Advice On 4wd/2wd

[silman]

My lack of mechanical knowledge will become very aparent when you read my question so here goes.

I have just purchased a superb little Rav4 J for my wife. It is the auto version.

There was no handbook so I managed to source an import translated handbook.

Reading through this I discover that the Rav4 was available in either 2 wheel drive or permanent 4 wheel drive versions.

Short of lifting the car off the floor and looking to see which wheels go round, how can I tell which version I have??

Any help would be most apreciated.

Many thanks

[spwolfx]

as much as i know, in europe, it was only 1.8l engine that was sold in FWD version...

[AMH]

Kneel at underside of the car - look for centre prop to rear wheels - no prop = no drive = 2 wheel drive ...

[src]

Or the fun way, Park in some mud (couple of inches) and then floor it and get someone to stand well back and watch for which wheels spin :)

[silman]

Kneel at underside of the car - look for centre prop to rear wheels - no prop = no drive = 2 wheel drive ...

I did say I have no understanding of mechanics. What does a centre prop look like?

Or the fun way, Park in some mud (couple of inches) and then floor it and get someone to stand well back and watch for which wheels spin :)

That sounds more like the mechanics I understand!!!

You think it would say somewhere on the car.

Any other suggestions?

[Uncle Bob]

Hi Silman,welcome to the club .

You are correct ,they did make a front wheel drive only generation one RAV4, it was around 1997 that a 2wd option was listed, take a look at the site below, click on the 1997 model and it shows the vehicle as being FF not 4WD B) .

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/toyota/rav4/

Front wheel drive only RAV4, that will confuse the tree huggers :D .

[silman]

Hi Silman,welcome to the club .

You are correct ,they did make a front wheel drive only generation one RAV4, it was around 1997 that a 2wd option was listed, take a look at the site below, click on the 1997 model and it shows the vehicle as being FF not 4WD B) .

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/toyota/rav4/

Front wheel drive only RAV4, that will confuse the tree huggers :D .

Many thanks. That is quite a comprehensive list of models.

As mine is an ancient 1995 model, I presume it must be AWD.

My wife absolutely loves it and it is the oldest, cheapest car I have ever bought for her!!

Many thanks

[Uncle Bob]

Look up your frame number ( no chassis number ), then go to that web site and match it up , that way you can check your specification.

Frame number is on the silver plate in the engine bay .

[silman]

Look up your frame number ( no chassis number ), then go to that web site and match it up , that way you can check your specification.

Frame number is on the silver plate in the engine bay .

Many thanks Bob, I will do that.

[cfc1]

If you have something that looks like this under the back of your car.. it's 4wd.

[sjrainsford]

On the mark one rav4, as far as i'm aware there was no 2 wheel drive option at all. This was only available in other markets such as America.

The two wheel drive Rav4's in this country were available as stated only on some 1.8 engined models in the mark 2 shape.