help - compare and contrast
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Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Tx
trust me i want a 4wd too. those are some good basics....
gas mileage
reliabilty - ie **** breaking
capability (where they can and cant go)
over all look
what about how it rides? which rides better? which can be modded more/easier/more mods?
gas mileage
reliabilty - ie **** breaking
capability (where they can and cant go)
over all look
what about how it rides? which rides better? which can be modded more/easier/more mods?
RF Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,782
Likes: 2
From: College Station, TX
In terms of difficulty to mod, 4x4 is definitely more difficult, atleast in terms of SLA IFS. It's also more expensive. There are so many facets to this comparison... Are you going to narrow down your talk? 2wd vs. 4wd in regards to late model ford rangers or what? And as far as ride quality... they're both going to ride about the same given they have the same size/brand of tires and wheels and suspension.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Northern Maine
i think 4x4's ride alot ruffer then two wheel drives.. 4x4 have alot tuffer supension then in a 2 wheel drive and heavier shocks to take the abouce that a 4x4 could go through.. plus you have all the addition weight of the 4 wheel drive components in the front compared to the straight axel in a 2 wheel...
one crappy thing about later model trucks like mine being a 4x4.. the hubs are always locked, so the truck has to turn the front axles as well as the back.
makes it a turd for speed and milage
makes it a turd for speed and milage
Originally Posted by Ranger_Interceptor
one crappy thing about later model trucks like mine being a 4x4.. the hubs are always locked, so the truck has to turn the front axles as well as the back.
makes it a turd for speed and milage
makes it a turd for speed and milage
i know they are live axles but what do you mean speed and mileage?
if anything mileage it is like 1 mpg with manual hubs from live axle.
speed i have no idea what ur talking about, i crused at 100+ up to michigan with 33s this last weekend. and for ***** and giggles i fliped it in to 4x4 once or twice at that speed.
Originally Posted by maine_2003fx4
that should get you started sparki... ( not a pun) i will try to think of some more stuff...
thank you Zach.. i though they only recommend speeds up to 55 when lock in your hubs... haha
thank you Zach.. i though they only recommend speeds up to 55 when lock in your hubs... haha
um we have no manual "hubs", all the switch does is changes something in your transfer case. otherwise the front drivshaft, cvs and diff spin all the time.(hint* live axle) since it is a live axle i dont see why it would matter when you switch it in or out of 4x4
and i dont really care what they recommend, 4x4 high switches in when i flip the switch that is all that matters.
RF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 6
From: Kennett Square, PA
Here's some distinctions in offroading.
In many situations, a locked 4x2 can do what an open diff 4x4 can.
But two situations in particular, and presumably more like them, can defeat a "2 wheel wonder".
Scenario 1: You are crossing a well traveled water hole, when you suddenly find that your front tires have made it nearly to land, but your rear tires are now hopelessly suspended in ruts on the bottom. Someone with bigger tires than yours has made ruts so deep you're sitting on your rear "pumpkin", with BOTH rear wheels spinning freely. In this condition, having front wheels that drive would pull you out. This happened to me in 37" deep water and is documented here on the board.
Scenario 2: You are approaching an obstacle that doesn't exceed your approach angle, and is not so tall you can't get your tires up to it, but it's very steep. A 2WD vehicle will place its front tires up against the nearly vertical obstacle and then typically spin the rear fruitlessly trying to force the front ones up it. A 4x4 will have a tire "climbing" the obstacle. Big difference and one I run into all the time.
A 4x4, even with open diffs, get's a boost from the idea of "spatial diversity". Since your traction is distributed over a wider area, there can be a better chance that some wheel can grab. In a 4x2, both rear wheels typically see the same traction at some point and if it's inadequate -- no go.
I approach some obstacles and conditions at an angle when it's possible to try to make it so at least one rear wheel can find purchase. With the locker, that's often enough to get me through, but sometimes not, lol.
In many situations, a locked 4x2 can do what an open diff 4x4 can.
But two situations in particular, and presumably more like them, can defeat a "2 wheel wonder".
Scenario 1: You are crossing a well traveled water hole, when you suddenly find that your front tires have made it nearly to land, but your rear tires are now hopelessly suspended in ruts on the bottom. Someone with bigger tires than yours has made ruts so deep you're sitting on your rear "pumpkin", with BOTH rear wheels spinning freely. In this condition, having front wheels that drive would pull you out. This happened to me in 37" deep water and is documented here on the board.
Scenario 2: You are approaching an obstacle that doesn't exceed your approach angle, and is not so tall you can't get your tires up to it, but it's very steep. A 2WD vehicle will place its front tires up against the nearly vertical obstacle and then typically spin the rear fruitlessly trying to force the front ones up it. A 4x4 will have a tire "climbing" the obstacle. Big difference and one I run into all the time.
A 4x4, even with open diffs, get's a boost from the idea of "spatial diversity". Since your traction is distributed over a wider area, there can be a better chance that some wheel can grab. In a 4x2, both rear wheels typically see the same traction at some point and if it's inadequate -- no go.
I approach some obstacles and conditions at an angle when it's possible to try to make it so at least one rear wheel can find purchase. With the locker, that's often enough to get me through, but sometimes not, lol.
