Whats the beef with step sides

[Fargo Wolf]

The biggest deal with "Step/Flaresides" is that they are just for looks now. Originally, they existed so that there were no wheel wells intruding into the bed of the P/U. If they would kindly go back to that (making the step side functional, by removing the wheel wells in the box), I'd be happy.

And as for the off topic 2wd/4wd debate: I own both. My 04 is a 4X4 and have used the 4 wheel system on gravel roads for better steering control and on the highway/city streets for the same reason, due to ice/snow. My 88 Ranger is a 2wd and have done my share of off roading in it. It all boils down to knowing the truck's abilities and the driver knowing what he/she is doing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

More weight does not always equal more traction. When I ran mud tires on the rear of my Ranger in the winter, I found that if I had several hundred pounds in the bed, it wouldn't go anywhere in deep snow and only slightly better on hardpack. Ice made no difference. But when I cut down the weight in the bed to 150#, suddenly I was able to go just about anywhere and still had the ice traction problem (which I might add would stop a 4x4 as well) so I remedied that by the application of chains. Without chains I only got stuck twice, and was able to remedy one of those by DECREASING the weight some more in the bed and shoveling the packed snow from in front of the tires.

I'm not saying that 2wds are better than 4x4s, just that some of your argument is invalid. People use sandbags to balance their truck. I never had to use sandbags in my BII, because of it's design it was fairly well balanced and did not need any additional ballast. 4x4s need balanced too.

And open axles still equate to open axles, weighted or not. Getting the weight balanced over the axle from side to side to account for the naturally heavy drivers side still leaves you with the one-wheel-peel. I had my Ranger well balanced, and most of the time when I'd start spinning, it was about 50/50 as to if it was drivers side or passenger side. Whichever one had the least traction would spin despite the weight. This is why I'm planning on locking the rear of my 4x4 work truck - despite weight it's still an open axle.



No, it's still dependent on driver skill. You could pull the rear driveshaft off your Ranger and I'll take my lowly POS 2wd Ranger and I'll bet you I can go anywhere you can. Would you like to bet pinks on that?

The weight arguement was for the front axle, it has more weight over it than the rear and is balanced side to side. More weight does equal more traction but it is a double edged sword, it can also make you sink out of sight if there is no bottom to it... and mud tires are all too happy to take you there. It is no secret that FWD cars get around better in snow than RWD cars. I wouldn't do it for pinks because that would be the day that my 2.8 would finally give up the ghost or snap a D28 shaft, but otherwise I wouldn't be afraid of loosing.

Weight in the back sure doesn't hurt a 4x4, (it helped my Ranger cut thru slush) but by no means is required.

Best case with a locked 2wd is two spinning tires, worst case with a 4x4 I am spinning two and many times am spinning more than that. They are not equal and never will be.

Going thru a foot of snow with ease, I got stuck only because I broke thru the crust from the previous foot of snow and laid frame.

 

[trail B2]

You know through the years i've had reasons for running just the front drive shaft.When I waited for all this front end traction to come it was'nt all that great easy to bark tires when you shift.Uphill and loaded really sucks I would be surprised if it did well in the sand.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I love how one person can say something and it just changes the entire thread...

A 4x4 is always going to be better and more capable then a 2wd (this is not saying a 2wd can't do most of the stuff a 4x4 can) Its just that if a 2wd cxan climb a mountain a 4x4 can do it better and faster... 2wd have strong points where they are better then a 4x4 too... I am going to have to agree with 85ranger on the weight issue... when i busted the rear yoke on my T case I drove it around on just the front wheels and that thing had gobs more traction (this is the winter when we just got a fresh foot of snow) I had to be locked in 4x4 to get out of my driveway but when it was fwd I had no problems at all...

As for step side vs fleetside... a fleetside can hold more then a stepside that is obvious... But I can haul all the stuff I need in my step side and it looks good... Hell I packed all of my college stuff in my truck and still had room left over to fit my Tv and stuff... Its all about personal taste and what you need. I like the look of my step side loved it since the first day I got it and never had a need for anything bigger.