F-250 / Super Duty / Diesel

To 4x4 or not to 4x4?

Old May 29, 2001 | 08:58 PM
  #1  
waynemb's Avatar
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From: Slidell, LA USA
Post To 4x4 or not to 4x4?

Any input would be appreciated. I have decided to purchase a new F-250 Superduty with Lariat trim, Powerstroke diesel, and just about every other option. I am having trouble deciding whether it is worth it to go 4x4 or just stick with 4x2 and get an LS. I live in a suburban area and don't plan to be off-road much at all. My main plan for the truck is to tow an as yet unpurchased travel trailer. Also plan to use the vehicle for commuting a few miles each day and to shuffle the kids around. I know some argue that having the 4x4 is nice if you ever need it, but I have heard others argue against the mileage, upkeep, and the initial investment, especially if you only use it infrequently.

What do you guys think?

waynemb
Slidell, LA
 
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Old May 29, 2001 | 10:29 PM
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RACERX2's Avatar
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From: Deming NM
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The 4X2 Superduty's look pretty good, but man! A 4X4 Superduty looks pretty tough. My 2 cents!

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L
 
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Old May 29, 2001 | 10:33 PM
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From: south western NYS Latitude: 42.34 N, Longitude: 78.46 W
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Look if it does not snow where you are then i would get the 4x2 and if your not going to play in the mud or sand i'd get the 4 x 2. But if it were me i'd get the 4x4 it looks soooooooooooooooooo coooooooooooooool.

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1997 F-150 XLT 4.6 REGULAR CAB, FLARESIDE PACIFIC CLEARCOAT GREEN 5-SPEED. WESTIN NERF BARS, POWER EVERYTHING,BUG SHIELD, EX-TANG SOFT COVER, BED LINER(FORD).

Better 1/2 : 92 Red T-Bird.
 
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Old May 29, 2001 | 10:48 PM
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You'll be just fine with 4x2. Note that the 4x2 Superduty sits as high as F150 4x4's.

I race motocross with requires me to often park dirt or grassy fields on race day (which never seem to be on level ground).

I almost got stuck once, but was able to work my way loose. I also have the worst tires for off road. (just the all season radials).
I am careful on how/where I park, and I do carry a tow strap just in case, but I've never needed it.

One day, it rained alot and the parking field was pretty slick.. We pulled alot of trucks and campers out with a tractor.. It didn't matter what kind of truck either, F150's 4x4, Dodge 1500's 4x4, Chevy Silverado's 4x4, ambulances, etc.. One thing that was very annoying was NONE of the vehicles that we pulled out had tow hooks.
I parked smart that day..

I kept thinking, man, if my Superduty ever got stuck, there are two HUGE tow hooks up front just waiting for a strap..


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Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS
 
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Old May 30, 2001 | 07:52 AM
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Around here the campgrounds can be really wet and muddy in the spring. Got stuck last year with my F150 4x2. It won't ever happen again. Check out my new ride below.



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Rip
2001 F350 XLT SC Dually
V10 * 4X4
Westin Platinum Series Steps
Line-X Spray In Bedliner


Future mods:
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CB
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33" tires

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2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic
 
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Old May 30, 2001 | 08:11 AM
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i need it to get in and out of my home in winter--don't use it for off roading either--wouldn't think you would need it down south unless you off road. sounds like you want to be talked into it tho--so go for it---lol


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2001 F-150 4X4 Supercab
XLT 139" WB style side
5.4L V8 3.55 LIMITED SLIP AXLE
MODS:
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SUPERCHIP(FLIP CHIP)
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being installed as of 5/22/01
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Old May 30, 2001 | 08:41 AM
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waynemb -

If you need a good excuse for 4x4 - go hunting!! Like yourself, I don't need it on an everyday basis, but like the Warn ads for winches says - "Goes from accessory to necessity faster than you can say 'Oh crap'". Also, like Rip said, some campgrounds can get kind of nasty. This can be a big factor if there is a storm between setting up camp and pulling out.

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Y2K SD250 SC XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, Auto; SWB; Off Road Pkg; Towing Pkg; Torreador Red; Sliding Back Glass; Tinted Windows

Mods (minor so far):Westin step bars (black powdercoat), Bugflector II bug shield, Pendaliner S/R bedliner, AVS Ventvisors, GTS Slotted taillight covers, Ford logo brake light (hitch plug), Husky liner mudflaps (F&R), Retrax bedcover on order

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Old May 30, 2001 | 04:04 PM
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Just get the 4x4,it is great in traffic since you can see over just about any car on the road,besides the little cars on the road don't like seeing 2 headlights and that massive grill in there mirrors so they usually change lanes and get out of your way. My opinion may be biased towards a 4x4 because I own one.

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99 F250 cc sd 4x4,v-10,auto,k&n,borla headers,gibson cat back,97 mustanggt,88 ranger has 302-c-4, getting 69 429,c-6 installed.
 
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Old May 30, 2001 | 05:45 PM
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If you don't need the 4x4 get the 4x2 and save a few dollars but one good thing about going with the 4x4 is it will be worth that much more when it comes time to sell or trade it in for a new one.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
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Old Jun 14, 2001 | 11:22 AM
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waynemb, I'd go with the 4X4! Since your getting the Powerstroke, you won't loose much in fuel mileage. With just one time getting you out of a situation that a 4X2 couldn't get you out of will pay for itself. 2 wheel drive, street tires, slick grass, slight incline, forget about it, you're not going anywhere, especially with a trailer behind it.

OH, by the way, I have a trailer for sale!

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1661094&f=0
 
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Old Jun 14, 2001 | 04:41 PM
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I've got PSD 4x2 and I do pull a 30' travel trailer. Most of the time I use the truck just for hauling me around, grocerys and taking the kids places. So far I've managed to bury the rear tires, in my driveway!! Used a $20 shovel to dig my way out and now I'm a lot more careful around sand. And then there was one time backing the trailer up in a campground spot. Kept running the truck off the pavement onto wet grass. Had to find a different spot to park the trailer. Yes, it would have been nice in both cases to have the 4x4 but that $20 shovel sure was a whole lot cheaper. What I've found is that you tend to stay out of situations that you KNOW will get you into trouble. On the other hand, if you've got $4k to drop on the 4x4 option, then go for it.

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
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Old Jun 14, 2001 | 06:40 PM
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The 4x4 option will also get you a chance at:

squeaky front springs
steering loss while braking
warped rotors
1-2 mpg less
 
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Old Jun 14, 2001 | 10:25 PM
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Cool

In my opinion, a 2wd truck is about like a V6 Mustang. There's just something missing..

R Bess: I thought all new F150 4x4's have tow hooks, I know mine does.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Remote Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed, Keyless Entry Mod

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