Author Topic: Trucks RWD vs 4WD (Read 6270 times)

KRS · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:24:36 pm »

4wd has benefits and I feel is worth the extra costs, but a 2wd truck with limited slip differential will do the job most of the time. If there is any chance that you may want to use the vehicle to go down some back trails (say while camping with the kids) or may be using the vehicle to routinely travel out in the country at night when the snow removal equipment is reduced then the 4X4 is very compelling.

If you aren't expecting to do any of that then if you could find a good used 2wd (to allow for poorer resale) equipped how you wanted, it makes some sense. I wouldn't personally buy a new 2wd as the value retention isn't there.

My new truck has the selections for 2wd, auto 4wd, 4 hi, neutral, and 4 lo. for travel on the highway the auto function is very nice but if you know your in a position where 4 wd is needed then it can be engaged eliminating the issues of a slip and grip system. in the almost year that I've had the truck I've been in auto for maybe 9 days total, and 4 hi twice. If resale wasn't an issue then it wouldn't make that much sense to have the 4wd for that little use. Of course many new vehicle purchases don't make that much sense anyways.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:31:35 pm »

Limited slip rear end, good studded tires and a bit of weight (not needed for a full sized truck) will see you through almost all conditions, throw in a set of tire chains for the truly horrible stuff.

I had a 2wd Ranger and Toyota PU in the past, as well as a 4wd F150 work truck. Four wheel drive was nice, but even living in rural NB, I very rarely had to use it.

If you're looking at 2nd hand trucks, you can save a lot of money going 2wd, especially regular cab ones.

Careener · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2009, 12:22:36 am »

Brand new Ranger 2wd is $13k right now. 4WD is $16,800, also a steal.

davidy · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2009, 01:11:09 am »

Quote from: Careener on December 22, 2009, 12:22:36 am

Brand new Ranger 2wd is $13k right now. 4WD is $16,800, also a steal.

$16,800 ? Where did you get this price?

From Ford.ca, a sport 4x4 supercab with a 5 speed is $20,699 including $5,000 delivery allowance. MSRP is $25,699.

Currently, I am looking at a sport 4x4 supercab with FX4 off road package and auto for $23,xxx plus doc/admin fee and taxes. MSRP is $29,599.

Careener · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:06:22 pm »

Look in the Toronto Sun..there are several dealers who openly advertise this pricing. My sister bought a 4x4 sport at this pricing + managed to additional recycle your ride discount.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #25 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:31:09 pm »

There is another $1000 off a Ranger if you are a Costco member.

http://www.fordclassic.ca/Fordcostco/en/index.html

Sliding around today, got to thinking it's a shame the 2WD Ranger (which gets double the mileage of the 4WD) doesn't come with a FWD drivetrain. A cheap truck with great mileage that doesn't get stuck would sell by the bucketload.

Careener · « **Reply #26 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:36:05 pm »

Good to know as the costo 1k$ was not valid on the Ranger a few months ago.

madjak30 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 22, 2009, 05:30:45 pm »

Everyone seems to have the same opinion abouth the 4wd. My truck is rarely in 4wd, but for those 5-10 times a year that you find youself in a position where you need it...it is priceless!!!

And as mentioned earlier, the extra cost for the 4wd system will be recovered when you re-sell the truck. I always had 2wd trucks before and never thought it would be worth it, even though you can get stuck in the Safeway parking lot if you are unloaded. That could be quite embarassing....not that it ever happend to me...

G0dspd · « **Reply #28 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:14:02 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on December 21, 2009, 11:31:35 pm

Limited slip rear end, good studded tires and a bit of weight (not needed for a full sized truck) will see you through almost all conditions, throw in a set of tire chains for the truly horrible stuff.

I had a 2wd Ranger and Toyota PU in the past, as well as a 4wd F150 work truck. Four wheel drive was nice, but even living in rural NB, I very rarely had to use it.

If you're looking at 2nd hand trucks, you can save a lot of money going 2wd, especially regular cab ones.

Good winter tires and a bit of weight in the box will get you out of almost anything in a 2WD truck. Most bed liners have slots in the back for 2X4 so you can throw in a few sand/salt bags. You also have to be smart about it ... you don't just floor it and hope to make it. The resale value might be poor but most 2WD trucks aren't meant to be investments and 4WD vehicles come with there own set of potential problems.

Sure a 4WD truck might be nice to have once in a while but IMO they're not worth the extra money (in most cases) and I think they're meant for real off-roaders. For example, people who go in the bush where there's no actual road ... not in downtown Toronto. I drove a 2WD reg cab GMC for a few years back in the days and I never had any problems in the winter. Sometimes it took a bit of planning and a little more time but if a 4WD floats your boat, go for it.

Is it just me or is the term 4WD/AWD a little overhyped these days. Most of the uninitiated think it's their answer for everything winter has to offer. I've seen dozens of AWD SUV/CUV/_UV with all-season tires in the past few weeks.

Seafoam · « **Reply #29 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:00:04 pm »

Is it just me or is the term 4WD/AWD a little overhyped these days. Most of the uninitiated think it's their answer for everything winter has to offer. I've seen dozens of AWD SUV/CUV/_UV with all-season tires in the past few weeks.

