Is it a mistake to not take the 4WD option?

[DakotaGuy]

It all depends on where you live and how you use your truck. Where I live in South Dakota they do not stock 4x2 trucks at all and if you wanted one you'd have to do a special order. Of course I'd assume in Texas it's the opposite. If you live in a climate where you don't need 4x4 and your not an "off roader" why lower your fuel economy and add to the complexity of it when you'd never use 4x4? I live in a mountain town that's the 5th snowiest town in the US so for me I need 4x4.

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[RodSlinger]

I would never buy one without 4WD. A long time ago, I had a 2WD Nissan, which I really liked - but I ended up getting it stuck in (of all places) our side yard in the grass. .

I've actually done the same. But I still won't get a 4WD. The once every 10 to 15 years I might need it doesn't justify buying it. I don't go offroad and never care to

For that situation a 4WD would have cost me $2000 more than the beer I gave my brother to pull me out.

 

[pannwfn]

I've actually done the same. But I still won't get a 4WD. The once every 10 to 15 years I might need it doesn't justify buying it. I don't go offroad and never care to

For that situation a 4WD would have cost me $2000 more than the beer I gave my brother to pull me out.

Well I took some stuff around back of the house and then pulled out on to wet grass and guess what get stuck WTH. Had to use 4wd to get out of the back yard. Am wondering if this trk is better than my fx4 level ll? Will have to see. Am not impressed better tires may help.

 

[t4thfavor]

I'm coming from a limited 2005 CRD Jeep Liberty, and a 2003 Ranger FX4 (not lvl II), and I can say it is better in every way than the older vehicles. The only thing the old ones had over the new one is I didn't care about their aesthetics as much, so I could bash them harder to get out of a situation. My advice is that if you know you are going somewhere you might get stuck, disable the traction control and leave advancetrak enabled. the 4x4 system is pretty darn smart in my experience so far, and you just can't get that type of intelligence in an old mechanical vehicle. Now something with LDS's in front and rear might be better with less complexity, but you would definitely lose some street "manners"

 

[RANGER_MARC]

I am in the same spot. Had 4x4s up north and appreciated them in the snow, but the only time I used 4x4 was in the snow. 99% of the time all of them were in 2wd. Live down south now and in the 4 years I have been here only 2 days where I used 4x4 and probably didn't need it given my wife drove to work in a 2wd charger, lol.

So I ordered a 4x2 as a wise financial decision. Not a day goes buy I don't second guess myself. Called dealer and tried to change it, but it was too late, would have to start over again. There is a 4x4 XLT coming in before my Lariat, I thought about switching to that even though I would appreciate the Lariat every time I drove it and would likely never use the 4wd. Even went so far as to reason that I would much rather have a $4k down payment on a boat than an extra spinning tire, lol.

But I will take your advice, relax and stop second guessing myself, the 4x2 is a much smarter decision for those of us that don't live out in the woods or up north.

Even though I live in Delaware and have never gone off road in my whole life, I ordered the 4x4 with off-road features precisely for those "two days" of terrible snowy conditions we get on average every year. Even if you do not go off road, sometimes "off-road" comes to you!

 

[Jason L]

Even though I live in Delaware and have never gone off road in my whole life, I ordered the 4x4 with off-road features precisely for those "two days" of terrible snowy conditions we get on average every year. Even if you do not go off road, sometimes "off-road" comes to you!

Well if it makes you feel any better, I second guessed myself and got the 4x4. I haven't used it yet. LOL

 

[RedlandRanger]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I second guessed myself and got the 4x4. I haven't used it yet. LOL

I think the 4x4 is one of those things that you don't really appreciate until you have it. Once I bought a 4x4, I would never buy a truck without it again. For me, it just greatly increases the utility of the truck. Might not use it a ton, but when you need it, it is REALLY nice to have.

 

[Johnpenn]

I ordered my Ranger with FX4 and I'm sure I'll be glad I did.

It has rained a lot in the last few years here in TN. I can't even tell you how many times I've had my riding mower get stuck in the mud and had to call my neighbor to come over with his FWD F150 to pull me out. For me, there's nothing worse than a wet grassy area with low spots and having to mow between rains. He even had to pull my old 2WD Ranger out once when I got it stuck trying to get my mower out. Not having to count on someone else to do it for me is worth it.

