2WD vs. 4WD - First let me state I am in no way judging or trying to troll here, but I just can't wrap my mind around why anyone would ...

First let me state I am in no way judging or trying to troll here, but I just can't wrap my mind around why anyone would spend all the money to buy a truck, lift it etc. etc. and not get it with 4-wheel-drive!?

I live in the Pacific Northwest and with the winters, hills etc. around here it seems to me that buying a rig like a truck or even SUV without 4WD is a waste of money. I just can't understand the logic. Wanting people to chime in...

Again not trying to come across rude or troll, just having a hard time understanding this one.

Thanks!!

Great topic, sir! Let me share my opinion: Here in Minnesota, 4WD isn't a luxury- even in cars! If you've got a good 4WD pickup, and a tow strap, you're guaranteed at least 10 different times during the winter, in which you can help other stuck cars\trucks. It's so needed around here, it's not even funny. Up here (and in the northern section of all the USA), 2WD trucks are a liability, plain and simple.

However, if you live in the southern reaches of our great country (and yes Mr. President, it's the GREATEST, so be proud of it), I think you can get by without it. 4WD systems add a lot of weight, as well as cost. If you're just rich enough to have a truck, and use it as a daily driver (as apposed to using it in the mud, or snow, off-road, up north, etc.), then 2WD would be just fine, I think. That being said, 4WD is the only way to go, for me. It's far too useful to be overlooked in a truck.

However, if you live in the southern reaches of our great country (and yes Mr. President, it's the GREATEST, so be proud of it), I think you can get by without it. 4WD systems add a lot of weight, as well as cost.

I suppose your right there, and I too (again living in the NW) couldn't think of owning a rig like a truck or SUV without 4WD, its just plain needed up here.

I guess I just don't understand owning a truck that is traditionally known for being able to "go anywhere" and then finding out OH, its not 4WD. I especially don't get it when they're lifted and 2WD!!

BTW (just in case anyone wants to know) this whole question came to me while I've been sitting here at a 9 day, 10hr/day conference, working over the wknd and I've been shopping for trucks online and I keep thinking I've found the truck I want (one with a lift, aftermarket mods etc.) and then I find out its 2WD, and it just kills me!!!

Good response, lets hear some more!

it is also alot to to do with the driver. i remember when i was stationed on kodiak alaska there was a guy from tx that took his 2wd (chevy truck if i remember) everywhere the 4wd's went with little or no problems

I sell GMC products in Florida and we sell very few 4X4 trucks, most of us want 2WD with a locker because it works here. Almost every Crew cab truck on my lot has a regional value package and only a few are 4WD. Here is the package we can get for $3,970 - $1,995 (on the window sticker) = $1,975 customer MSRP:

PEB REGIONAL VALUE PACKAGE: 3970.00
*VORTEC 5.3L V8 ENGINE
W/ACTIVE FUEL MGMT TECH
*6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
*HD TRAILERING EQUIPMENT PKG
*LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
*20" CHROME CLAD WHEELS
(REPLACES STD/OPT WHEELS)
*LOCKING TAILGATE
*EZ LIFT TAILGATE
*PWR SEAT ADJUSTER - DR. 6 WAY
*AUTO DUAL ZONE A/C
*STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS
*CD PLAYER W/ USB PORT
*BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE
*FOG LAMPS
CHROME DOOR HANDLES/MIRROR CAPS
(RESIDENTS OF TX/OK/LA/CA/FL &
SELECT COUNTRIES OF NM, AR, KS,
MO, MS, AL, GA & AZ)
R6I REGIONAL VALUE PKG DISCOUNT 1995.00-
(RESIDENTS OF TX, OK, LA, CA,
FL & SELECT COUNTIES OF NM,
AR, KS, MO, MS, AL, GA AND AZ)
(SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS)

This is what people buy here, my wife had never seen snow until I took her out west where it snowed for us in July. Now she loves it snow

That's the exact package I bought. About 99% of my driving is on pavement and we rarely have any ice here in OK. So I couldn't justify the extra cost of a 4x4.

I also remember my old man had a truck with a positive track rear end back in the 80's. It was able to anywhere the 4x4's went. Isn't the locking diff on these new trucks basically the same?

Also aren't most 4x4 trucks just two wheel drives, as in one front and one rear pulling? Just asking, as I am not a mechanic so I have no knowledge on this subject. Any info on this would be interesting to me.

Tree Talker,

Most 4x4 guys keep their trucks in 2WD during most driving conditions, then switch on to 4WD when the weather gets nasty.

I know that. I was just asking if while in 4x4 mode they only have two wheels pulling, as in one front and one rear?

Not sure if I understand... in 2wd, the back wheels are powered. In 4x4, all four wheels are powered.