DefDog...

I understand... The 70s, not a great time for many american brands...

 

From the other perspective.

#1 - I tow a 5th wheel and the 4x4's are just too tall unless you want to flip the axles on your 5th wheel which I don't.

I did. Cost me $250. Never drag the rear any more and goes over curbs, etc. The dump valves are nice and high now (less bending). I don't notice any handling/wind differences.

#2 - My garage is not tall enough to park a 4x4 in, my 2x4 3500 clears by about 2". After spending this much on a truck, I'm definetly parking it in my garage.

Agreed. My 4x4 clears by at least 2" though.

#3 - I don't drive my truck off-road or in the snow/ice, which we get very little of in the Puget Sound area of WA state.

You get more than I get in So Calif. These diesel engines are very heavy. If you get in a slippery situation (grass, gravel, sand, etc.), good luck getting that light tail end to get enough traction to move you.

#4 - I'll take the better fuel economy of a 2x4 vs a 4x4.

It makes sense that it would be better. You can also haul slightly heavier because your curb weight is less with the same GVWR.

#5 - I like the look of my 2x4 3500 shorty. Don't get me wrong, I think 4x4's look good too, but in the right color/configuration a new 3G Ram 2x4 looks great.

I would have gotten the 2" front lift kit had I bought the 2wd, but you probably wouldn't clear your garage in that case.

#6 - 2x4's have rack & pinion steering vs recirculating ball on the 4x4's.

I don't know how much better that would be. This truck steers SO MUCH better than my PSD - whatever that had.


Now, if I lived in an area where we got a lot of snow/ice or if I used my truck off-road, I would definetley get 4WD. But for me in my current circumstances, 2WD is the only way to go

That's why they make both kinds. Good luck. Just in case, keep a tow rope handy and hope one of us 4x4 guys is around to pull you out if you ever get stuck!

Neil

 

Another consideration that 4x4 can get you going, but it doesn't matter if you have eleventeen wheel drive when comes to stopping and cornering on smooth, slick surfaces.

 

maney maney moons ago I belonged to a four wheel drive club (Two Trackers G.R. Mich.) We had a saying " you either get out by tire or wire" Thats why I had a winch.

 

I agree that when you sink a 4X4, it's buried. Look at my gallery and see the pic of my truck buried to the axles. Tried to cross a river marsh and blew it. Truck is lifted , but had some all terrains that were in sad shape.

 

Why I have owned 4 wd trucks since 1987.

Launched 18' bass boat on Delta in Oct. 1990....

Drove 1987 Nissan 4x4 6 banger and trailer 1/2 mile to parking area....

Strolled to the dock with visions of "monster bass" dancing in my head...

Got to the dock and commented to the wife that the "Bassin Assasin" was sure sittin' stern heavy.....hmmmmm

Did a quick mental check (like any of my mental checks aren't quick?).... Questionid I put the plug in??

Conclusion....Negative skipper,.... das boot is sinking!

Action.....Run like hell to get truck and trailer

Results....By the time I got truck and trailer back to the ramp, the Titanic had better odds of staying afloat!.... Managed to get "BA" on the trailer. Proceeded to try and haul new 18' aquarium up the ramp in 2wd. No way Joc Kooo-stow!....Its "grey lady" down time.

Ahhh..but wait, I've got 4 wd low....Engage Scotty!!!....And voila, 4 wd popped her out in a flash.... Then spent the next hour parked on the side of the ramp while the delta drained out of the "Bassin Assasin" and I tried to convince everyone that my red face was the result of "moon burn".

 

Niel,
If you are still following this thread, here is my 2 cents.

You have to remember the 4x4 is about 1000 lbs. heavier than the 4x2. Guess where that weight ends up? If you guessed the front end, you are right. I never go onto unpaved road without 4wd. In 2wd you are trying to push that extra weight in front of you and the rear will spin at the slightest bump. In 4wd it feels like you are back on pavement.

4x4 owners, if you are on a dirt road, use 4wd. In 2wd you can tear up someone's road that may not get graded but once a year.

4x2 owners, it probably doesn't matter that much because you are not trying to plow down a road with an extra 1000 lbs. on the front wheels.

 

Went to visit a friend one night and came out about an hour later and the truck was sitting 4 to 6 inches lower. The firm surface I had driven in on turned out to be kinda soft. Put it into 4X4 and it took a little time rockin' back and forth to get back up on top of the mud. This was with a big block gasser, didn't have the extra weight of the diesel. Had absolutely no problem driving in. 4X4 is the way to go. Go in 2X4 until the going gets sticky then engage 4X4 and go somewhere else.

 

RonsRig,

According to the Dodge website, my 4x4 Laramie SWB auto has a curb weight of 6895 lbs. The equivalent Laramie 2wd with auto has a curb weight of 6479 lbs. That's only 416 lbs more for the 4x4 by my calcs - unless I'm doing something wrong.

I agree with you that it's all up front and more for that rear drive to push when in 2wd. I also agree it makes sense to use 4wd on any loose surface to avoid any problems.

I also used the 4LO yesterday to park my fiver in my side yard. What a dream idling up the curb over the horse trail up onto my driveway and into its home - so much easier than trying to do with 2wd.

Neil

 

From the point at which we leave the road to where we eventually decide to surf fish can some be miles and miles of beautiful Hatteras Island beach. Try making that trip a 2wd!

 

jdimig,
I spec'ed my truck on the Dodge.com web site both 4x2 and 4x4 and the difference was a little over 1000 lbs. I would call it scientific but I thought it would be close. My truck spec'ed over 7000 lbs. Why is yours so light? Maybe I optioned something wrong.

 

Sorry, my reply should have been to NJMurvin. It is still early Monday morning.

 

I don't know. I used the specifications from the Dodge.com website. First select Ram trucks, then 2500/2500. Then you go for specifications, then weights/measures or something like that. Select your model (mine SWB Laramie Quad). I picked 4x4 and then 4x2 and got the base curb weight numbers I posted above. I think those are for the 2005. The 2004 are slightly different, but similar. The actual numbers are meaningless due to options, but the difference should be meaningful.

Anyway, I agree with your point. It's more weight up front regardless of exactly how much. Combine that with the heavy weight of the Cummins and it makes it a tall order for a rear only drive in loose conditions to get you going. I have learned that I will use 4x4 in most off-pavement conditions. Why not? I paid for it.

Neil

 

If your going by web site ratings, as I recall, seems to me some truck combos revert back to selecting the base engine, which is the gasser....(and some combos seem to include the Cummins)

Gasser & 4x2 versus Cummins & 4x4 may account for the 1000 lb difference you found...

Defdog2