4x4 vs 2x4

[97winger]

My wife and I was out window shopping duallys when I come across a 2010 f350 crew cab w 8ft box with the 6.4 diesel. The kicker is it only has 9,000 miles on it. But it's two wheel drive. We are planning going full time in the spring with a 5th wheel probably 37 ft 14,000 lb rig. My original thought was a 4x4 but now thinking why not 2x4. We not expecting to be driving in snow ever again (hopefully). Any average of either.

[Dave_H_M]

Grit Dog, your last post had a lot of good stuff in it. We are cool. :C

[mowermech]

jerem0621 wrote:

mowermech wrote:
I guess it needs to be said one more time (at least).
A 2X4 is a piece of wood or metal. A 4X2 is probably a vehicle.
The first number is for the number of wheels on the ground (duals count as one wheel).
The second number is the number of wheels that CAN be powered (again, duals count as one wheel.
Thus, a 2X4 would be a 2 wheeled vehicle with 4 driving wheels. Pretty unlikely!
A 6X4 would be a three axle rig with two driving axles. A 4X6 would be, again, pretty unlikely.

As for what YOU should buy, most assuredly it should be what YOU want or need.
I bought a 4X4 because:
1. The price was right, for a diesel 2500.
2. It is towable behind the motorhome, should I decide to do so, without modification.
3. Around here, 4X2 trucks are as rare as 4X4s were when I was a teenager.

Satire? It's a Tow Vehicle forum.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

No satire intended, however:
You are absolutely right, it IS a tow vehicle forum! Therefore, I should have specified that I bought the DIESEL 4X4 because I towed a 7X14 trailer full of stuff from Billings to Sheridan, WY for a Hamfest, and my half ton 5.9 Dodge struggled quite a bit on the hills. I sold the gasser and bought the diesel. Now, I can tow that trailer with two Kawasaki 750 Brute Force 4X4 ATVs in it no problem at all, even going up the steep hill to the Ah Nei ATV off road area!
I am VERY satisfied with the TOWING performance of the Cummins!
Many years ago, I had a Dodge 3500 CTD dually 4X2 to tow a 32 foot triple slide fifth wheel. That rig went across the Rockies, the Cascades, and the Sierras no trouble at all. I used it to tow flatbed trailers hauling hay and vehicles, including during a blizzard over Donner Pass; again, no problems.
Yeah, for TOWING the Cummins, IMO, is hard to beat!

[PA12DRVR]

Would echo everything GritDog said. Particular emphasis:

- A good set of chains is cheaper than a tow call;
- The throttle does indeed have uses other than dead stop or wide open. Can't tell you how many people in Ewe-stun seem to instantly forget that on the very very rare instances of snow; a feather touch on the foot feed will often let one get through spots (or get started) when a heavy foot will just lead to spinning;
- Siping is good; when allowed, I like studs better for use on polished and wet ice, but siping is good;
- Not exactly a towing issue, but as many accidents during the snow months are due to loss of steering control (i.e. sliding) as due to lack of traction......traction tires on front (including in real bad cases, chains) are a good thing, whether 2WD or 4WD;
- 4WD doesn't stop any faster than 2WD....but in some cases, one can go slower with 4WD and not lose traction than one would be able to go in 2WD, hence being able to stop sooner
- Practice makes, if not perfect, competent.

Having spent the better part of a decade in my younger days traveling extensively with 2WD, I still prefer the pushbutton convenience of 4WD.....of course, it was better when it was "shiftlever" convenience.....

[Grit_dog]

Farmerjon,
Does your 2015 have a manual shift transfer case?
And if so then the hubs are free/lock not auto/lock?

[Grit_dog]

Back to the OPs question. Talking newer used trucks here. Leaving out the engine reliability discussion.
A used 2wd truck is a great economical choice due to its same on-road capabilities in general, combined with their lack of popularity should apples to apples net you at least 2x the savings as the initial 4wd upcharge. At least that's what I see for 2 wheelers.
No other downsides other than off road/bad weather, both of which can be mostly avoided if one is retired/not on a schedule.
Regarding traction and 2 wheelers, there's a few things that can be done to maximize what ya got.
1. Get one with a locker if possible. GM G80 or Ford e locker. At a minimum get limited slip.
2. Know how to get more out of a posi or limited slip by using your parking brake to get he other wheel pulling some in slippery conditions. (Not in the hiway, think wet grass or mud pullout scenario).
3. Tires. If you're going to get into anything sketchy, run some good AT tires at least on the rear. New highway donuts on your truck? Have them siped right away. Will take a little life span out of them but incrementally better traction on wet/icy roads. Wiping won't help with the wet grass scenario. Best traction = skinny siped mudders.
4. Moving up the sketchy ladder to driving/towing in snow and ice and mud. All of the above plus a set of chains = instant traction.
5. Tire pressure. On the dry hiway, who cares. Tire wear is your only enemy. Slick or off road? Know when and how Much to air down. Yes it's a pain to air back up. Easier than sitting in the ditch though.
6. External traction aids. Cheap and easy to bring along. Couple good lengths of some heavy orange construction fence (not the cheap Home Depot stuff) and a few steel or wood stakes make great traction mats for the wet grass, muddy lot scenarios. If you want to get crazy chain link works well too.
7. Steering. I wouldn't run a 2 wheeler anywhere sketchy without the same good traction tires up front. If you're just worried about the wet grass skip this. If you may get a little more western than that, have good front tires too. Same rules as back tires.
8. Driving style and traction control. If you don't know how to drive, you'll get stuck or spin out 10x more. See 3-6 above for some help. Otherwise go get you some experience in a controlled environment. DO donuts in a snowy parking lot til you can drive like Bo Duke!
General rules.
Don't stop moving. If it's slick keep your momentum.
Try not to spin tires liek a madman.
Turn off traction and stability control, Before you need to giver the beans! Yes it can save you from spinning out. (See donuts comment) but it will also keep you from moving when you're on the verge of no traction and won't let you spin the tires when you need to.

