Need advice from those who know - First Ranger

[NickMxW]

Hey all, I am looking to get my first Ranger and I'm on a budget. I originally really wanted something 4x4 because I live in Ontario (Canada) and we can get a lot of snow depending on the winter but in general it isn't so bad. I have a old VW jetta and its never gotten stuck (had trouble? Yes. Stuck? no) If the weather is bad enough for me to need 4wd I just stay home - I figure those days are a death trap to drive, even if you have 4x4.

My budget is leaning me towards 2wd but I have a lot of friends telling me that I'll regret it. The reason I'm getting a ranger over other trucks is because of reliability but if 2wd really is as unreliable as they make it out to seem, they're right - I will regret it.

I find that turning, lane changes and braking are my main problems driving in Canadian winters, not acceleration. But that's with a fwd car, I've never tried a rwd truck...

With good winter tires and sand bags in the back, really, how bad is 2wd on a ranger? I don't need 4x4 to fuel my ego like my friends with Rams they can't afford, I just want something I can depend on.

Any advice from you guys who know first hand would really be great, I'm sure you're all tired of hearing this same question get asked each year!

 

[stmitch]

I've driven 2wd Rangers through quite a few harsh winters without any issue. I've never used sand, but I'm sure it would help. its not difficult, but it does handle much differently from a FWD car, so some RWD experience is probably a plus. Quality tires and smart, safe driving are enough to get me through. Like you said, changing lanes, turning and braking are the most important parts, and 4wd isn't really any help in those situations.

 

[Tee Rev]

I've had both 2 & 4wd Rangers. Hands down, the 4x4 wins for all of the most severe winter weather conditions(and fun of course) But, with 2wd an L/S diff & few sand bags, my other rangers did just fine. Good tires are a must!!

 

[racsan]

Good tires, proper weight balance and driver skill will make for a liveable experiance with a 2wd, i drove one through 8 winters. But i do love my current 4x4, i would still drive a 2wd ranger if i had to though.

 

[muzzlestuffer]

what's your budget ?? i have a sweet 4x4 posted in the classifieds pic's are posted in my profile section.

 

[RonD]

Pushing weight in the snow is WAY MORE DIFFICULT than pulling that same weight.

RWD isn't as good in the snow as FWD, plain a simple.
Yes, you can through an old diesel engine block(800lbs) in the bed and get better traction, but you are still PUSHING the front end thru the snow.

Any one who has driven RWD in the snow has probably backed up a hill a time or two and made it when they couldn't make going forward, truck or car.

4x4 is better because you are changing a RWD to a FWD, the rear wheels can help but main benefit is front wheel drive

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I like my 4wd's for snow, pretty hard to beat.

You can dress up 2wd with weight, tires and lockers/whatever... the cart is still before the horse. And it is nice to have powered steering tires to pull the front end around when you want to turn.

 

[Haywire6000]

4x4 is nice. 4x4 for the most part only helps you with getting going. One thing I like is with a 4wd or a fwd you can use the throttle to steer yourself out of a ditch if it's sucking you in. where as a regular rear wheel drive will more than likely just slide into the ditch or snow bank your getting sucked into. If that makes sense.

 

[det107]

The above posts are definitely good advice. The only problems I had was going up very steep hills but just wait til I install the L/S for better traction-

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The above posts are definitely good advice. The only problems I had was going up very steep hills but just wait til I install the L/S for better traction-

I would rather spin a wheel than kick the rear out.

I put a L/S in the rear of mine and I NEED the 4x4 now more than before to keep the darn thing pointed in the direction I want to go. If the road has a crown it kicks out to the right every time you accelerate guaranteed every time. If you turn under power it will kick out. But with 4x4 engaged it goes a lot better now.

 

[enjr44]

2WD Rangers are better than most other 2WD trucks I have driven in the snow; but, they are still not like 4WD. About all I can say!!

 

[bigmark303]

I have really only driven a 4x4 truck through one full New England Winter and to be honest its not a necessity at all. Unless you plan to be driving in the middle of the storm down unplowed roads you wont miss anything a 4x4 has to offer on just paved roads with a few inches on them.

4x4 just allows a well composed driver to become more wreckless or a driver who has no feel for a vehicle stay on or get back on the road after a bad judgement call due to just being a bad driver in general.

If you are a competent driver a 2wd ranger with snow tires will be everything you need to just get around during the basic snowy season. Snow tires are the best on ice by far and also help stop and turn the vehicle significantly easier than any other tire even snow rated all terrains. With an unloaded 2wd truck you will find plenty of traction with snow tires.

If you dont need 4x4 for actual off road situations dont even bother with it. Its just more to maintain and if you dont it just lets you down when you need it. Also 4x4 Rangers as im sure you are aware go for a few thousand more than 2wd.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The best answer for ice is steel, chains or studs.

I started driving with a 4x4, went to a FWD which wasn't too bad as long as it didn't high center and then went back to a 4wd. If I had a 2wd pickup it would sit most of the winter, I wouldn't screw with it.

But I live on a gravel road that doesn't get plowed until 2 days after the snow storm. If I lived in town I would petition the city council I suppose. I just pull the magic lever on the floor and go about my business.

Guys out here got a long for decades with 2wd trucks and chains... but they didn't drive to town every day to go to work either.

 

[NickMxW]

Thanks for the advice guys. My cousin is a mechanic and goes to car auctions all the time, that's have I've previously gotten my cars. I think I'll tell him to keep an eye out for a 4x4 in good condition that fits my budget, if he can't find one I'll go with a 2wd. Maybe I'll get lucky and get one for a steal - he buys cars that need new engines or something all the time for nothing and just tosses a used one in.

I'm thinking for what I want to spend though I'll end up with a 2wd, my max right now is $6-7k, so pretty low. I'll only be working full time for a few more months before I'm going back to college. So I don't want to be blowing all my cash on an expensive truck.

I might even end up having to get a civic or something. I don't need a bed, I got by with a car for years, but it would have made my life a hell of a lot easier.

 

[NickMxW]

Heck I think I might just go test drive both types this weekend. See how the 2wd holds up on the roads here compared to 4wd... We just got huge amounts of snow this week, would make for a perfect first hand test.