4WD vs 2WD

Guess I am in the minority, I like 2wd better. Costs less, less maintainence, cheaper insurance, better mpg, better payload, etc... With a good set of tires and good driving, a 2wd can go alot of places!

 

Are there different mpg ratings for 2x vs 4x?
I would think there’s not much difference with the 4 x 4 systems today. Just a little extra weight. The maintenance is not very hard to do or very expensive as it doesn’t need to be done very often. The only downside I see is, initial cost and the probability that something could go wrong and you would have to repair it. And the 4 x 4 maybe slightly slower in the quarter mile LOL

 

Ditto
Been in pickups all my life, never had a 4x4 and never needed it. I even played in the mud some in my old Bonanza, ok I didn't play in it just powered through it while a Jeep was stuck in it because he stopped to play.

I think it really depends on the area you are in and your needs. We get little to no winter weather in SC so no slick roads. I don't own a boat so i'm not going to pull one from a slick boat ramp. Don't have a camper. I just do highway travel and take the trash off on Sundays. Why do I need 4x4?

I have no regret staying in 2X4, I have regret not getting a Limited with dual air control because my Wife is driving me nuts with To Hot, To Cold! (but I can't see 10g for that).

 

This is my first 4 x 4. I’ve always liked 2x for it’s sportiness. But I really never had anything to compare it to. The first time I clicked it into 4 x 4 and drove up something that was sketchy made me realize I made a good choice. It was so much fun because it takes stuff on like a tank. I probably could’ve made it up in 2x but I was able to creep up at like it was nothing. I was impressed and will always want my truck to be 4 x 4 from now on. I used to do quite a bit of mild offloading in 2x trucks. But this gives me so much more peace of mind.

 

Someone else already said it, but I also have never understood 2wd trucks. No offense to those that have chimed in already saying that 2wd drive is the bomb. This is just my personal opinion. I can maybe see the utility of having a work truck that is 2wd if you live in Texas or Florida or something. I grew up in the mountains and still live in the mountains - rear wheel drive vehicles suck in the snow. They are terrible off-road - not only because of traction, but they also generally sit lower to the ground then their 4X4 counterparts. I know that some chest-thumpers will chime in and say shit like "you just don't know how to drive - I have never needed 4wd, and I have driven through blizzards all of my life, and frequently go rock crawling and mud bashing". Ok, Indiana Jones - whatever you say. Come follow me around in your 2wd in the Winter and Spring on some of the backroads I travel and see how you do.

They also don't look as good. I prefer trucks that sit higher off the ground, 2wd trucks, or any lowered trucks, look goofy as hell to me. Sure, they make lift kits for 2wd trucks, but that makes me laugh inside. A lifted 2wd truck is like owning a replica car - looks good, but not even close to the original.

 

I purchased my first 4x4 (a T100) in 1999, and picked up my 2002 4X4 Tundra in 2003. In 20 years of driving a 4X4 Toyota truck, I have honestly needed to power the front wheels a handful of times and some of those instances could have been avoided had I chosen a different approach. One thing is for sure, 4X4 can get you deeper into the shit than 2X4.

 

No..I'm not going to follow you around your mountains because you'll end up towing me out like I'm your bitch...



But if you find someone with a 2x4 dumb enough to take your challenge, I'd love to see the video.

 

Drive the 2X4, if you get stuck a chest thumping 4X4 driver will pull you out.

 

Lmao!

 

Like that F350 driver that pulled out a 4x4 Tundra getting stuck in a center median.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVm9dDrkrm0

 

I bought a 2wd tundra myself. It’s more of the family car. My wife wants a jeep(trying to talk her out of it), or a 4Runner. That will be our 4wd car. Although I do love the big tires and lifts which I put on my truck anyways because I love the look. It is a big truck gas mileage will be a tad better with a 2wd and they are still pretty capable of performing on the trails. I still take my 2wd out. At least until the day I get stuck. Lol. Then I’ll have to find a group of 4wd that won’t mind pulling me out here and there. But it all depends where you live too. I live in the suburbs of Los Angeles. It’s pretty rare that I will need it. I am going to the snow this weekend in it and it will be a first so let’s see how it goes!!

