Seeking truck advice 2 or 4wd
 

I never thought I would be asking, but here we go! LOL

Mid-50s, a few trucks, mostly 4wd 4runners and such. Thinking about getting a new extended or crew cab full size truck for the first time in 30yrs. My last 2004 4runner 4x4 did a major brake master cyl meltdown in August last year, so I dumped it with over 200k miles. I quickly bought a mint low mileage 2wd 2007 4runner to replace it.

I pull a 19ft midsize heavy gauge alum boat to most of the common improved landings. My 2wd 4runner never has spin problems, fairly heavy tongue weights helps. Pic of boat attached, now has brand new alum trailer with long tongue.

Also have kayaks, many trips to BigLake during summers. Getting tired of cartopping yaks at my age.

Also have midsize ATV, many trips to lease in west Alabama. Occasional trailering is getting old too, more chance for breakdowns, etc. Rather haul in truck. 600mi interstate round trip, many times during season. I can hunt the large lease, keep atv in truck to use when needed, usually leave it at camp during season anyway.

Seeing less and less need for 4wd with all this stuff. Not interested or need to take truck offroad anymore, break stuff, etc. I mostly hunt/fish alone too.

I could get interested in a nice 4dr 2014 GM 5.3L truck, about $26k or so, they are running specials now. I love the road quietness and roomy comfort of these new trucks.

So all that being said, any comments/regrets/etc? 2wd spinouts/traction problems at landings is what I'm most concerned about. Pls save the "I just wanna look good" 4wd comments, I'm wayyy past that and looking forward to saving money for retirement... LOL :D We're talking 100% practical here.

Sounds like the 2wd with some good all terrain tires should do the job most of the time or you could just spend the extra 2-3K and get a 4wd.

I personally won't have a 2wd because I hunt and fish, if it is used once or twice a yr on a slick lease road or pulling a boat up a slick launch then it's more than worth the extra money.... kind of one of those rather have than not have deals for me plus it's easier to resale later... just my .02

I take my truck (2WD) in the cow pasture 2-3 times a month and haven't got stuck..... yet. Get some nice aftermarket tires with a little more agressive grip and go for it.

If you have 4WD you go through the mud hole.
If you have 2WD you go around it.

If you're a predictable outdoorsman and use good roads and launches and choose not to venture into risky or new areas to hunt and fish, than you can go with 2wd.

But being that you hunt/fish alone for the most part 4wd can help you in many times of need. Nothing like being stuck in that 4" of slick mud at the boat launch that you didnt expect .I use mine a few times a month or so launching boats at new launches that I'm uncertain of, driving thru pastures/fields while training dogs, and navigating the slick roads of the deer camp after winter rains. With 4wd and highway tires you can go many places that 2wd and all terrains cant go. To me, it's a very valuable tool to have even if you use it only a few times a year. Good example of, better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

Locking rear differential is all you will need from what you have said. If a rear wheel starts to spin (like on a boat ramp), the locker engages automatically and locks both back wheel together.

Open differentials are what most vehicles have, even 4x4. With open diffs, if one wheel loses traction (spins) then most of your power gets lost to that wheel. You get stuck. Locking diffs lock the wheels on the axle together, so if one wheel on that axle is spinning but the other has traction, you will continue moving forward.

You do have to be careful when cornering and applying throttle with an auto locker. If your outside wheel starts to spin the axle will lock and your rear end will slide sideways. Most people over 18 will not have a problem with it though, because you have to drive like an idiot to do it. There are thousands of lockers on the road and Chevy/GMC wouldn't offer it as a factory option if it wasn't safe. It looks cheaper than I thought too, $350?

http://ask.cars.com/2009/06/silverad...ferential.html

Good explanation here:

http://youtu.be/q-rQTHMVAuw

Good replies, keep em coming.

A lifetime of putting two girls through 12yrs private school, then 4yrs college, then 2.5 yrs grad school (almost done) will change your perception of stuff as you get older. Adding luxuries at this stage of life means I gotta work a few more years, I'm fighting that at every turn.

