I've decided on getting a Lariat 5.4L V8 with the towing package. I'm holding out a little longer until the 2000's come out (and partly b/c I can't make up my mind between a 4X4 or a 4X2).

THE BIG DECISION: I'm still trying to decide if I want/need the 4X4. The ride of the 4X4 is fairly good, but once you drive the 4X2 you realize just how smooth the ride can be. I have definetly decided on getting the 5.4 V8 though - I'm impressed w/its acceleration (I think its quicker, atleast in the 4X2 version, then my wife's V6 Camry). The 4X4 didn't seem too much slower in acceleration, but it definetly struggled a little more.

I do a lot of commuting to and from work and most weekends my wife and I take long road trips. Even though the ride of the 4X4 seems good during short test drives, I don't want to regret getting one after a few 3-5 hour road trips. If anyone can give me input on what they think of taking long trips in their 4X4's (or 4X2's for that matter) and their basic highway manners on daily commutes, I'd appreciate it. (if you've ridden in both 4X4 and 4X2 versions on long trips, how do they compare?)

I think the 4X4's added height is another plus - it just looks a little better.

Is there a drastic difference in the maintenance costs between the 4X4 and the 4X2?

Its very hard to make a decision like this based on a short test drive, so I appreciate any input.

Thanks

 

Hello AG97.

I went round and round with this same question before getting my truck (check signature at bottom to see what I finally decided on). The final 2 deciding factors that swayed me were,

how much would I really use the 4x4 -- oh sure, it's nice to have but do I really need it? and

do I really want to be off-roading with rocks and branches smacking against my ~$30,000 truck?

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice and I'm sure one of the 4x4 owners can come back with a convincing argument to get it. It all comes down to whether YOUR driving habit warrant getting the 4x4.

Good luck and let us know what truck you do end up getting.

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD 3.73LS in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, 3" Induction Airbox Mod, more to come... (Westin side bars, cat-back exhaust, electric fan, and Superchip are next)

 

Hi there AG97,

JHerron is right. But I'm gonna throw in one more thing that helped me decide. Everyone of the good old boys in my bass fishing club gave me grief for not getting a 4x4. But as I told them, if I ever get stuck there is always somebody around with a 4x4 waiting to prove how dumb I was in not buying a 4 wheel drive.

I can take the ridicule and they can have the higher cost, lower mileage, more repair bills, and rougher ride.

After tellin' some of them ol' boys this, they kinda gave me a look like "Hey, that ain't quite fair... Is it?"

I hope I have to get pulled outta somethin' soon! They need the ego boost...


It doesn't really matter in the longrun as long as you look at it and say, "Man, I can't believe that beauty is mine."

Have Fun,
Mark G


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'98 XLT 4.6 SC 4x2,
Black SB flareside,
ARE Tonneau,
Lined,
Tinted,
Deflected,
Mini-Disked,
Amped,
Subbed 2x12,
K&Ned,
B-B-B-M-F
Goin' thru tires fast.

 

Looking for a smooth ride AND cab height???
Do what I did...
Get a Super Duty 4x2. Mine is the same height as my buddies 150 4x4.
Mine cost less than his - that ORP is $$$$.
Good luck.

------------------
1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

There's a huge difference in the maintenance costs. For one thing, 4x4's have an extra diff and a transfer case to service. To sum it up quick, there's way more mechanical parts in a 4 wheel drive than a 2 wheel. I would definitely go with the 2 wheel if your going to put more highway miles than offroad miles on. Even if you do decide to go offroad with the 4x2, you can still get some good tires, possibly a lift, and LS differential, and would still be cheaper on your wallet. 4x4's are only good for low mileage driving. As for difference in ride quality, I would say its a toss up. The 4x2 is definitely favored for fuel economy considering the extra weight with the 4x4. By the way, I have already had to buff out all the scratches on the side from offroading in the tight trails.

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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

Those are some good common sense replies, and I appreciate it. Realistically I don't need the 4X4, and I'm sure I'll appreciate the 4X2 after a couple of long trips (my wallet will appreciate it too!). Thanks for the help everybody!

JHERRON would you happen to have a picture of your truck online? I saw a 2-tone white/gray 4X4 (nice looking truck!) and I'd like to see what it looks like on the 4X2s.

