Up here in Iowa 2wd's just dont cut it that why 95% of the trucks are 4wd, I wouldn't feel as manly if my 4x4 buddies could go where I couldn't.

 

I would not buy another 4X2... they are cheaper, easier to maintain and get better mileage, but don't do too well in snow/ice and probably harder to resell.

 

Even if your exagerrated figures were true, they would still be worth every penny on roads like this:



(And PLEASE, for the love of God, don't anyone start up with the ignorant foolishness that a chained up 2WD is just as good or better than a 4WD in the mud, snow, and ice)

That being said, driving a 4WD, a CTD, or just a pickup doesn't make me feel more manlier. If I lived in a climate where I could expect to never see snow or mud, a 2WD truck would do me just fine. But for how I intend and expect to be able to use a truck, 4WD is a necessity.

 

Never seen any of those problems with my 200,000 mile 4X4. 20-22 mpg also if I behave. I couldn't get by without 4X4 especially where my farm is located at. Mine will never be resold so resale doesn't matter.

 

I am doing OK with my 2WD so far, but KNOW I am gonna miss the 4X4... even if I only used it a few times a year, those were teh times I NEEDED 4X4, and I know I will run into those situations again...........

 

No issues here on that last statement

believe me, Track bar and ball joints? still good on my 190K 96, no issues with that, I have put U joints on mine but in the rear only, death wobble? nope not here, tire wear, with proper rotation, i have 45K on some Wally world liberators and can still get 10K more out of the them,not an issue there either, perhaps i just got a good truck i dont know. My front end has not been so good to me on shocks, but i credit that to the big fat full replacement bumper and 1000 lb engine that the truck has... so its to be expected..

Rick

 

I just want to comment on why I have a 4x4. I live in South Dakota, which is in the Midwest (the "real" midwest). When I travel, even on the interstate, sometimes it can be over an hour drive between towns and those are small towns (really small). So, when Im traveling in winter time usually around holidays, it pays to have 4x4. I just live in a place that gets crappy weather sometimes and I dont like being stuck in litterally the middle of nowhere. Now, when I used to live in Omaha, NE, that town has more hills than the Rockies almost do, and being able to get around with 4WD payed off during the crappy weather. I hate not being able to get to work (yeah right,I was usually the only one that made it).

Now, if I mainly just towed, travled in mild weather, I still would consider a 4WD just because I like being prepared to do anything and go anywhere. Try going to some of the hunting/fishing spots Ive been too with a 2wd. I could care less about manlyness, but I gotta say, it sure is a nice looking truck 2wd or 4wd. Too each his own, whatever makes you happy, as long as you take care of it and dont abuse it, it still just a truck that goes from point A to B. Sometimes a few stops in between.

Later and God Bless

 

It doesn't make me feel "less manly" but certainly less capable.

My first vehicle was a '73 F-100 3spd, 300 c.i., 2wd w/ 4.10s
I needed new tires on the back, and we had some 33" MTs laying around the yard, so they went on. I definately stuck that truck a lot, but I learned a WHOLE lot about how to drive. I love that truck, and still drive it some, but it sure would be nice to have the front tires pulling.

Now with a CTD sitting on top on the front axle I can't imagine taking a 2wd ram off-road, but if you have a dedicated on road hauler, why would you need a transfer case?

All about what you need, I use my 4wd a lot, and it will be a while before I have another truck without it.

 

Gotta 2004 long box quad cab 2wd.
I do miss 4x4 once in a while.
I test drove an 06 Quad Cab 4x4 and while it was a beautiful truck...it drove NOWHERE near as nice as my 2wd.
Numb steering, didn't handle as nice,slower.
I can and do get by with 2wd.
99% of the time just fine with 2wd...the other 1% would sure be nice to have 4wd.
It's a tradeoff of pros and cons and your needs.
For those that have not driven the 2wd, you might be shocked at the differance.
They are fairly rare though.

 

Just remember, REAL men don't NEED 4 wheel drive.

Of course, for looks alone I'd get a 4WD if I had to buy my truck all over again. I certainly don't need it, but I can't argue with the fact that they look better.

 

You know, every time a friend of mine used to say that......we would be towing, fixing, or praying shortly thereafter.

Sheesh, now Im daydreaming of the good ol days!

 

I use my 4wd enough to justify it since I do some farming. I honestly like the feel of sitting up over everyone in a 4wd. Plus I just like to know that should anything ever happen if Im out in BFE somewhere or whatever and I get run off the road, or in a bad spot for some reason that I have a darn good chance of getting out. I just like a 4wd.

Eric

 

I don't need it, but i got a free truck in good condition that is a 4X4.
Can't argue with the view of traffic it gets you . . . sure feel sorry for the guy in the little car behind me when i see a sea of brake lights & all he sees is my brake lights tho. ;-)
I probably wouldn't have bought a diesel & definitely not a 4X4 if I had been looking to buy a vehicle, but i do like it. I just don't have the need to justify buying one. (It's just a "passenger truck")
Who in their right mind would turn down a free vehicle that has been rebuilt end to end in the last 65,000 miles??

 

pics of the 4x2,

got it STUCK this morning, on some wet grass, with a trailer on it.
sunk till mud was up on rim on driver side.

finally, the hitch jack sunk into the ground, disconnected it,

6 guys pushed it free,

without the trailer, it would still not back up to the trailer, and it could not pull away to line up again.

we finally had to cover the ground with wood scraps (2x4, 2x6, plywood peices) and cinder block pavers (side by side, because it kept slipping off)

we even pushed it off the grass once, and had a guy take it down the road to blow some mud off the tread, but it filled right back up.

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...tuck-in-grass/

finally, we got the truck to back up in a fairly straight line (the hitch over the ball) and they pushed the trailer & lowered the trailer jack, and it fell on the ball.

and I GUNNED it off the pile of scraps, it was smoking the tires & throwing wood & mud everywhere, but they were all screaming GO FOR IT DON'T STOP so i figured they were safe, and we got it out.

the other guy in a Hemi with an open trailer got stuck backing in also, but he was able to unhook (guess he cocked the trailer) and he pulled right out, even with a load on

we were there about an hour, trying to get it to go,
and i hurt my back BAD pushing the truck all those times,
it would not go on the grass. guess it was the slick clay underneath.

a VERY disappointing day.

 

My 03 wasn't 4wd and my 06 isn't either. I just dont need 4 wheel drive often. When I do this works..