Nick you bring up a very good point... alone. That won't change for awhile, no grandkids in sight yet, and I still tend to run hard, still very independent.

I'm very confident but careful in this 2wd 4runner. Having 400k miles between the last two 4wd 4runners is a lot of realistic experience that is unknown in the trucks. I guess the only thing I keep coming back to is boat landings.

Bmac, I'm with you, auto locking should be plenty. Don't see any other serious downsides.

I know A LOT of people with 24' bay boats that all drive 2WD full size trucks. I don't think any of them have problems at boat launches. Sounds like a 2WD will fit your needs.

Couple of people have pointed out that it's better to have it and not need it... I've driven a full sized truck for the past 12 years and there are a few times that I wished I had 4WD but those few times are so few and far between that it is not worth the extra $$$ to me.

Locking rears and an earlier retirement seem like the way to go!!!!

It's not so much the size of the boat it's the condition of the launch. I could pull and launch the boat in the original post with a corolla on a nice launch. Thats why I was saying if he's predictable about the launches he uses.

In my case, last weekend I launched a 20' cabin boat at a private launch in the basin and if I wasn't in 4wd the boat woulda prolly launched the truck. (but those cases are on occasion and not common for most)

i got a 2013 chevy 4x4 5.3 , crew cab. the crew cab has a 5 1/2 ft. bed ,,,ext. cab 6 or 6 1/2 bed i forget... i think all 5.3 pretty much comes with locking diff. . mostly i'm in mud sand mix and with the goodyear eagles street tires that came with it you know when the diff. locks...now have goodyear wrangler silent armor at's and seldom use 4wd. unless in ruts. you can set a rear wheel in a hole and walk out without dirtying the fender unless you nail it . i launch at some launches so steep i cant undo the winch till i back down and if its slick when i pull the boat out i've seen the tire spin less than a turn and the other kicked in and just walk right on up.....only reason i got the 4x4 was cause i got a good deal on it but i love it.....

I always had 2wd trucks all my life and a couple times i have gotten stuck on slippery launches so this time i bought a 4wd and i have to say in just a year it has gotten me out of a slippery launch 3 times so yes money well spent on a 4wd truck!

plus you can always have fun like this

It would be a hard call. There's a lot of different reason to go either 2 or 4wd. Last truck I got I got in 4wd cause I pull a camper out on the beach. Last time I used the 4wd was 3 weeks ago in the mountains cause there was snow. Other than that it's in 2wd. I guess it's more of a piece of mind knowing it's there if I need it even tho it cost more to have it

I have a 2WD Ford Supercrew and love it. My last truck was 4WD. I got much worse mileage and the ride was rougher. Unless you plan on needing 4WD I personally don't see the need for an everyday truck with 4WD.

Makes since, but what if both wheels are on rollers? Like at a boat launch covered in slime, rear wheels are usually in the slime, fronts are high and dry...

How many times are you in the mud with only one side of your truck? If you need a locker on 2wd, chances are both wheels are on "rollers"

My 2 cents.

Get 4wd and never say "wish I woulda gotten 4wd", chances are it will be a very crappy day. Like after a hurricane trying to get to some supplies or someone, or in a snow/ice storm that we've never seen in our life time....

Exactly my opinion also,
you may not use it but if you have it and need it just ONE time in a situation it was worth the little bit in cost now personally i don't see a difference in fuel economy in my 4wd vs my buddies 2wd same truck except his is a 2012 and mine is an 09 but that may just be the dodges because hemi's do not get great gas milage reguardless but i have the power when i need it.

I say go with the 4wd. The extra 2/3k won't put you in the poorhouse and you don't have to worry about wet grass, slippery ramps, ice, slippery roads.


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Ok we're on a roll now...

I looked at the extended cab Sierra w four normal doors. Bed is 6.5ft so can close the tailgate w Grizzly atv.


Here's the next question ...

I'm liking the V6 and 24mpg hwy.
Towing will be light, heck my 4.0 V6 4runner pulls this boat as fast as I want, in OD too. No issues whatsoever.

