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12-10-2016, 09:07 AM
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Liking the Ford Ranger Forum
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 20
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4x4 vs 2wd
Looking for a Ranger to buy. Up until now I've been focusing solely on 4x4 models. I expect very light off-road use and the occasional snow. I'm in NC snow here is infrequent and not particularly deep.
Am I making a mistake limiting my search to 4x4 only? I do plan to put at least 33's on it.
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12-10-2016, 09:31 AM
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Old man driver.
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 14,894
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
No, because it's better to have and not need, that it is to need and not have.
although you may never have to use it in 4x4 mode, it's nice to have if needed.
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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)
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12-10-2016, 11:27 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 318
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
I live in AZ, I bought a 4x4, not because snow, but because I know that i'll take it camping when my jeep is out of commission. If I had bought a 2wd, I would have been unsatisfied until I bought a 4wd. That's just me, if you have your heart set on something, spend the money once, not twice.
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12-13-2016, 10:15 PM
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Like the Forums
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 40
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
I'm on Vancouver Island, and we don't get much snow. In fact, it's been over 1,000 days since we've had snow on the roads. I bought my 4X4 Ranger a few weeks ago because I like 4X4's. Sure don't "need" it. Last week it snowed, and we had 6" on the ground. And it turned cold, so it stayed and froze. I am super happy I bought a 4X4! It handled the snow like a champ. In 2WD, I was stuck in the driveway. A flick of the switch, and I had an awesome snow machine. No regrets here!
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2008 Ranger Sport 4x4
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12-22-2016, 02:58 PM
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1998 Ranger 4X4
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 93
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
Live in NC & would not have a Ranger without it
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Kevin
1998 3.0 4X4 5MT Splash Box- 2014 435iM-Sport - 2013 BMW 135is convt - 2009 Ford Expedition 4X4 EL - 1965 FFR Cobra - 2016 Genesis R-Spec coupe - 2017 Mazda CX5GT AWD .
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12-23-2016, 10:38 PM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 7
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
Need has little to do with it,, if you want it,, you still will even after you spend nearly the same money and don't have it. Plus like someone said,,, you'll really regret if you ever find that you do need it and it ain't there!
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Hunt and Fish Hard,, er stay the hell ta home,,,
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12-24-2016, 05:41 AM
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Chat ********* Overlord
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,614
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I wouldn't consider a 2wd truck.
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2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 DC 4x4
Ranger free since 4/14/14
1972 bmw 2002tii
1974 Kawasaki mc1m 90
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12-24-2016, 06:19 AM
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Useless olde guy
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,228
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
I've got both. An F150 4X4, and a RWD open diff Ranger. The 150 sees very little use in our winters, I try to keep it salt free.
The Ranger though sees snow all the time. I put some DuraTracs on it this last summer, have around 350# of weight in the back, and zero problem. Of course living in snow country for 66 years helps with the know how.
Last year was the only time I had any trouble. I had some Mastercraft AXT's with about 35k miles on them, and they sucked so bad, I put it in the ditch twice. 4X4 would have helped in that case.
Get what you like, 4X4 doesn't make you a better driver, just accentuates the poor drivers capabilities. Plus, where you are, the snow ain't that bad.
I do prefer 4X4 myself, and will use the 150 if it gets real bad.
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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!
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12-24-2016, 09:21 AM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,181
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgar64
Looking for a Ranger to buy. Up until now I've been focusing solely on 4x4 models. I expect very light off-road use and the occasional snow. I'm in NC snow here is infrequent and not particularly deep.
Am I making a mistake limiting my search to 4x4 only? I do plan to put at least 33's on it.
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You know the climate and typical road conditions in your area so why ask on this forum? You know everyone here would say you need a 4x4 which is total nonsense.
I have a 4x4 2014 F150 and last winter at my 2nd house in New Hampshire I didn't need to put the truck in 4 wheel drive at all.
4x4 trucks have more parts to break plus cost more to maintain, but the choice is up to you.
