4x4 auto vs. 2wd 6 speed

[JARichard]

I am seriously looking at an 06 but can not decide between a 4wd auto or a 2wd

6 speed.



I know the 4wd is good if i ever need it. Ever being the big if? I haven't really needed it yet on the current ride. Plus if I found a 4wd with a stick I would have probably bought it already but it doesn't seem like they exist except for special order.



So, Here is what i will be doing with it. Current ride is a long bed so I could put equipment in it and close the tail gate. I have recently talked my bosses onto purchasing a trailer to haul equipment. This leaves me the option for the short bed. I will be pulling a bumper pull trail of no more than 10,000 pounds. So, what truck would you get and why?

 

[jelag]

All my trucks pull heavy trailers... . we've tried autos in the past and don't care for them... so my trucks are 3500 duallys... with the 4:10 rear end... . BTW every truck pulls over 15K lbs... and usually closer to 20K.....



Because we are in the Pacific Northwest... . and travel passes with snow and bad roads in the winter... we always purchase 4x4.....



My BIL had a 2500 auto pulling 14K lb travel trailer... and couldn't keep the transmission temp under 250 or so when he really worked the engine... at 250 * the life of the transmission fluid is about 40% of normal... . he was changing fluid ever 120 days or so... just to be safe... . he traded for a 3500 dually with a stick... and loves it... but he's retired and pulls full time... .



My son has a 3500 srw and uses it like a car about 70% of the time..... the rest is pulling a 14,000 travel trailer... he bought a 6 speed and 3:73 rear end and loves it... has all the power when he needs it. . gets good fuel economy and puts up with going up the hills a little slower..... when he's loaded.....



Hope this helps... .

 

[JARichard]

All my trucks pull heavy trailers... . we've tried autos in the past and don't care for them... so my trucks are 3500 duallys... with the 4:10 rear end... . BTW every truck pulls over 15K lbs... and usually closer to 20K.....



Because we are in the Pacific Northwest... . and travel passes with snow and bad roads in the winter... we always purchase 4x4.....



My BIL had a 2500 auto pulling 14K lb travel trailer... and couldn't keep the transmission temp under 250 or so when he really worked the engine... at 250 * the life of the transmission fluid is about 40% of normal... . he was changing fluid ever 120 days or so... just to be safe... . he traded for a 3500 dually with a stick... and loves it... but he's retired and pulls full time... .



My son has a 3500 srw and uses it like a car about 70% of the time..... the rest is pulling a 14,000 travel trailer... he bought a 6 speed and 3:73 rear end and loves it... has all the power when he needs it. . gets good fuel economy and puts up with going up the hills a little slower..... when he's loaded.....



Hope this helps... .

So you saying 4 wheel drive with a stick! But I can't find any on a lot here.

No hills flat swamp country. I might go test drive one and see how I like them.

 

[sonorakitch]

4X4 with the manual is my vote.



Did you do a dealer check over a 5 or 600 mile radius? Sure is worth it to spend the extra time to get exactly what you want.



~Chris

 

[BigPapa]

I will not buy another 2WD or another auto (Unless I have the money to build the transmission up front!). Just my . 02.



Scott

 

[klenger]

I seriously debated buying a 2WD when I bought my current truck. Now I wish I had. Lot's of advantages to a 2WD. Only 1 significant advantage to a 4WD, and that's traction. Not a small thing, but if you live in sun country like I do, 4WD isn't very useful.

 

[JARichard]

4X4 with the manual is my vote.



Did you do a dealer check over a 5 or 600 mile radius? Sure is worth it to spend the extra time to get exactly what you want.



~Chris

I love my truck don't get me wrong. Let me give you this example. I can go to Houston and park in every parking lot i find. I can pull up to every bank and ATM drive thru I come to.



The town I live in is designed for smaller vehicles. I can get thru very few bank drive thru's and few fast food restaurant drive thru lanes. I don't know if you have an Academy where you are but I can't even park in the Academy parking lot without jumping a few curbs. Academy's parking lot should be made for larger vehicles don't you think? What is funny is all the longer trucks all park in a line jumping the curb. The 4wd definately looks better in stock form.

 

[BigPapa]

Lot's of advantages to a 2WD.