Any particular reason pro/con V6? This is the new V6 for 2014.

I would get the 4x4. You will get most of the extra money back when you sell or trade it in. I'm sure you will get at least half of your investment in the 4x4 back, maybe all of it.

Dang y'all killing me :-)). Lol

What is towing capacity with the engine and rear end on this truck?

The V6 is probably all you need

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my 5.3 4x4 gets 18 mpg at 70 mph....19-20 at 60 mph...21-22 at 55 mph.....16-17 at 60 pulling 16 foot carolina skiff jvx......i had a 6 cyl. reg. cab 2009 wouldn't do that...

V6 will work






In a Ford

I had a 2WD with locking diff and good mud tires for a number of years. It was ok, but nowhere near the positive traction of a 4WD when needing to pull a load from a stop up a steep slope. You might get by if you carry a bag of sand in the back to help out your rear wheels on those slick ramps when the tide is low and your back tires are on the slick part. As mentioned above, the front wheels are usually on better traction on the boat ramps and this is where 4WD will always win.

Had a situation last year or the year before pulling out with a friend's boat and vehicle. His rear wheels started to spin on the slick ramp and I told him to put it in 4WD. He informed me he didn't have 4WD. We worked on improving traction on the ramp for about 10 minutes and got it out, but it would not have been necessary with a 4WD.

Even though a V6 sounds nice when it comes to MPG it really isn't in the real world. In a truck the engine will have to work harder and use more RPMS to do the tasks that a V8 would have no issues performing therefor a V6 Sometimes will get worst gas milage while doing work like towing or going up steep hills and snow in some states. Even if you decided to get a 2WD i would never think about a V6 in a truck just for the fact that it will have to work harder to do the same tasks and have more wear and tear on it then a V8

Get a 4WD....for a few extra thousand it is worth it plus you will get more on your trade in or outright sale. ..the way these new trucks are now you will not be able to tell the difference in the ride vs a 2 WD. I was always pretty much a CHEVY guy (had 2 Z71 4x4 in the past) but I bought a FORD 2013 XLT 4X4 with the Ecoboost this time and I will never own a CHEVY again!

Until the turbos go.


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OK....:rolleyes::cool: Man I guess you do not believe in NEW TECHNOLOGY.....Let me guess, you pefer a ole carb outboard motor over a four stroke right and you must still own a TUBE TV......:work:

Regardless, of the Ecoboost engine or not...I prefer my FORD over the Chevy trucks I have owned.

Turbos on diesels go forever. I love my little 6 banger Ecoboost.


Spiral Out

No genius. I know at least three people who have bought the Eco-boosts that regret it now. All have had trouble with the turbos on em. Not a cheap or easy fix either.


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i told myself it was a good idea to get a 2wd truck... i was wrong. i had a jeep before it and didnt want another 4wd. i regret it every time i dont have it and need it. i even have aggressive mud tires on mine, which helps, but its still not the same.

turbos can last for 100's of thousands of miles... lmao. turbos on diesels go out. injectors on gas trucks stop working or cruise control boxes catch fire and burn down people houses, air bags dont deploy on the new chevys and they recall millions of vehicles.... what the heck do you think... someone makes a car/truck without problems? cant live in a "brand" bubble just cuz your daddy likes the nascar team.

I know 7-8 people that have the Ecoboost with no issues. Let me guess you a Chevy guy?

REGARDLESS SPEND THE EXTRA $ & GET A 4WD.

You are thinking of the $2-3k as a one time expense. Look at more as an investment. My current truck will be 7 years old this year and I will probably have it for another 2 to 3 years. It sounds like you get the most out of your vehicles too. So $3000/9 years = $333 per year or $27.75 per month. So is 4wd worth $27.75 a month to you? That's your call.

On the flip side, this is $3000 you could invest over that 9 year period.

I owned a 4x4 the last 11 years and in june i purchased a 2wd, everytime I go to my favorite pull over or back to far at a shell launch I'm looking for someone with a tow strap. If you can swing the extra $3000 go 4x4!!!

