4x4 worth it??
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4x4 worth it??
I'm shopping for a nice used 1998-2001 extended cab F150 and trying to decide whether I want the 4x4 or 4x2. I'm never going to take it off-road, but we get some ice and snow here (downstate NY). My experience with the automatic transmission - RWD combination in cars has not been encouraging. When I looked up fuel economy, I was surprised to see only a 1-2 mpg difference between the 4x4 and the 4x2. This will be a second vehicle, so I'm never going to put more than 3-5k per year on it.
Any thoughts on how big a difference the 4x4 will make for the sort of driving I really do? Its not so much the $$ as that limiting my choice to 4x4 really really cuts down on the number of nice ones out there.
Thanks,
LR
PS - Anyone with a suitable truck for sale, please contact me. I don't mind traveling for the right one (I drove 3000 miles to get my last car home).
Any thoughts on how big a difference the 4x4 will make for the sort of driving I really do? Its not so much the $$ as that limiting my choice to 4x4 really really cuts down on the number of nice ones out there.
Thanks,
LR
PS - Anyone with a suitable truck for sale, please contact me. I don't mind traveling for the right one (I drove 3000 miles to get my last car home).
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
I have always had at least one 4x4 in the "garage". It is always good knowing you have a fighting chance with a 4x in bad weather. I am not saying it is the best, but it helps. I have gotten people unstuck with my Bronco(so keep a strap onboard). It is also fun going off pavement and having some fun once in awhile.
What is nice about new 4xs is the incab 4x systems - you don't have to get out to lock hubs. (F150s).
What is nice about new 4xs is the incab 4x systems - you don't have to get out to lock hubs. (F150s).
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,281
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Well many people say its better to have it and not need than to not have it and need it really it depends how bad are the roads in winter does it get so bad thats its full of snow and ice and you always just spin and get no traction
If the city gets all the streets done off in your area quick i guess your okay 2wd aint that bad in winter really just need weight and good tires i tell yeah a limited slip diff helps but you can get sideways easier
So many people have there own opinions when i was shoppin for a truck i didnt care whether it was a 2wd or 4x4 sometimes it matters more on what you find for example like a good shape 2wd truck with low km for a good price or a worn out 4x4 in a rougher shape higher kms and lower price more likely you wanna a nice shaper truck with low kms and a good price in most cases somedays i wish i had a 4x4 somedays i dont care
If the city gets all the streets done off in your area quick i guess your okay 2wd aint that bad in winter really just need weight and good tires i tell yeah a limited slip diff helps but you can get sideways easier
So many people have there own opinions when i was shoppin for a truck i didnt care whether it was a 2wd or 4x4 sometimes it matters more on what you find for example like a good shape 2wd truck with low km for a good price or a worn out 4x4 in a rougher shape higher kms and lower price more likely you wanna a nice shaper truck with low kms and a good price in most cases somedays i wish i had a 4x4 somedays i dont care
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,358
Likes: 4,392
From: SW VA
NY does a great job of getting the roads cleared. Down here in VA, when it snows 4", it takes them nearly 4-5 days to get around to plowing our road. And if there is anything on the roads...a few sandbags in the bed will help A LOT! 
The way I see it, but what you can afford. If you can afford a 4x4...go for it. If not, a 2WD will get you around just fine.
No...it just means better odds of your truck leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere when you need it the most.
The way I see it, but what you can afford. If you can afford a 4x4...go for it. If not, a 2WD will get you around just fine.
Originally Posted by khadma
What is nice about new 4xs is the incab 4x systems - you don't have to get out to lock hubs. (F150s).
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
No...it just means better odds of your truck leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere when you need it the most.
. Maybe I'll have a fancy new 4x4 someday.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 374
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From: Mercedes, TX
i say go 4x4, i have one and i rarely use it but i know when i need it it is there. Only problem i have now is getting rid of the new H/Ts that my dad put on the truck and finding the funds to add some A/Ts so i will not have to worry. But soon i hope to get enough funds to grab an '08 F250 FX4 deisel S-crew
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Iowa
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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I love my 4X4 although I don't go off road and I only use it in extreme winter conditions but I love the sitting up high feeling.... 
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 562
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From: YYC
another vote for the 4x4...i dont use mine alot either...but when i do i am sure glad i have it....was just in the city the other day and sliding around like crazy...it was nice to be able to tap it into 4High even on the go.....so even if you arent using it and you are sliding into a intersection...you can tap it into 4high and gain traction to get back out of there fast.
or just keep it in 4 which would be the smart thing
THNX
Duggy
or just keep it in 4 which would be the smart thing
THNX
Duggy
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
4x4!! But then again I hunt and live in northern Minnesota. Not to mention own a silverado. 
I do however work for a Ford Dealership, so I'm the one that fixes all these bad boys. The biggest issue your going to find with the ESOF X-case is the shift motor locking up and not shifting(go to put it in 4x4 and the light doesn't come on). You can get under the truck, remove the motor and manually shift it to get you home though. Also GEM modules on these possibly going bad preventing shifting or the front shift fork kit on the axle.
I do however work for a Ford Dealership, so I'm the one that fixes all these bad boys. The biggest issue your going to find with the ESOF X-case is the shift motor locking up and not shifting(go to put it in 4x4 and the light doesn't come on). You can get under the truck, remove the motor and manually shift it to get you home though. Also GEM modules on these possibly going bad preventing shifting or the front shift fork kit on the axle.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: waterloo, iowa
I would definatley go for the 4x4 if you can find a nice one.
Mine isn't a daily driver either, so I don't care about the little worse gas mileage, and I've always got a 4x4 sitting there if I need it.
And believe me it has come in handy quite a few times.
Mine isn't a daily driver either, so I don't care about the little worse gas mileage, and I've always got a 4x4 sitting there if I need it.
And believe me it has come in handy quite a few times.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Go with the 4x4. It's a nice thing to have if you ever need it. I had to back a trailer up an incline and having a 4x4 helped because I used the low gearing in the transfer case to back up the trailer.
I haven't had any major problems with my ESOF and I have 210k miles on the truck. I did however have the front actuator on the diff stick the other day, but it cleared itself up.
I haven't had any major problems with my ESOF and I have 210k miles on the truck. I did however have the front actuator on the diff stick the other day, but it cleared itself up.