4x4 vs. 2x4

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When I purchased my new 2000 3500 I went back and forth on the decision of 4x4 vs. 2x4.
My dealer said the 4x4 got 4-6mpg less than the two wheel drive truck.
I'm also going to be running empy most of the time, pulling a fifth wheel some time. So I opted for the 4x2 in favor of better mileage.

Now for the question.

Do the 4x4 owners use 4x4 much?
Do the 4x2 owners feel they need the 4x4 much?

Thanks,
Ben

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2000 BLACK 3500, CTD, 4x2, Quad, SLT+, Tow Package, Camper Package, Sports Package, Sure Grip, Sliding Rear Window, 3. 55, Auto

 

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I use 4wd quite often on my truck; as a matter of fact, every car I own is 4wd or AWD. It's mainly because of where I live; in Lake Tahoe. I've gone months leaving my trucks in 4WD, during some of the worst snow seasons, but that's just the nature of the area.

In addition to that, I compete in SCCA PRO Rally (racing down gravel roads and such), and the truck serves as my service vehicle. The truck and trailer need to get into some remote areas sometimes, in which numerous occasions have come up where I've needed 4wd, especially with the trailer hooked up. I've encountered everything from rutted muddy roads, snow, ice, steep climbs, etc.

The conditions I operate in, certainly aren't what most folks get exposed to. I wouldn't doubt there are several folks with 4x4's on this board that may never have even put their truck in 4wd. Unless you have legitimate needs for 4wd where it can be used regularly, there's not much reason to get it. Of course it's all up to you.

As for mileage, I see ~19. 5 on the highway in my '99 3500 4x4 (3. 55 LSD, 5-spd).

Regards,
-Mark Nelson


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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc.
http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

 

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4-6 mpg less for 4x4! NOT! Maybe with 36" tires, a 6" lift, modified engine, bull bars, light bars, etc...

Taking a stock 4x2 and a stock 4x4, all other things being equal, the difference might be 2 mpg, more like 1-2 mpg.

At any rate, it's all personal preference. Objectively, the 4x2 is a better tow vehicle. I've had both, loved my 2wd, also love my 4wd. I like the higher ride (although a little rougher), and I enjoy plowing snow so that pretty much puts a wrap on the 4wd.

If your primary purpose was to purchase a tow vehicle and you don't have any vanity issues (like wanting the biggest, tallest, truck you could get) then you've made a good choice.




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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 4" Exhaust elbow down, PowerMax1
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

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bmann, I have thought about the same thing, wondering if 4x4 really knocks the mileage that much. With the torque and efficiency of the Cummins the extra drag with 4x4 should barely affect the engine. However Evan A. Beck's 4x2 reg. cab 2500 is getting 25-27 mpg highway and I've never seen a 4x4 get very close to that (his truck has a couple add-ons like 4" exhaust and K&N air filter). Scott1 reports his 3500 QC 4x4 gets over 20mpg regularly driving around town. But this is the result of several upgrades to the engine and he was getting considerably worse mileage before. I'm getting a 4x4 since I go snowboarding and don't want to challenge the mountains with 4x2. As money allows I'm going to upgrade the Cummins for increased mileage with extra power to boot!

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Future Rammer coming with Intense Blue 2000 QC 4x4 SWB, 6-spd, 3. 54 LSD, Leather & Loaded; adding RV Injectors, 4" Jannetty exhaust, Scotty/K&N Cone intake, 295/75/16 BFG A/Ts on M/T Classic 16x8s, Northwest Custom flaps

 

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I traded in my 8 year old Explorer here in VA for my truck. In the time that I owned it I needed the 4wd about twice. But the biggest part of getting the 2wd truck was the height. Yes, I'd like to own the biggest baddest truck around, but I also have a wife that wasn't born a mountain climber. Even with nerf bars and grab handles it would have been a struggle for her to get in.



