How many TDR members have a 2-wheel drive 2500 Diesel?

[jwilliams3]

I have 2wd standard cab/bed 99.

Anything with a Cummins will sell well around here.

 

[TomTerrific]

Thanks

Thanks for all your input. The 4X4 looks way cool, but I would almost never have a use for it. All of you have helped me decide to buy the 2wd. I live south of Atlanta and about the only time I would ever need a 4X4 is when it snows. I would not even consider taking a new vehicle out in the snow in Atlanta. We have a lot of wrecks when it rains and they go up exponentially when it snows. Thanks again for all of your comments.

 

[jwilliams3]

The 2wd will be not be able to get you out of wet grass.

If it snows any what so ever, get the 4wd.

 

[Josbrun03]

Let's see, skying trip to Mammoth Mountain 4 or 5x each winter. Just added some weight in the back, usualy rolled roofing, sometimes chains. Than fishing trips to Baja, Mexico in May, August and October with 11. 5' camper and pulling a boat. With the camper - 11,000 Lbs total. Driving on Mex. transpeninsula highway, as well as wash board roads, than launching the boat over all kinds of ramps in all kinds of conditions. Back home - camper is off and back to work! Mudy construction sites, hauling roofing material. All that and more with my CTD 2500 2WD. All stock, just beefy springs.

4WD- what fore? Good luck.

Joe

 

[opjohnny]

I just wish I could have one of each! That way I could keep the miles low on them! Which reminds me of a story. I was pestering the wife for a truck (I did not have one yet)and must have bothered her a little because she told Ray at work about it, thinking she would get some sympathy, to which he replied everyman ought to have a truck and that he had 2!

 

[Eric_77]

I would go with the 3500 SRW before I spent money on the 4x4 if you are south of Tn.



I have never been stuck with any of the trucks alone . the 92 got stuck once with the trailer but it does not have LSD and it was a rookie driver. Good tires and some weight in the bed (about 1000#) will keep you rolling along just fine been in 2' snow several times and it just kept moving granted I had M/S tires installed (I am pretty sure they were Wrangler A/S). If I lived out on a dirt road that rain/mud was an issue I might consider it. I don't feel like a super talented driver in the sloppy stuff but my gradparents/uncle's farm had only 2wd in NE and we learned to deal with snow mud etc and putting a truck in a ditch meant a long walk back to get a tractor (days prior to cell phones heck I don't think they work out there yet).

 

[TravisG]

Mopars1 has one of the nicest looking 2wd 2500's I have ever seen. 2001 Atlantic Blue. Truck is alwayz clean even in a duststorm. :-laf Maybe he will see this and post a picture.

 

[CPittman]

Very few vehicles will get stuck faster in soft dirt or mud than a 4x4 CTD, so it ain't about muddin' that's for sure. Or if you ARE muddin' make sure you have a 15K receiver-mount winch on the truck...



But the 4x4 sure is nice when you're backing the 5er uphill on wet grass to get it in juuuussstt the right camping spot. :-laf

 

[mopars1]

Thanks Travis! Sorry I can't post a picture because my old computer took a dump and all my pictures were on that hard drive along with a bunch of other stuff. I am going to try and get the hard drive copied. By the way it is Intense Blue, not Atlantic Blue.

 

[TravisG]

Oops- Intense blue. Sorry about that. I will see if I can find a picture of your rig and post it if that is allright with you.

 

[mopars1]

That is alright with me. Just don't show a bad one!

 

[Mad Bomber]

They make 2WD trucks? :-laf

Yep they do and I love mine

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The 2wd will be not be able to get you out of wet grass.

If it snows any what so ever, get the 4wd.

We got over 12" of snow 2 winters ago, and due to the plow shortage it was a week before they got to our street (we get very little snow). My 4x2 did quite well in the deep snow even with the wimpy stock Michelins.



Here's my '03 when we had about 6-8" snow, got a bunch more after this. Never got stuck to speak of, and never had to use the chains. It did take some rocking to get out of my driveway though.



#ad

 

[tschwab]

One other thing that was not yet mentioned - The 2WD's have rack and pinion steering, where as the 4x4's have recirculating ball. Out of all of the trucks I have owned over the last 30 years (seven of them) only one has been a 4x4, I have no need or desire for a 4x4, big waste of money (for me). 2WD and lovin it.

 

[ndennis]

Tom Terrific: I have a 2000 Quadcab 2WD Ram 2500 and it has served me well. It has 116,000 miles. It has Edge EZ and DDII's and gets 20+ mpg at 70 mph. With those mods, it goes like hell but can't stop worth a s***. I am in the process of a rear disc conversion and I am hoping the money I spent is worth it. I also have a 04. 5 3500 Quadcab 2WD and have 42,000+ miles and I am seeing between 17mpg with mostly city urban driving while I am getting close to 20 on the open road at 2000rpm. This truck has a utility bed and weighs around 9000 pounds. It is kinda doggy compared to the 2000, but the brakes are way better and it is quieter(I sorta miss the cummins clatter). In all the years and miles I have driven, I could have used 4WD twice. If you dont have a need for it, pass on the 4WD but do consider the 3500 single rear wheel option.

N Dennis

 

[jwilliams3]

I drove my 2wd for over 2 years here in Indiana.

It can be driven in the snow, is it very safe? not in my opinion.

Do you get stuck sometimes? yes.



We had 3 feet of snow fall in one day here last year.

Sure glad I had my 4x4. If I didnt have the 33's on my truck I would have been stuck for sure.

 

[Pawpaw]

Add me to the list of those who bought a 4x2 and don't regret it one bit.



I didn't want the added expense (purchase and maintenance) for something I might use once a year. My truck now has over 50,000 miles on it and I could have used 4wd once.



Like others have said, it depends on how you use the truck.



Bob

 

[GBobbitt]

I bought mine about 1. 5 years ago for about $4,000 below book (actually for about what a gasser books for) because the dealership was having a hard time selling it because it was not an extended cab.

 

[Oakwood]

2WD vs. 4WD: the unsettled issue of the ages

Wow! I just tuned in to this page. I was overwhelmed by the number and quality of the responses. The issue, however, is unresolvable.



I spec'd a 6 speed, QC, short wheelbase 2wd when I bought my '03. I wanted an economical, pulling machine. The truck has exceeded my expectations. 69,000 miles and phenomenal MPG. At a steady, unloaded, cruise controlled 65 mph on level interstate highway, I recently cracked 26 MPG. (Ramp to ramp, 213 miles) Typical MPG unloaded, non-towing is 23 to 24 MPG. Pulling a 9,900 lb. travel trailer MPG is 12 to 15 depending on winds and terrain. I log all fuel fill-ups, fill to the top of the filler-neck or until my shoes gets soaked, whichever occurs first.



If you want high MPG, that is reason enough to opt for the 2 wd. If your concern is self-sufficiency, i. e. , getting stuck, then wrap yourself in the security blanket of 4wd.



I live in south-central WI where snow and icy roads are standard winter issues. I do not go off-road except for mountain bike trails.



A 4wd is useless for me. However, 2wd's are a "planning person's" truck: plan ahead; don't plan to get stuck.

 

[Mad Bomber]

When the weather is bad enough to need 4WD I'd rather park my 30K truck and drive my old POS van. If it gets hit no big deal