Four wheel drive power transmission system with front universal joint of front propeller shaft located towards gearbox from engine

A four wheel drive power transmission system for a vehicle with an engine, a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheel, comprising:

• a speed change device affixed to an axial end of said engine and operationally coupled to said engine so as to receive rotational power therefrom;
• a first power distribution device affixed to an axial end remote from said engine of said speed change device and operationally coupled to said speed change device so as to receive rotational power therefrom, said first power distribution device having first and second mutually sidewardly shifted and oppositely directed rotational power output shafts for distributionally supplying two rotational power outputs respectively either for said pair of front wheels or said pair of rear wheels or vice versa, said second output shaft being positioned sidewardly of a principal body of said first power distribution device and directed toward said engine;
• a first propeller shaft coupled to said first rotational power output shaft of said first power distribution device for supplying rotational power to either said pair of front wheels or said pair of rear wheels which are remote from said engine;
• a second power distribution device mounted to said engine and having a rotational power input shaft substantially aligned with said second rotational power output shaft of said first power distribution device for receiving a rotational power input therefrom and two rotational power output shafts for distributionally supplying two rotational power outputs for the pair of either said rear wheels or said front wheels which are closer to said engine;
• a first universal joint having a rotational power input member firmly mounted to said second rotational power output shaft of said first power distribution device and a rotational power output member;
• a second propeller shaft firmly connected at one end thereof with said rotational power output member of said first universal joint;
• a second universal joint having a rotational power input member firmly connected with another end of said second propeller shaft and a rotational power output member rotationally coupled with said rotational power input shaft of said second power distribution device by a spline engagement;
• and
• a radial bearing mounted to said speed change device for rotatably supporting an axially intermediate portion of said rotational power output member of said second universal joint.