hi boj: having 4wd is nice but seldom necessary unless you spend alot of time off road. i live in wis. and justified my 4x4 with winter and hunting. as well as the occasional camping/fishing trip.
in reality unless you live out in the country you probably don't need it for winter. as far as maintenance and reliability go. yes it costs more. you have twice as many drivetrain parts to break and fix and pay for.
4x4 tows less also.
finally yes i love my 4x4 and use it as often as possible and it looks great but not sure i'd spend the extra $ again. going through this very dilema with my girlfriend right now who swears she needs a 4x4 and it really should be taller then mine you know for ground clearance. even though her 2wd has never gotten stuck on the pavement that she drives on.

 

As far as maintenace: I think the interval of changing your transfer case is 60,000 miles, however I change mine every 30,000 miles while I am changing the transmission fluid.
I think you are supposed to change the front axle fluid at 100,000 miles.

So a total of 3 (total $6-$8)quarts of fluid for the transfer case every 60,000 miles and about a gallon of oil ($8-$25 depending on brand)for the front end every 100,000.

The 4 wheel drive systems are very reliable. Only down side is you lose alittle gas mileage.

If you do get a 4x4 be sure to put it in 4wd every couple of weeks (on a dirt road never on pavement). By doing this you will engage the electric motor(to keep it from freezing up) and circulate the fluids. The only time I see a 4wd system that will not work is from lack of use.

 

My '97 f150 2wd gets stuck if it looks at wet grass

 

I'm sorry Boj,

The only downsight to a 4x4 is the every now and then question, "I wonder if I can make it through/over/across that?" Wreckless driving tickets begin to multiply. You'll begin to find yourself not so afraid to drive across medians. You start designing your very own offramps. Road construction gravel detours become inevitable. Bigger and badder never ends. You care less about ride and more about ride height.

I used to own a 2WD pickup. Now, I can see over traffic (except for them dang 18 wheelers). You can upgrade to tires that can virtually handle almost all road conditions (during sane driving). People look at you like you're nuts while your head is out the window watching your lugs turn the wheels while you pull away from a stop sign. Mud tire's unfair characteristic adjective, noisy, transforms to a tranquil purr. Chicks dig it too. Lincoln, Miada, Taurus, Honda, Cadillac. They all filter into one category, 2WD car.

hope this helps.

 

RedBullSr:

I love you man LOL!!!! you just described what I feel in such perfect words!!! I am in that such catagory and am loving it!

Just recently I got stuck in traffic so I looked over at that motocross trail that followed the road, and without a second though I turned my wheel, put it on 4x4! Crossed the ditch and bye bye traffic I pulled out of the trail to another that lead to another road before the cops,... you know!

Ohh and in Quebec city I missed a turn so (in 4x4 mode) I backed up about 300 feet in a field to get to the exit!

Mediens, who needs no stinkin mediens! I drove over a couple. Funny seeing the looks of other peoples faces. Not sure if they are thinking "lucky a$$hole" or "stupid nut case"

4x4s are cool but if you don't need it and just want the looks, then get a 2WD with a bigger engine and slap on a lift kit and bigger tires. Voilà, a cool lookin truck!


OHH and Red BullSr, can use that wording on some text of mine (4x4 site), really it is great!
------------------
Check out my site: cooltrucks.net

My email: webmaster@cooltrucks.net

Also:
nerdzfx.com
1997 F150 4x4 XLT with ORP 4.2L V6 and 5-speed manual.



[This message has been edited by eph1fifty (edited 08-01-2000).]

 

Ditto and RedBullSr's a man's man!

I defy anyone to prove that their 4x4 gets worse mileage than a comparable 4x2. If you look at what is connected and what is NOT you can see why Ford rated my '97 4x2 with 5.4 and 3.55 at 14/18 and rated Nick at the same 14/18 MPG.

I work for a gear company and have dealt with that "overdrive sucks because it uses more fuel than direct" BS for years -- and while you can prove it on the dyno and on paper -- you cannot in real life.

Get the 4x4 -- if you even think for an ohnosecond (that's the amount of time it takes to realize that you've made a mistake) that someday years from now you'll want (not even "need") that 4x4 then get it.

It's sort of like buying that extra pretty set of Snap-On wrenches just in case you might really need a left-handed knuckle-buster some-day. You know that someone will look in your toolbox and say "gee, neat" -- well, the same goes for the 4x4.

You'll never wear anything out (unless you try to catch Mudder) during any normal vehicle life.

I spent 3 long years wishing I had the 4x4 with my '97. I had a burst of testosterone late in the month last November -- and the devil made me do it.

We haven't had any snow to speak of here in southwest Michigan for a few years -- and I had to run over to Ft. Custer and churn up the place to get it out of my system last winter.

Need any more?

<A HREF="http://www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-008s.jpg" TARGET=_blank> [img]//www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-008s_small.jpg[/img] </A>


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Y2K™ Jim Gorka

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Hey, what are you talking about Y2K 7700 4x4?

Definitely get the 4x4, you will be so happy you did. It's true I hardly ever "turn the ****", but sometimes I do. It's a good feeling to drive down the road and look down and see a switch for 4 wheel drive, I'm happy I have one.

