2WD vs 4WD?

[klenger]

I know this subject has been beat to death in the past, but I am looking for some feedback to support my decision to get a 2WD. I am aware of all the advantages of both sides, so I don't think there is much need to discuss that in detail, but here's my take on it:



2WD:

- Lower cost ($3000)

- Lower vehicle height (4" more 5er clearance)

- Lower vehicle weight (500 lbs)

- Better handling

- Better fuel economy (1 MPG?)

- I think it looks better

- Lower maintenance (fluid changes)



4WD

- More traction

- Better resale value



I am most intrested in comments from 2WD owners from both the sun belt and the snow belt. Keep in mind that I live in Tucson AZ, so snow here is not an issue and I don't off-road. Maybe a few miles on forest service roads to get to a camp ground once in a while. One of my concerns with 2WD whould be if I was to relocate back to Colorado or someplace like that in the future. I have used 4WD towing my 5er in the mountains of Colorado, but it was rare.



How often do you wish you had 4WD?

Would you buy 2WD or 4WD if you could do it over?



Thanks

 

[Ted Constantine]

The places I have lived 4wd was and is a requirement. My truck would be useless to me as a 2wd. That being said if I was not in snow country and of the positives you listed about the 2wd are true. better fuel mileage, not as many front end issues, lower cost and dry road handling. I disagree about the looks and fluid changes are a minimal concern. I do not pull a 5er but that is a huge concern for many and if this is the primary use of your truck 2wd is probably the way to go.



I have heard it said in the horse world that it only takes using 4wd to get out of one muddy lot with a loaded trailer to make it worth while. i have frequently used 4wd with trailers but as i said I do not have a 5er and the places I ahve needed it you probably would not be with one.



I would say if you are thinking about ending up in snow country you will want the 4wd. I would get 4wd again.

 

[illflem]

I have both but the 2wd is a dually. It does fine in snow country as long as you stay on maintained roads and put about 1000 pounds of ballast in the bed for the winter.

The worst problem I've encountered has been backing a trailer on wet grass, it just won't do it.

The low range the 4wd offers can be a major advanage at times also.

 

[MO'Donnell]

Something to consider if you are buying a 3rd gen ('03/'04) - I believe the 2WD's have rack & pinion steering vs. the 4WD's recirculating ball (same type as 2nd gens). Not sure how a rack & pinion setup would fare in "heavy duty" use.



Not an issue for me, 4WD pretty much a must in the winter where I'm at.

 

[RustyJC]

I've been pulling 5th wheels with Dodge 3500 2WD duallies since 1996 when I came over from the Ford camp. During that time, we lived in Ohio and now back in Texas. I've never been stuck or needed 4WD, towing or not. Nuff said for me. YMMV.



Rusty

 

[radar doctor]

TRUCK ANSWERS

I had a 95 and a 99 4X4 Ram, and i liked them ok. However, I just got a new 4X2 and i love it over the 4X4's. I hunt and fish a lot and you might think a 4X4 is what you have to have to hunt and fish. Well in the past 6 yrs i haven't used my 4x4 feature more than 1/2 dozzen times. I just think if its that bad out i'll stay at home. If the roads are really bad, in 24 hrs i can go down 90 percent of the roads in this country... The 4X2 have a few nicer features than the 4X4. As we get older the lower frame of the 4X2 is much easier to get into. That's the main reason i traded. Who said the 4x4 has better resale? They might have the edge but ask a RV'er and let see what they say. I see lots of Snow Birds going through Kansas heading for AZ in 4X2 pulling the big RV'S... There should be a Market there i'd say. It's suppose to Snow here tonight and i just got back from a Snow Goose Hunt in which i just got through dressing 12 Geese and now we will have Thanksgiving Goose for Dinner... Just my 3 cents worth... . Radar Doctor.

 

[mlockner]

I love my 2wd truck, although there was a couple times I almost got stuck and would feel more secure with a 4wd, which I am getting in the next truck. Plan on keeping the 2wd as a hot rod daily driver and a 4wd dually for towing with just for that time or 2 when you need that 4wd.