One can outfit themselves (skill) and the vehicle to go a lot of places that most would just flip the switch to 4wd, just have to know what to do when you get into that situation, preferably before.

[Farmerjon]

Farmerjon wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Atlee wrote:
For me, I'd rather have 4x4 and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

I have used my 4x4 a couple of times.

I have also loved it when I needed it. Coming home from the Oregon Coast 1st week of January 2011.

The other plus is if you don't lock the front hubs, you can put the transfer case in low range for backing into a space. I find this very nice as one host site we use, is backing uphill to the blind side.

Well now I have covered the 4X4, thoughts, I would not own a Ford/IH 6.x diesel. They just all had too many issues.

Except there's not a single 4wd HD pickup with true manual hubs anymore, unless you get a free spin kit. Even the super duty hubs are kind of for show. There's auto lockers behind the manual hubs. The manual hubs are just bling until the auto locking hubs malfunction. Although idk if there's a way to disable th auto and run with just manual hubs. That would be great for a factory 2lo setup!

My 2000 f350 and the 2015 both have the auto hubs and on both of them if you put it in 4 low and then manualy unlock the hubs you have 2 low. Very handy. we use it often.

[Grit_dog]

Dave H M wrote:
Grit Dog, isn't there a distinct possibility that I have two wheel drive iffin I rotate that little knob on the dash to lock the diffy. :h

I did not ask the question but I just gave my opinion as everyone else did.

Also I give, I will not go out and play in the deep snow with you. I do not have to and thus another reason that I do not need 4 wheel drive.

Absolutely you will! The ford e locker is a very nice feature. Used the heck out of it on my '13.
Btw, I was just being sarcastic. But I'm sure you know... cheers!

[Dave_H_M]

Grit Dog, isn't there a distinct possibility that I have two wheel drive iffin I rotate that little knob on the dash to lock the diffy. :h

I did not ask the question but I just gave my opinion as everyone else did.

Also I give, I will not go out and play in the deep snow with you. I do not have to and thus another reason that I do not need 4 wheel drive.

[kw_00]

brulaz wrote:

kw/00 wrote:
I know we mentioned snow as a need for a 4X4 truck, but let us not forget Florida's famous sugar sand.....

and mud, wet grass ...

Yes for sure ! And to add to this, when my previous truck had no locker and a 2 wheel drive only, I did get stuck on wet grass.... ! So I then added a G80 locker and was much improved but... No substitute for a 4x4.... When u need it u need it

[brulaz]

kw/00 wrote:
I know we mentioned snow as a need for a 4X4 truck, but let us not forget Florida's famous sugar sand.....

and mud, wet grass ...

[kw_00]

I know we mentioned snow as a need for a 4X4 truck, but let us not forget Florida's famous sugar sand.....

[Grit_dog]

^Hmm that would be nice and icbw, but I believe all the super duties have both manual hubs and auto lockers behind them. Although even my '13 model stripper with roll yer own window cranks had electronic transfer case switch.

It's good that the aftermarket is making a harness to disconnect the front axle in 4 wd. There's a kit for Ram as well that offers 2 low operation. Idk about the GM twins. Used to be able to rig the center axle disconnect to stay open for 2 low but haven't messed with them since the GMT 400 days.

[moresmoke]

tinner12002 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Atlee wrote:
For me, I'd rather have 4x4 and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

I have used my 4x4 a couple of times.

I have also loved it when I needed it. Coming home from the Oregon Coast 1st week of January 2011.

The other plus is if you don't lock the front hubs, you can put the transfer case in low range for backing into a space. I find this very nice as one host site we use, is backing uphill to the blind side.

Well now I have covered the 4X4, thoughts, I would not own a Ford/IH 6.x diesel. They just all had too many issues.

Except there's not a single 4wd HD pickup with true manual hubs anymore, unless you get a free spin kit. Even the super duty hubs are kind of for show. There's auto lockers behind the manual hubs. The manual hubs are just bling until the auto locking hubs malfunction. Although idk if there's a way to disable th auto and run with just manual hubs. That would be great for a factory 2lo setup!

There is a company that offers a wiring harness that lets you engage 4wh low and disconnect the front axle so you have the lower gear ratio.

You can still get a low spec Ford with manual locking hubs and a stick through the floor for the transfer case.

I'm not sure if the latest auto locking hubs are the same, but the older ones if you engaged 4wd, then got out and turned the knob to "lock" then back to "auto" the hubs would disengage.

Back to OP's question. I have had 2 wd pickups in the past and they were fine for what I needed to do. Now I wouldn't be without 4x4, but that's just because the road I live on goes to heck in the spring. I wouldn't buy a 2wd without a limited slip differential though.

[tinner12002]

I'd agree with many responders as to leaving the 6.4 alone and keep looking for a different truck!