I have a 2wd, and i heard that its gonna be hell in the snow. i already had my mind set on my next truck to be a 4x4 ranger, but ive heard all sorts of things like "twice as many things that break" and that 4x4 trucks break more than 2wd ones. any input is appreciated!

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1992 Ranger XLT
2.3L 2wd 5spd
91 Mustang rear end, 373 L/S.

4x4 for life lol unless gas prices go up more haha

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II

2wd is fun lol

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SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers

'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP

alot of fun. if u build the rear end just right man the things u can do with them

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II

then dont engage the 4x4 hahaha

but if you live some place where it snows a descent amount every winter i would get a 4x4, just take care of it and dont fall behind on the maintenance, if you drive it nice you shouldnt have too many major problems.

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

I have 4x4 suspension, but no D35 or T case.

I have a D44 sitting in the shop waiting to be rebuilt and go under the F100. But once again, no T case yet.

aka michigan, lmao. metro detroit hasnt gotten hit yet, sadly

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1992 Ranger XLT
2.3L 2wd 5spd
91 Mustang rear end, 373 L/S.

if your talking about plowed city/town roads -- with good driving habits and a few sand bags over the rear wheels 4x2 do fine in the snow. deep snow like off road I would go with the added power wheels on road of the 4x4.

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Lead, Follow or get out of my way!
2010 XLT 4x2 4 dr Super Cab
4.0L SOHC, 5 speed auto, Auto dim mirror w/ home link/remote start,
Chorme Bug gard, Ultragauge, window vents
Next - Bed liner
Suprise, Az - Retired but working
Canon 7D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianandlea/

never understood the suspension thing lol

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II

I've got 4wd, there are more things that can go wrong, but you do have the added advantage. It will NOT help you stop though. I have a 2wd GMC back home that I have driven in many a snow storm to many a far off place as well, honestly having a limited slip and a little weight, and you will have no problem doing most anything. The big issues from 4wd come from hard use, misuse, and no use, not including not maintaining the system. You also suffer in fuel mileage. It really comes down to where you live, I wouldn't have wanted my 2wd GMC in Montana winters, but in Washington state, or for that matter Detroit, you could probably get by with 2wd just fine. For where I was in Montana, unless you wanted to walk, 4wd was king. You also get the fun of going anywhere anytime! lol

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97 Ranger - 4.0 V6 auto, 4wd, 31x10.5x15s Wild Country XTX Sport All Terrains, Warn locking hubs, Pioneer deck with iPod attachment, Snugtop Topper, K&N filter, scan gauge II, Hella 500 Lights, More parts coming, waiting for the paycheck to get bigger!

Truck built in loving memory of Norm Howard
Outcast Racing
PNW Crew!!!
Afterhours Clan!!

4X4 will help you go better but you will pretty much turn and stop the same. With that being said, in the rust belt, I would rather have 4X4 than RWD. That is why I have my SUV.

Food for thought, you could get an axle with limited slip or a locker from the junk yard and have a pretty darn good vehicle for the snow as long as you throw some weight in the back. With a good set of snow tires, you'll get around better than most FWD vehicles and like stated earlier, they can be a lot of fun in the snow.

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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap

4x4= more parts which yes, in turn there is more to break. But if you know how to fix them (and most of the stuff involving the 4x4 isnt rocket science) then you have really no problem and are set in most snow situations.

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

Kentucky gets snow, and my truck doesn't move. no point even trying anymore. my wifes van goes like it was made for it. my truck wont even pull its self out of the blacktop driveway. tried weight and snow tires. I want a 4x4 ranger or mazda. with minor mods n upgrades.

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

I wish I had a 4wd here in Colorado! I often need to put tire cables on. Are chains legal in MI? If I were you living up there in the frigid north I'd go for the 4wd next time.

Throwing a locker in our 2wd trucks wouldn't help much; it will just want to spin the truck around.

Just remember to take the truck out of 4wd when you don't need it and you won't have much hassle with the 4wd.

By that way, are manual locking hubs still available on Rangers? Manual instead of automatic locking hubs would cut down on things that could go wrong.

It's like this...

2wd are ok. If your more likely to drive on paved roads its pretty good. More gas mileage and less things to work on.

4wds are good. If your more likely to drive muddy areas. They can get some good gas mileage but there will be more things you will have to maintain. Tires are more expensive for them too unless you go with some cheap all-terrain.


I had a 2wd Ranger. I liked it but I kept getting stuck...I know I could put some rear mud tires on it. These little trucks are easy to pull out. I got a 4wd Ranger (hubs don't work-my luck) but once I get the 4wd fixed..I will be good. I will just install me a winch. You can do the same for a 2wd but most people will think it would look weird on a 2wd but who cares. It's your vehicle.

2WDs have less weight you know unlike a 4wd due to the front axle and transfer case,etc.

If you drive on the road alot and go far and will see less muddy areas...2wd

If you drive on the road alot/a little and will see some muddy areas....4wd.

It's totally up to you...both have PROS and CONS.

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New ones? I think not...but I don't know. They may have conversion kits out there..$$$$$