2wd vs. 4wd
 

I am looking to purchase a new 1500 HEMI. Is there a huge performance differance between the 2wd and 4wd.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

Its going to be lighter, thats about it.

Besides the fact you can twice as many places with 4x4. I only have the 4x2 but when it snowed really heavy here in Washington I just put about 700 lbs of sand in the bed and it worked fine, 4X4 doesn't work well on Ice anyway. But if you are into Mudding and rock crawling etc then 4x4.

HOWEVER I don't know if a 4x4 is better for Towing.... I've never towed anything in my life so I know nothing about that.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I have to disagree that 2wd is better than 4wd in ice. Trust me living in Alaska I know, it is always better to have all 4 tires pulling for you than just 2 tires pushing your truck over the ice. In my opinion 4wd is better in all instances having the capability to switch into 4wd anytime you want. I don't know that a 4w or 2w would make any difference for towing except for having the ability to put your trailer anywhere you wanted off the hwy(campgrounds, riverbeds, trails, muddy fields, etc) no offense yawnshemi420

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

if you are pulling your boat up out of the water and your rear wheels are in the water and slipping i bet it wouldnt be so scary if you were able to turn on the fronts and drag it right out. man its scary when ya got the boat on there trying to pull it out and just slide around

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

Yawnshemi is right. There's about a 500 lb. weight penalty for 4x4, which affects your tow rating and HP/weight ratio by exactly 500 lbs.

In general, if you never drive in the snow/ice/mud (including muddy boat ramps or campsites), then a 4x2 (2wd) may be fine for you. Needing 4wd up in Snow Country is one of the reasons I went for the 5.7L HEMI instead of the SRT-10. Now I have to wait for Kenne Bell to give me my 500 HP. :)

- Dave

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

Why not spend the extra money for the 4x4 truck anyways? There is most likely some point that you'll encounter the kind of driving you'll need it for. Plus they just look better the 4x2's.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

4WD all the way!!!! never know when two extra wheels of power will help you out

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I went with the 2wd for performance reasons. I did opt for the limited slip though. 4wd is good if your off road alot, or live in an area were you can get some use out of it.

Saw a good bumper sticker the other day, it said: "Asphalt, so yuppies can go 4-wheelin too". To many 4wd vehicles are used souly for on road use.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

guess i will never see the need for a 2wd truck....i always thought..if ya want a 2wd, then get a car or el camino...but...then again im just a red neck... [sm=smiley4.gif]

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

HEY!! I have a two wheel drive... you do 2wd for SPEED! That's a necessity in my book... ;) Faster, faster, faster!!

~Amanda

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

hehehe...**shakes head** i guess i will just never understand... :P

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I was faced with the same decision, and it came down to two simple questions.

If I bought a 2WD, would I ever wish that I had a 4WD?

If I bought a 4WD, would I ever wish that I had a 2WD?

I got the 4WD.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I have the pleasure of using a 4x4 as well, I like them both for different reasons, I would't buy a 4x4 Ram, my 2wd Ram is best cause I can make her FAST... IMO. ;)

But the 4x4 is so handy in adverse conditons... both have their strong points.

~Amanda

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I bought my first 4WD vechicle this year and it was amazing on snow and slipery roads. I wouldn't even consider a 2WD again unless I move south.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

I went with the 2wd for cost reason. I really didn't have the money for a full sized truck and V8 to begin with, but I was able to stretch my dollar to get it. Even if I had the money, I’m not sure if I would have gotten 4wd. We don’t get much snow and ice here (Georgia) and I am not going to take my brand new truck off roading for the fun of it. My friends and I use a POS Ford F-150. I’ve seen it get banged up enough to keep my Hemi on the pavement.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

4WD came in handy in Montana for obvious reasons, but is virtually useless here in south Texas, again for obvious reasons. Despite what you see in the movies most of this part of the state is posted private property and fenced off with barbed wire...and most of the landowners are "packin'"...[sm=smiley6.gif]

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

when i was in texas...we had the privilidge to play on this guys land....he had hundreds of acres.....and we had full reign...did i mention hundreds of acres? man we played for 4 days....broke 3 u-joints and blew 2 tires off the rim....did i mention HUNDREDS of acres?????? :D

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

None Taken, I live in Washington so we don't get all that much Ice... for my driving style I prefer 2 Wheel. I don't go out when it snows here... to many folks from Cali that don't know what snow is... HA... I could be bitter that I didn't go with 4 wheel being that this is my first vehicle without 4 wheel drive.

RE: 2wd vs. 4wd
 

On a second note... who cares if its two or four... get it for what will suite you best... as long as its a Dodge it shouldn't matter. I only used my 4 wheel drive ONCE last year and I'm not taking my $30K truck any place near mud or offroad... I'm a Wussy I don't even like taking it in the grass... she's my baby. BUT to each there own. Buy what is best for your needs. If you buy the Sport package of the 2Wheel they look better than the standard IMO