Two wheel drive or 4x4?

Based on my observations, urban asphalt parking lots are the places where 4wd is really needed. Construction sites, not so much. Words like Max, Allison, Four Wheel Drive, Super Duty, Extend, all appeal to the middle aged desk jockeys of the world. I have owned 4wd vehicles for play, love them. Towed a travel trailer for fifty thousand miles over the last ten years and did not need anything more than my 2wd with limited slip differential. Of course, I grew up on the farm and worked construction most of my life, so I know how to manage my resources. I know that some people need 4wd and others want it. Glad it is available for both.

4X4 here. Because it performs better in winter snows in NH. Only use it to get out of trouble, if needed. When pulling the 5'r, the low range also does seem to be important. Especially for back up a gravel hill into a camp site.

Last truck I had was 4X4 with open rear diff. Unless it was in 4X4, that truck was useless in snow. I do agree the driven front axle aids in steering in the slimey.

I do enjoy Mowermechs stories about pulling hay with 2WD. I also did that on our dairy farm. But when we cut/baled hay it was usually in the mid to late summertime. And the fields were very dry and hard. So why would we need 4X4 for that? Never had any mud to deal with.

45Ricochet wrote:

Lessmore wrote:


What did your forebears or you do in the '40's, 50's and '60's before 4WD became common ?

LOL Les
Yes some made it, some didn't :B

Ha!

When you're stuck (literally) in the boonies and your family starts looking at you like an aged rib eye, you'll wish you had all four wheels pulling.

Can`t do this without 4X4! Fun in the sand!

Lessmore wrote:


What did your forebears or you do in the '40's, 50's and '60's before 4WD became common ?

LOL Les
Yes some made it, some didn't :B

Ezbagr wrote:
One other thing, a 4X4 is going to cost more for front end maintanence and so on.

Again, as I said previously in the thread, false.

Mind you, if you treat your pickup like a Jeep, then yes, I could agree with the above.

But tearing things up for fun has never been a priority of mine.

Said earlier I've had nine four wheel drives during my lifetime. The only one I recall ever doing any front maintenance on was my 1977 Ford F-250, and it was hub bearing problems, warrantied by Ford. Fact is, that was only once, and after being changed out, never another problem with that truck.

No u-joints, no hubs (just above) no broken drive lines. No maintenance needed, save for my own greasing of u-joints at the time when they did put zerks on them.

No transfer case problems.

Perhaps my care is the exception, I do not know.

But I have found you take care of the truck, for the most part it takes care of you.

I really think it depends on where you live and where you are going to camp. Here in central illinois I have no use for a 4X4.
One other thing, a 4X4 is going to cost more for front end maintanence and so on.

Good 1 ~DJ~ :C

These 4x4 threads are just like the "do I need a one ton doolie?"

The answer is always yes.

I guess I don't NEED 4X4 but sure is FUN!!!! :B