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  #1  
Old 12-10-2016, 09:07 AM
mgar64 mgar64 is offline
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Default 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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  #2  
Old 12-10-2016, 09:31 AM
TerrenceStuart TerrenceStuart is offline
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Default 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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  #3  
Old 12-10-2016, 11:27 AM
aroundincircles aroundincircles is offline
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Default 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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  #4  
Old 12-13-2016, 10:15 PM
Wolperdinger Wolperdinger is offline
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Default 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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  #5  
Old 12-22-2016, 02:58 PM
BEAR257 BEAR257 is offline
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Default Re: 4x4 vs 2wd

Live in NC & would not have a Ranger without it
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  #6  
Old 12-23-2016, 10:38 PM
wildcatter wildcatter is offline
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Default 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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  #7  
Old 12-24-2016, 05:41 AM
guell guell is offline
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Default

I wouldn't consider a 2wd truck.
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  #8  
Old 12-24-2016, 06:19 AM
johnday johnday is offline
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Default 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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  #9  
Old 12-24-2016, 09:21 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
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Default Re: 4x4 vs 2wd

Quote:
Originally Posted by mgar64 View Post
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.

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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  #10  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:00 AM
Scottydog Scottydog is offline
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Default 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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  #11  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:17 AM
camodown camodown is offline
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Lol. There is always that guy.
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  #12  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:22 AM
guell guell is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camodown View Post
Lol. There is always that guy.
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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  #13  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:41 AM
camodown camodown is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guell View Post
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.
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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  #14  
Old 01-02-2017, 12:00 PM
Scottydog Scottydog is offline
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Default Re: 4x4 vs 2wd

Quote:
Originally Posted by guell View Post
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.
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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  #15  
Old 01-02-2017, 12:10 PM
MNRANGER2002 MNRANGER2002 is offline
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Default Re: 4x4 vs 2wd

Flip a coin, heads you get 4x4 tails you get a 2wd
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