Clue me in. Let's see, better ride, better mileage, less moving parts. I would gladly give up any or all of those things if I didn't have to get pulled out of my own yard on the wet grass. No mud, no snow, no ice, just wet grass. I went to a truck pull Friday night and got stuck in the field where I parked, on wet grass. I had to literrally back up and punt once on wet pavement. Got stopped at a light, on a hill, in a light drizzle, pulling a trailer with my tractor and bush-hog on it. Got the green light and couldn't go anywhere. I had to wait until everyone clearded out from behind me, back down the hill, and take another run. I'm tired of it. If it's 2WD you better stay on dry pavement.



Scott

 

[mwhals]

I bought an 06' Ram 3500 4 x 4 with a 6 speed manual transmission off the lot. Check Dodge's website and find the dealers within a distance you are willing to drive and check out their inventories. You might find what you are wanting.



Mark H

 

[JARichard]

Clue me in. Let's see, better ride, better mileage, less moving parts. I would gladly give up any or all of those things if I didn't have to get pulled out of my own yard on the wet grass. No mud, no snow, no ice, just wet grass. I went to a truck pull Friday night and got stuck in the field where I parked, on wet grass. I had to literrally back up and punt once on wet pavement. Got stopped at a light, on a hill, in a light drizzle, pulling a trailer with my tractor and bush-hog on it. Got the green light and couldn't go anywhere. I had to wait until everyone clearded out from behind me, back down the hill, and take another run. I'm tired of it. If it's 2WD you better stay on dry pavement.



Scott

Do you have the anti spin differential? I have seriously never had to use 4wd. I have engaged maybe 10 times and of those 10 times was just in case but i don't think it made a difference. I was just playing with it running on some flooded streets

 

[klenger]

Clue me in. Let's see, better ride, better mileage, less moving parts. Scott

And about 600 lbs less weight, and $3g less purchase price (which you get back on trade-in with a 4WD). In their infinite wisdom, Dodge increases the front GAWR by 600 lbs to make up for the 4WD, but they add ZERO to the GVWR, which means that a 4WD has 600 lbs less capacity than a 2WD, even though they added 600 lbs to the front axle. Duh!!!!

 

[MathewsR]

Here's your truck. It's located in Baton Rouge, 58 miles away. It has my favorite colors too! I got the info off the Dodge search inventory function. BTW, you're right about six speeds being hard to find in your area. The four closest dealers had over 100 4x4 CTD, all with auto's... Hope this helps.



Russ



2006 RAM 2500 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 LWB

MSRP: $41,575

Exterior Interior



Eng/Trans: 5. 9-L HO Cummins Diesel / 6-Spd Manual

VIN: 3D7KS28C06G259031 See Window Sticker

Stock Number: Not Available

 

[JARichard]

Here's your truck. It's located in Baton Rouge, 58 miles away. It has my favorite colors too! I got the info off the Dodge search inventory function. BTW, you're right about six speeds being hard to find in your area. The four closest dealers had over 100 4x4 CTD, all with auto's... Hope this helps.



Russ



2006 RAM 2500 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 LWB

MSRP: $41,575

Exterior Interior



Eng/Trans: 5. 9-L HO Cummins Diesel / 6-Spd Manual

VIN: 3D7KS28C06G259031 See Window Sticker

Stock Number: Not Available

What are the colors? And no more long beds for me

 

[MathewsR]

Colors are White exterior and Khaki interior.

 

[MathewsR]

Here's another option. 119 miles away in Harvey, LA. They have two of them built the same. Judging from the VIN number they are newly built and haven't sat on the lot for a long time. Good luck to you.



Russ





2006 MODEL YEAR

RAM 2500 BIG HORN EDITION



DODGE RAM 2500 SLT QUAD CAB 4X4

Exterior Color: Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat Paint

Interior Color: Med. Slate Gray

Interior: Cloth 40/20/40 Premium Bench Seat

Engine: 5. 9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission

STANDARD EQUIPMENT(UNLESS REPLACED BY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT)