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Allen Davis
'99 3500, 24V ISB, SLT, QC, Extended, Duallie, 3:54 Auto, License Plate: DGEZLLA

 

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I have a '79 Furd Bronco 4x4 and I have had it in 4x4 about three times. I only needed 4x4 once at the beach. If I had paid more attention, I would not have needed it then.
I like the MACHO 4x4 looks and height too, but the Boss, er, wife said that she would rather NOT have me buy the 4x4 and get the 4x2 instead. (in slightly different words).
I also didn't want to pay an extra $2500 and mileage for something I didn't need or would use.
Maybe Dodge will add the Warn Hubs and my next Ram will be a 4x4.
I might need a passenger side elevator.

Ben

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2000 BLACK 3500, CTD, 4x2, Quad, SLT+, Tow Package, Camper Package, Sports Package, Sure Grip, Sliding Rear Window, 3. 55, Auto

 

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I bought the 4x4 just because I might need it sometime. I live in Southern Nevada so the weather is not a factor.
I've had the truck 2 months and taken 3 short trips and one long one totaling about 5,000 miles pulling a trailer.
4x4? You Bet!
I've used it twice to get the trailer parked in places I wouldn't dream of with out it.
Used it once to go up a 15% grade on a twisty dirt road not recommended for trailers. The rear wheels started spinning and I would have had to back up for miles.
I got to run up and down the beach in Washington State and pull people out that were stuck without 4x4.
The truck is just a hell of a lot more fun as I can putt around in the desert with little fear of getting stuck.
The very best reason to have it is so you can say "Don't worry honey, we have four wheel drive!"
Ron Duncan


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'99 Quad Long Bed 4x4 5speed 3. 55 limited slip
Boulder City, Nevada

 

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My best friends first truck was a two wheel drive, after pushing that thing out of the snow and mud so many times we both said never again! My last three trucks and his last two have been 4 wheel drives. And we have both got back every penny of the cost of the option at trade time.

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99' 2500 SLT, Quadcab, Long Bed, 4x4, White/Driftwood, Agate Leather, 4WAL, Auto, 241HD, 3. 54 Limited Slip

 

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I struggled with the same question for years and never felt I could justify the 4X4. However, since I bought my first 4x4 in 88, I don't think I could ever go back. I've honestly used it MORE than I ever thought I would. Plus, sometimes when pulling really heavy loads especially when starting on an incline I really like having the low side of 4wd to take off and get rolling. I believe it saves alot of wear and tear on tires, clutch, u-joints and all driveline components. Another thing to remember if your trying to justify the 4wd is that 4wd as an option holds its value over the life of a truck better than any other single option. Especially on a Dodge Diesel. Look at a NADA book sometime and you will see the proof. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

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Hey dudes,

My dealer told me... "With a 4x4, you just have to walk further when you get stuck. "

Anyways, I have been very happy with my 4x2. Less parts to get screwed up, better ride, better mileage, and no temptation to take it into a mud pit...

I don't ever see myself owning a 4wd Ram. My next Ram, which I plan to order next May/June, will be a 3500 QC 4x2. I just love the looks of the 3500 2WD.

But hey, 4x4's look really cool too!!! #ad




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Evan A. Beck
98. 5 2500, 4x2, RC, ISB, A/T, 3. 54 LSD, Forest Green/Driftwood, 39,639 miles
4" Exhaust, Jacobs E-Brake, K&N Filter, Auto-Meter Ultra Lite boost & pyro, turbo silencer ring removed, plus many other cosmetic modifications

 

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I own a 4x4 for several reasons. I hunt a lot, and the truck goes in some rough places. I also pull a trailer alot in and out of turn rows and dirt roads. I also have found that the 2wd can get stuck on wet grass in the right conditions.
The truck I have will get 22mpg on the highway and 18. 5 to 19. 5 in my regular commute. I drive a '94, so the new ones may vary from that. I would recommend a 4x4 if you ever plan to get off the blacktop or pull a trailer on dirt, rock or limestone roads in the mountains.

