Speciffically, look in the glove box to see if it has G20 listing. This is the locking rear differential. Do not discount the value of good winter tires.
Used Truck - Do I need 4 x 4?
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Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: Jetronic
Actually, an open diff means either 2 wheel drive, or no drive... can't have it any other way
No. We're discussing motive force here, not theory.
Additionally, the vehicles in question are GMT800 pickups, not Alfa Romeo cars.
The G-80 is nice. Mine handles the slick boat ramp very well. However, in snow I would want 4X4. The video isn't what I would call real-world, as usually there is snow all over the road and traction loss on both wheels, not just one.
Originally Posted By: Jetronic
Actually, an open diff means either 2 wheel drive, or no drive... can't have it any other way
No. We're discussing motive force here, not theory.
Additionally, the vehicles in question are GMT800 pickups, not Alfa Romeo cars.
The G-80 is nice. Mine handles the slick boat ramp very well. However, in snow I would want 4X4. The video isn't what I would call real-world, as usually there is snow all over the road and traction loss on both wheels, not just one.
Originally Posted By: otis24
Speciffically, look in the glove box to see if it has G20 listing. This is the locking rear differential. Do not discount the value of good winter tires.
I thought the G80 was the locking differential code?
Speciffically, look in the glove box to see if it has G20 listing. This is the locking rear differential. Do not discount the value of good winter tires.
I thought the G80 was the locking differential code?
^^^It is.
You have to look at both trucks. Buying a used truck is a [censored] shoot, I still can't believe how quickly guys trash them.
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Originally Posted By: KzMitch
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
After the last few winters we've had in southern OH, I won't buy anything else but a 4x4 from now on.
If you drive in snow, you won't regret buying a 4x4.
I'm done with 2wd and front wheel drive.
Unless a smoking' deal falls in my lap, we own only 4x4, and AWD.
Yeah yeah, I know, some of you are in your easy chair yapping, "if you can drive in snow, 2wd is all you need."
And you can pound your chest all you want how you drive uphill through a foot of snow in an IROC-Z with bald Goodyear Eagles or an El Camino with dry-rotted bias-ply Wide Ovals while staying ahead of traffic.
I assure you, I can drive a car in snow.
But after 30+ years of driving in the white stuff, I've noticed that its far easier, for me at least, with 4x4 or AWD thankyouverymuch.
Same here, I have driven all sorts of rigs in the snow over the years.
4wd, or AWD with snow tires rocks. No drama, no issues.
With modern cars you really don't have to pay any penalty either, AWD is a slight mileage penalty but the new systems don't really break anymore. I never hear of issues with the 4x4 system on modern trucks. Drive line issues in 2015 are very rare.
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
After the last few winters we've had in southern OH, I won't buy anything else but a 4x4 from now on.
If you drive in snow, you won't regret buying a 4x4.
I'm done with 2wd and front wheel drive.
Unless a smoking' deal falls in my lap, we own only 4x4, and AWD.
Yeah yeah, I know, some of you are in your easy chair yapping, "if you can drive in snow, 2wd is all you need."
And you can pound your chest all you want how you drive uphill through a foot of snow in an IROC-Z with bald Goodyear Eagles or an El Camino with dry-rotted bias-ply Wide Ovals while staying ahead of traffic.
I assure you, I can drive a car in snow.
But after 30+ years of driving in the white stuff, I've noticed that its far easier, for me at least, with 4x4 or AWD thankyouverymuch.
Same here, I have driven all sorts of rigs in the snow over the years.
4wd, or AWD with snow tires rocks. No drama, no issues.
With modern cars you really don't have to pay any penalty either, AWD is a slight mileage penalty but the new systems don't really break anymore. I never hear of issues with the 4x4 system on modern trucks. Drive line issues in 2015 are very rare.
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Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
I have...usually, after getting a whopping repair bill; occasionally, after struggling to load something into a too-high bed. Don't forget the substantial hit in gas mileage.
I have NEVER heard anyone say they wish they got a 2wd when something that rarely has a problem like the 4x4 system needs repair.
Modern 4x4 trucks get similar MPG to their 2wd counterparts.
Modern 2wd trucks also have similar bed heights as the 4x4's as well.