 

[Snorebaby]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I second guessed myself and got the 4x4. I haven't used it yet. LOL

I second guessed myself also. I pre-ordered a 2wd in Oct. In November, my cousin needed his non-running truck moved to get to his 280 Z. Neither my '96 Ranger or my wife's '13 F-150 (both 2wd) could move it because of the soft sandy soil. Had to call my daughter to use her '17 Tacoma. Moved it with no problem. Went back and ordered the FX4. Haven't used it yet, but I have it if I ever need it!

 

[UncleBob]

It really just depends on how and where you intend to take the truck. If it will be a 99% street ride, there is absolutely no need for 4WD and you even get a bonus as most insurance rates will be a little higher on a 4WD as they 'assume' you will take it off road and abuse it.

I went with 2WD with an open rear end. I had the 2WD on my '02 Sport Trac and never regretted it and never got stuck.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I second guessed myself and got the 4x4. I haven't used it yet. LOL

But you will....

 

[Floyd]

Ford commercials claim that you shouldn't buy a Ranger to drive to the SuperMarket.
Well... fact is that will be the most challenging drive that eighty percent of them will ever experience.

I live in rural northern IllAnnoy with severe winter storms and have never been able to justify 4WD,
even with 50 years of driving, most of which was a 30 mile commute on country roads.
I bought 2WD, It would have clearly been a mistake for me to buy 4WD....
Too much sacrifice, too little benefit.
Unfortunately, the 2WD and the 4WD look and set about the same, if you just want the look, get some knobby tires and a sticker for your quarter panel.
I still can't imagine why no Limited Slip though.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Ford commercials claim that you shouldn't buy a Ranger to drive to the SuperMarket.
Well... fact is that will be the most challenging drive that eighty percent of them will ever experience.

I live in rural northern IllAnnoy with severe winter storms and have never been able to justify 4WD,
even with 50 years of driving, most of which was a 30 mile commute on country roads.
I bought 2WD, It would have clearly been a mistake for me to buy 4WD....
Too much sacrifice, too little benefit.
Unfortunately, the 2WD and the 4WD look and set about the same, if you just want the look, get some knobby tires and a sticker for your quarter panel.
I still can't imagine why no Limited Slip though.

So in 50 years of driving, even in fresh snow, you've never gotten stuck? If so, my hats off to you - that is some good driving.

I have 4WD for the infrequent times it is useful. But when it is useful, it normally is VERY useful (meaning 2WD would be useless). The only sacrifice I see is a couple MPG lost with the transfer case.

I'm glad you finally got your truck and you are loving it, though! I think Ford hit it out of the park with this truck.

 

[Floyd]

So in 50 years of driving, even in fresh snow, you've never gotten stuck? If so, my hats off to you - that is some good driving.

I have 4WD for the infrequent times it is useful. But when it is useful, it normally is VERY useful (meaning 2WD would be useless). The only sacrifice I see is a couple MPG lost with the transfer case.

I'm glad you finally got your truck and you are loving it, though! I think Ford hit it out of the park with this truck.

I was just answering the OP's question from my perspective.
To answer your question I did get stuck in a snow bank once about 40 years ago but it was in a situation which a 4WD would have likely been stuck, snow up past the bottom of the side windows, In that blizzard they finally cleared the road with payloaders.
There was a John Deere 40/20 with a snowplow stuck in middle of the road north out of town, so I went west and found a deceptive dip in the road at a creek crossing which was filled in about 6ft deep.
I had to wake a farmer with a large tractor and a long chain to pull me out.
Still it didn't cost $4k. I should have stayed home and missed a $100 work day.

There are a lot of good uses for the 4WD option and probably 20% of the buyers will have one or more of those uses. I just don't.
I drive on pavement, don't own a boat, and I tow an RV trailer, and drive to the supermarket.
The cost of an FX4 package and 4WD.... (over $5200) will buy about the first 50,000 miles worth of fuel. For me its worth the risk considering I have towing insurance in case I get stuck in the snow! I'm retired now and usually stay home in bad weather and go to Florida in the winter.

I am glad that Ford offers 4WD for those who need it, heck, even for those who just want it and are willing to pay for it, but still... there are plenty for whom it would be a mistake.
Me? I actually cringed every time I watched a review where someone drove a new Ranger through a mudhole!
They did seem to enjoy it though, and I sincerely hope you do as well!

 

[MSG W]

It is better to have and not need than to need and not have

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