To prove everybodys point:
Imagine if you will, a cold wintery day with 4" of slush and snow in piles along the parking area at church (the rest of the parking lot being clean, of course). Now picture a huge F350 CC, diesel, 4x4, dually sitting in the church parking lot idling quietly to itself. Sadly, the owner had backed it into the space which put its rear tires in the slush. Church lets out and the owner comes outside and starts to drive away... only not. A 4" pile of slush has rendered the rear wheels useless. Now picture all your friends staring at you, laughing. You grin, put it in 4x4, and start to pull out... and nothing but wheel spin because the electronic switch on the transfer case has decided to stop working making you 2wd. Now imagine 5 guys trying to push you out of it and getting totally soaked and frozen solid in the process. I had to be pulled out of it by, I'm embarrassed to say, a Dodge!

Sure 4x4 is handy, but how much entertainment, at the expense of your buddies church clothes, or embarrassment will you derive from it? A lot less, I'm sure.

 

I vote for the 4wd simply because it will be easier to sell if you want a new vehicle. I don't know anybody who's looking for a used 2wd F250/350.

 

Do I hear eerie music and the voice of Rod Serling while reading that? LOL!

Goodun, dcf4x4

 

Makes me glad I got that extra handle sticking out of the hump. 8^)

 

Ditto on That!
Rich

 

I'll give an Amen to that! anyhtinh electric especially in wet climate is bad news. not only that suppose you were mudding, the 4x4 switch shorts out and you have automatic hubs. Big bummer! I think the stick looks much better coming out the hump. My only drawback is I have manual hubs, and from what I hear automatic hubs are not very reliable. Long live manuals.

 

I ditto your ditto.
Two twists before I need it, an easy pull on the lever when I need it, and off I go!

 

Thanks for all the posts. I've read all the posts and have put a fair amount of thought into it. I think I'm going to get the 4x2. This won't be my only vehicle. The main reason for it is to tow and to haul. The 4x2 does that cheaper and more economical. It will be my nicer vehicle for sure. I'm splurging on the PSD and the Lariat version. I realize the resale audience will be reduced, but I usually drive me vehicles into the ground anyway. I just heard this weekend about a locker for the rear. Is that the same as the limited slip option, or is it a different option, or is it and aftermarket option? I hear that it is really effective.
Thanks,
Adam

 

You can buy a 6000-pound rolling load winch from Harbor Freight for $39.99 and keep it in the cab. How much does the 4WD cost, both initially, and long term maintenance.....

 

You've got to have something pretty sturdy within winching cable range to hook up to. Otherwise, that winch is just more iron to carry around.

 

I live in the Northeast and have owned four pick-ups in my life ('87 Dakota, '93 S-10, '93 F-150, '95 Ram 1500) and all were 4x2. I have never gotten stuck. A 4x2 will get you through 4 inches of slush, I can tell you that.

I never asked my truck to more than I think it could have. Nor do I think it could do what a 4x4 could. When I was a teenager, a friend of mine bought a Toyota 4x4 and got stuck with it because he didn't know how to drive it properly.

If you don't really need a 4x4, why spend the money on it? If you're going to keep it forever, there is no re-sale concern. As you said, you could use the $3k in savings towards more options that you'll actually use more than 3 times in the trucks life.

The other benefits are slightly better economy, less maintenance costs, and cheaper insurance.

I am currently looking for a Super Duty. I plan on keeping the truck for at least 10 years. I too was torn between 4x2 and 4x4, still am somewhat since it will be a daily driver for me. All the chatter on the board about the automatic hub problems and sucky ESOF are really scaring me off. It is hard to justify the extra cost when you use it so little and the failure rate seems high.

Do what is best for you and what you plan to do with your truck. A lot of people like the security of a 4x4 and I kind of equate to people having the ability to do something just because they can or just in case rather than actual need.

Eric

 

I don't believe Ford offers a rear locker (Chevy does of course), which would be better than limited slip IMHO.

I would definitely get the limited slip axle regardless of whether I bought a 4x2 or 4x4, it is such a cheap option and a must have to me.

 

I estimate the 4x4 option costs around $550/year based on 10 years of ownership. That is not the real reason though. Oddly enough, gas mileage has a lot to do with it. Also, the steering is a good bit better with the 2wd I believe. The payload is 300 lbs more with 2wd, not that that will be an issue. I do like the look of the 4wd truck better though. Oh well.
Based on some other posts, it sounds like the locker on the rear axle is an aftermarked option that can be better than the factory LS. It may have drawbacks to like tires wearing out earlier on the rear. That is about all I can glean from the messages so far.

Thanks,
Adam

 

Hey Adam get 4 x4 you wont regret it. In my area its rare to have 2wd truck. Think off the resale value. A 2wd truck will not sell around here especially a superduty. If you think you dont like it. Get rid off it. It will sell easily. But going from a 2wd to a 4wd is a whole other story. You ranger is a lot easier to push around then a superduty especially a diesel. Get in a icy spot an youll be spinning your wheels. Now Adam put that 2wd idea out of your head right now. Even if you get stuck once it will pay for itself. You know embarrasing it is to be stuck in a superduty. Cant put a price on that.. You ranger gets stuck its not so bad to push that out. But a superduty it might take a tractor to get you out or at least another truck. How embarrasing what if its a Chevy or Dodge. 4wd,4wd.4wd,4wd,4wd,4wd do you here me Adam.

 

If you are getting a PSD, get a Lariat, 4*4 with manual transfer case and LS rear. Just drive in 2wd when the roads are bad and see how long it takes to use 4*4. I drive northern canada roads all winter, I have auto hubs, my 2000 SD did too. You can't beat them. I use them lots and lots, they have always worked. You won't regret 4*4, it will pay for itself with bad conditions and tow bills. Especially in a PSD. They are very heavy in the front and are literally an ancor in 2 WD even with LS. A locker is a better choice, but not usable on the highway. I am on my 4th 4*4, 700K miles. I really dont use it alot, but when I do, its GREAT!