Mike L.

 

[mhenon]

2wd vs 4wd

I think your fuel economy figures are low. I would bet a 2wd does way better than a 4wd. Mine gets over 24mpg empty and >12. 5 pulling my TT.

As I plan on being out of the north country every fall snow was never an issue. Did almost get stuck backing my trailer into a tight spot on sand but the limited slip saved the day.

I have never regretted getting the 2wd. From what I hear the ride is a lot better also.



Mike

 

[FourBarR]

2wd.vs.4wd.

my 2wd. 98. 5 has been awsome . it rides likea car, handles good, mileage in imp. gal. 28m. p. g. summer and 25m. p. g. winter. i have kept accurate records since new all calcuations done using metric converter. it has 280000km. (168000) mi. no ball joints . tie rods, springs etc. everything still tight. replaced shocks with rancho 5000. 2 sets of tires(originals goodyear, now michlins)front rotors replaced, rear brake drums , 2 sets front brake pads , 1 set rear shoes. 4 lift pumps. exhaust system replaced with 4 in. s. s.

the engine has been trouble free except for lift pumps. couldnt be happier with 2 w. d. unless i lived in heavy snow country i would stick with the 2 w. d. my 2 cents. Oo. Oo.

 

[ssanders60]

4x4 vs 2x4

I too thought that a 2x4 with a limited slip

rear end would perform all that I require, but

eventually bought the 4x4. The first time

that I used this truck off of the asphalt I left

the truck in 2-wheel drive to see how the limited

slip performed. It would not pull the truck in

the sand, the motor and front end is so heavy

and the rear with nothing to hold it down would

do nothing but spin. As you know the CTD adds

almost 1,000 pounds to the front end.

As long as you stay on hard ground or paved road

the 2x4 will do the job for a lot less money.







'03 2500 Ram, HO CTD, 4x4, SLT, 48RE, quad cab

B F Goodrich 265's, 17 inch. tires.

 

[RHamner]

Ken I tow a 30' fifth and rarely use the 4x4 towing down the road, but with the 6 speed I always go to 2 wheel low range in tight spots to save the clutch. On level ground putting it in the barn and manuevering I don't like the clutch smell without low range! I wish I hadn't had to do so much to get the minimal bed clearance though.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by RHamner

Ken I tow a 30' fifth and rarely use the 4x4 towing down the road, but with the 6 speed I always go to 2 wheel low range in tight spots to save the clutch.

This has never been a problem with our 4. 10 gears and the NV5600. I note you have 3. 54's. That's probably the difference.



Rusty

 

[y-knot]

This subject is almost worse then "OIL", everyone is so set on there way of thinking. You can justify anything you want too, I guess it makes people feel better about the choices they made? The mileage is a non-issue, I think two trucks set-up the same way except for the 2wd vs 4wd, and they will get the same mileage. Traction: well if you do not go off-road (which even 4wd owners don't do often), and if you do not live in a snow state it's a wash. Handling: 2wd has lower cg and should handle better, also as noted earlier, 2wd has rack and pinion steering, which should yield better feed back. In slick instances, like soft ground, wet grass, mud or sand the extra weight of the Cummins causes the front to sink, 4wd can help get truck going by powering the front wheels. Looks: this is purely subjective and each to there own. I like the taller look of the 4wd, And on the 3G trucks the dually just looks stupid in 2wd, and not much better in 4wd. Trailering: Higher truck could poss a problem with leveling some gooseneck and fifth wheel trailers. Towing if anything the taller 4wd cuts a bigger hole in the air for the trailer, may yield some benefits? Backing the 4wd has a large advantage over the 2wd, it has the ability to go to 4low, and with a kit 2low, Much easier to maneuver, and easier of drive-train. Maintanence: it is a wash, both vehicles have there own nuances, and the differential and transfer case oil is not changed very often. Resale: 4wd's have higher re-sale as they should Cost: 4wd's cost more to own. Height: 4wd's sit higher, may be a problem for some to get in and out of. Oil changes, and some maintenance's might be easier to perform, some maybe harder. Your survival rate in a accident is higher in a 4wd. Weight: 2wd's weigh less, and have more load carrying capacity. Anything else to add?