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'94 2500 Diesel Reg. Cab
Auto 3. 54 4X4
"If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!

 

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I currently own 4 4wd vehicles (temporarily), a 1986 S-10 Blazer that I'm simply fixing up to sell, a 1994 GMC Sonoma that was my daily driver until I bought my Cummins, a 1995 Jeep Wrangler (my wifes truck), and of course my '98 Cummins Dodge. Keep in mind that I live in Michigan so we do get our share of snow (although we haven't had a decent snow storm since 1976 - I'm crossing my fingers for a big one this year!) I put a lot of miles on my vehicles in winter and live out in the sticks so plow service doesn't get to us for 1-2 days after a storm. I'm also an EXTREMELY avid snowboarder (my wife, mother, brother and sister-in-law also snowboard) so when most people are bundling up in front of their fireplaces when a big storm hits I'm hitting the road to play in the powder (cherry cherry pow-pow!) I also have spent a lot of time at the Silver Lake sand dunes here in Michigan over the last 8 years. As a matter of fact I have about 2,000 miles on my GMC Sonoma in 4WD Low!!! I personally couldn't imagine not owning 4wd. It might (!) be different if I lived in the south but I doubt it. One example I can give is just this last labor day - I was towing our flatbed with the jeep on it (about 6,000 lbs) and I needed to air up the jeep's tires before hitting the road so that the tires didn't rub on the side of the trailer. The place I found with a compressor was at the bottom of a hill. I had to climb about 40 feet over a distance of about 300-400 ft and it was dirt covered with sand with a parking lot at the top with a bunch of vehicles parked. About 1/2 of the way up the hill I couldn't get any traction and was slipping and hopping the rear end. I stopped the truck put it in 4wd and idled up the hill! I wouldn't have made it up otherwise without backing back down and getting a run at it which wouldn't have been fun considering the vehicle situation at the top of the hill. That's just one situation where 4wd saved my butt in what I would consider normal every day driving conditions (for our TD's!) If I had to guess I'd say that in the past 2 years I have had our trucks in 4wd for at least 6,000 miles! It's a no-brainer for me.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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Most of my driving is freeway commute, but I live in the country. Just getting into my backyard with a load needs 4X4. Of course, the dealer was certainly right about having to walk further if you get stuck. I had 5K miles on my '95 when I got it stuck in the mountains of UT. It took six hours of work to get it jacked up enuff to tow out and my son-in-law had to walk about seven miles to get to a phone to get some help. I think Greg Whale said that the most important thing to take off road is a friend with another truck. AMEN to that!!

Joe G.

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'95 CC auto 4X4, torque plate, automatic motorhome steps on both sides, foldacover hard bed cover.

 

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I, too, have had both and struggled with the decision a bit, not because of the cost or coolness factor or height, but because of the value of the 4-low gearing in the transfer case. If you tow, and you need to move weight slowly, the 4-low (or even the 2-low conversion) lets you move things no standard 2WD truck could ever dream of due to the torque multiplication. But then, the 2WD steers better, rides better, tracks better with lower loads... maybe gets a bit better mileage, and then again the 4WD has more ground clearance loaded. In either case, you have to do stuff to the truck to make it match your use. I will say one thing, Evan, get the 2WD dually, they are super-stable and ride good. The 4WD dually is a real kidney-buster. I drive a 4WD 2500 and it rides like a Caddy compared to the 4WD 3500. Go figure... . John H.

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'99 White Sport 4x4 QC SB, 5spd. w/GV od, 4. 10, American Racing SilverAtlas mags & stainless hubs w/Dunlop 285/75R16's, CMI 3000 cap, Mopar fender flares, Linex, Luverne stainless boards, Q-logic bass, Painless Wiring, BriteBox and soon Ted J. 's 4" exhaust w/US Gear 4" Decellerator.

 

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GOOD SUBJECT!!!!!

