Undecided about 2wd vs 4wd

[The patriot]

For the 131K miles I've owned my truck, I have maybe 300 miles in 4 wheel drive.
I could have not gotten to where I was going in 2 wheel drive for those 300 miles though.
When I was working I was "essential personnel" . I HAD to be there!
For me it was a necessity.

 

[Mingoglia]

Since we're sharing actual stories... Back in 2002 I was driving my '01 3500 from Virginia back to AZ, unloaded. A storm rolled in which was described at the time as "the worst storm in 25 years". It was solid ice on the roadway all the way from Arkansas to Northern AZ. I believe I was in Arkansas when the road became closed because there were multiple vehicles upside down in the ditch. The roadway literally had multiple inches of ice on it from the freezing rain/snow. I was about 100' past a rest stop, which was up a hill. I figured I could drive up the exit of this rest stop (since I was past it), and camp out in the truck until the road opened. I started up the hill and started getting sideways, with the front of the truck literally aiming off the road. That truck (which I still have) is a 5-speed. I jammed my left foot down on that clutch so hard I now am surprised I didn't push my foot through the floor, LOL, reached for that 4wd handle and jerked that thing back in 4wd so hard I'm surprised I didn't yank that lever off (this post is almost sounding pornographic). As soon as I let out of the clutch, the truck pointed straight up that hill and I got to the "safety" of the rest stop. There was so much ice up there, it was ALL THE way up and over the curbs. Solid ice. Couldn't tell where the spaces were and where the curb was when you parked. It was full of cars. Was a really eery feeling. I remember freezing my *** off in a sleeping bag for about 4 hours because I was afraid, even then, to extended idle my truck because of all the stories I heard on the TDR. I've been a member a looong time.

 

[JR]

Its totally a matter of personal needs that only the OP can answer. If its primarily a summer vehicle or you live in a warm climate 4x4 may not be necessary. If you prefer to csmp off grid or live in a snowy climate like we do you would be wise to get a 4x4. We get several snow storms a year of lake effect snow, we can get hammered with 18" to 2 ft in a short period of time. I dont care how good of a driver you are you'll need 4 wheel drive in situations like this. I can't even get out of my own driveway at 3am when its all blown over and drifted without 4 wheel drive. I also pull my flat deck trailer year around and even with a small amount of snow on the roads 2 wheel drive can get real hairy under the right circumstances. The front end of these trucks are just too heavy and the rear too light when they're empty or loaded light. Ive actually had to grab the 4 wheel drive lever to get moving with my empty flatdeck trailer hooked up. Of course this is in soft or snowy/icy terrain.
It really all deoends on your intended uses.

 

[Tuesdak]

Agreed with intended use and climate being the #1 factor.

The big factor being left unsaid is 4X4 Death Wobble that 2WD is rare to have and other expen$ive repairs the 4X4 front ends need. The 2WD uses rack and pinion for some years and 4x4 gets recirculating ball. Thus less parts to replace on a front end overhaul. Transfer case oil front end diff oil added to maintenance.

Even then 4X4 is really only 2WD without a good locker in the rear end.

Last if you have a 4X4 that will do what you want then take that on the rare days you need a 4X4 and leave the 2WD home. I find it rare the areas of the country that a 2WD pickup is the best choice. It will get by, but, when you need 4X4 it makes the above trade offs worth it. Some cases truly don't need 4X4. Any snow/ice at all and it is a unnecessary challenge to own a 2WD. Maybe 2WD helps you remember the limitations of stopping/turning on ice? :-laf

At less than 20MPG on diesel, seriously, MPG isn't a concern. If it is quite frankly look at something else that has a rated MPG - maybe even a 1/2 ton gas engine or complete other vehicle. The bigger factor in MPG is a MT vs. an auto transmission. Also the 2007-2012 non DEF trucks get worse MPG than pre emission or 2013+ Ram diesel pickups.

 

[Mingoglia]

Good point on the death wobble. I'm thinking these new trucks are so heavily built it's likely not a problem, but it certainly used to be and still is on many trucks on the road. For those not familiar with DW, on solid axle trucks a track bar (typically) keeps the front axle centered left to right. When DW occurs, and it's usually due to warn components, the axle violently shakes from left to right. It feels like a tire is bouncing or out of balance, but it's actually side to side axle movement. This of course isn't an issue in a independent front suspension of a 2wd.

 

[The patriot]

I've never had the dw problem at 131K miles.
Original front end.
I added grease fittings when it was new.
I have however replaced the steering box and track bar. That's all.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I've towed 5th wheels with 2WD Ram 3500 duallies since 1996. I've never been stuck nor been in a position where I really needed 4WD, but then again I don't tow in ice/snow or into remote offroad locations. 2WD trucks offer a number of advantages for 5th wheel towing (lower bed rail height, better aerodynamics, reduced mechanical drag, better fuel mileage, better ride and handling for independent front suspension trucks like mine, no "death wobble" problems.)

It all depends on your particular needs. Some wouldn't be without 4WD. I've never needed nor wanted 4WD. Different strokes for different folks.

Rusty

Yes, same situation with the four 2-wheel drive dually Rams I've owned. They either hauled RVs or towed RVs and weren't daily drivers, never off the pavement, and never driven in snow and/or ice. Like you, I never had to replace front U-joints, ball joints, track bars, power steering gear boxes. or tie rod ends and never experienced the "death wobble".

I'll also add that I drove a mid-80s Ford 4x4 for 198,000+ miles and never replaced any of the above parts either.

