LSD or 4WD or both?

[MojaveJoe]

OK... my first brother-in-law with his 2000 CTD LSD dually is telling me I should reconsider buying a CTD 4WD SRW. His position is that the 4WD front end is maintenance intensive. Steering linkage wears out, extra moving parts, lower mileage etc etc. My second brother-in-law has already replaced some steering linkage in his 4WD front end on his 2000 CTD short bed. :--)



Wondering if you guys with LSD or 4WD or both would share you're experiences with 4WD problems needing attention down the road. Mileage drawbacks etc.



If Im going to tow a 12,000 5er (seldom in snow) with a SRW HO 48RE with LSD, will I wish down the road that I had got the 4WD also?



All input appreciated and considered. Almost time to order, so this is a biggie to resolve now.



Thanx, Joe

 

[BrittonTurner]

no problems with mine yet. but i only have 4500 miles on it. i have buried it up in the landfill though and i was happy that i had the 4wd. i have had a bunch of 4wd trucks and so far (knock on wood) i haven't had any problems with any of them. i just like having the piece of mind that the 4wd offers. don't worry as much driving in the snow. as far as maintenance intensive goes, since mine is a 3500 4wd it doesn't have independent front suspension which is more maintenance intensive.

milage is of course lower than a 2wd truck but i expected that anyway.



this is by far the best truck that i have ever owned!

 

[MMeier]

I would much rather have 4 WD and not need it then to need it and not have it!! As for extra maintenance an occasional fluid change for the diff and transfer case, so what big deal, small price to pay for the piece of mind knowing you can go anywhere you want to. Plus the view from being up on top can't be beat either!! Mileage difference between 2 WD and 4WD I do not believe is enough to worry about either Hope this helps, Mark

 

[Fireman]

4WD with LSD

Has pulled my fat out of the fire more than once! Even once pulled itself and an 11,000# 5w trailer out. I have a buddy, that I won't name, that has a 2WD LSD and had to suffer the embarassment of having to be rescued by a PSD recently.

Fireman

 

[Fireman]

One other consideration

The rear of a 4WD is very tall and could present aprobem leveling some 5w trailers. Just so you have all of the facts

Firean

 

[Dean Upson]

I have the 4WD and Limited Slip (have to have LS with the 4. 10's) and would not have it any other way. I have had the LS 4WD on my last two trucks and have had no problems what so ever.



Dean

 

[JBlock]

fireman got it right

4WD with LSD





you'll get your money back later on both.



jb

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Their should be a law against making a truck that DOESN'T have 4x4. Why have a truck if you don't have 4x4, but then that is just my opinion.



As far as needing more maintance, sounds like he owned a Cheby or a Ford with Tin I Beam in the past. Get it and be happy you have it.

 

[timjones]

I've had both 2wd and 4wd, when I had 4wd I just did stupid things with it. Fuel milage is about 2-4 mpg better with a 2wd. I do a lot of milage so it ads up fast (3000 miles a month). 4wd you need to change cv joints now and then, plus with the current offerings you cant disable the axles. Plus the old addage of the more parts there are the more parts you have to replace.

 

[MojaveJoe]

Loose Pitman Arm Shafts?

OK... I found the thread related to the front end problem. It has to do with "loose pitman arm shafts" and a fix some Canadian came up with that everyone with a 2001. 5 or earlier model just had to have for their 4WDs. Apparently when this goes your steering starts wandering. Sounds like those who drive off road have the problem sooner.



So my question is, has Dodge engineered this problem away yet?



Or has anyone with a 2002 or 2003 had any problems with wandering or loose steering?

(Maybe be too soon to tell. )



Almost sold on LSD + 4WD... . but keep the comments coming, especially personal experiences.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

The 2003 steering is totaly different from past years, feels much better

 

[Briman]

I don't think there are any CV joints on the front of our "03 4 x 4s. I ran 112K miles on my '00 and only had drive line problems with the rear half of the truck. None on the front drive line. Unfortunately, I believe that the vibration problems that I am having are in the front of this truck. I myself think that 4 X 4 and LSD are the way to go, even though I some how managed to get one without LSD.

 

[scotmartin]

If you never plan on using the 4 wheel drive, then don't get it. It can be very expensive to own. Trust me, I have spent quite a bit of money on the front of my truck. But, I love my 4x4. And I used it today. The 2 wheel drives generally handle better and track straighter and can be more pleasant to drive on long trips. You need to weigh all the options and make an informed decision.



Scot

 

[radar doctor]

Good info

lets keep this going guy's, maybe i can make up my mind too i've had 2 4 wd and never needed them but a few times.

 

[kompressor]

Never thought I'd need 4WD, oops. Been 3 or 4 times I could really have used it. It's not fun crawling under the rear and jacking up each side so you can put board unders the wheels to get unstuck. LSD doesn't do much when both wheels spin in the muck. Next truck 4WD with LSD.

 

[DIESELMAN]

You mean to tell me, naw, can't be, theres a version of this truck where the front don't work and only one rear wheel turns?? Get Outa Here:-{}

 

[MMeier]

Tell me it ain't so!!!! :{

 

[Blakers]

I've had 4x4s all my life - first one was a 1956 Willys CJ-3B - and a couple 2 wheel drives. I would always go 4x4 if possible. You never know when you'll need it. And I don't want to be limited as to where I can go - if I want to head up an old oil well road I can do it.



Besides, if you live where there is snow, you'll use it off and on half the year. Around here few of the back roads are salted and often there's over a foot of snow on the road. Then the dirt roads get packed and are ice all winter.



I drive to work 100 miles a day round trip and 4x4 means the difference between going 70 mph on a snowy freeway with no problem, or struggling along at 50 mph.



In my opinion, the ride and steering are just as good. I'm up to around 20 mpg now and I think that's pretty good too.



Blake