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
I have...usually, after getting a whopping repair bill; occasionally, after struggling to load something into a too-high bed. Don't forget the substantial hit in gas mileage.
I have NEVER heard anyone say they wish they got a 2wd when something that rarely has a problem like the 4x4 system needs repair.
Modern 4x4 trucks get similar MPG to their 2wd counterparts.
Modern 2wd trucks also have similar bed heights as the 4x4's as well.
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
They might say that someday in the future when the mortgage is due, the fridge is empty and the electric company guy is outside turning off their connection.
You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
They might say that someday in the future when the mortgage is due, the fridge is empty and the electric company guy is outside turning off their connection.
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Originally Posted By: SeaJay
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
They might say that someday in the future when the mortgage is due, the fridge is empty and the electric company guy is outside turning off their connection.
I think any reasonable person would have sold their truck before it gets to this point. However, if they haven't then they'll be happy to have the higher resale value of the 4x4.
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
You seem to get pounded with snow in the winters. If you are going to get a truck and can afford the 3 extra grand get the 4x4. I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
They might say that someday in the future when the mortgage is due, the fridge is empty and the electric company guy is outside turning off their connection.
I think any reasonable person would have sold their truck before it gets to this point. However, if they haven't then they'll be happy to have the higher resale value of the 4x4.
As to whether to get a 4WD truck or not, only the OP can answer that.
I've gotten by using 2WD trucks with locking diffs or LSDs for years with no problem.
On a new pickup 4WD usually adds about $3.5K, increases insurance premiums, and decreases fuel economy.
I would get a 4WD vehicle if:
- I lived in an area that got a lot of snow.
- I lived in the country and was on a lot of unpaved roads.
- I towed a boat.
I know of a LOT of people that "feel" they need 4WD when in actuality they never see unpaved roads or drive much in inclement weather. I have meat quite a few people that bought a 4WD vehicle that never even turned the 4WD knob to 4WD.
As far as 4WD for resale, 4WD trucks do fetch more money than 2WD trucks, but people actually lose money owning 4WD.
As I said before, get a 4WD truck if you NEED a 4WD truck, don't get one "just cause".
I've gotten by using 2WD trucks with locking diffs or LSDs for years with no problem.
On a new pickup 4WD usually adds about $3.5K, increases insurance premiums, and decreases fuel economy.
I would get a 4WD vehicle if:
- I lived in an area that got a lot of snow.
- I lived in the country and was on a lot of unpaved roads.
- I towed a boat.
I know of a LOT of people that "feel" they need 4WD when in actuality they never see unpaved roads or drive much in inclement weather. I have meat quite a few people that bought a 4WD vehicle that never even turned the 4WD knob to 4WD.
As far as 4WD for resale, 4WD trucks do fetch more money than 2WD trucks, but people actually lose money owning 4WD.
As I said before, get a 4WD truck if you NEED a 4WD truck, don't get one "just cause".
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
I have...usually, after getting a whopping repair bill; occasionally, after struggling to load something into a too-high bed. Don't forget the substantial hit in gas mileage.
I have NEVER heard anyone say they wish they got a 2wd when something that rarely has a problem like the 4x4 system needs repair.
Dude I work with dropped close to $3500 (new T-case, rebuilt trans) when the transfer case on his GMC grenaded...he even had to eat the core charge on the transfer case. His next truck will be a 2WD.
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Modern 4x4 trucks get similar MPG to their 2wd counterparts.
Pablum. 4WD is about a 10% hit.
Quote:
Modern 2wd trucks also have similar bed heights as the 4x4's as well.
Only for GM.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I've never heard anyone say after buying a 4x4 truck say "I wish I would've got a 4x2".
I have...usually, after getting a whopping repair bill; occasionally, after struggling to load something into a too-high bed. Don't forget the substantial hit in gas mileage.
I have NEVER heard anyone say they wish they got a 2wd when something that rarely has a problem like the 4x4 system needs repair.
Dude I work with dropped close to $3500 (new T-case, rebuilt trans) when the transfer case on his GMC grenaded...he even had to eat the core charge on the transfer case. His next truck will be a 2WD.
Quote:
Modern 4x4 trucks get similar MPG to their 2wd counterparts.