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Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 V8 3.55ls, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 2 KC 57 Series 5x7 100 watt long range lights, 8 165 watt KC Daylighters, 4 chrome, 4 black ( with 10 KC's, I come alive at night), Manik grill guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards (thanks Pony), Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, personalized plates, Cobra CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, a F150 Online sticker, and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighter: JBA headers, superchip, 4 more Daylighters, and a Lighted Ford tailgate logo. If you would like to see pics, email me at mudder46@hotmail.com or see pics at me and pony's website www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8 , and to hear the Flowmaster exhaust http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T005.wav
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.
Check out the Toughest SOB in the WWF crush the Rock's Lincoln: http://www.amta.net/files/sc-2.avi
OH HELL YEAH!

2 BRT 4U "Go ahead, flash your brights at me, see what will happen."

Got light?




[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 08-02-2000).]

 

Looks like my new truck will be a 4x4 unless I can find some reason not too, besides the initial cost. Is there any reliability issues inherant with 4 wheel drive? I assume there has to be some additional maintenance, how much?

I don't NEED 4x4 but I do want it. I am hoping for a good snow season in NY this year, and it will be nice to be able to get around safer.

Thanks

 

My wife and I went down to North Padre to camp in our pre-Ford days (read '90 Toronado with about 4" of ground clearnance). After seeing all the 4wd trucks go on down the beach while we were stuck with the screaming-kid families at the paved site, I knew things would have to change. We now have a five-year committment to not having kids, we've donated the Toronado to Goodwill, and now nothing will stop me from driving where we want to go.

On another trip, post-Ford, we drove to find a cave in the Arizona mountains. They had signs on the trail... 4 wheel-drive only... need I say more?

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Model: '99 F150 Lariat Supercab 4x4 SS Mechs: 5.4L, 3.73 Diff (9.75" LSD Rear, 8.8" Front)
ORP: Skid Plates, LT265/70R17 GY Wrang. AT/S
Group III towing: HD Electrical/Cooling, GVWR 6500# (Extra leaf spring).
Stuff: Step Bars, 4W Disc ABS, K&N filter, 0W-30 Series 2k Amsoil @ 8200 miles
Stock Items That Differ Across F150s: Steel Driveshaft, Oil filter bolted to engine w/ drip guard, 4R70W transmission.

 

Boj, don't forget the biggest cost of getting a 4x4... insurance... granted I am a young, unmarried male, but when I checked on insurance of a 4x2 vs a 4x4 it was a like 70% more or something... hence the 4x2...

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2000 F150 Black XLT "Sport", SC, SB, 4.2L, 5 Speed, 3.55LS, factory soft tonneau, keyless entry, factory fog lights
Mods - JVC CD Player w/ Infinity and JBL Speakers, Permatech Spray in Bedliner, GTS Omniguard SE
Coming Soon - Leveling Kit, Step Bars, K&N, etc, etc...

jfv3@po.cwru.edu

My baby is broken....

 

You don't have to tell me about the joy of getting muddy. I ride dirtbikes for a hobby and have got to know my local car wash very well. In fact, that is when I tend to get stuck now, pulling in and out of riding areas/races with the truck full of bike stuff.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

4x4? I don't need no stinkin' 4x4!

I've pulled 4x4's out! It's all about knowing how to drive in the muck. A LS rearend doesn't hurt.

As far as winter a good set of chains or cables will work better than a 4x4 without them.





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1998 F150 XLT, extended cab 3 door,Pacific Green, towing package, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS,

Performance Mods
SUPERCHIP, K&N FIPK, Dual Exhaust (18" glasspack), Bosh Platinum +4 spark plugs

Apearance Mods
Lund deflector, Profile Windstream side window air deflectors, Prostripe silver multistripe, Diamond Plate Toolbox, Diamond Blue(HID) simulator Fog Lights, High output headlights (80watt low/ 100watt high)

Electronic Mods
Whistler Radar Dectector, Uniden Police Scanner, 29WX-ST Cobra CB Radio, with a Texas Star 100watt modulator and a Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna. A Clarion Security System with Keyless Entry,

Audio Mods
Kenwood KDC-6011 CD player/changer control head unit.
JL 10" sub-woofer
Fultron "Depth Charge" amp 200w max.
4, TR570-CX JL Audio Coaxial Speakers (factory location)

 

I've got 2wd due to cost considerations plus I don't have any need down here for 4x4 but I do like the look so I've upgraded mine to look like a 4x. People who don't know F-150's swear its a 4x insted of a 2x.

But I say go for the 4x4 if you can afford it and there is even the remote chance you'll go offroad...bad thing is when you have 4x4 you do go offraod...see earlier posts above heh heh.

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1997 Arctic White F-150 XLT Flareside SC, K&N, Magnaflow muffler, Air Box mods, Bugflector II, Soft Tonneau Cover, Chrome Westin Bars, 3" Performance Accessories Body Lift, tinted windows

Flares Rule!!!!!

 

Jolly_Green_Giant, Up here in New York, we are not allowed to drive with chains on our tires. I do believe that it is a state law or something. I do agree that the chains would probably do better than the 4X4 but they are not an option up here in lake effect snow country.

 

Well after almost getting high centered on a cow path this weekend, I'll leave it up to you.
I also have never gotten stuck in my 4x2. (OK twice in my life BUT a 4WD wouldn't have helped)
check these out:
http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...d/224/dunes00/