Seeking truck advice 2 or 4wd

[bmac]

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

[mnormand]

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.

[Nickt87]

Originally Posted by mnormand

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.

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

[Goooh]

Originally Posted by bmac

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

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....

[BradleyPrejean87]

Originally Posted by Goooh

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.