2X or 4X ?

[cscott]

From past experience with both 4X4 and 2X4 trucks involved in heavy towing the transfer case is the weak link.



I not completely familure with the transfer cases in CD's but in some trucks they use a chain and the chain stretches. Remember the transfer case is in the drive line all the time not just when in 4wd.



Good luck.



Craig

 

[speedracer]

2wd works just fine for me, but then I don't go off road. I use the truck for general hauling and for pulling my motorcycles, TT and boat. It's advantages are lower ride height, less weight, lower cost, better mpg, better steering/handling and less stuff to break. I can see the advantage off using low range for backing big loads, but I haven't had a problem with that yet up to 20k GCVW. Other than that, if you're not planning on going off road with your camper, I don't see the need for 4wd.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

4X is in and out when you need it. 2X is permanent and all you have when you need 4X. I don't "off-road" very often.



Not sure its really a matter of application. Rather, I believe it's a matter of traction conditions. If it never snows, never gets muddy or slick, and you're always driving traction surfaces, then you live somewhere that you definately don't need 4X.



Had a 1 ton Ford diesel crewcab 2X. Got it stuck in snow... on a hill. Couldn't go up... but couldn't back up... on a hill. Lots of shovelling and spreading sand from the sand bags and now I could move... down the hill.



Had no control once I got it going backward... just followed the back end... down the hill... and into the ditch. Was a very, very long walk for the dogs that day (literally, just under 10 miles) to a phone and a wrecker. This was a good country road. Yes it was on a hill... and in a Ford... with 2X. Had a long time to figure what to do on that walk to the phone.



I got smart and I bought my CTD 2001 5 speed 4X.



A friend has a 99 2X and tows his 5er. There are places he would like to camp but can't cause he's afraid to get stuck... which has happened in the least likely looking spots. He's stuck with pavement or hard pan gravelled areas.



So if you're almost certain you'll never be in poor traction conditions or don't mind taking the dogs for a long walk, then go 2X without a second thought. Me... I'm not getting stuck on another hill.

 

[Dean Upson]

If you do get a 2wd (or 4x4) it would be a good idea to get a LSD. The AA is much better IMO than the Dana was, it works.



Dean

 

[R-N-R]

I could count on one hand how many times I used my 4wd with my '99 1500. I found my '02 on a lot when they were just starting to become hard to find. I liked the truck and decided to save the $$ for the 4wd that I hardly used.



Shortly thereafter... . I managed to "maneuver" my TT into an awkward position on the campsite, close to the power pole. I was leaving late morning so the site was still a bit covered with dew. Boy was I ticked ( ) when I had to have a 4wd Chevy push the TT back up the mild grade to get the TT away from the power pole.



Besides, there is really "cool aftermarket stuff" for 4wd trucks.



I'm fine with my 2wd, as some have described: 1/2 a truck, 2 wheel impaired, etc... for now. But next time I will make sure and find a 4wd model.



Bill

 

[zjones]

The weight of the cummins demands 4x4 in any type of mud. If you live somewhere where it never rains (hwy or no hwy) & there is no sand, you will not benefit from 4wd. If you prefer better handling on the hwy (dry), smother ride & increased mileage 2x4 is better.

 

[TowPro]

I have not had a 4x4 since July 98. My last, and current Rams are 2wd, posi. s I have not needed 4wd since installing my new driveway in 96. (old driveway was 20% grade, stone, and I used to have to pull a 24' camper up the hill)



I really don't miss 4wd. If a camp site is so muddy that I need 4wd to get the camper into it, then its to muddy to put my camper in, My Daughter and I would end up tracking all that mud through the camper, and cleaning the camper is my job.



I guess it helps that my truck does not get driven in the snow, thats what my Jetta Diesel is for.



Every year we go down the Outer Banks of NC. Even when I had 4wd I refused to drive out on the sand, so that reason don't work for me either.

 

[Dean Upson]

If a camp site is so muddy that I need 4wd to get the camper into it, then its to muddy to put my camper in,

I have found other means of getting my butt in a jam, wet grass and large pebbles used in campsites just to name a couple. 4wd can be a great asset backing uphill or getting off a soft shoulder on the highway pulling or carrying a heavy load, in an emergency you often do not have much of a choice where you pull off the road. The previously mentioned weight of the Cummins is another plus for the 4wd and around here the resale value of the 4wd is also a plus.



To be objective about this the 2wd will have a higher towing capacity and it is lower to the ground. One really has to make an informed decision about what their needs are. When making a purchase such as this, one cannot do too much research or ask too many questions. This forum is a great source of information.



Dean

 

[mcoleman]

How much mileage difference are you seeing between the 4x and 2x? Where I live and with my farm I have to have a 4x. The truck won't move with the heavy diesel up front unless I use it. My highway mileage stays between 20 and 22 mpg with my quad cab running empty and I have never gotten less the 17 mpg when empty regardless whether it was city or highway. With the racecar and trailer in tow it all depends on the size of the hills. I've seen 16 towing in fairly flat country and as low as 12 in the hills. My previous gas burner averaged 8 to 10 when towing. It was also a 4x4.