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01-02-2017, 11:00 AM
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The Big Mamou
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 90
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
4x4 vs 2wd actually depends on the situation. In a pure offroad setting, if you put a factory 4x4 vs a 2wd with a rear diff lock, the 2wd will win all day long since a locked rear diff is way more useful than all 4 wheels being powered with an open diff. The only thing a factory 4x4 will do is double your chances of keeping traction, because now there are 4 wheels instead of 2, but if the surface is really loose across all 4 wheels you'll still spin tires and go nowhere. This is because the open diffs mean that the power will be given to the wheel that has the least traction on BOTH axles, the tire that has the most traction will just sit there unpowered. A locked diff will just turn the wheels on that axle in sync, meaning even if one wheel has no traction you still keep moving.
Now having said that, a factory 4x4 with a rear diff lock will be more capable than a 2wd with a rear diff lock. Imagine you're going up over a steep bank, and the surface is muddy and full of gravel. Your rear wheels and the weight of the truck will give you enough traction to get the truck up onto the bank, but as soon as the rear wheels roll onto the bank they're just going to slip. In this situation, having 4x4 would mean the front wheels could keep the truck rolling just enough to get it over the bank. If you had a 2wd you'd never get over it without a winch.
So my recommendation, a rear diff lock, lift kit, and some decent tires are waaaaaaaaay more important than having 4x4. Sure 4x4 is nice to have, but a lifted 2wd ranger on 33" tires with a diff lock and a winch will be a thousand times more capable than a stock 4x4. It all depends on what you want to do with it.
Now you said you expect some light off roading and some snow. Sure, a stock 4x4 could handle this, but so could a 2wd with decent tires. The only advantage a 4x4 has in this situation is that there is more weight over the front wheels than the rear, so you're looking at increased traction. You can counter this with the classic bags of sand in the box.
Honestly for you the only reason I'd say "get a 4x4" is if 4x4 Rangers are the same cost as a 2wd in your area. There's no sense paying the same money for less truck. However if your budget is for a 4x4 and you find a 2wd for $2000-$4000 cheaper, then I'd use that spare money to have an air locker and some nice tires fitted. That way you've got yourself a way more useful truck for the same money as the 4x4.
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2009 Sport 4x4 4 door supercab, 4.0L V6 SOHC, automatic transmission, #1 torsion bar, C code leafs, 96 axle (8.8" 3.73 ratio open diff), towing package, recovery hooks, remote start power package, two tone cloth interior, rear slider window. 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac on American Racing AR767 15x8 rims 4" backspace -12mm offset.
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01-02-2017, 11:17 AM
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I'm kind of a big deal
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,848
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Lol. There is always that guy.
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01-02-2017, 11:22 AM
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Chat ********* Overlord
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,614
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camodown
Lol. There is always that guy.
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Yep,
4wd will hold its value far better. They will also do far better than 2wd off-road imo. I never understood the locker in a 2wd truck yet their argument assumes you wouldn't do the same for a 4wd.
__________________
2011 Toyota Tundra 5.7 DC 4x4
Ranger free since 4/14/14
1972 bmw 2002tii
1974 Kawasaki mc1m 90
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01-02-2017, 11:41 AM
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I'm kind of a big deal
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,848
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guell
Yep, 4wd will hold its value far better. They will also do far better than 2wd off-road imo. I never understood the locker in a 2wd truck yet their argument assumes you wouldn't do the same for a 4wd.
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Even still. I've wheeled with guys that were locked 2wd's. I've also had to stop, back up and pull them through obstacles so they weren't sitting their stuck on the trail between 2 small hills. But what do I know, the guy that doesn't know what size his wheels are probably knows more than me.
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01-02-2017, 12:00 PM
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The Big Mamou
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 90
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
Quote:
Originally Posted by guell
Yep,
4wd will hold its value far better. They will also do far better than 2wd off-road imo. I never understood the locker in a 2wd truck yet their argument assumes you wouldn't do the same for a 4wd.
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did you even read my post? I said that a 4x4 with a locker would be more capable than 2wd with locker. The point I was making is that 4x4 is not the be-all-end-all of off roading.
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2009 Sport 4x4 4 door supercab, 4.0L V6 SOHC, automatic transmission, #1 torsion bar, C code leafs, 96 axle (8.8" 3.73 ratio open diff), towing package, recovery hooks, remote start power package, two tone cloth interior, rear slider window. 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac on American Racing AR767 15x8 rims 4" backspace -12mm offset.
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01-02-2017, 12:10 PM
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Murica
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 240
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Re: 4x4 vs 2wd
Flip a coin, heads you get 4x4 tails you get a 2wd
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2002 XLT Extended Cab 4.0
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