 

Looks like the Tundra driver didn't know how to traverse the wet spot... he just plowed straight into it... like I said 4X4 can get you deeper into the shit, especially if you are not an experienced driver.

 

Resale....Resale you will bring alot more money from a 4x4

 

Yep, and you can buy a nice used 2X4 Tundra for thousands less.

 

right... invest the difference, retire early...drive around more...win

 

No one has asked me for my real opinion so here it is. I think this is almost like the miles per gallon subject we all live in different places of the country we all live in different Terrain there is definitely a use for a four-wheel drive trucks versus a 2 wheel drive truck. For instance I live here in Indiana have no use for my four-wheel drive really unless it's blizzard-like conditions cuz I'm never going to off-road in my long bed Toyota Tundra. I do know a guy that has a Chevy long bed 4 wheel drive truck that off roads his but just my opinion he's an idiot.lol

 

You get what you pay for. I'll never own a 2wd truck. If it came down to saving money and considering a 2wd vehicle - I would just get a car. I truly don't understand 2wd trucks. Whenever I see one for sale (I have been looking at vehicles for sale a lot lately for a future vehicle for my son), I shake my head and scroll past it as quickly as I can.

 

oh but don't take this the wrong way my truck is definitely four wheel drive I probably would not have it any other way to be honest I love having the option later on after I don't really care too much if I want to go through a mud pit that won't happen for at least another five to ten years though

 

I'll never own a 2WD truck. I don't drive a truck for the gas mileage, I have a car for that. I also live in MN where we have a lot of snow, and 4x4 makes a world of difference there. no chance I'm getting up the driveway with a 2x4 truck, no matter how great my tires are.

 

I lived in Indy back in '77 & '78, I made it to work & school every day in the snow & ice driving a Pontiac LeMans with snow tires. I'm sure my 2X4 Tundra would have also made it with a set of snow tires.

 

That's cool... more nice 2X4 Tundra trucks for the rest of us.

 

That guy was a straight up moron LOL

 

my next truck is going to be 4x4, i have a 2016 2wd tacoma and im a big guy and i need the room and plus i so like to go offroading once in a while. i believe the tundra 4x4 will be the best bet for me.

 

Always get what you think is best for YOU, and YOUR specific needs.

 

I live in central New York and we get our fair share of snow (a lot of lake effect snow). I have driven rear wheel drive bmw's before during the winter. You just need a set of good snow tires. Having said that, I have a 4x4 Tundra, with a set of Blizzacks. My wife uses it as a DD, and she does engage 4hi when it is bad out. It makes her a safer driver for her, our kids, and others that are on the road. We also tow a camper and sometimes need the 4hi to pull through wet dirt roads. I'm sure the Tundra with snow tires can get through the winter here just fine. However, the 4x4 gives it an extra margin of capability.

 

Winter or summer? I lived in WV for almost 6 years. Parents had a house on the river with some steep hills in and out. Back then I had to drive one of their cars or when I bought my own I could not afford 4wd. I got by just fine. Studded tires or chains worked fine. If I was in the OPs situation I would not pay the extra money for a 4x4. Yes you will get more resale on a 4wd but that is because you will also pay more for it.

 

guy keeps trying to cut up the hill while the tow vehicle is going straight. Woman opens the window during the mud storm. Not exactly off-road educated drivers in that Tundra. They probably hated the mud all over their white truck too - LOL.

I drove a rear wheel drive Z3 with snow tires in winter for years. Only issues I ever had with snow was when the snow was deeper than the rocker panels - which was too often. Always got to where I wanted in it. But it had weight over the rear drive wheels. Pickup trucks often don't have weight over the rear wheels.

 

Ive got 350lbs of sand bags over my rear wheels right now

 

Obviously, you need a 4x4 or this will happen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ_JEMY9HzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-5uBJUo5E