 

[RHamner]

Rusty



I know the difference in 6th, and I would not prefer the 410 on the interstate,or empty, or unless I weighed a lot more. Do you really think it makes that much difference in 1st or reverse? I thought it would be a very slight difference.

 

[ndurbin]

4wd is good for getting you about 100 feet farther into the mud before you get stuck. Thats just my expriences. With that being said my 4wd has gotten me out of some spots and got me into a few others.



The point about the front ends are heavy is true. W/O locked in 4wd you wont get to far. the front end just acts like a big plow. Being locked in 4wd helps alot. truck drives alot better thru the mud.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by RHamner

I know the difference in 6th, and I would not prefer the 410 on the interstate,or empty, or unless I weighed a lot more.

We ordered the 4. 10's to get the 21,500 lb GCWR. 3. 54's are only good for 20,000 GCWR with the same truck. We tow a 13,500 lb 36' 5th wheel and hit the road at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 lbs GCWR) and 10,380 lbs GVW (10,500 lbs GVWR).

Do you really think it makes that much difference in 1st or reverse? I thought it would be a very slight difference.

It makes a (4. 10-3. 54)/3. 54, or 15. 82% difference in overall gear ratios in 1st or Reverse. We have to back our 5th wheel into a covered storage site as well as the standard low speed maneuvering into campsites. I've never smelled clutch lining, so I guess it makes enough difference.



Rusty

 

[dalton4]

My 2-wheel dr. limited slip dually has performed ok for me. During the past winters I've used 840 lbs. of sandbags or a 3000+ lb. slide-in. Traction has not been a problem, but I am also not out in off-road 4-wheel dr. conditions.

 

[JLEONARD]

I have a 2 wd... with an open differential so it's actually 1 wd.

I put about 400 # in the bed and do "ok" on those few days a year that I absolutely have to drive in the snow.

I like the ride, turning rad, simplicity and mileage (24+) of the 2wd, and I put up with the minuses.

Obviously I'm not worried about resale at this point!

Jay

 

[Joe G.]

If you don't need a 4X4 then it is a waste of money. Plus having some stuff that can break or wear out. For example front axle U-joints.



I need one because I can't got to the back of my place with my trailer with just 4X2. I don't normally encounter snow in my travels. However, once last year US101 was closed and I had to use SR299 to get home to Eureka. There are five ridges on that route. Four of them had chain controls that night. No snow on the road between the ridges. Since I had 4X4 I was waved thru the chain control stops. If I had a 4X2 I would had to put on and take off chains four times or spend a night in a motel.



I go off road once in a while, but not often. Dirt logging and forest service roads are easier to drive with 4X4.

 

[Sticks]

To each his (her) own. I like the peace of mind of having the option of 4x4 in Colorado. I use it probably more than I need to in the winter, because slowing down on snow pack and ice is much faster in 4wd when you downshift. Starting from a dead stop at a stoplight with a slight incline, we have too many transplants from snow free states that do a wonderful job of "polishing" the ice because as soon as their tires start slipping, the mash the throttle, and the DOT has yet to figure out that Mag/Chloride stops working when the temps hit 20* and you either get a nice layer of cat snot on the roads or the slush freezes around the stuff and you get black ice.



If you do some serious power enhancements to your truck, you may find yourself needing the 4x4 option in any season if you get off pavement or concrete. You are either stopped or the tq just breaks the traction on the rear no matter what you do.



The height is no longer really a problem. There is a TSB from DC to lower the rear, and you can always do other little things to get under the gooseneck or fifth wheel.



IMO Buy the truck for what you intend to use it for, or what you may think you will encounter on regular basis. If you are a trailer queen that does the snowbird thing, stick with 2wd. If you live in the mountains north of AZ, you probably should seriously consider 4wd.