FUNCTIONAL / SAFETY FEATURES

Next Generation Multistage Front Air Bags**

Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes

Manual Shift-on-the-Fly Transfer Case

Power Steering

Sentry Key(R) Theft Deterrent System

Front Stabilizer Bar

136-Ampere Alternator

34-Gallon Fuel Tank

Var. Intermittent Windshield Wipers

INTERIOR FEATURES

Air Conditioning

4-Spoke Steering Wheel

Tilt Steering Column

Speed Control

Power Windows with Driver's One-Touch-Down Feature

Power Locks

Remote Keyless Entry

Instrument Cluster with Tachometer

Passenger-Side Sun Visor with Mirror

Overhead Console with Trip Computer

AM/FM Stereo with CD Player

4 Speakers

40/20/40 Split Bench Seat

Rear Folding Seat

Rear Underseat Storage Compartment

Passenger Assist Handle

Auxiliary 12-Volt Power Outlet

EXTERIOR FEATURES

Power Heated Fold-Away Mirrors

Bright Rear Bumper with Step Pads

Full-Size Spare Tire

Cargo Lamp

17" x 8. 0" Steel Chrome Clad Wheels

LT265/70R17E BSW All Season Tires



OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat Paint $ 225

Cloth 40/20/40 Premium Bench Seat $ 455

Power 6-Way Driver's Seat

Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat





PRICE INFORMATION (contd. )

Front Center Seat Cushion Storage

Customer Preferred Package 2BG

Light Group $ 180

Glove Box Lamp

Ash Tray Lamp

Sun Visors w/Illum. Vanity Mirrors

Front Dome Lamp with On/Off Switch

Underhood Lamp

Rear View Auto Dim Mirror

Big Horn Value Group $ 1,295

SIRIUS Satellite Radio

1-Year Service Provided by SIRIUS

Call SIRIUS to Activate@888-539-7474

17" x 8. 0" Forged Aluminum Wheels

Tow Hooks

Fog Lamps

Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

Rear Sliding Window

Trailer Tow Group

Class IV Hitch Receiver

7-Pin Wiring Harness

Folding Flat Load Floor Storage $ 100

Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle $ 285

5. 9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine $ 5,555

11. 50 Rear Axle

750-Ampere Maintenance-Free Battery

Fold-Away Power Trailer Tow Mirrors $ 100

Engine Block Heater $ 10



Big Horn Value Group Discount - $ 500











DESTINATION CHARGE $ 900



TOTAL BEFORE DISCOUNT$ 42,355



TOTAL PRICE:* $ 41,855







**Certified to the federal regulations that allow less forceful airbags





Assembly Point/Port of Entry: SALTILLO, MEXICO



VIN:3D7KS28C76G246924 L4-VON:0437

 

[JARichard]

where are you getting this info? Off of Dodge dot com ?





What is a good site to find out invoice pricing?

 

[TowPro]

Back to your original question.

I only own 2wd's. with Limited slip. I live in an area where we get snow several times per year, If its bad enough, I just stay home! When it snows in my area, and it gets bad enough you need 4wd, someone else will be stuck blocking the roads and your not going anywhere anyway.



In my youth I used to run 2wd trucks with chains in snow until it got so deep that the snow would get stuck under the truck, lifting it, causing you to get stuck, at that point a 4wd would also be stuck.



As for the manual, I love them. In 2006 you can only get the manual with 3:73's, BUT when your in OD, the final ration in the manual trans causes you to run the same RPM as the auto in OD with 4:10's, plus first gear is a "granny gear".

 

[BigPapa]

Do you have the anti spin differential?

NO, open differential. I bought the truck from the original owner. Who would order a 2WD with an open differential? If I'd have known then what I know now I would have bought a different truck. Other than that I love my truck. As soon as I can it's getting the LSD or an ARB air locker.



Scott

 

[mlewis73]

And about 600 lbs less weight, and $3g less purchase price (which you get back on trade-in with a 4WD). In their infinite wisdom, Dodge increases the front GAWR by 600 lbs to make up for the 4WD, but they add ZERO to the GVWR, which means that a 4WD has 600 lbs less capacity than a 2WD, even though they added 600 lbs to the front axle. Duh!!!!

Yup. I made the hard decision to stick with a 2wd when I ordered my truck.



Didn't want to pay the extra $3g, didn't want the extra wear and tear, didn't want the lower fuel economy, and didn't want more to break.



How many times have I needed 4wd in the past 10 years? Once. And only then due to bad tires pulling a bumper pull trailer uphill on a gravel road.



I'll take my chances. If your truck is on the road most of the tme, 4x4 just costs you money in fuel/maintenance/wear and tear... an expensive status symbol.

 

[Elite1]

I like my 2 wheel drive, 6 spd. , If I lived somewhere it snowed it makes sense to get a 4x4. 2 trucks ago, I had a 4x4 and rarely used it.