2wd vs 4wd

[racsan]

its almost funny, a 9 page debate over 2wd/4wd. ive only needed 1 winter with a 4wd to never want a 2wd in the snow again, yes its do-able, but its a whole lot better with a powered front axle in addition to the driven rear. even if both differentials are open. having low range for moving trailers around or coming up out of a boat ramp only makes it better. its too bad you cant go from low range to high on the go, starting a 3,000 pound load with 1,500 on the tounge is a little hard on things in 2H. i had such a load one time that i thought it might be possible to lift the front end off the ground by acceleration. it wouldnt, but i had no problems locking the front wheels on braking due to the lack of weight on the front axle. i really should get trailer brakes someday.

 

[91rangerxlt]

bit mouthy are ya. You are welcome to bring your glorified 2wd (2 open diffs=2wd) out wheeling with me anytime and show me how sweet your 2wd is.

86

hahah man wasnt trying to be mouthy at all. people are just saying they wheel in their 2wds where the 4x4s wont go. i was just stating my point man. yea your ranger might go through more than mine but mines bone stock.

 

[Aleksfoxtrot]

Well I won't say 2wd is better than 4wd. But it can hang if its all you got. Here's me yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdCGOdUBb8w

 

[AllanD]

Personally? I believe that most 4x4's will never have anything but asphalt or concrete under their tires
unless their owner spills their latte and while distracted drifts off the pavement.

I've honestly said that I use 4x4 mainly to AVOID going "offroad" but my definition of "road"
might give dilusions of grandeur to some of the "goat paths" I've driven on... and there are
a few desert washboard roads I've driven on actually labeled as "state highway" where following
the deeply rutted two-track was simply impossible without getting out ans starting up your chainsaw
to clear a 10year old tree from the MIDDLE of the road...

2wd trucks? while they can be made quite capable 2wd offroad drivers have to be either more
skilled to take on certain obstacles, a little bit stupid, very foolish, or extremely agressive...
often all of these things in some combination.

And in any case are often more of a danger to themselves than a typical european rally fan.

Anyone seen by me in a 2wd "offroad truck" that has had the infernal gall to apply a "Tread lightly"
bumper sticker to their ride is in grave danger of getting the word "LIAR" tattooed across their
forehead while they wimper in pain from the HiLift jack I stuck up their a$$ (Don't worry I'll use
a Chinese copy, not a genuine MADE in USA HiLift) because in most circumstances a 2wd driven
where normally only 4x4's shoud go has to be driven very agressively to make it through...

But then again I also believe that anyone who buys a perfectly good 4x4 truck to hack it up to do
an SAS is an asshole, and damned proud of that fact (and likely have a T-shirt that says so

If you have definate plans to do an SAS do it to an otherwise worthless 2wd truck.

 

[straycat]

Personally? I believe that most 4x4's will never have anything but asphalt or concrete under their tires
unless their owner spills their latte and while distracted drifts off the pavement.

I've honestly said that I use 4x4 mainly to AVOID going "offroad" but my definition of "road"
might give dilusions of grandeur to some of the "goat paths" I've driven on... and there are
a few desert washboard roads I've driven on actually labeled as "state highway" where following
the deeply rutted two-track was simply impossible without getting out ans starting up your chainsaw
to clear a 10year old tree from the MIDDLE of the road...

2wd trucks? while they can be made quite capable 2wd offroad drivers have to be either more
skilled to take on certain obstacles, a little bit stupid, very foolish, or extremely agressive...
often all of these things in some combination.

And in any case are often more of a danger to themselves than a typical european rally fan.

Anyone seen by me in a 2wd "offroad truck" that has had the infernal gall to apply a "Tread lightly"
bumper sticker to their ride is in grave danger of getting the word "LIAR" tattooed across their
forehead while they wimper in pain from the HiLift jack I stuck up their a$$ (Don't worry I'll use
a Chinese copy, not a genuine MADE in USA HiLift) because in most circumstances a 2wd driven
where normally only 4x4's shoud go has to be driven very agressively to make it through...

But then again I also believe that anyone who buys a perfectly good 4x4 truck to hack it up to do
an SAS is an asshole, and damned proud of that fact (and likely have a T-shirt that says so

If you have definate plans to do an SAS do it to an otherwise worthless 2wd truck.

I do have some buddy's who never take their lifted 4x4 trucks in the dirt. I never understand that!!! Man...when it rains and their trucks get dirty from the rain and the dirt it is like they have a heart attack!!!! NO!! My truck is filthy!! I just washed it twice yesterday!!!...lol. I have always lifted my 2wd trucks and my 4x4 trucks. I love the looks and I take both 4x4 and 2wd trucks offroad. I have great trail ride adventures and lots of old and new friends we see and meet every month or so. Nobody cares if you have a Ford, Chevy, Jeep, or a Dodge 2wd or 4x4. The point is we are getting together to share a weekend or just a whole day together. If I want to go really deep into the wild I take my 06 Wrangler out there. That goes up slipery slopes and through deep water crossings. That is always a fun adventure.

 

[AllanD]

I actually went "offroading" on a Dodge MaxiWagon D300 Van

Did it get stuck? Yep... but that was part of the plan the van was being driven to it's final resting place to become a deer blind.

AD

 

[upnsmoke]

2wd trucks? while they can be made quite capable 2wd offroad drivers have to be either more
skilled to take on certain obstacles, a little bit stupid, very foolish, or extremely agressive...
often all of these things in some combination.

And in any case are often more of a danger to themselves than a typical european rally fan.

4wd, 2wd, on, or off road, some people are just dangerous no matter what.

 

[schanusa]

The good old 2wd vs 4wd debate. Kind of funny since most people generally get bent because of their egos and accepted common knowledge. Both 2wd and 4wd have their limitations and strengths. The biggest thing is it comes down to the goal of what you are doing with the vehicle.

Here's a photo of my 2wd (open diff) Ranger at the top of Atigun Pass in Alaska (above the Arctic Circle) after a storm blew through. It comes down to having the proper tires, driving skill and some brains. I have 300,000 miles on this truck now and its been all over in places 2wd "shouldn't" go. Also attached are a couple photos from Cinnamon Pass in Colorado, before the trail was open.

Now, will I go through a mud pit or a high cross axle section. No. The truck isn't built for that and comes back to what your goals are. Mud bogging isn't my goal. Long distance back road travel is.

Just some food for though....