Factory Order 2wd Trucks

Fishtail8 · October 23, 2015

Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster. I've been a GM guy since I was young, owned a few of every older body style but never pulled the trigger on a brand new one. I was playing on the build and price yesterday and found I could option some trucks out the way I wanted them at a fairly reasonable price. The kicker is they're 2wd and no one in my neck of the woods orders 2wd for the lot anymore. Can people who have these in 2wd chime in as to if it's worth the price break to drop the front diff and t-case? I look at it from the stand point of I don't NEED a 4wd, but it's handy to have the 3-4 times a year a guy needs it.

Nice place you guys have here, thanks for letting me hang out.

Tattooo · October 23, 2015

Welcome to the site....I have had both and wouldn't go back to a 2wd....not worth the savings to me

redwngr · October 23, 2015

I rarely engage the 4wd.

I bought it because of being 'stuck' when on a low traction surface with little or no weight on the rear axle (of a reg cab or ext cab). This happened several times -- in the days before we all had cell phones.

This has meant that for the last 20+ years I've insisted on 4wd pickups.

For me, the added cost is worth it. When I want it I want it. I still occasionally get into situations where the truck is 'stuck' in 2wd and engaging the 4wd gets it going again.

I don't know if a crew cab with short box would have put enough load on rear axle to have gotten me out of those situations. Crew cab 1/2 tons became 'a thing' years after I made the switch to 4wd trucks.

I do believe that the extra cost of purchase is at least partially offset by increased value at disposal. This may not be true in an area where there are a lot of 2wd trucks.

Your mileage may vary.

WildWilt15 · October 23, 2015

Had a 14 Reg cab 2wd traded it for the backseat and 4wd, one Michigan winter in a 2wd Silverado was doable but made me want the 4wd. If I had to do it all again I would have bought the 4wd from the start.

Tattooo · October 23, 2015

I rarely engage the 4wd.

I bought it because of being 'stuck' when on a low traction surface with little or no weight on the rear axle (of a reg cab or ext cab). This happened several times -- in the days before we all had cell phones.

This has meant that for the last 20+ years I've insisted on 4wd pickups.

For me, the added cost is worth it. When I want it I want it. I still occasionally get into situations where the truck is 'stuck' in 2wd and engaging the 4wd gets it going again.

I don't know if a crew cab with short box would have put enough load on rear axle to have gotten me out of those situations. Crew cab 1/2 tons became 'a thing' years after I made the switch to 4wd trucks.

I do believe that the extra cost of purchase is at least partially offset by increased value at disposal. This may not be true in an area where there are a lot of 2wd trucks.

Your mileage may vary.

Yeah 4wd definitely hold a higher value & usually are more in demand

Sooperdave · October 23, 2015

There are the rare times I would love to have a 4wd but just have no need for it. I have yet to run into any situation where I need it yet. Saved on money in the beginning, better fuel economy over all and less to do's on the maintenance schedule. Same thing with the double cab. Would love to have the extra room but just wasn't worth it to me for my needs. I love my truck and couldn't be happier with my build! It was a special order and took about 7 weeks.

Chris · October 23, 2015

There are the rare times I would love to have a 4wd but just have no need for it. I have yet to run into any situation where I need it yet. Saved on money in the beginning, better fuel economy over all and less to do's on the maintenance schedule. Same thing with the double cab. Would love to have the extra room but just wasn't worth it to me for my needs. I love my truck and couldn't be happier with my build! It was a special order and took about 7 weeks.

Exactly. Not everyone needs it. I live in an area where the worst i will see is a flash flood once every 10 years. Never have needed 4wd and while i live here i likely never will need it.

crewl1 · October 23, 2015

I bought 2wd because I have never needed 4wd here in so cal. If I thought I would use it for recreation I'd get one but not needed from weather point of view.

In the past 4wd were also taller and since I use the bed for hauling a lot the loading process is more work with a taller truck. (Seems these days both versions are same height. )

One reason I didn't want it is extra stuff that can go wrong transmission wise. A buddy with a Tahoe with 4wd he never used has been in the shop for issues with the 4wd.

Badass69 · October 23, 2015

Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster. I've been a GM guy since I was young, owned a few of every older body style but never pulled the trigger on a brand new one. I was playing on the build and price yesterday and found I could option some trucks out the way I wanted them at a fairly reasonable price. The kicker is they're 2wd and no one in my neck of the woods orders 2wd for the lot anymore. Can people who have these in 2wd chime in as to if it's worth the price break to drop the front diff and t-case? I look at it from the stand point of I don't NEED a 4wd, but it's handy to have the 3-4 times a year a guy needs it.

Nice place you guys have here, thanks for letting me hang out.

Brave soul lol. Not really as I have had 2wd trucks in Edmonton to during the winter as many have had for decades... just have to actually pay attention more. With decent tires and a little weight in the bed they will go through a lot.... until the rears drop in a rut and you just sit there... lol. I just sold my running boards to a fellow in Manitoba who drove all the way to Vermillion to get a 2wd truck. They had one and another dealer out in Manitoba had another and that was it when he was looking a couple weeks ago. Both were Silverado LT's and I think it's a double cab and not a crew.

I don't really have a choice here..... I rarely need it even at work but the times I do need it you would be screwed if you didn't have it. With all the safety bs nowdays we aren't even to tow one another anymore so if you did get stuck you wait the time of the tow truck plus at least an additional hour drive and hope they have clearance to get on the air weapons range...... no thanks... I will take a 4wd truck lol.

Fishtail8 · October 23, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys. I've had lots of 4x4 stuff over the years, but usually if the weather turns really shitty up here I end up driving my old dually anyways. With weight in the box for winter it's a damn tank. If I factory order something 2wd, I'll be keeping it for a long time. I'm not the type to trade off just because there's something new and shiny. You just don't see 2wd in my neck of the woods anymore, there's nothing on dealer lots and also nothing in stripped down versions. As much as I love the new technology, it can be a real pain in the ass! Those are the days I love my old iron.

Tattooo · October 23, 2015

Let us know what you get...

SuperSize · October 23, 2015

If you don't need it don't get it. You will save up front, save on gas and maintenance.

crushNchowda · October 23, 2015

You can get by with snow tires if need be, but they cost $$$ too- there's zero chance I'd order a truck in 2wd I live in boston ma you'd be even crazier to do so in Canada- just get 4wd it's worth it and like you said nobody gets the. In 2wd in Canada so how do you think the resale would be? If it'd sell at all..

Tattooo · October 24, 2015

I only had my 2wd when I had myall wheel drive Lexus so I was still able to get around in the snow

Fishtail8 · November 1, 2015

Just to update guys, pulled the trigger on a truck. Not what i was after, but hard to say no to the deal. 2015 GMC SLT All Terrain, Stone Blue Metallic. I'm pleased so far, now just to figure out all the technical stuff!