MPG 2x4 against 4x4

[Simplysmn]

Looking for information on what truck would get the better mpg with the new 6. 7 and auto . I want to order my new truck but I am trying to decide what truck would be better in long run . I don't really need 4x4 but just not sure what way to go . Help Guy's Oo. and Thank you all who respond with info .



Val

 

[SNoyes]

Cost saving on the 2X4 will show up in lower intial cost and better fuel economy. If you plan to keep the truck for the long term and can live rear wheel drive only, then go for it. Also, less things to break... However, the resale hit on a rear wheel drive only vehicle is significant, and also makes the market for that vehicle smaller, a little harder to resell. And the couple times you need the 4 wheel drive just might make it worth it.

 

[klenger]

After owning 3 4WD CTDs and numerours 4WD Jeeps, my next CTD will be a 2WD. I don't need 4WD here in Tucson, and I really like the idea of simplicity, lower truck profile, and more load capacity. As to resale, it appears that the lower resale value is about the same as the initial cost of the 4WD, so no realy loss anyway. The size of the resale market depends on where you live. In AZ, there are a lot of 2WD SUVs and pickups around. Good luck.

 

[Simplysmn]

Thanks guys the saving's to start with looks to be about 4 grand so that will help and I live in the Desert so I am not going to be playing in the snow nor do we get anything worse then 90mph winds so I think 2 wheel drive is the direction I am heading at this point .

 

[Bill Stockard]

The 4x2 trucks are equipped with rack and pinion steering!



Bill

 

[WCPoe]

Also a little lower rear bed height

However, I still would like to have a 4wd set up with the appropriate big wheels, the lift and such but I went conservative and talked myself into the 2wd. I also went and pulled the two spacers from the rear spring packs dropping the back another inch or so. It's been a bonus for getting in and out of the bed and loading motorcycles and atv's. The truck seems to handle and corner relatively well considering the weight and all.

My friend bought a 2003 47re Quad 4x4 with I believe 315's and a leveling kit and his was over 7 inches higher in the back. My friend eventually ended up selling his because he was unhappy with the mileage, (his trips were mostly short around town with only infrequent longer journeys). He always said he never got more than about 14 mpg nontowing.

My truck sees about an even mix of around town and interstate, (highway speed around 70 mph), and I usually average around 19 mpg with a light foot. I have had a few of those 22 mpg tanks, (usually traveling 50 to 60 mph state roads with little traffic or stops. Towing of course drops it back a good bit depending on the load, terrain, and traffic stop and go.

Hope this helps.

Bill

 

[DJW]

When I bought my Dosge in 2001 I was all for a 4x4,even although I never owned one plus never needed 4x4 on any highway I'd ever driven on, but one always think, 'well I may need it some day, snow etc. ' However a few days before buying it, a friends brother came near to pick up some horses he had a Monster size trailer. On asking his advice, his was a 2x4, he said if I needed one depending where one lives, etc. go 4 wheeling, and if I ever had needed one, otherwise a 2x4 was cheaper, less trouble, and less costly to fix, nicer to drive. Since joining TDR (Good Deal) and reading posts, I'm sure glad I never bought one. He also said,"If you ever get stuck with a 4x4 depending where you are, it may cost a cosiderable sum to free you, and had you been driving a 2x4 you wouldn't have attempted it in the first place. " I'm glad I listened to him, his a voice of expereience.

 

[DJW]

I forgot to add, resale value has no interest for me, I buy a vehicle for myself and not for a an unknown person sometime in the future. ( buy it, enjoy it, and don't feel guilty about it)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I forgot to add, resale value has no interest for me, I buy a vehicle for myself and not for a an unknown person sometime in the future. ( buy it, enjoy it, and don't feel guilty about it)

Good mature philosophy and logical reasoning!



Which is why I also disregard the "warranty" and begin whatever mods *I* want as soon as the truck is home - I refuse to be intimidated or allow my truck to be held hostage by some piece of paper for 3 years or more - I bought and drive the truck - and I refuse to let some distant and faceless bean counter control what I do to it to tailor it better for MY wants and needs!



Sure, I *might* have to pay for a repair or replacement earlier than otherwise, but I will have the truck *I* want many years and miles sooner than the timid guys who let DC dictate to them what they can, or cannot do to their own trucks!

 

[DJW]

Gary, I got disilusioned with Dodge service departments at short span in time. I bought my Cummins, (engine first, and whatever they wrapped around **** I had some posessions to bring from Buffalo to Santa Rosa, Cal. it would take a number of trips. I bought the vehicle in California drove it around for a time and had 7000 miles on it when the check engine light came on in the middle of Kansas on a Saturday morning. It was around 9am when I came to a Dodge dealer and went to the service dept. Told them I had driven from Santa Rosa, Ca. and was heading to Buffalo NY, and have a 2001 Dodge with Cummins Diesel and 7000 miles on it, and the CEL came on a few miles down the road. First thing I was told, "It will cost you $20 for us to check it," I said ok, then it was, "You'll have to wait," I said ok again. Waited about 2 hours a service man came and used that instrument and could not find anything wrong, said it may be the Battery over-charging unit needing changing, and to stop at a larger town and have it replaced. The checking took about 10 minutes. I asked about continuing my trip and he said it was ok as the engine will protect it's self. Days later I stopped at a Dodge dealer on the Monday at the service dept. in Fredonia NY, told him of the CEL and what the other dealer told me, the clerk looked at me and smiled and I'm sure he had no idea what I was talking about, so I left. Two dealers 2 Lame Ducks. Granted on a Saturday morning one cannot expect a service department to be open, but if it is open for business it's just another day. Of most of the places I've worked where off road repairs are made, anyone comming off the road will be taken care of as soon as possible, at least it will be checked, estimate given, and if needed worked on, even if a workman has to be taken off another job. I knew full well I could have called Dodge, as per Owner's Manual on a new vehicle to be taken care of, plus I have AAA extra, but thought I'd just see to it myself. "The Squeeky Wheel does get the Greese. " Americans are the Most Polite and Understanding of any people in the World.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've owned 2 4wd and 3 2wd Dodge Cummins and definitely enjoy cruising in the 2wds. When you're trying to make time down the freeway you can really feel the wind drag in the 4x4 a lot more especially above 70.

Both of my 4x4 trucks ('98. 5 and '96 5-speed) get the same MPG at 70 as my '01 and '03 2wd shortbed trucks did at 80 (19. 5 MPG). The only exception is my current 2wd truck, a '98 12v shortbed, which does better at 70 but worse at 80 than my other 2wd trucks.

Vaughn

 

[betterthanstock]

Mileage is about 1. 5-2 mpg better with 4x2.

If you never got stuck in 2wd, and had to engage 4wd, then you probably will not need it in the future. But one towing bill, and waiting for hours for a tow truck may make you change your mind, unless a good samaritan with a 4x4 rescues you for free. It's easy to get stuck on an unfamiliar road, trying to make a u-turn with a trailer, or an a boat ramp, or backing out of a gravel road.