Yes these are the vehicles that are usually stuck in the ditch.

davidy · « **Reply #30 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:24:59 pm »

Quote from: G0dspd on December 22, 2009, 07:14:02 pm

Good winter tires and a bit of weight in the box will get you out of almost anything in a 2WD truck.

Last winter, with a set for four studded winter tires and 400-500 pounds of sand bags, I still managed to get a few times. Had to put on cable tire chains a few times. The previous winter, with BFG All Terrain T/A KO tiress (severe snow rated) and similar number of sand bags, I got stuck at least 10 times. Got sick and tired and finally went with a set of studded winter tires.

Dave

maritime_storm · « **Reply #31 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:03:03 am »

Depends on what you want the truck for as well. By the way that $13K is accurate at most Ford dealerships right now. My 09 Ranger Sport was $13.8K before taxes. A older gentleman I work with has an 06 FX4 4WD 4.0L/Auto in the summer he's happy if he can get 20IMPG on the highway run to work, I averaged 26 with mine 4.0L/5spd 2WD, he getting about 15 right now, I averaging around 22. Before we even mention parts durability on the 4WD models I'm saving quite a bit of money. I pity anyone trying to sell a 2-4yr old Ranger right now, it's actually cheaper to buy a new one.

airbalancer · « **Reply #32 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:25:32 am »

In my pick up 5.3l 4x4 I am getting 15.5 IMPG, or 18.26 l/100km
But my truck is load all the time, ladders on roof racks, even with weight in the back , 4x4 helps with wet road or even black ice to keep the rear end in the back
And get on to some construction sites that do not get plowed ,it is nice to have 4 wd

davidy · « **Reply #33 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:42:06 am »

Quote from: PJungnitsch on December 22, 2009, 03:31:09 pm

There is another $1000 off a Ranger if you are a Costco member.

http://www.fordclassic.ca/Fordcostco/en/index.html

Sliding around today, got to thinking it's a shame the 2WD Ranger (which gets double the mileage of the 4WD) doesn't come with a FWD drivetrain. A cheap truck with great mileage that doesn't get stuck would sell by the bucketload.

Thanks very much. Just hoping that this applies to a dealer who I have corresponding with lately. If so, it should be a done deal.

G0dspd · « **Reply #34 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:00:45 am »

Quote from: G0dspd on December 22, 2009, 07:14:02 pm

I drove a 2WD reg cab GMC for a few years back in the days and I never had any problems in the winter. Sometimes it took a bit of planning and a little more time but if a 4WD floats your boat, go for it.

Quote from: davidy on December 22, 2009, 09:24:59 pm

Quote from: G0dspd on December 22, 2009, 07:14:02 pm
Good winter tires and a bit of weight in the box will get you out of almost anything in a 2WD truck.

Last winter, with a set for four studded winter tires and 400-500 pounds of sand bags, I still managed to get a few times. Had to put on cable tire chains a few times. The previous winter, with BFG All Terrain T/A KO tiress (severe snow rated) and similar number of sand bags, I got stuck at least 10 times. Got sick and tired and finally went with a set of studded winter tires.

I forgot to mention that I was mainly talking about full-size trucks (1/2 ton). I haven't had much experience with smaller (mid-size) trucks in the snow. I'd guess that they get stuck much more easily since they're usually lighter and lower to the ground (especially the 2WD).

Trainman · « **Reply #35 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:58:48 am »

Another factor in the 2wd vs 4wd discussion that I do not see mentioned that applies to trucks (not so much SUV's/CUV's) is ground clearance. If this is a concern it needs to be remembered that most 2wd trucks will have less ground clearance than the equivalent 4wd version. Therefore approach, departure and breakover angles will be less. This is a notable problem when you get to the long wheel base types, such as extended/crew cabs with the 8' box.

However, if you are staying to paved roads, this should not be an issue.

If you go 2wd, make sure it has a good LSD and tires, then you should be OK.

mrthompson · « **Reply #36 on:** December 23, 2009, 12:23:43 pm »

Cue Saffy with an acid joke.

safristi · « **Reply #37 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:48:55 pm »

..i tho't ya said Prevacid.............BURP!!!!!............OK i'll try yer SHMARTIES fat boy.......

ktm525 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:51:13 pm »

If you live in a hilly area where it is snowy/icy a 2wd will NOT cut it. You can have all the weight in the world, a locker, and proper winter tires and still be FUBAR. I had one a Toyota 4*4 with an ARB front and rear air differential locker. To make a long story short I had to run this truck through a tough winter without a front driveshaft. Even with a locked rear end and weight there was no comparision to 4WD, especially on hills, from a stop.

maritime_storm · « **Reply #39 on:** December 24, 2009, 05:58:26 am »

The Tacoma 4X4 also tends to come with tires far too wide for the size truck as well. One guy I work with has a 99 Tacoma 4X4, my Ranger will climb the small hill beside work in snow with the same Dunlop RV XT(large width on the Tacoma 255/70R15vs235/75R15) that his truck won't go up unless he puts it in 4WD. Apple and oranges. Regarding a full size, my last truck 1990 D250 CTD/A-727 would go damn near anywhere I asked it to with an open Dana 70 3.27:1 gears & LT235/85R16's, tire quality and weight do make a difference in 2WD. Long wheel base, no weight in the rear and rib tread tires won't get you very far in miserable weather.