i am nearing my purchase date and i am getting second doubts about the 4x4 option ($3k more).

i am planning on towing/carring a jet ski but i am not sure if i would be doing any off roading.

if i get a 4x2 can i just upgrade to a 4x4 later on?

thanks,
amir

 

if you think youre gonna need 4x4 at all, i'd say get it now because it will cost you a pretty penny doing a 4x4 conversion later on. most people that get 4x2's and later want to upgrade just end up trading in their trucks because it really is a lot of hassle doing the swap. remember you would need the front axle, the front suspension, transfer case, tranny to match the transfer case, wiring, front driveshaft, some fabrication, and who knows howmuch all that labor would cost! id say get it now if you can. hope this helps, good luck!

 

would the 4x2 be enough for what i am planning on doing?
the towing...

 

4x4 would not be “required” for your intended purpose of towing, or any towing for that matter. But, sometimes those boat ramps are wet and slimy and are even gravel, so having 4x4 is nice. Besides, you can shift it to “low” and really pull out just about anything. You can be a “hero” too. Being able to pull out the guy that only has a 4x2 and got stuck…….

So, it’s really down to economics. If you can afford the 4x4 option now, might as well get it. If moneys tight, then don’t. I don’t “need” 4x4, but the times I have needed it, it was great. Used it to pull out a bunch of stumps from my front yard!! Besides, just looks cool too!

 

hmm.....
sounds good.
i might just wait on the mods i wanted to make and get the 4x4.

 

OK, say it's a $3000 difference. That's about $60 per month difference on your payments. When when you sit down to write that check to make you payment every month are you gonna wish that you went ahead and got the 4x4. That's a decision you gotta make but. Bottom line if you can't afford that extra 60 bucks a month then that's that's fine but make sure your ok with that. Upgrading a 4x2 to a 4x4 is gonna be more than you want to do. Is this gonna be a daily driver. If so can you afford to be without your truck for a while down the road if you decide to upgrade a 4x2 to a 4x4. I don't know how long it takes but you probably gotta leave it with someone for a while. Plus you gotta worry about what their gonna screw up while they do it.
I went through the same thing. For the most part not many of us really need 4x4. It's nice to have and it is nice on boat ramps that are slick. I have used mine several times but most of the time I put myself and my truck in position that I could have avoided. If I had a 4x2 I would have not even tried it. If your buying a work truck that is gonna be out at a job site in the mud pulling trailers and stuff then you might need a 4x4 but if your doing that then buy the F-350 4x4.
You will not be disappointed if you get the 4x4. It's nice to have and just looks good. Which ever you decide just make sure your happy with it and will be happy with it down the road. Good Luck!

 

actually its a daily driver truck, nothing specific for work.
another reason i was contemplating the 4x4 is the weight it puts on the truck. but with the 5.4L and some good mods i'm sure i'll get over it.

 

zbeast,

I'll give my opinion on this. If you don't think you'll ever need a 4X4 then don't waste your money. Gas mileage is less, brake wear is more, more electronics and extras to wear out and the truck will be considerably heavier. As you can see in my profile, I have a 4X4. I use mine at least once a week, on a farm, or jobsite, or when I'm getting to a good trail head, or canoe trip. I have owned 4X2's before and simply beat the s&*t out of them the places I go.

You'd be much better off to buy a 4X4, instead of trying to make a 4X2 into one. If you think you'll use it, then buy it. A good 4X4 can get you out of many bad situations, and into a few more. LOL! Good luck, Rich.

 

In more than 2 years reading posts on this board, I cannot remember even one conversion from 4x2 to 4x4. The torque rods alone would seem quite a challenge.

There is also little (or none?) evidence that a 4x4's gas mileage is any different from that of a 4x2 -- especially since there's virtually nothing robbing HP when not in 4x4.

Just how much HP can it take to turn axle shafts?!?

How can brake wear be greater on a 4x4 than 4x2?

I don't 'need' 4x4 at all -- even tho I live where snow is fairly common -- and my wife simply opined that I must have had a rush of testosterone when I bought my truck -- for which I must agree.

In fact, I go out looking for snow -- and (believe this or not) the Goodyear RT/S tires are marvelous in the snow and rain (I have observed at least 5 different tread patterns on Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires in the parking lot at work. The ones on my truck have noticeable breaks in the lugs -- and are annoyingly noisy).

Lastly -- when did NEED come into the picture, seeing that WANT had already been decided ahead of time?!?

 

that was the main reason for considering the 4x4 (testosterone)
question, now that i decided to definitely get the 4x4, where can i get a 4.10LS axle (and how much)?

 

y2k,

A 4X4 truck is a fair amount heavier and yes this does effect gas mileage. They also ride a little higher causing more of a wind block. The only evidence I have is from personal experience. Anytime you have more weight, you have more brake wear. Larger tires and heavier tires also effect the brake wear. Anyone can drive any kind of truck they wish. For me, I see it as ridiculous to buy something you don't need. You; however, see things in a different light. As far as NEED and WANT goes, If I didn't need a 4X4 I sure wouldn't WANT to spend my money. Your money, is your money. I can think of better ways to spend mine. No worries, that's why we are all free to make choices and have opinions. Rich

 

 

zbeast

If you get a 4x2 with the LS rearend you will have no problems at the boat launches. My first F150 was a 4x4 with an open rear end and I was always in 4x4 at the boat launch. My new rig is a 4x4 with the LS rear end and I have never had to use 4x4 at a launch yet. I have 4x4 because I live in the sticks in snow country but I am very impressed with how well the LS rearend grabs. If I lived in sunny SO CAL and did no off roading I would get the 4x2 with the LS rear end. The 4x4 will give you that "I can go anywhere" feeling and it looks cool but it costs more up front, it affects handling and performance and requires more maintenance expense.

HTH

 

thanks guys,
but i made up my mind about the 4x4.

really appreciate your input on this.