Pablum. 4WD is about a 10% hit.
Quote:
Modern 2wd trucks also have similar bed heights as the 4x4's as well.
Only for GM.
Originally Posted By: Nate1979
^^^^ For the 2015 Silverado 1500 in with the V6 or V8 the penalty for 4wd is only 1mpg which is ~5%.
If you live in Florida, but a short commute in the winter with an extra cold diff, plus the transfer case to churn, the mileage difference will be quite a bit more. And it gets worse again if you actually use 4wd.
That said, I'd still get 4wd in my truck, but it would get used often.
^^^^ For the 2015 Silverado 1500 in with the V6 or V8 the penalty for 4wd is only 1mpg which is ~5%.
If you live in Florida, but a short commute in the winter with an extra cold diff, plus the transfer case to churn, the mileage difference will be quite a bit more. And it gets worse again if you actually use 4wd.
That said, I'd still get 4wd in my truck, but it would get used often.
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The answer is ultimately up to the OP. There is no "correct" answer.
I've owned both. Managed just fine with the 2wd trucks. Much prefer the 4x4 trucks, and am willing to deal with all the supposed cons: lower gas mileage (true), higher bed height (1.5 inches in my case, don't care), and higher potential maintenance cost (true, but not every truck will grenade its transfer case either - most of it is minor).
My preference, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks since I'm paying the bills.
I've owned both. Managed just fine with the 2wd trucks. Much prefer the 4x4 trucks, and am willing to deal with all the supposed cons: lower gas mileage (true), higher bed height (1.5 inches in my case, don't care), and higher potential maintenance cost (true, but not every truck will grenade its transfer case either - most of it is minor).
My preference, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks since I'm paying the bills.
Both are waay overpriced...
For a while I had both a FWD VW and my current ride, a 4x4 pickup. I found that I'd rather drive the VW with decent all seasons than the truck in 4x4 mode with all seasons. Then I put decent snows onto the truck. Found I still preferred driving the FWD car to the truck. 4x4 and snow tires made it decent, but it still gets squirrely--it goes through deep snow better, but that is its only plus. I found my VW with all seasons drove around in the same snow as did the truck in 2WD with snow tires--if anything, more safe, as the truck oversteers too easily. The VW was much more predictable.
Maybe that has to do more with the two specific vehicles, but so far, that is my experience. Maybe a low rev'ing manual transmission car is naturally better in snow, and it's an unfair comparasion?
Personally, if I had just all seasons on a 2WD truck, it'd be because it was parked for the winter. 2WD truck with snows... Needs lots of ballast, or it's likewise not going far. IMO, they are really worthless winter vehicles.
If I ever buy another truck, and plan to drive year 'round, I would seriously look at one that has some sort of center diff. Mine does not, and it really suffers for it.
Maybe that has to do more with the two specific vehicles, but so far, that is my experience. Maybe a low rev'ing manual transmission car is naturally better in snow, and it's an unfair comparasion?
Personally, if I had just all seasons on a 2WD truck, it'd be because it was parked for the winter. 2WD truck with snows... Needs lots of ballast, or it's likewise not going far. IMO, they are really worthless winter vehicles.
If I ever buy another truck, and plan to drive year 'round, I would seriously look at one that has some sort of center diff. Mine does not, and it really suffers for it.
My thoughts and observations are the same.
I prefer my FWD car with snow tires over the Jeep with snow tires. Lack of center differential (part time 4x4) really doesn't help at all on the highway. It's either spin in 2wd, or put it in 4wd and have it be squirrley and either under steer or turn when it wants.
Much more stable on the road with a FWD. Or even AWD vehicles that have a center differential and can have all 4 wheels turn at a different speed.
But if we get 3' of snow. The Jeep is usually the choice.
I prefer my FWD car with snow tires over the Jeep with snow tires. Lack of center differential (part time 4x4) really doesn't help at all on the highway. It's either spin in 2wd, or put it in 4wd and have it be squirrley and either under steer or turn when it wants.
Much more stable on the road with a FWD. Or even AWD vehicles that have a center differential and can have all 4 wheels turn at a different speed.
But if we get 3' of snow. The Jeep is usually the choice.
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