I bought a 2wd bc I thought buying 4wd was a waste... well I was wrong I wish constantly that I would of purchased a 4wd truck. I think that all the newer model truck are pretty equal myself... but if I were to buy it would be between the 4x4 crew cab F150 ECO boost... or the New 2014 Gmc Crew cab with the 5.3ltr V8... both are very nice trucks and will get the job done. I wanted the ford more for awhile bc of the better interior... but now GMC and chevy have stupped up the Game on their end.

did they change the wrinkle pattern in the cheap plastic interior for every vehicle they make this year?

Ever heard the term...."putting lip stick on a pig"

my last chevy, my dash board started to crack and the truck was less than 2 years old.:work:

zero sense made

For traction weight distribution makes a big difference. The 2wd SUV will get better traction than a 2wd truck. Also a short bed truck gets better traction than a long bed. It was mentioned earlier about getting a locking differential I have not seen those offered as an option. The companies offer limited slip which does much of the same thing in transferring power to a drive wheel with traction but it still needs some resistance on the slipping wheel to work. A locker does not. I now have a 2wd truck for towing but I need a 4wd to get into the back roads. Not for mudding but for the times I run into a slick conditions that I hadn't foreseen. I would get a 4wd with an appropriate sized V8.

Remember Ford is made without your taxpayer dollars. Only company that didn't take the government bribes.

I don't live in a "brand bubble". I simply stated the fact that I know three separate people who had similar problems with the same trucks. My dad has driven fords, Chevys, and dodges, and his fords have him more trouble than any of the others. That's plain and simple.


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I've been pouring over the data/reviews/etc in effort to locate the points I need to focus on when testing.

Something that keeps floating to the top with the new GM 2014's is the 6 gear auto tranny. Lots of comments about hunting gears/upshift/downshift/sloppy/slow shifts, etc. All this without even towing or loaded. To compound that when the new 8cyl decides to de-activate to 4cyl at the same time, it can get disconcerting. That could get old quick driving thru Mississippi and Alabama hills, where I plan to continue hunting for some years. I make a trip most weekends from Oct to Dec.
Go thru all that gyration every hill/valley? hmmm not sure about that. My present 4runner never does that, just stays in OD the whole time and holds steady.

That's the kind of stuff that has kept me in Toyotas for 3 vehicles in a row now, with many more for my kids and wife over the years.

Just moving slow soaking up all the comments, and plan to start driving some trucks this week. Nothing set in stone by any means. I could almost be persuaded into just buying a used 4x4 Tacoma, big grips, and leave at the camp, but that's another story and not needed on this thread, LOL.

haha... buy you a new 2014 4x4 Tacoma! I promise you will love it! NO OTHER TRUCK holds their value like a Tacoma

Plain and simple you like Chevy and I at one time was a Chevy guy to...(and this has nothing to do with the bail out $)....until OCT of last year when I bought my 1st FORD.

BassYakR, I borrowed a new 4x4 Tacoma 4door for an afternoon and many miles in/out of town last fall before I bought this used runner. For $30k, I just couldn't get used to the stiff ride, small cab, etc for the next 8-10yrs as a daily driver, the way I usually keep trucks. This was not a PreRunner with any kind of stiff suspension, just a plain 4x4.

I concur 100%++ about value, preaching to the choir here!

when i first got my truck the 6 gears were different than what your used too but didn't take long to get used to. mostly the easier downshifting when accellerating from going slow...i go up to the hills of winnfield and on steep hills it will downshift when using cruise control . as for 8 to 4 cyl. i don't even notice it .

Hmmm.. My Tacoma Prerunner is lifted, But still handles and rides like a car.... not stiff at all..... Rides a lil rough now bc I keep 40psi in my tires...

So in a nutshell you now need a 4WD with a V-8 to pull launch and recover a 2,000 lb aluminum hull and carry a 4 wheeler. My PawPaw pulled a 17' Sabre all around South Louisiana with a 86 Mercury Marquis....... I don't recall him ever getting stuck.

I am shocked they still even make 2 WD trucks...

Me tooo


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