2wd Super Duty?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
2wd Super Duty?
I am interested in buying a new or relatively new 2wd Super Duty. There is not much information out there regarding 2wd Super Duty trucks. Is the independent front suspension a good system on the Super Duties? Does anyone have first hand experience with a 2wd Super Duty?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Yes. Where I live I have no need for 4WD. Others do, that's fine, but I do not. 2WD makes for an excellent ride, easy to drive low maintanance tow vehicle. There is NO drawback to 2wd.
Provided you stay out of where you might get stuck.
Provided you stay out of where you might get stuck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 4,959
I am interested in buying a new or relatively new 2wd Super Duty. There is not much information out there regarding 2wd Super Duty trucks. Is the independent front suspension a good system on the Super Duties? Does anyone have first hand experience with a 2wd Super Duty?
I buy 2WD because mine never goes off road, mine is about 99.99% highway, and half of that towing.
It will be the last 2WD Ford because Ford now only sells 2WD super durty's in base XL trim, XLT and higher trim are now only available as 4WD.
If you want to buy one, I might be interested in selling mine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
Ford has used the twin i-beam in 2wd's since 1965. It's a good system...durable and good handling in a pickup. And I've never heard of a twin i-beam having the dreaded "death wobble".
They use ball joints like most cars and pickups which need replaced somewhere past 100,000 miles.
They use ball joints like most cars and pickups which need replaced somewhere past 100,000 miles.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 198
Twin-I-Beam is good for wearing out front tires. It's durable and does not have 'Death Wobble', ride is good but does not handle all that well (drive a newer 2WD GM HD truck for comparison). Ford only offers 2WD on XL fleet trucks now, all other trim levels offer 4WD standard. Good luck finding a 2WD Super Duty.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 1,117
Pros and Cons just like most things;
2wd Pros:
- cheaper to buy
- cheaper to maintain
- lower center of gravity for easier loading and improved sway control
- lighter weight for increased payload and improved performance
2wd Cons:
- far easier to get stuck offroad, in mud, snow or wet grass
- lighter weight on the front axle may be a negative for bumper pull trailers
- lighter overall weight makes it a bit easier for the trailer to "wag the dog".
- Only available in an XL trim level
- may be hard to find and sell
I can totally see and agree that a 2wd would be a better choice depending on usage and local. For me, I need 4wd just to get up my driveway in the winter.
2 cents,
Dave
2wd Pros:
- cheaper to buy
- cheaper to maintain
- lower center of gravity for easier loading and improved sway control
- lighter weight for increased payload and improved performance
2wd Cons:
- far easier to get stuck offroad, in mud, snow or wet grass
- lighter weight on the front axle may be a negative for bumper pull trailers
- lighter overall weight makes it a bit easier for the trailer to "wag the dog".
- Only available in an XL trim level
- may be hard to find and sell
I can totally see and agree that a 2wd would be a better choice depending on usage and local. For me, I need 4wd just to get up my driveway in the winter.
2 cents,
Dave
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,161
Likes: 1,372
From: Chaz
I have had 2 and I like them. The gas motor has a lot of traction control nannies even with advance trac off. The diesel is a little more liberal and won’t get you stuck in wet grass.
About to put my 2020 2wd loaded STX 6.7 dually on ebay, if you want it let me know.
About to put my 2020 2wd loaded STX 6.7 dually on ebay, if you want it let me know.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
A few non truths here...
- Accelerated tire wear may have been a problem back when twin i beams used king pins and had to be bent for alignment but not with ball joints and relatively easy adjustments.
- 2wd is plenty heavy enough in front to tow anything
- "Wagging the dog" is when a trailer pushes the rear around, not the front.
- With proper tires and a little weight, 2wd will handle snow up to its axles. And tire chains can be added where required or stay home. Lot of guys add weight to the bed of their 4wd, btw
- Also, with proper tires 2wd will handle wet grass just fine. I've heard lot of folks say they have trouble in grass without 4wd...but for pete's sake...that's ridiculous. I've done too much 2 wheeling in pasture fields to believe that.
- Accelerated tire wear may have been a problem back when twin i beams used king pins and had to be bent for alignment but not with ball joints and relatively easy adjustments.
- 2wd is plenty heavy enough in front to tow anything
- "Wagging the dog" is when a trailer pushes the rear around, not the front.
