2wd vs 4wd

The Mad Norsky wrote:
Ownership and maintenance costs only????

Very little cost to own or maintain. Well, I do guess the initial cost of buying 4 X 4 versus 2 wheel drive. But hardly anything to do for maintenance anymore.

Other than that, gosh no nothing I have had to maintain on, lets see???? 96, 2001, 2006 and 2014 Rams. 2003 Chevy. 2011 Ford. All 4 X 4's.

That's because you and I change vehicles frequently and live where it snows. I will always buy 4WD too, but that doesn't mean everyone should. 4WD trucks use a little more fuel, cost about $3k more up front and have more moving parts that wear and can break. That doesn't mean every one will have more maintenance, but they can't have less than 2WD. If I lived in Texas like the OP, I'd get 2WD.

Personally, I would never buy a 4X2. I have had too many situations where 4X4 saved me - not necessarily from being stuck, although that has happened, but saving my grass where I park my 5er at home. A number of times, I went to pull my 5er out only to blow traction in the back end because the grass was a bit wet. If I hadn't had 4 wheel drive, I would have chewed the daylights out of my grass. Put in 4X4, though, and the truck walked out of there like it was nothing.

I always put my truck in 4X4 when towing a trailer and I leave the pavement. It doesn't have to be boondocking, just loose gravel, sand or grass.

My 2 cents worth, anyway.

Bert

After owning both, I will always have a 4x4 but that's just me. It's not a cure all as some may think, but when u need it u got it and it's worth it to me. In Florida a 2 WD gets passed up very quickly, the 4x4 is more desirable and has much higher resale value. It may be different in other areas but down here even though we have sand, people love to hunt, and 4x4 is needed.. I have been stuck in wet grass at campgrounds with my 2wd, and yes I know how to drive, despite having a locker. It's ur call, only u know what ur use will be, for me I have used it numerous times and have never looked back.

Ownership and maintenance costs only????

Very little cost to own or maintain. Well, I do guess the initial cost of buying 4 X 4 versus 2 wheel drive. But hardly anything to do for maintenance anymore.

Owned Ford, Chevy and Dodge Ram 4 X 4's. The only real maintenance is on the Ram, where there is a terribly hard grease zerk to be found and lubed on the front driveshaft. Dealer can do that for you during any oil change. I let them have the headache of finding and lubing it.

Other than that, gosh no nothing I have had to maintain on, lets see???? 96, 2001, 2006 and 2014 Rams. 2003 Chevy. 2011 Ford. All 4 X 4's.

Some of you aren't reading the OP. He's saying there are better deals on the 4x4's so it's not an initial cost thing. He was asking about ownership/maintenance costs.

Save the money and get 2WD unless you want 4WD. Don't pay for it up front or in extra maintenance if you don't want it.

I get 4x4 trucks because I go ATV/SXS riding and camping with it. There are times that I end up on dirt roads or grassy fields in the rain. It comes in handy from time to time.

It also snows a few times a year here and I like the option of being able to go somewhere with less likelihood of getting stuck.

My last truck was 2wd (only 2wd I ever owned) and I have gotten it stuck on nearly flat wet ground more than once while towing. The 4x4 is must have for me until my location or usage changes.

I didn't really want a 4x4 but that was the best deal so I bought it. Biggest surprise is that I lost about 300# of payload due to the extra 4x4 stuff weight (without book waid 3000, with 2500). GMC 2500 Diesel 2015. Diesel accounts for 200# compared to gas.

Not far from you and I do not need 4x4 either. BUT. As you mention there are far more 4x4 than there are 4x2 trucks available. Hard to find a desirable 4x2, new or used, with the features I want.

I do have 4x4, and have had for years, because of the above. But I have never used 4x4 while towing the 5er. And rarely use it even during the few times each year we get ice or snow. About the only time I use it is to get in/out of the dirt trail leading to our hunting cabin when it rains.

If you have to ask...don't get it...you'll know when you want/need it...