2WD Versus 4WD 3500's

[Pit Bull]

How do the 2WD 3500's do in the snow compared to the 4WD's? Also how much less is the maintence on the 2WD. Do the 2WD's have fewer steering (frontend) problems? With the 2WD lighter front suspension do they end up sagging? Sorry for all of the questions.

 

[MikeR]

The 2wd rides like a Cadillac compared to a 4wd,and yes,it has less steering problems. Does it snow that much in MO? I'm sure if the roads are plowed,then a 4wd is still not needed. The only time I need 4wd in the snow is when I'm off the road.

 

[Steve G]

I can't tell ya about snow, but I know that my truck will just spin the wheels on a wet boat ramp unless I put weight in the bed. Last winter I got caught out in an ice storm and I can tell ya that I could get no traction what so ever. I would just take my foot off the brake and the truck would spin sideways. Took me 3 hours to go 10 miles. If I had it to do over, I think I would get a 4X4.

Just my opinion.



Steve

 

[Bad340fish]

NOTHING is good on ice My truck is a 2500 but it would only move after I put 1000lbs of Batteries in the bed. After that it would do quite well. Without them I backed out of the driveway and only got about 100ft down the road.



A friend of mine has a 3500 and it did ALOT better unloaded than my 2500 did.

Clark

 

[RobG]

I had a '96 3500 4x2 and I now have a 2001 3500 4x4. The '96 rode a LOT nicer, and the steering was a bit better (less kickback). BUT... the 2001 doesn't suffer from the pull to the right that the '96 had (which ate a set of tires on a trip to Colorado).



I think what it comes down to is, will you use 4wd enough to justify it? I got it because of trips over the Sierras that frequently require chains for non-4wd vehicles.



Rob

 

[Pete Peterson]

Still ain't figured out why they make a 2 wheel drive truck!! Just kidding guys ... ... ... . Pete

 

[Shovelhead]

2 X 4??, 4 X 4??

Mine's a 6 X 4



6 on the ground, 4 driven.

 

[Happy Camper]

I have been stuck on green grass so it is a 4x4 always for me. It is nice to throw it into 4 but if you get stuck in 4 wheel drive it is work getting out.



When there was nothing but 2wheel drives, chains were used more. It boils down to a choice and whether it is worth the additional cost for what you will be using it for.

 

[ReggieRam]

Go w/ 4x4

I've gone the route of having both 2x and 4x trucks, and as was mentioned earlier, I can't understand why they make a two wheel drive truck! My 2x truck would lose traction all the time when I'd be launching a boat or anything. It used to drive me nuts!



As for my truck in snow and ice, it feels awesome in both. I hit a patch of black ice a year ago at the Continental Divide, in two wheel, try a sidewise slide at 60 MPH to get the blood pumping! There were cars and trucks everywhere upside down, in the median, you name it. I missed a Chebby by a couple of feet. When I slowed down enough, I put it in 4x and just motored away like it was nothing. If nothing else had ever sold me on the value of a 4x4, then that did.



I'll admit that the ride can be a touch rough at times, but the value greatly overshadows the teeth-rattling IMHO

 

[rickhans]

I have been driving 4wd trucks for about 30 years and have had 2 2wd trucks. I think 4wd is the only way to go. On more than one occassion, I have gotten into trouble on snow and ice, usually making a turn and it decides to go straight, but shifted into 4wd and gave it gas and pulled through the turn.



I use the 4wd often here in Dallas whenever it rains. I shift into 4wd at the stop light then to 2wd when I reach the desired speed. I use 4wd low when backing the trailers.



I have not seen it mentioned here, but don't overlook the fact that 4wd brings a much higher resale price than a 2wd and 4wd's are usually in higher demand thus easier to sell if upgrading.

 

[David Muench]

6x6

I've never driven such a stable truck in winter weather as my 6x6 3500. With all the weight on those front tires, it just cuts right through the snow and slush. I had a 2wd D350 dually as my last pickup, and it was a bear in the snow. Never again. .

 

[Bill Stockard]

Hey SteveG,



I have a 4WD full size Bronco that won't stay on these Texas roads after an ice storm running in 4WD. It will slide off to the side because of the high crown on some roads. This Texas ice is like driving on wet glass!!!



I get a kick out of watching folks who move to Texas and say they can drive on snow. Yep, they can on drive snow, but watch 'em on the ice--first ones in the ditch or bridge railing!!



All 4WD does it get you going faster so you can skid further!!



The next 3500 we buy will be a 4WD--probably have to get my wife a step ladder to get in it!!



Bill

 

[redneckdr]

pullin' wheels

dlatimer

i moved to ga 9 years ago from mo. i'm on my 5th 4X4 dodge. i wouldn't have a single axle drive truck (unless two axle drive trucks weren't available). i think the first I-44 corridor big snow you get, you'll wish you had the front axle pulling, unless youdon't have to go in the snow. even in ga my truck is in 4wd every week doing something. an added feature--if you do a lot of towing, kits are availabe to have "2wd" low by having the front axle not engaged in 4wd low. that would be a great help backing trailers, esp with the six speed.

my . 02 worth...

 

[willyslover]

as stated before. . the frond end weight will be the biggest advantage for the 4x6. . it will take you thruogh very deep snow with ease. . the rear end gets some axel wrap up and you can get traction bars that will take care of that and also give you much better launch and bad road manners. . the best I have seen are the ones that a member/moderator here makes. . the SteveStL's bars are well thought out and very well made with the best materials [no cheep pieces]

 

[RustyJC]

A minority opinion - we've towed 5th wheels with 3500 4x2's since 1996. Never stuck (including living in Ohio during one winter), no wrecks, never had to be pulled out of any situation. For our use, we've never needed a 4x4, and the 4x2 has some real advantages for towing applications (higher allowable trailer weight, better stability and aerodynamics, lower maintenance, lower fuel consumption, lower initial cost, no 5ver "height" problems, etc. ) Hey, buy whatever you need (heck, buy whatever you want!) Ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice, I guess.



Rusty

 

[jsimpson]

Both of mine are 6x2's - no limited slip! But I guess that beats a 4x1