- With proper tires and a little weight, 2wd will handle snow up to its axles. And tire chains can be added where required or stay home. Lot of guys add weight to the bed of their 4wd, btw
- Also, with proper tires 2wd will handle wet grass just fine. I've heard lot of folks say they have trouble in grass without 4wd...but for pete's sake...that's ridiculous. I've done too much 2 wheeling in pasture fields to believe that.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,161
Likes: 1,372
From: Chaz
Um no, even with advance track off it kills the motor as you get momentum in wet grass, thus digging a hole. Absolutely will not allow wheel spin above about 5-10mph while moving. Absolutely will do nothing but force it to get stuck, its absolutely programmed to get you stuck. I would ****ing kill the engineer who designed the traction control system in a 2wd 6.2 f250 and his first born if it wasn’t illegal.
Been stuck in wet grass, sank in sandy lomb and got pulled out with a dodge with baby *** smooth bald tires at 2am after getting stuck in wet grass 50 miles from home. Absolutely no exaggeration.
Literally I would kill the ****er.
My 2020 6.7 2wd is a little more liberal and its a dually as well. I have been able to get through some nasty wet fields in it, with street tires as well.
Long story short if you get a gas 2wd single rear wheel you will be putting an ABS switch in it. The poster above doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Been stuck in wet grass, sank in sandy lomb and got pulled out with a dodge with baby *** smooth bald tires at 2am after getting stuck in wet grass 50 miles from home. Absolutely no exaggeration.
Literally I would kill the ****er.
My 2020 6.7 2wd is a little more liberal and its a dually as well. I have been able to get through some nasty wet fields in it, with street tires as well.
Long story short if you get a gas 2wd single rear wheel you will be putting an ABS switch in it. The poster above doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
Um no, even with advance track off it kills the motor as you get momentum in wet grass, thus digging a hole. Absolutely will not allow wheel spin above about 5-10mph while moving. Absolutely will do nothing but force it to get stuck, its absolutely programmed to get you stuck. I would ****ing kill the engineer who designed the traction control system in a 2wd 6.2 f250 and his first born if it wasn’t illegal.
Been stuck in wet grass, sank in sandy lomb and got pulled out with a dodge with baby *** smooth bald tires at 2am after getting stuck in wet grass 50 miles from home. Absolutely no exaggeration.
Literally I would kill the ****er.
My 2020 6.7 2wd is a little more liberal and its a dually as well. I have been able to get through some nasty wet fields in it, with street tires as well.
Long story short if you get a gas 2wd single rear wheel you will be putting an ABS switch in it. The poster above doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Been stuck in wet grass, sank in sandy lomb and got pulled out with a dodge with baby *** smooth bald tires at 2am after getting stuck in wet grass 50 miles from home. Absolutely no exaggeration.
Literally I would kill the ****er.
My 2020 6.7 2wd is a little more liberal and its a dually as well. I have been able to get through some nasty wet fields in it, with street tires as well.
Long story short if you get a gas 2wd single rear wheel you will be putting an ABS switch in it. The poster above doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Though I think I would have at least looked for a way to pull the plug on the ABS if that's all it takes before I let myself get stuck in wet grass. Btw, unless I'm backing up a hill I don't spin on wet grass... unless I'm trying to spin...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 640
From: McKinney, TX
I agree. My truck is my work truck, but it's also my 'station wagon' if you see what I mean. I don't need 4WD... but I got it, now... along with more expensive insurance, more maintenance and upkeep, and a harsher ride. I didn't really want to have to go completely ghetto with an XL, like my 2009, to keep 2WD when I went shopping for my '23... so I got what I got.
FWIW, I have had 2 2WD SuperDoodies... a '99, and I still have my '09. I sold my '99 at 186K, and my '09 has 208K on it... and I've never touched the front ends, besides brakes. Like every coil spring front suspension... they will eventually start to sag, my '09 is there, now; it's not clapped out, but you can tell the coils are tired. Having said that, I've never had problems with irregular tire wear, or any sort of steering anomaly. I like the twin I-beam, but I liked my 2500HD 2WD torsion bar front end better.
FWIW, I have had 2 2WD SuperDoodies... a '99, and I still have my '09. I sold my '99 at 186K, and my '09 has 208K on it... and I've never touched the front ends, besides brakes. Like every coil spring front suspension... they will eventually start to sag, my '09 is there, now; it's not clapped out, but you can tell the coils are tired. Having said that, I've never had problems with irregular tire wear, or any sort of steering anomaly. I like the twin I-beam, but I liked my 2500HD 2WD torsion bar front end better.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 640
From: McKinney, TX
