Do you REALLY NEED 4×4?

[Bossharp]

I'm ordering a 2024 F-150 XL single cab and wanted to ask yall do you really need or use 4 wheel drive for most of your back country adventures? The basic truck is a 5.0 with a 3.73 locker that I imagine is fairly capable with quality all terrain tires but I have no first hand experience. I bought 2 new 4×4 SUV's (Kia Sportage 1998 and 2002) and never actually had to use it! But I did NOT venture into really bad or muddy territory. We had family in West Virginia and snow could have been a issue but never actually was. I'm in Florida and most of the family up there moved down here so not really a factor now.
I've never owned a single cab short bed truck before but but what little I have heard is that for most back county adventures it is a great platform!
So what has been your experience? Do you find you can get around in 2 wheel drive just fine or do you engage the 4×4 as a matter of course when you leave the pavement? My thoughts were quality tires made a big difference with a rear locker and if I really got worried about getting stuck a small front bumper winch might be a viable option..But I have no real experience. Mom always said ask someone who knows lolol!

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[HammaMan]

The issue w/ 2WD in trucks has always been the lighter rear end that can limit traction when you need it. Lots of mass sitting on the front wheels and when you need it it's priceless. 2WD trucks are at a great disadvantage than FWD vehicles that have sufficient mass on the drive axle.

If you're in FL and don't leave the road, you probably won't miss it. Do any trail riding or sand and you're just looking for a pull-out. For most applications the TOD is a better transfer case and you can swap them out for ~$1200 or so depending on new/used parts availability.

 

[stlgrym3]

for midsize truck such as Tocoma or even Ranger, 2wd would suffice when you just do normal commute. but for truck this size, i'd go with 4x4.

 

[Eskram]

I live in FL, and I've probably never actually needed 4WD. Though the 4A is nice in the rain, and I believe I probably needed it once during a trip to Georgia recently - I was on some steep, rocky mountain roads. Could I have gotten by without? Probably, but I do like having it when/if needed.

Plus, 4WD launches are kind of cool as well.

 

[staying_tuned]

We have an EcoD gladiator that we've put over 50k miles on within 3 years, 99% of those miles were overlanding to or from trail all throughout the country (got trapped in Yellowstone during the washout last year). We have little ones and as I've gotten older I'm a little more risk adverse but we've gotten into some fairly puckering situations. All that said we've "needed" 4x4 exactly zero times. I've used it to better ensure I'm not throwing maxtrax or winching a handful of times but that's it from an off-road perspective. I've used it more on the street in icy conditions, far more, than on any trail. As crazy as it sounds I'd take 200lbs of tube sand, a pair of maxtrax, a snatch block, winch and a good strap over 4x4 any day.

That said I'd never buy a non 4x4 truck only because a 2x4 truck really struggles at resale because when the time comes you're competing with fleet folks giving them away for a refresh. We have a few ATVs as well, 2 are 4x4. We are in the woods in KY. I've used 4x4 on my ATV only when pulling our trailer around the land.

 

[DBL R]

I’d say yes. Having almost 600lbft of torque with the powerboost causes even moderate throttle applications to spin the back tires, exponentially worse in rain and loose terrain. Honestly the AWD function of the lariat trim and above is 100% worth the upgrade.

I understand it’s an apples to oranges comparison with powerband of the 5.0.

 

[JoeRedFly]

N=1 Went down a dirt road in Florida, stopped to watch some deer. Turned out I stopped in deep sand, she wouldn't move until I put her in 4wd. As others said, the back was too light and sand offers no traction.

 

[snapper9601]

This, to all the above ^^^
Cost is a consideration. 4x4 is what, a $4k add now? Only you can answer that for you.

My $.02 worth-
Did I need 4x4 in my new F150? The weather where I live is not any issue ever other than rain. And I don't go off road or explore generally. So, no, I don't need it. Did I want it? Yes. And it's nice knowing I have 4A.
My previous 4 trucks had 4x4. Did I need it in any of them? No. Did I want it when I bought them? Yes.
Used 1990 Toyota (had 2 years)- Used 4x a couple times for fun off road, and needed it once to get off the mountains in a blizzard. Glad I had it.
Used 1999 Silverado Z71 (had 3 years)- Used a few times off road for fun. Never "needed" it.
New 2004 Dodge Quad Cab 1500 (had 6 years)- Used it a few times for fun, needed it once on a trip to Lake Tahoe in the winter. Glad I had it.
Used 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab (had it 12 years) - Used it once or twice, never "needed" it. But the 4x sure made selling it so much easier and faster.

Resale is a minor consideration. 4x4 will obviously demand a higher price, but you won't recoup all the cost that you paid when new. If you keep your vehicles for a LONG time, a 4x4 truck will always sell faster than a 2x of the same configuration. Same applies if you keep your vehicles for shorter periods.

You will forget the cost of the 4x4 the first time you are using it because you "need" it.

 

[smoqinhill]

I know I'm in the minority but I ordered a 2024 XLT in 2WD and live in Michigan. I don't off road, so no need for it there. I'm now retired but am still driving my 2005 Silverado 2WD standard cab that I drove back and forth to work every day, winter and summer.
My drive to work was all secondary roads.
In my over 45 years of driving to work I had only one 4WD, Jeep Cherokee. At no time did I put it in 4WD because I felt I had to, only because it was there I can't justify paying another $4000 for something I would use very little, if at all. Not to mention, that much less to go wrong. Ultimately it's up to you.

 

[antho]

Typically only need it when you need it.

 

[air2mag]

If you get on a steep wet boat ramp you’ll not only want it, you’ll need it. It sucks having to ask someone to pull your boat out for you. I’m not doing that, again?

 

[Zyvin]

I don’t need most things that I own.

 

[Old Bear]

I have owned 4x4 vehicles nearly my entire adult life. I used to do a lot of "billy-goating" in various mountain ranges with the wife and kids, great way to enjoy the outdoors! If I think that I "might" need 4x4, I put it in 4x4. Did I need it? Don't know. Which is the point. I learned the hard way that if you don't get into 4x4 and get stuck, even with 4x4 it can be tough to get it going again. Momentum is your friend, regardless if you have 4x4 or not!
After saying all of that, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But driving ability trumps everything. I've seen 4x4 trucks stuck with 4x2 trucks driving around them. 4x2 is going to be less expensive, less maintenance, less to break down, better fuel mileage, easier to get in and out of (lower). If you plan to keep it, that also negates concerns about trade value. So there are real pluses and minuses.

 

[Kanuck]

If it will be a PAVEMENT PRINCESS..... not needed. If you want to have FUN with it...dam rights you need 4wd....

 

[diambo4life]

Yes you do.

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