2WD or 4WD

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Crescent1101

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So it time for a newish truck. I currently have a 2007 1500 4x4 and I'm looking to getting a 2014 or newer Sport. I can't decided if I want to get a 2WD or 4WD. I currently live in FL so who knows where I will be in 2 years due to military. I will also probably get next to nothing for my 2007 :(
 

bryan28

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I'm no expert but I've been told 2wd with limited slip and decent tires will probably get you out of 90% of situations 4wd without rear diff lock or limited slip can get you out of. For the average driver 2wd will probably be just fine. Even up north where it snows a lot there are many 2wd vehicles that do just fine. However, if you intend to go hunting off the road or offroading in general 4wd is probably best for you. Most who get 4wd probably never really need to use it but it's nice to have the added insurance in case you ever do need it.
 
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Crescent1101

Crescent1101

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I go dirt biking but the dirt roads getting there are pretty well maintained
 

hunter99

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I bought a 2wd. In the end it came back to me how much would I use a 4wd. For me the answer was pretty much never.

The point is it is a personal choice. For me I couldn't see spending the extra 4k or so for a feature that i would hardly, or never, use. Plus I have a thing for street trucks.

That being said, if it would drive you nuts to not have a 4wd then maybe just go for it. For me it drove me nuts when I saw a picture of an R/T.
 

lonestar21

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It's sound like you want and only need a 2wd but at the same time you want the 4wd. Just get the 4wd if your already doubting it.
Also if you plan on leveling or lifting the truck your best bet will be a 4wd as there is more options it being a 4wd
 

drittal

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Back before the 80's, 4x4 were grossly outnumbered by 2wd. I hunted many E. Montana winters with a 2wd with good tires, weight in the back, and a set of tire chains just in case. Only used the chains once.

Now you can't find a 2wd on a dealer lot. It's nice to have the security of 4x4, but we rarely use it. I still weight in the bed and 2wd for 99.99% of the miles on my 4x4 trucks.

I will say the confidence in my 4x4 almost got me stranded 10 miles from cell service hunting one year. We had a couple inches of snow then it warmed up into the 40's. The roads were sloppy and I shouldn't have been out, but I had a new set of 275 on my 250. All was great until I had to go down a steep hill I had already climbed, but there was a turn at the bottom to go over a culvert then climb another steep hill. Trying to keep my momentum I slid in the corner and didn't make the turn and dropped a wheel off the road into the creek. I spent 3 hrs digging, rocking, and shoving limbs and branches under my wheels.

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WilliamS

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I look at this way, its better to have and not need, than need and not have.

You can get a 2wd and it will work 99% of the time, and the 1% you get in a situation is when you wish you spent the extra money. Resale on a 4x4 even 10 years old is much more than a 2wd.

If you can budget it, get the 4wd, if not get the 2wd and stay on the beaten path.
 

ColdCase

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I went through the same 2WD or drop another 4K for 4WD this spring. The big swinger for me was resale and availability on the lot. Its hard to give a 2WD away in this area, dunno about Fla. The few 2WDs in stock are base utility or fleet models, less than $18K new. Most 2WDs are V6s. That may not be the case in Fla, but that also means if you are looking used 2WD, there should be plenty of good deals.... dunno if living its previous life as a utility truck in a fleet makes a difference.

So if I was looking for a basic inexpensive transportation appliance, 2WD v6, limited slip dif is the way to go. I decided I wanted more of a daily driver and long distance hauler with decent creature comforts and a V8... and the 4WD made more sense.... but I did spend $10K more than what I needed :) Where have I heard that line before?

Its a personal decision, certainly nothing wrong with 2WD.
 

dexter

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So it time for a newish truck. I currently have a 2007 1500 4x4 and I'm looking to getting a 2014 or newer Sport. I can't decided if I want to get a 2WD or 4WD. I currently live in FL so who knows where I will be in 2 years due to military. I will also probably get next to nothing for my 2007 :(


Get a 2wd with a limited slip. It will more than meet your needs.
You'll also save on maintenance and maybe even better MPG.

I didn't want 4wd on my truck but the dealers seem to just get them - even here in Georgia. Why so many 2500s have 4wd I have no idea.
 

huntergreen

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since you dont know where you'll be in a few years, i would go for the 4WD.
 

Rzrman328

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Quick story....

Before my lift and with the stockers....me and the boy went offroad in the desert behind my house for a few minutes just messin around....one of the trails I was on was fairly thin, no strayin off the path...and no ****, my front tire fell in a hole and we were stuck as all hell.

Reverse didn't help at all....popped it in 4wd real quick and was out no problem.

Guess my point is....you never know when you'll need 4wd.

Better to have it and not need it.....
 

drittal

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Quick story....

Before my lift and with the stockers....me and the boy went offroad in the desert behind my house for a few minutes just messin around....one of the trails I was on was fairly thin, no strayin off the path...and no ****, my front tire fell in a hole and we were stuck as all hell.

Reverse didn't help at all....popped it in 4wd real quick and was out no problem.

Guess my point is....you never know when you'll need 4wd.

Better to have it and not need it.....
Would you have gone offroad if you wouldn't have bought a 4x4?

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Recon12

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It all depends on your lifestyle, don't it?

I think it is safe to say that all 4WD trucks will have been off road mudded, rock climbed, snow driven, and will have mud and stuff thrown up into all the dark corners of the chassis. Not saying that's bad, just not what everyone wants.

A clean 2WD street truck will have good resale value to those that are looking for that. I advertised my old 2WD as "never off road" and got good response and price.
 

ExpressRules

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My RAM is 2 wheel drive and have had no issue with snow the two winters I have had it, but I also have 2 4x4 jeeps and a 4x4 Durango in the stable if needed so I never really gave it a second thought.
 

RumRunner

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I've never heard anyone with 4wd say they wish they had got a 2wd. Course I live in New England and we get snow. So from my point of view, if 4wd is available in the vehicle I want, then I want to have it.
 

dexter

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I've never heard anyone with 4wd say they wish they had got a 2wd. Course I live in New England and we get snow. So from my point of view, if 4wd is available in the vehicle I want, then I want to have it.


Let me be the first - I wish I had a 2wd with my 2016.

I had a Dodge Dakota for 16 years with 4wd - I wish I had 2wd.
 

THETANK

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I look at it this way, how did we get along without 4x4's back in the day, same goes for cell phones, microwaves, remotes for tv's etc etc etc. My 2 wd is a toy and will be covered up in the next month only to see light again early next April. I have owned 3 4x4's over the last few years and I must be a slow learner because I sold each one after a year or two due to lack of usage. Now keep in mind I live where the temps drop to -40 so I am in a spot that gets its fair share of the white stuff.

Your call as only you know how well you can handle snow. After a snow storm take a look in the ditch or centre median and chances are greater than not that a 4 wheeler will be upside down or hopefully just stranded and waiting for a tow.
 

roadshow

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If you knew you were staying in FL and you're not planning to leave the pavement I'd tell you to get 2wd.
 

Hootbro

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Get the 4WD. I lived in South Texas for close to 15+ years and never thought I would need a 4WD, boy that was a mistake once I moved North of Waco and now living in the Northeast.

Even if you buy new or newer a 2WD, once you move somewhere else and try to trade that puppy in, you will take it in the shorts bad. Most dealer lots around here will never stock 2WD unless it is a stripped model for fleet sales.
 
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