Is 4WD Really Needed?

I have a 2WD V6 with the factory diff locker, is 4WD really needed for mild offroading in varying conditions? I'm just curious if its overrated or really needed. What about ice?

Also if anyone knows, would snow chains that are 5mm too small for the tires still fit?

 

@Nicklovin

 

Depends on your definition of mild off roading. 4x4 trumps 2wd no matter what. Although with experience, skill and some serious cajones 2wd can do a lot. Ask how I know

 

Yes

 

2wd trucks are basically useless in the winter where i live. Because of that pretty much nobody owns them...


As far as offroading goes even with the locker your still very limited in where you can go. Why not take a trip out to a trail with a buddy and check if the truck is capable enough for your needs. If you get stuck then your buddy can pull you out.

 

2wd can get you through some scenic trails. 4 wheel drive will take you off those trails and up some steep hills.

 

Cant really use tire chains on the road/highway.

 

Is it illegal there? I have heard it is in some places?

 

It's really needed if you really need it. If you are a pavement driver, pavement camper and sometimes farm trail driver, probably not.

I like it in my drinks.

Ice is funny stuff. It's more important to stop than to go, which is why most folks who get in trouble on ice do. Lack of stopping traction, which the type of drive has nothing to do with.

Proper winter tires, like Blizzaks or Nokians are the ticket for normal icy road conditions. In order of ice/snow on pavement conditions, to get moving, most vehicles are ranked something like........ (assuming all have equal grip tires and adequate ground clearance for conditions)

AWD
4wd
FWD
RWD

Notice what's on the bottom of the pile. Yet people have successfully driven in winter with RWD vehicles for decades. Some well, some not so much.

If you change the conditions to be off road oriented, the first two will likely flip positions. But the last two are still the last two.

 

Prepare to be edumacated

 

I would never waste my time with a 2WD truck here in Montana. These trucks are too light in the ass end to get any kind of traction on icy roads without any weight in the bed, and having 4WD makes this possible without the weight which is why I have one.
Off road is another issue, I wouldn't venture off anything other than a maintained fire road without 4WD in these parts. Montana terrain can go from hard packed dirt that's easy to drive over in 2WD, to loose shale and rock around the next corner that requires 4WD to keep going.

To me, I just don't see the point in a 2WD truck, period. It kinda defeats the purpose of owning one, trucks are supposed to be the do all, do everything vehicles, why limit them like a car? Even if I lived in a place like Florida or Arizona, I'd still have my 4WD regardless. 4WD components add maybe an extra couple hundred pounds to the chassis, so it's not like it's a huge hit to gas mileage anyway.

 

sorry but I'll hafta' disagree with yer short list
and would put 4WD at the very top of my list.

Reason being... engine braking abilities - low range Tcase.

Folk need realize that 4WD is still really only 2WD (one Frt/one Rr.)
unless the drive axles are locked.

And yes driving abilities do come into play when driving on ice.
Growing up in Minnesota driving a 2WD (Ft engine - Rr drive) car.
I mostly always managed to get thru a roadway.
At least where the snow was plowed !? Lol

If I took my old 2WD car where my current 4X can go thru the snow and ice...
I'd have been walking home in the freezing cold more times then I'd care to count.

2WD has limitations even if it were locked out back...
because generally there is little weight on that axle.
So to improve Rr wheel traction... add some weight out back.
But not too much... or the front wheels will push thru instead of roll.

For me, having 4WD and low range was like a dream come true...
With sensitive inputs, keep the tires rolling, would find me rolling most anywhere
that I'd make an honest attempt at.
Tho' some places just said NO ! ...go away. Lol

Momentum is basically advantageous for the whole lot. 2WD included.
But it could mean ya just got stuck even worse.
As ya hafta' drive faster then the conditions likely allow for. oops

At faster speeds... black ice will purdy much surprise even the best.
tho' it can be a somewhat controlled slide by not panic braking or erratically steering
while rolling on the ice.
Sad to say... no matter how good you are... You could end up in the side ditch.
Maybe worse... but let's be optimistic about our pending doom !? Lol

Why is 4WD better ?!

Because the 4WD vehicles have a transfer case that generates a lower gear ratio.
Lower rpm can keep the tires from spinning (maintain rolling headway) on ice.
Sooo... if ya commonly slam on the brakes in a panic when on ice
you could instead utilize the Tcase's lower gearing... and roll more gingerly
and come to a rolling stop instead of using the brakes.

city slicker's likely can't be helped no matter !? Lol

Note: Locked axles are generally not an improvement on icy terrain.
and if they can be disengaged... would be wise to do so.

Tho' sliding around is kinda fun... isn't it ?
Well... at least a controlled slide.

So basically having one drive wheel up front and one in the rear...
can help to establish better driver/vehicle control then a fully locked 4X.

A rolling tire will net more traction on ice... then a braking tire.
sooo... roll with the tide... don't fight it

oh btw... anti - lock brakes rather suck on the ice and slippery chit.
and I'm glad my '00 doesn't have them.

IMO... Anti-lock brakes are only good for people whom make
a panic stop on dry pavement.
But mostly because they don't know how to modulate their brakes
during their panic stop.

In other words... they generally drive fer chit and usually too fast

did I type enough already yet ? Lol
was originally only gonna be a single paragraph

oops

...the end

 

I'll have to disagree with everyone here

6x6 is the only way to go, otherwise you lose in life

 

Yes it's needed

 

Using a locker on ice will cause the rear end to kick out. Not a good idea.

 

It is a personal thing if your happy with 2wd go for it.

After being unable to move up a slight incline on wet grass (morning dew) far to many times .

Never again for me

 

This.
Is 4 wheel drive needed? That's up to the individual and their application or use of the vehicle. It's a question that can only be answered by you.

 

It is indeed a personal thing. I live nowhere near where I would ever need 4WD (California, Santa Cruz Mountains), nor do I wheel, yet somehow I wound up with a 4WD truck with lockers because it was cool . The twin stick in the cab was too appealing to pass up. If you go on fire roads, I made it just fine in 2WD. Consider your tires as well. If you're running highway tires they're going to perform very differently than some aggressive all terrain or mud terrain.

 

2wd: Going Places
4wd: Getting Home