HELP! Can't decide if I need 4x4 or 4x2. Alot of the selection when looking for 6L PS is 4x4 stock.

Here's my thinking so far:

1) 4x4 coolness aside,,,,4x4 may come in handy pulling up the boat ramp although its not a deal breaker for me. A little cat liter goes a long way...and that may be the only time I use 4x4 - not many hills or bad weather here in flat Dallas.

2) I understand the milage and ride may be lesser than 4x2...not my biggest concern.

3) I actually have more negotiating leverage on 4x4 because of the greater selection (in theory :-))

4) Added cost up front for 4x4 not as big a concern as maintenance and upkeep down the road....I've never owned a 4x4 vehicle before.

So number 4 is biggest issue - problems with the extra mechanicals...more crap to give me grief or maybe not.

What "issues" does a 4x4 owner deal with moreso than 4x2 owners i.e. tranny and differential issues, alignment, bearing and ball joint wear etc...

 

well, some things to ponder both good and bad

good,

possible higher resale value
getting your boat out of the water

bad,

more parts to break
more fluids to change
must put it in 4x4 at least every month
higher insurance rates
higher initiall cost
higher fuel consumption

i'd say go w/ a 4x2 and put the extra cash towards the diesel engine or king ranch package

 

I agree with PK

 

almost forgot higher maint cost if you don't do your own maint. when my wife had her toyota 4x4 and needed the brakes done they said it would cost over 200 for the front brakes because they had to take the "4x4" apart. complete b.s. as it is the same brake job as a 2x4 but they like to stick it to unsuspecting 4x4 owners. i ended up doing the brakes myself and they were the simplest brake job i have ever done but if you don't do your own basic maint then you'll get hit with these costs. heck, they even tried to make her pay more for a smog check until she raised a fit that it was easier on her truck as they didn't even have to bend over to put the sniffer up the pipe.

 

I would go for the 4x2. The main reason is, your in Dallas. I have travelled through there many a times and I don't ever remember it snowing and you don't need 4x4 for boat ramps. Save your money both on the up front cost and down the road maintenance.
I have mine because there are times when I absolutely need 4x4 to get out of the driveway. If I could get away with it I would get a 4x2. I have driven many 4x2's in the snow and ice with no problems as well as never having to use 4x4 on a boat ramp when I worked at a boat yard and spent the days loading and unloading boats on a very unfriendly ramp.

 

No one mentioned keeping the front end aligned and the tires in balance, hard to do on the 4X4, routine on the 4X2...

The 4X4 sure look nice in the air...get some big tires either way...I have 33" on my road truck 4X2...

 

Thanks all for the great feedback. I do most of my own maintenance when reasonable. I'd be willing to tackle 4x4 but based on the feedback I'll go 2WD.

Found two SCREW white/silver with 6.0L P/S, 2WD Lariat (leather), 3.73 Ltd slip, camper pkg., reverse sensor, mirrors, hitch, adjustable pedals, engine block heater, tint, sliding rear window, short bed.

Buy before end of May and they offer $1500 rebate (off best deal?). Question is what's a fair price...

Edmunds says

List $41,245
Invoice $36,082
Fair? $36,576

$250 tire upgrade is a ripoff for such a truck.

A salesman said 04 Super's were coming in July....hmmm

 

Is that for a 250 or 350?

I paid 39K for my F-350 but that was back in early Feb.

I got the same exact truck you described. ~except in SD its called a CREWCAB ~You are simply going to LOVE this truck!

when you get to the finance office after dealing for the best price, make sure they throw in at least one oil change for free as a final kicker. I worked and worked for them to give me a Line-X but they would only get me their cost on it so I got the first two oil changes for free -I love little kickers like that

BTW, all 4x2 SRWs come with 3.73LS


OH!, Dont forget to make sure the floor mats are in the truck! mine were missing and I didnt notice it and played heck getting them to give them to me after the sale.

 

Thanks Bikenut

and its for a F250 "Crewcab"

I really like the photo of your truck, I'm drooling

After looking at a few all white models, the second color really balances the proportions. Excellent looking truck!

Bikenut wrote:
"BTW, all 4x2 SRWs come with 3.73LS"

As far as the 3.73 limited slip it is definately an option on a 250...although all the dealers add them except on the bare bones work trucks I've seen.

 

I was going to ask what kind of bedliner works best.

 

Oh, ok, (foot in mouth) When I was shopping and looking after purchase , all the trucks I saw were 3.73 so I assumed it was a standard..

Thanks for the kind comments, I realllllly love this truck more than any vehicle I've ever owned.

on the bedliner, Im a Line-X guy. between Line-X and Rhino Liner its all personal choice. IMO, drop in liners suck; they cause nearly as much damage as they do protection. (constant rubbing on paint, moisture retention, etc.)

 

All the SRW are 3.73's is correct, with LS being an option(should be standard)...

Those CrewCabs are kick!!!

BN--I have the same paint scheme, with burgandy up top and the silver down low...Excellent choice...Your's rules, except you got the wrong engine!!!

Just kidding...they have worked out the problems now...They have a different powerband, up higher and higher reving...mine makes power(torque) from idle, will shread the tires from just bashing the throttle!!!

Like you stated we all drive Fords!!!! Amen...

 

I went out this weekend looking for a 2WD Crew Cab Diesel and found almost no 2WD selection. What I learned was most of the Crew Cab Diesels are offered 4x4. One dealer lot I walked sunday had six 4x4s that must have just come off the freightliner -still had the cosmalene all over them. A beautifull sight to see virgin 250s all lined up in the sun.

Still dreaming

 

Ksystems, quit dreaming and c'mon over to the"big" side. It's only money. Ask the dealer to find a 4x2 for you. After upgrading to my 250 from the 150's I can never go back. Of course I wouldn't mind owing a an L for weekend cruising.

 

They are a plentiful down here in Texas....