I bought my first 4x4 back in 1989. That's all I've had ever since.

I didn't need it.

I just wanted it.

Sort of like the big screen TV and the multi-disc CD player.

 

Have you ever had a gooseneck start pulling you down hill while you are still trying to go up? Its an experience you will never forget kinda gut wrenching and everytime since then that 4x4 pays for itself. BTW No i did not wreck the truck it just was really hairy getting that trailer backed back through the switchbacks, no where to turn around on a mountain side. Oh yeah also the ice & snow thing, but thats not really a big deal unless your off the paved road, chains and throttle control is what its all about most the time.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4039&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=474&.jpg

Why Buy new when you can build and tailor it cheaper?
(updated) F-350 4x4 ext cab Short Bed Green Monster, it is now Sporting a 300HP 715lb/ft Dyno rated 5.9L 12v Cummins diesel now w/ NV5600 6 spd and custom NP205 ford T-case w/ rear spicer 1410 yoke, 3.55 gears using the 41 spline pinion and 1410 U-Joints, Power-Lok equipt Dana 60 front and posi rear, 315/75's on 16x8" Outlaw II's. (Used to have)205000 miles, Mass air 460 w/ performance heads and a E40d to 5spd conversion and Doug Thorleys. Old EFI 460 @10 MPG to the 12 V @ 23.2 MPG @ 75 MPH and loving it.
My other toy is a '69 CJ-5 354 Hemi 4 spd 4.88's 32x12.50 MThompsons w/ power-lok 44 rear.

 

Gota have the 4X4 in Washington St. To many times I have seen people in the ditch because of snow conditions and poor driving skills. It's kinda nice to make a few bucks on the side pulling them out. Plus where I live only the well equiped survive.


77 F250 Highboy 4X4
"The Money Pit"

 

Hey Shannon, glad to see another resident of the west side of Puget Sound...

I prefer to laugh at the fools in their SUV's thinking they can drive the speed limit and expect it perform like the road was dry

-Kerry

 

Hi Kerry........Nice to meet you. Your sure right about those people. I see it every winter, your right it's funny, they just don't understand the concept of driving slower. I really enjoy seeing those Chevy's in the ditch, even better when a Ford pulls them out.

77 F250 Highboy 4X4
"The Money Pit"

 

It's a very good question...and so personnal!
Till now I had a F150 supercab, 4x2 Lariat Flareside 4,6 Lt - V8 - 1997...and I was so happy to drive that monster at 80 miles on the motorway (I live in Belgium...speed limit 90 miles on motorways). I'm video-photographer and sometimes I need to drive in mud and on snow...
Since Yesterday I drive my new F150 2002, supercab Lariat Flareside, 5,4 Lt-V8,.....4x4 with 3" Bodylift and tires 285 BFGoodrich AT: that special look its impossible with a 4x2. My truck is my advertising and must have a great look: only with a 4x4 !!! That's my reason to the choice of a 4x4.
So, I'm new in 4x4: who can tell me what the speed limit to drive in normal 4x4 on wet motorway ???

 

I have a 4x4 because I wanted a truck and the winters suck... you say a fwd car is better.. quite possibly... but i wanted a truck.
not a FWD car.

Rand.

Oh and i do go off into deep snow 2-3 times in the winter. Gotta check out the cabin about 2 miles off the road(fookin vandals) If i catch em they will go home on their knees after i cut their ***** off with a rusty spoon!.

 

i have a 4x4 because i want one

i live in arkansas the home of "Arkansas Gumbo" mud
yes we have no snow and stuff but we have alot of places for a nice reteat that is only accesable with 4x4;s

also poeple here (as do I) think mud riding is a part of life

besides 4x4's jacked with big tires are cool

if you use them its even cooler

one other thing is we have alot of flash flooding here that washes roads out

and well most cars and 2x4's cant go down these roads when this happens

ok enough rambling from me

 

>So, I'm new in 4x4: who can tell me what the speed limit to
>drive in normal 4x4 on wet motorway ???
>
Kriss-

This may not help a great deal, but after you've gained more experience in driving with your truck in the snow you might understand better...

Drive as slow as it takes to get there safe, but as fast as you need to avoid the people driving like idiots from making you part of their wreck.

-Kerry

 

"Drive as slow as it takes to get there safe, but as fast as you need to avoid the people driving like idiots from making you part of their wreck.

-Kerry"

OK man, don't worry about, I will drive my 4x4 slow and safe on wet or snowed ground...
but I want an answer to my question: how fast can you drive on wet motorway ??? The Ford dealer says me that I cannot drive faster than 50 miles (max. 3000 rpm)...who has a tecnical and real opinion ??? Thanks.

 

I've tried the FWD car thing and the 2wd truck with posi in the diff. They work fine in the flatlands, suck big time here in the mountains. Torque steer on FWD cars and steep, slippery roads can pull you sideways and so can a posi in a 2wd pickup. Have you ever driven a FWD car with snow chains? It vibrates so bad the fillings will come out of your teeth. Without chains, they can't even make it up my street, it's too steep. Mini vans seem to have more trouble than the cars. My rwd BMW actually does better.

Actually, very few of the SUV's down in the city are 4x4. They come up here in the winter and get into trouble. Please, when going to ski or snowboard, chain up and slow down.

Jim

 

>OK man, don't worry about, I will drive my 4x4 slow and safe
>on wet or snowed ground...
>but I want an answer to my question: how fast can you drive
>on wet motorway ??? The Ford dealer says me that I cannot
>drive faster than 50 miles (max. 3000 rpm)...who has a
>tecnical and real opinion ??? Thanks.
>
>
Kriss-

Sounds like your dealer is actually telling you something to cover themselves from a lawsuit later. I cannot find in any manual a limiting speed for 4HI. It does say you can't shift into 4HI at any speed higher than 88kmh(55mph) or 72kmh(45mph) if the temp is below
0 celsius(32 fahrenheit). You shouldn't shift into 4HI if your tires are spinning.

-Kerry

 

01 sport trac 4x4 black
97 explorer xlt AWD v8 blue
91 f-250 xlt lariat 4x4 blue/gray
84 ranger xlt 4x4 black
94 explorer xlt 4x4 purple/gray
96 explorer limited 4x4 green

i use my 4x4 evry winter and in the summer doing off roading and in the winter its a have to have here in alaska we get ALOT of snow i think i must be that 10% of suv drivers that uses mine off road and needs 4x4

 

nice to see someone from arkansas that can 4x4 also(fordnuttz). i had a 84 f150 4x2, great truck. took it off roading once and got stuck. have to say arkansas mud is some nasty thick gooey crap. i sold it for my 90' f150 4x4. even better when i got it with the lift and the big tires. brought it back home and went to the same place and shortly thereafter fell in love with 4x4. i have been off roading many times since then and helped a few people out. one chevy and a 4 banger ranger that had no idea how to off road in a 4x2.
i have to say this too. i cannot understand it when city folk go and buy their big suv's and such for the wrong reasons, overestimate their driving skills and vehicle limitations(especially in winter). thats just my 3 cents

 

Very simple a truck is not a truck unless its a full size Ford fourwheel drive. But then again Ive only owned 4 wheel drives.

They have tougher drive trains ,better shocks and just plain look and are tuff Ford Tuff.

Would never own a truck that is not four wheel drive and perfer manual's over Autos after all real trucks are 4 wheel drive ,have a clutch and good old manual hubs. Oh and of course be Ford's .

My 86 hasn't seen paved roads in over 5 years and its nice to just pull a lever and be in control on muddy roads. Low range is a double plus when crossing muddy fields.