Bill

 

[Shadrach]

In Alberta over 3/4 of all trucks ( and SUVs ) are 4X4. Most 2wd trucks around here are owned by "old guys to tow their RV South for the winter" I wouldn't own a 2wd again. Even tho I don't drive my truck much in the winter I have found the light weight rear end of a 2wd to be useless. All my vehicles are either 4X4 or AWD. I prefer the height, for visibility, of a taller vehicle. Many times I have needed to use 4X4 in campgrounds. One time I stopped on a hill in loose gravel with the TT behind me and when I let out the clutch all I did was dig a hole. Switch to 4wd and no problem. 4X4 are more expensive for maintenance but for me it is irrelevant.

David

 

[inlinesix3million]

Ditto on the 4x4. You don't need it til you need it. Then it was all worth it. Nothing more ridiculous than getting stuck on wet grass!

 

[ed9824v]

Just left a campground in the Lake of the Ozarks that I do not think I would of been able to get the 5er out without the 4x4, BUT if you had 2x4 you may not have gone there. I have been in places with my 2x4 dually that I had problem backing my pull trailer when the trailer wheels had to go over a raised boulder and the trailer started to jack knife. I live in the High Desert of Ca. but do take my buggy offroad and would not be without it. One other issue is that the 2x4 have greater tow rating in most cases then the 4x4.

 

[Tuesdak]

One thing most forget is a 4X4 is only a 2WD unless you have a good locker in the rear. With a locker the need for 4X4 is less. Limited slip (LS is not a locker!) from the factory tends to be not aggressive enough. You can get aftermarket aggressive LS installed or a auto/manual locker.

A compromise to get a 2WD is having a locker in the rear.

The only times I have regretted 2WD is offroad. One time was in a 4WD and the front failed to lock in and the 3/4ton axle G80 locker broke. (Expensive day.) That was one of many times I had to be pulled out. Few times I shoveled myself out of snow and mud. Again 2WD makes snow and ice more of a challenge on paved roads.

Stuck with a 2WD (rear locker) in sand with a trailer. (Powerline road)
4X4 tow truck got stuck just getting to me.
Had to be pulled out with a front end loader as that is all that could get to me. Same for tow truck...
Afternoon with family = Priceless!

 

[Mingoglia]

One thing most forget is a 4X4 is only a 2WD unless you have a good locker in the rear. With a locker the need for 4X4 is less. Limited slip (LS is not a locker!) from the factory tends to be not aggressive enough. You can get aftermarket aggressive LS installed or a auto/manual locker.

A compromise to get a 2WD is having a locker in the rear.

The only times I have regretted 2WD is offroad. One time was in a 4WD and the front failed to lock in and the 3/4ton axle G80 locker broke. (Expensive day.) That was one of many times I had to be pulled out. Few times I shoveled myself out of snow and mud. Again 2WD makes snow and ice more of a challenge on paved roads.

Stuck with a 2WD (rear locker) in sand with a trailer. (Powerline road)
4X4 tow truck got stuck just getting to me.
Had to be pulled out with a front end loader as that is all that could get to me. Same for tow truck...
Afternoon with family = Priceless!

True, and with that being said, a 2wd is "only" a 1wd without a locker in the rear...so at the end of the day you have twice the wheels providing power.

 

[Motorhead]

A 2wd drive Dodge is nice until you get the front wheels in some sand and try to get out. How ddo I know? I owned a 2001, 2wd dodge pickup. Even with the limited slip rear diferential, I was STUCK. The Cummins engine alone is about 1000 pounds. I replaced the 2wd, 2001 with a 2007, 5.9 4WD. The 4wd is going to have much better resale value down the road if you decide to sell it. I put a set of free spin hubs on mine and could get 19-21 mpg on the highway. Don't buy the 2wd.

 

[ed9824v]

I pulled my 5th wheel out of a campground up a steep dirt grade and do not think I could have made it without 4x4. I had a 4x4 Jimmy years ago with a pull trailer backed up and there was a low boulder that caused the trailer and truck to start to jack knife till I put it in 4x4. I have places on my property that need 4x4 to maneuver the trailer on to the concrete slap in front of the garage, all for 4x4 would like the free spin hubs. though I am use to that feature.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The 2wd HD Rams now use the same suspension as the 4wd, with a tube instead of a differential. Thus, the 2wd sits almost as high as the 4wd.

 

[nopaymentdue]

Well as some folks suggested we totally went in a different direction. Sure do appreciate everyone's insight. I know this is blasphemy but we got a 2014 Ford ecoboost for roughly the same as we would have paid for a 2007 Dodge. The off road features on this unit are pretty amazing you can literally go rock crawling with the locked rear end feature. The mileage doesn't compare to our 1st gen dodges 89 & 92 but the comfort is quite a step up air bags etc. Tom still would just as soon drive the old Dodges around. Recently took a 800 mile trip to coos bay Ore. from Redding and got 21.5 MPG With the 89 at 55-60 MPH thought it would be a lot more uncomfortable then it was. There's a entertaining video on YouTube called Ford engine 448AA 1-5 durability test on the ecoboost. This unit pulls the 19 ft. trailer easily up some pretty good grades that we have around here.

 

[TJJEEPER]

I've had 4X4s my entire life. I've used them for many applications. The one thing that held true for every one "All a 4 wheel drive will do is get you stuck in a worse place".
I don't get stuck very often but when I do, it's good!

That said, the low range works VERY good for towing off road. Low and slow!

 

[RustyJC]

I've had 4X4s my entire life. I've used them for many applications. The one thing that held true for every one "All a 4 wheel drive will do is get you stuck in a worse place".
I don't get stuck very often but when I do, it's good!

Reminds me of a saying the cowboys had when 4WD pickups started hitting the market in the late 50s/early 60s. The cowboys on one ranch hated the first 4WD Chevy pickup the ranch bought because "It just gets us stuck deeper and farther from the bunkhouse."

Rusty