2WD VS 4WD

[Mando]

I'm not sure this is the right board to post this, but here it goes:

What does have more off-road/crawling ability?

A 2WD with stock auto tranny, 31" tires, 4.10:1/locked diff
or
a 4WD with stock manual tranny 31" tires, 3.27:1/open diffs?

(similar '92 trucks, the 4WD with low range t-case).

Please let me know your opinions.

 

[rpenner54]

The 4wd will always get further along just because you can go at the obsticals with slow speed and be able to crawl over things. The 2wd could get just as far but you would have to build up speed to get over things at times because your front tires will not pull you over like in 4wd. It really depends on the trail too.

 

[Mando]

Thanks for your answer Ryan.

What I really want to find out is if some how the torque multiplication of the auto tranny, the lower gears and the locker would allow the truck to crawl over the rocks without too much speed.

I'm trying to find out that because I use the 4 wheel drive just a few times a year. I really don't do any rockcrawling, just dirt roads and rocky mountain roads in the Mexican sierra (those mountain roads are where I use the 4WD low). So I'm wondering if a 2WD with an Fabtech suspension will fit the bill.

 

[Shipwreck]

Much better to have 4x4 and not hardly ever use it than to be stuck once.......in the rain...in the cold.....alone....without it, worth the cost and upkeep in my opinion, if for nothing else peace of mind and versatility

 

[RockRanger]

I would have to agree with shipwreck on this one. I use 4wd in my truck 10-15 a year pretty much only when I am out wheeling. When I am at my parents house they get snow a few timeas a year so I use the 4wd then but maybe only 2 or 3 times a year. My truck also sees about 30,000 a year on the highway. I will still take the 4wd over a 2wd.

Matt