Thanks for the replies guys,

seems it is 50/50 here on 2wd vs 4wd,

After reading all of these I have decided to go with the 4x4, I may not need it much but when I do like was said I'll "Wish I had it"


Thanks for the info on the 4.6 guys, but I am pretty set on the 5.4


appreciate everyone taking the time to respond to my post, it's really helped me to make my decision

 

If you plan on lifting and installing 35's get the 4x4.

 

I don't often buy magazines these days. I started buying magazines in the later '60s with my paper money, that which I didn''t spend on model cars or slot cars or tires for my bicycle ... and I remember when they were $1.00 or $1.50. I cringed when they passed $2.50 in the '70s, and while I do understand inflation ..... it just sticks in my craw to fork over $5.99 for a 60 page rag ..... but I still do so occasionally when there's a few articles I like.

The latest edition of "Off-Road Magazine" (February 2012, Vol 46, #2 .... 46 years!) is one of those issues that drew my attention tonight, mostly because of an article on Ford's history in off road racing starting Pg 42 ...
... but it also features two articles on 2WD F-150s.

Pg 48 starts a new project truck, a clean White 2006 XLT Scab 2WD with 5.4 get's a Banks Treatment this first month, it'll be getting some other stuff in later issues.

Pg 56 near the back sees a Big Red 2006 STX short cab 2WD get a Skyjacker 6" lift with new spindles and AALs and shocks and wheels and tires and what looks like a pretty neat light bar up front. This truck is featured on the cover. The tires are Toyo 325/70R17 Open Country A/Ts. They say they are 35s.

I really like the light bar.

Just thought I'ld pass it on ........

 

If you already have a 4x2 and want to lift it/go off roading that's one thing, but to buy one with the intentions of lifting it makes no sense to me. Get the 4x4, especially if you're buying new.

 

>>>>4x4<<<<

 

Why does it make less sense than lifting a 4x4? Lifting a truck accomplishes the same goal regardless of powertrain arrangement. Unless you sat there and stared at the front axle to see a differential, you wouldn't know any different. Without the stickers on the bed, you'd never know the difference from the side profile either.

 

We don't all like the same drink, same team, same driver, same colors, etc .... either.

Some don't like the idea of a lowered 4WD ...
... I think a raised 2WD in Florida makes as much, maybe more, sense as a raised 4WD does in Florida.

I think that some guys with lifted 4WDs look at a lifted 2WD as a "threat" to their pride when it's found out that the 2WD will go just about the same places and make a smarter driver in the process. Back when I was a young toad, we even took my stock '69 VW Bug and a buddies ''71 GTO and another buddies momma's '65 Olds F-85 V-6 station wagon along miles of powerline trails, we just used common sense.

After transfering from NoVa to my current home county in 1981, I quickly learned that a good trooper could drive his 2 WD drive rear drive police car with open differenttial in places many local toads would not attempt with their 4WD PUs. I even know a game warden here back in the old days took his "82 Plymouth Gran Fury up on Guy's Run up to the fire tower on what was marked as a 4WD only trail routinely and several times found stranded 4WD operators.

 

Well you'll decide...

My dad lives in northern Missouri and has never owned a 4x4 out of his six trucks.
I live in S.E. Alabama and have never owned a 2x4 out of my three trucks.

We both hunt, fish and firewood. He's only been stuck once ever. I've been stuck/high centered three times. I bow to to his better judgement and skills!

 

Hahahaha .....and often enough, frozen snow (or mud) is easier to drive over than warmer snow (or mud) is to drive through!

 

either way you can still put one of those 4x4 offroad stickers on the back 1/4 panels.

I have seen plenty of stock 4x4's get stuck in 2 inches of mud. With open diffs a stock 4x4 wont go through much. Atleast with a 2x4 you would not even try going through something. With a 4x4 you would and risk a chance of getting stuck.

Also a lifted truck will traverse a foot or 2 of water with or without 4x4. And one with larger tires regardless of 4x4 would have that much more ground clearance to drive through a rutted trail etc.