Crazy 2wd vs 4wd question.

[Saddle Tramp]

Sibling rivalries are forever.

Can a 2wd Ranger with a rear locker keep up with a Subaru Outback?

I checked the dimensions and the Ranger matches or beats the Subie in approach, break over, and departure angles.

It's the traction. Will a locker give it enough to go on trails you'd feel comfortable taking an Outback on?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Biggest problem I can see is rear wheel traction - Ranger has a skinny ass.

It's Kubelwagen vs Jeep imo.

Depends on the terrain

 

[Ranger850]

But isn't the OutBack All wheel Drive ? automatically has an advantage over Rwd with a locker. Right?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

But isn't the OutBack All wheel Drive ? automatically has an advantage over Rwd with a locker. Right?

Strictly terrain dependent. Ground clearance vs traction, obstacles, etc.

 

[Ranger850]

Strictly terrain dependent. Ground clearance vs traction, obstacles, etc.

So... Apples to Oranges IMO.
I thought "OUTBACK" was a trim/package, not an actual vehicle. I'm so behind on Subaru... I remember I wanted an Impreza OutBack Wagon at one point in my life.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So... Apples to Oranges IMO.
I thought "OUTBACK" was a trim/package, not an actual vehicle. I'm so behind on Subaru... I remember I wanted an Impreza OutBack Wagon at one point in my life.

IIRC, outback is a 1.5" lift package, awd, and something else. Just a trim level

 

[sgtsandman]

Too open a question to really answer the poll. In some ways the RWD will do better and the AWD in others. There are too many “it depends” scenarios.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Some of them newer cars have that fancy traction control that don't play fair.

And some of them newer cars have the boring traction control so the car punches itself in the face.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

To help out with questions.

It's for light trail riding.

Not mudding, but rougher than a gravel road.

Think degraded logging roads

 

[Grumpaw]

Sibling rivalries are forever.

Can a 2wd Ranger with a rear locker keep up with a Subaru Outback?

I checked the dimensions and the Ranger matches or beats the Subie in approach, break over, and departure angles.

It's the traction. Will a locker give it enough to go on trails you'd feel comfortable taking an Outback on?

Depends on the terrain...
As a rock crawler, or deep mud, no. But on snow/slush/ice, I'll take an Outback, or my little Crosstrek any time. Have had the Crosstrek on some trails and logging roads thru mud, sand, dirt with no problems.
Wife is a nurse, and HAS to get to hospital to work a shift, and her Outback, in snow/ice, gets her there every time. 4 x 4 trucks and suv's in ditch or on side of road, and she just motor's on by.
I'd even put it up against a 4 x 4 Ranger unless it was running lockers front and rear.
Grumpaw

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've had several of my Rangers down said logging roads.... in 2wd with a limited slip

Grumpaw… I'm sure there are several on here that would accept your challenge. I would be content to just watch.

Maybe we can arrange the 2.9L vs. the 3.0L drag race too and make a day out of the festivities.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Dude...

I used to ride logging roads like that all the time up north with 2wd stuff. Fullsize and rusty #1.

You dont even need a locker.

Slap some good tires on the ass end, (BFG A/T are my reccomdationk) toss 3 or 400 lbs of sandbags in the back, (centered behind the cab, but infront of the axle, less sinkage in mud but give you more traction), pick your line and dont afraid to use the skinny pedal.

You got the advantage over that subaru, AWD does no good when your wheels are in the air cause youre framed out in a rut.

Ill hazard to guess the better question is...will the subaru follow the ranger.

 

[Grumpaw]

I've had several of my Rangers down said logging roads.... in 2wd with a limited slip

Grumpaw… I'm sure there are several on here that would accept your challenge. I would be content to just watch.

Maybe we can arrange the 2.9L vs. the 3.0L drag race too and make a day out of the festivities.

Gump, didn't mean to imply the Outback or my Crosstrek was better than a 2 wd Ranger with a limited slip. On those types of trails or logging roads, I believe either would be OK.
2 years ago, in Arches Nat Park, spent a day just driving thru the park on nothing but dirt roads, potholes, mud, ect, but even a standard 2 wd Ranger could have done it.
Been on trails in Alaska, Yukon, western USA, but many could be run in a 2 wd Ranger, even without a locker.
As a crawler or in deeper mud, the Ranger would be my choice. Snow/ice, I'd take the Subi. You just have to pick a specific type of terrain to compare the two.
There are Subi enthusiasts that mod their Crosstreks into some capable crawlers, but now we're talking apples to oranges.
Now as for a race against a 2.9, I'll take my little Crosstrek with it's 2.0 and have a go at it.
Grumpaw

 

[Uncle Gump]

We can call the event...

Rusty accepts the challenge

 

[Uncle Gump]

This could end up a regular installment on Jim's new YouTube channel!