4x4, AWD, or 4WD… what do people usually call jeeps and pickups?

I need some help here… we hold an annual event for folks who drive, collect, and restore historic military vehicles like WWII jeeps and Vietnam-era trucks. This year, we want to include both classic and modern civilian jeeps and 4x4 pickups, but no side-by-sides or ATVs. (Long story, but that’s not really my question).

So here’s the deal: 4x4, AWD, 4WD, or something else… what’s the most common term people use for jeeps and pickups in the U.S.?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Most folks just say Jeeps and Trucks

Montana said:
Most folks just say Jeeps and Trucks

That’s it.

4x4 and 4WD mean the same thing. AWD is different and uses a center differential.

In my area, we just call them Jeeps. There are a lot of 4x4 clubs, but we generally think of them as offroad vehicles.

@Ava
Instead of getting technical, I want to know what people actually say. What does a teenager say when he sees a big lifted Dodge Ram with huge tires? Do they say, “Hey, cool 4x4?” or something else?

Assuming the kid isn’t too busy on their phone when the truck passes by :slight_smile:

@Wil
Usually, they just say wow, that truck looks massive.

@Wil
“Cool 4x4” is actually a quote from Back to the Future.

@Wil
People often say Sweet Jeep, nice ride, awesome Jeep, or badass Jeep.

Honestly, nobody has ever told me “nice 4x4.” Even little kids who know nothing about cars will just call it a car.

@Wil
Something like, dude, that truck has some serious style, no joke.

Or something along those lines, I’m getting older and don’t always get what the kids are saying now.

@Wil
On this forum, people say it’s a small penis thing.

We just ignore that, it’s not their Jeep or truck, so why care what they think?

@Ava
Quick question: When a Jeep Wrangler has big tires, a snorkel, a light rack, and a winch, do people still just say, “Nice Jeep?”

Wil said:
@Ava
Quick question: When a Jeep Wrangler has big tires, a snorkel, a light rack, and a winch, do people still just say, “Nice Jeep?”

Absolutely.

People often call them rigs.

Zane said:
People often call them rigs.

Rig usually means a vehicle that’s been set up for a specific purpose, not just for looks or regular street use.

I would go with 4x4s as a collective term.

I’d stick with 4x4 too.

Most people refer to smaller vehicles as ATV, UTV, SXS, or OHV. Anyone in this area would know those terms. While those smaller machines can be 4x4s, they usually aren’t called that.

Or just say something like on-road 4WD to be more specific.

4x4 and 4WD are pretty much the same and refer to vehicles that use a transfer case to send power to the front and rear differentials. AWD usually doesn’t have a transfer case and uses brakes to transfer power to the wheels. 4x4 and 4WD are meant for serious off-roading, while AWD is for light off-road and snow or ice conditions. Jeeps, Land Cruisers, 4-Runners, Broncos (full size), and most trucks are 4x4 or 4WD, but some small pickups from Honda and Ford are really more AWD. For your event, just go with 4x4.

4x4.

I often hear 4x4 used to refer to a vehicle, while 4WD usually refers to the traction control feature or ability.