My Ram is the First TRUCK I have ever owned.
Let alone the 4WD issue.

I only owned Sports cars in the past. . Some down right SCARRY at night with a dusting of snow on the road. .

I used to eat up all my "Sick Days" on winter snow "Events" that amounted to 1-2 inches of BLOWING POWDER!!

Honestly, I would be DEAD Right Now with one of those cars in the REAL SNOW!!!

So the decision to buy... A TRUCK. . (YUK). . was made. .

Now, I'm NOT the kind of person who goes into anything half way... "Jump In The water's fine"... has gotten me into real trouble at times.

With a truck. . if I was going to get truck. . well than. . it was going to be a TRUCK!!
That meant 4X4 . . no questions asked. .

In retrospect . . I must say that the SMARTEST THING I'VE EVER DONE WAS BUY THE CUMMINS/DODGE RAM!!!!

This Beast is a Truck to reckon with . .
a Virtual "Truckasaurus" to all those "Simpsons" watchers out there. . #ad


The 4wd option has Literally paid for itself in lost work hours. . ("Sick day" is a name only . . right??. . #ad
. . )and Motel costs for the inevitable . . "I can't get home Honey" phone calls I had to make in the past. .

Livin Large!!

Larry


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'99 2500 C. C. SLT,4X4, Auto, SWB, Forest Gr. /Driftwood, Tow Pkg. , Smittybilt S. S. Nerf Bars, Factory Tow Hooks, K&N, Mag-Hytech transmission, Dodge 3 Pc. Bug-Flector, 7 7/8 coats of wax. . Yes Sir That's My Baby!!

 

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I bought a 4x4 because I'm single and I don't have to answer to anybody! I like back-country camping, I may be moving to the snow country someday, and I gotta admit, I just LIKE 4x4's! My '97 2500 rides like a Cadillac compared to my old '79 F250.
Do I need it, here in L. A. , driving to work and back every day? Heck no, but I don't care! My truck is my reward to myself for being an honest hard working guy.
Andy

 

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Well, Jerry, a friend of mine just placed an order for a 2000 just like mine, EXCEPT.
He ordered the 4x4, six speed options.
My truck is due in four more weeks and his in eight more weeks.
We will be able to do a side by side comparison.
One thing I had not considered is the low range in the transfer case. Maybe a US Gear upgrade is in order in the future.

Ben

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2000 BLACK 3500, CTD, 4x2, Quad, SLT+, Tow Package, Camper Package, Sports Package, Sure Grip, Sliding Rear Window, 3. 55, Auto

 

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4x4 for "peace of mind" is why our fleet is either 4x or AWD. I live in the boonies of Virginia, and when it snows we dont see a plow for days. Granted the sonw is not like you get in UT, or MT but it cripples this area. I like to be able to go where and when I want to. The down side of 4x4 is you can get stuck much better than with 4x2.

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98. 5 Red 2500 QC, 5 spd, 3. 54 rear, geno's muffler eliminator

 

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They both have a good place. Earlier post-2WD 3500 with 5th wheel only highway- perfect. I occasionally tow, I occasionally haul materials into out of bad spots, I need to get to work in all weather (nuclear plant operations), and I like fuel mileage that the gassers dream about. Also for resale, if I trade and order in, I just need to do it after the first snow and I will get a good price/quick sale. So for a specific duty 4X4 takes away some functions and adds some. There are negatives,mileage,maintenace costs, tire wear, ride height, reduced paylaod from all that 4x4 ger you are carrying around. A good compromise for me- I have driven a 3/4 ton 2WD dodge in the snow and ice-never again.

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P. Campbell 1998. 5 ISB 2500 auto green/driftwood

 

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I GOT A 4BY4 5 SPEED GET ABOUT 19 THE WAY I DRIVE. WHEN YOU NEED IT JUST REACH DOWN AND GET IT . THE TRUCK LOOKS BETTER TO ME. ,,,,, RA THARPE NORTH FL.

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