Differential (Open Differential) | Standard differentials transmit power though a set of spider and side gears to the axle shafts. Power is normally equal to both shafts. But, if one wheel slips, the other wheel receives very little power. This differential is fitted as standard equipment on most vehicles. |
|
|
