I have owned my last 2 wheel drive pickup

[Hay Dude]

My Ram 5500 in a 2WD version would be totally useless to me. Even with a locking rear differential (which it actually has).
4WD has helped me pull more loads of hay off soft fields and get paid for delivering the hay than I can remember.

 

[Fixastuff]

Dude….Im trying to be polite, but that is the silliest argument against 4x4 I have ever heard.
And BTW, very few 4x4 trucks come with an open rear diff. Limited slip differentials are like power windows or AC now.
99% of all trucks made for the last 25 years have a factory L/S.

Dude... a LSD isn't the same as a push button solid locked differential.

 

[Fixastuff]

I’ll pass. I have both and while the diff lock helps, the 4WD definitely goes better. Just getting from my road onto the highway can be a challenge. I would never be able to do it in 2WD.

Among other things, by the time the differential locks one tire is already spinning. That works about as well as waiting until your stuck, then shifting into 4wd.

That's not the type I'm talking about, I'm talking about the ones with a manual push button vacuum actuated locker, if it's locked on dry payment it jumps and chirps when turning locker.

 

[Fixastuff]

Im aware. Ive installed ARB air lockers in differentials. I have a Jeep Rubicon with front & rear switchable lockers, so I know a little about what I speak of
However, once locked, theres no way RWD equals 4WD.

I know RWD with a true locker is better than 4wd with opens for not getting stuck

If I'm paying for 4wd I want a locking rear and center. The only way you get stuck with that set up is to be on the frame. Most people don't want to hear their 4wd system is crap but I've seen it on many a slippery boat ramp. 2wd with a locker drives out and 4wd with no lockers sends all the power to one wheel.

 

[jjeff]

from observations and experience a RWD Tacoma prerunner with a push button rear locker cant go anywhere close to where a tacoma with 4wd without a manual locker can. also The used 2wd prerunnners sell for a lot less on the used market compared to a 4wd in markets around here.

 

[check]

Yup. 4WD for me all the way. Had it in all my pickups over the las 15 years or so, all of which were Supercrew F150’s. There is a switch on the dash to from 2WD to “4 High” to “4 Low”. I turn it to four high as soon as I get on a snowy road, and then switch it back to two when I get back on to pavement.

Only got stuck once – in a parking lot of all things! But to be fair, the snow is quite cheap, and the weather has warmed up enough to make it quite slick. A bunch of people help push me out, and one guy tried – unsuccessfully – to pull me out with his Dodge pick up. Boy that would’ve been embarrassing!

 

[Oaktree]

from observations and experience a RWD Tacoma prerunner with a push button rear locker

What's a prerunner?

 

[jjeff]

Basically a 2wd with a 4wd suspension/clearance. I think they stopped making them a few years ago.

 

[Jstpssng]

I know RWD with a true locker is better than 4wd with opens for not getting stuck

If I'm paying for 4wd I want a locking rear and center. The only way you get stuck with that set up is to be on the frame. Most people don't want to hear their 4wd system is crap but I've seen it on many a slippery boat ramp. 2wd with a locker drives out and 4wd with no lockers sends all the power to one wheel.

That's why they offer several options. If we all thought the same, the world would be a pretty boring place.

Yet you seem to be comparing AWD to your 2WD; when you lock the transfer case in any pickup I've ever seen, you have at least one wheel on each axle pulling. More and more, I'm seeing limited slip on the rear so when one tire slips the other kicks in. My Colorado has the G80 so at lower speeds it does lock up, yet as I previously mentioned, the other side is already spinning. We have this thing called "Snow" here... I will take my 4WD any day.

 

[tradosaurus]

What about a 2wd tractor?

 

[Jstpssng]

What about a 2wd tractor?

I've got both, and each has it's purpose. I've also been stuck with each one, when three wheels are pulling and the bucket is helping, I've probably gone a bit too far.

 

[LD48750]

4x4 with lockers doesn't hold a candle to FULL TRACKS.

If you are going to get serious, then get serious.

 

[jjeff]

I've noticed that a 4wd is more maneuverable In softer ground and snow/ice with one tire in the front spinning you can usually pull out of a rut or soft ground where a locked rear will sometimes only push you forward or reverse until you lose traction or get hung up.
The only folks ive heard say "Man I wish I had a locker" were stuck 4wds. rwds that were stuck folks would say "I wish I had 4wd" I used to do light duty towing in the winter.

 

[Hay Dude]

I know RWD with a true locker is better than 4wd with opens for not getting stuck

If I'm paying for 4wd I want a locking rear and center. The only way you get stuck with that set up is to be on the frame. Most people don't want to hear their 4wd system is crap but I've seen it on many a slippery boat ramp. 2wd with a locker drives out and 4wd with no lockers sends all the power to one wheel.

Now yer just bein silly

 

[Fixastuff]

Now yer just bein silly

Thanks, the day you admit you're wrong is the day I know your account was hacked. I'm probably wrong but this has been my experience with vehicles and getting stuck. Long live lockers!

 

[CalG]

I wonder who makes "the Best" Electronic Locking Diff ?

Wheel speed sensing, combined with independent wheel braking systems with all open differentials. (Even the transfer case gearing should be open)

The Audi "Electronic Stabilization Program" Was very effective.

As an Aside,
I ran an 2000 Isuzu Trooper until only last winter. (Sold it and got the Tacoma.)
That drive system, TOD or Torque On Demand , was very effective.

In high range, the Transfer ratio was "proportioned" front to rear through a proportional application of hydraulic pressure on a multi plate wet clutch within the transfer case. It worked very well along with independent wheel spin control through the anti-lock brake system. In low range, the front real split was locked together by hard gearing.

With good winter tires, that Trooper was about unstoppable.

In my experience, it was a very good system!

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks, the day you admit you're wrong is the day I know your account was hacked. I'm probably wrong but this has been my experience with vehicles and getting stuck. Long live lockers!

Hahaha
Trust me, you ARE wrong, but a good sport about it.

 

[TMGT]

I couldn't get into my old driveway with a loaded dump trailer (7ton total) in 2wd, '07 Dodge 2500 diesel, learned my lesson to lock the front hubs before going up the hill!

BTW this was on dry gravel, had to make a hard right half way up a steep hill, so 4wd isn't just for snow or mud.

Also there are a lot of different 4wd and rear limited slip systems out there so blanket statements are pretty pointless.

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Hay Dude]

I wonder who makes "the Best" Electronic Diff Lock?

Wheel speed sensing independent wheel braking systems with all open differentials. (Even the transfer case gearing should be open)

The Audi "Electronic Stabilization Program" Was very effective.

As an Aside,
I ran an 2000 Isuzu Trooper until only last winter. (Sold it and got the Tacoma.)
That drive system, TOD or Torque On Demand , was very effective.

In high range, the Transfer ratio was "proportioned" front to rear through a proportional application of hydraulic pressure on a multi plate wet clutch within the transfer case. It worked very well along with independent wheel spin control through the anti-lock brake system. In low range, the front real split was locked together by hard gearing.

With good winter tires, that Trooper was about unstoppable.

In my experience, it was a very good system!

I am amazed at what the Jeep Rubicon will do fully locked.
Its like a Rocky Mountain Goat.
Happy to own one and hoping to own a Gladiator later towards retirement