2wd Vs. 4wd On Nbs

[LF Motorsports]

I am ordering a NBS in the next day or 2. Have all options picked out but have not decided if 4wd is worth it. All my previous trucks have been 2wd and been happy with that. Has anyone noticed or know of a big difference in gas mileage between the 2?

 

My current truck is a '93 extended cab w/ 5.7L and with some extras I get 17 mpg normal and have gotten 20 mpg on long interstate trips (flat land).

 

Just looking for some thoughts.

[svaiskau]

You're talking 2-3 MPG difference highway, and likely 3-4 difference city.

 

If you don't use 4WD, don't buy it.

[asilverblazer]

If you have never had it, you obviously don't need so I wouldn't get it. Once you do get it, you will never go back to a 2wd. At least I won't.

[LF Motorsports]

The wife states "if you buy a truck, you might as well have 4wd". Anyway, I've probably only needed 4wd a few times, don't usually put the truck in that position or have alway managed in what snow we get around here (southern Indiana). Cost is about 3k difference in trucks and I know resale will keep the difference.

 

Man, just torn on which way to go. Was hoping mpg would help but maybe not.

[Paul58]

Depends on how long you planon keeping the truck and how it impacts your budget! If you keep the truck long past the warranty, figure added cost for maintenance with 4WD and added cost for fuel. Yes, resale will be higher, but over a long period of time will it really off-set the added cost of maintenance and fuel. So, long term a 2WD would be more beneficial.

 

If you only plan on keeping it till the warranty runs out, then the added fuel cost could be off-set by the higher trade/resale value. You can add in the "I don't give a d**n about fuel cost, I just want to have fun" factor here and enjoy the benefits of 4WD while you have it!

 

But, if you don't really use/need 4WD that much or ever, it's really uncessary up front initial investment, higher fuel costs, and higher maintenance after the warranty expires. I like how your wife thinks, but long term it really becomes more of a financial decision, short term it's all about fun...

[IceCactus]

You will not get the $3000 back in your resale. If dont remember exactly what years i used, but i went on KBB and looked up silverado, exact same truck one with 2wd and one with 4wd, and the 4wd was only like $1200 more. So you will not recoup the whole cost, only some of it

 

That said, i went with the 2wd and the auto locking diffy

 

Here is a good read

 

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/autoworld2613.shtml

[Puggy]

In my trucks I have had both 4wd and now AWD with my Sierra Denali. I will admit to rarely using 4wd but on those occasions when I need it I'm glad I have it. If you have been happy with 2wd I say stick with what works for you. I don't think there is as big a gas mileage penalty as some have stated (I am getting 15 mpg on my rural mountain roads and not complaining) but there is over $3,000 in additional up front costs when buying new with some of that initial cost (up to 50%) being returned at trade-in time.

[hoorders]

I am ordering a NBS in the next day or 2. Have all options picked out but have not decided if 4wd is worth it. All my previous trucks have been 2wd and been happy with that. Has anyone noticed or know of a big difference in gas mileage between the 2?

 

My current truck is a '93 extended cab w/ 5.7L and with some extras I get 17 mpg normal and have gotten 20 mpg on long interstate trips (flat land).

 

Just looking for some thoughts.

In my 'younger' years I used to really use the 4wd in my trucks...........had lots of fun in them taking them where they probably shouldn't go and of course breaking parts along the way..... .........but I think now a days most of us with the relatively newer trucks keep them on the road 95+ % of the time........they are very expensive to fix and in my opinion are no where near as capable compared to the trucks from 10+ years ago.......so for me, the only real reason I have a 4wd is because of the weather where I live.............if it wasn't for the weather, I would be getting a 2wd..........just my 2cents worth..........

[bryanhunt]

I'll put it this way in all my trucks I've had if they had 4wd I've never needed it (I had a 78 k20 I used to pull a friends crew cab dually out of a culvert once... didn't use 4wd). In those without it I wish I had it. I think 3/4s of it is the weight distro and suspension difference. I don't know what it is... 2wd trucks are just easier to get stuck. Maybe it's just murphy.

 

In the new trucks the weight will make a slight dent in your fuel milage. If you run in awd or auto 4wd (depending on the truck) you will take a noticable hit from the extra rotating mass among other things.

[LF Motorsports]

To answer a few ?????'s Plan to keep the truck a while. And the extra maintenance I forgot about. Thanks for the advise and still kind of up in the air.

 

In the middle of my "want to be younger years" but have a little girl we have to hall around now, therefore new truck with back doors that open. '93 is w/o rear doors.

 

I ran the KBB #'s also. Yeh about $1000 - $1200 on comp models.

 

In-laws are in Wisconsin so might need the 4wd during all the cold months (9 out of 12 in my opinion)

 

2 or 4, 2 or 4.... I know I won't be disappointed either way just have to decide.

[jhm]

You're talking 2-3 MPG difference highway, and likely 3-4 difference city.

 

If you don't use 4WD, don't buy it.

According to GM on a 4.8l work truck, RWD you get 16 and 20, same truck with 4WD you get 15 and 19. The biggest diff is in the repairs down the road, I have had various 4WD's including the '01 I have now and eventually they all have problems. You are right, if you dont need it dont buy it.

[Jameson]

I love my Z71 4x4, but like everyone else said its up to you. Only you can say whether its worth it or not.

[LF Motorsports]

Great article on the G80 locking diff in the above reply. That helps out more.

 

I think with having 1 family vehicle and more capable in bad weather, I am leaning toward the 4wd. the G80 diff will be worth it in a lot of bad weather. And with the family trips up north, it will be good just in case it is necessary.

 

Any other thoughts are good to hear and thanks for the opinions already.

[jhm]

 

In my 'younger' years I used to really use the 4wd in my trucks...........had lots of fun in them taking them where they probably shouldn't go and of course breaking parts along the way..... .........but I think now a days most of us with the relatively newer trucks keep them on the road 95+ % of the time........they are very expensive to fix and in my opinion are no where near as capable compared to the trucks from 10+ years ago.......so for me, the only real reason I have a 4wd is because of the weather where I live.............if it wasn't for the weather, I would be getting a 2wd..........just my 2cents worth..........

 

In my opinion, all the 4WD vehicles out there today, except for a very limited dedicted few, are not off road capable for anything except mild use. They don't have the ground clearance or approach angles along with the suspension neccesary for true off roading. OK for snowy roads or steep gravel roads, etc.

[asilverblazer]

There have been plenty of times when my locked up rear end needs some help pulling from the front tires. Most of my problems lie with not having any concrete around my house, any where... So I usually got stuck in my drive way, with the 2wd's.

 

Wet dirt and leaves are like ice for traction. That is what my drive way is.