-AG97

 

Hey I don't know if you can get the September 1999 issue of Florida Sportsman, but if you can there is a good article about 4x4's. The last paragragh sums it up well. "They are impractical, expensive, troublesome, tempermental, and inclined to risky behavior. They are, in short, very similar to fishermen and hunters everywhere, and therefore the ideal vehicle for us all."
The 4x2 guys speak the truth, even as refined as the F150 4x4 are the 4x2 are still smoother and less expensive. Still though I love my 4x4 because it can do things that other vehicles cannot. It really depends on what your lifestyle is and is it worth the extra money and harsher ride.

 

one other thing you have to consider, is that insurance for 4x4's is also a good bit more expensive, because of the fact they are more expensive to fix

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'97 F-150, 2WD, 8'bed, 4.2L,5-spd, 3.55 axle, Pendaliner, D. plate toolbox & mud flaps, K&N filter, 3" air box mod,slotted taillight covers, Ventvisors, bug deflector, Westin nerf bars, champion truck plugs, towing pkg, 2000# helper springs, Whelen Responder 2 light bar, 100Watt Street Thunder Siren and speaker, headlight flasher, Rancho RS5000 shocks

 

AG97, funny you should mention the truck pictures. I took some really nice ones on my last Sierra trip and had them put on disk (so I could post one here). Unfortunately the lame photo people scanned the pictures upside down onto the disk, and my computer is too old to correct this (grrrrr).

If you would like, e-mail me at jimorama@aol.com with your e-mail address, and I can send you an upside down picture of a very nice-looking truck

Jim

 

It all depends on what you truly want. Since I was a little kid, I wanted a 4WD. I couldn't afford it until about a year ago. I can say that I don't use 4WD that often, but it has come in handy when I needed it. I like the stance of it over a 2WD and have plans for a lift and tires. I recently drove to Myrtle Beach from Somerset, PA (1.5 hours south of Pittsburgh) with my Harley in the back and towing a four wheeler on a trailer (looked sweet moving down the road, too!). I noticed a difference in gas mileage obviously, but I did expect it loaded with about 1,000 or so pounds. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be for the stock 4.6L. The ride was great (10 hour, 540 mile trip) and I didn't have to see a chiropractor. Long story short, get what you really want and don't look back.

[This message has been edited by gearjammer (edited 09-01-1999).]

[This message has been edited by gearjammer (edited 09-01-1999).]

 

Amen brother! Get everything on it you can so you cannot want for more. Its cheaper in the long run.

 

The 4x4 definitely is nice but you certainly don't need it. If you get a fair amount of snow (like us in New England), you can feel pretty good about a 4x2 with a 200 lbs or so of weight in the back when the snow isn't TOO deep. I wouldn't drive in too much mud though heh. I happen to have the 4x4 though and don't regret it.

 

Like AG97, I too was torn between a 4x2 and 4x4. I decided to order the 4x2. The 4x4 had everything I wanted in a truck, except it wasn't much fun to drive on the street. I opted for the 4x2 because I felt that my day-to-day driving experience was more important than having a 4x4 that was only needed a few days a year (mountain driving for me). There's nothing better than breezing past a line of poor saps putting on their chains at night in the freezing cold in a blizzard (like I was able to do in my SUV), but the tradeoffs were simply too great. By the way, I test drove a number of 4x4s, and thought the most reasonable ride came with the regular cab, 16 inch tires, and no off-road package. A manual tranny seems to lend itself to the rough ride of a 4x4.

Pete

 

Well, if you want some more traction than the standard gears, get the LS which will help in snow, rain, etc. And if you really like the 4x4 grille, just get the Sport package, which comes with that grille. Want height? Get it raised.

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Fast46Triton

1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Gibson Exhaust

 

AG97,

I always wanted a 4x4 so I got the 4x4. I drove mine from Windsor Ontario to Boston in Feb of 1997. Very comfortable. 4x4 was not needed on the road and if it is you should find a resting place pronto! I use the 4x4 function enough to justify the cost. I used it when I went to Québec last winter to help out relatives with the ice storm problems. Filled up the rear end with fire wood, food fresh water etc. It rode like a charm. I even broke my rule and used 4x4 on the highway in order to get through. It is nice to have but odds are you will never miss it.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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On Order: 00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
using: Wife'S 99 Explorer till arrival