The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline If you had your druthers which would you chose and why?

4WD or AWD. I am trying to decide what to get to replace my current daily driver. It is a front-wheel drive. But there is some option out there that offer either or. This vehicle will be an on-road-only vehicle. I am planning on using my 1954 until colder weather.

This really depends on how often you need to use the 4WD. I have owned both, and you get better gas mileage when you can manually disconnect the front, it usually amounts to about 1-2 MPG.

It is an inconvenience to have to get out and lock them in, but if you only need 4WD occasionally that probably won't be an issue, but it will be an inconvenience.

The other thing to consider is if you do need to use the 4WD for snow, having to get out and lock/unlock in the snow bites a big one, been there done that...

It really gets down to how often you will use the 4WD and if it's an inconvenience to you or not. If you're using it in the snow, think about getting out to lock your front hubs in when it's snowing.

The older 4by 4s are get out to lock the hubs ,the newer ones have switches from inside .I think the basic they are are the easier to maintain.Now all wheel drive is different never had one so maybe someone can chime in on those.

In my 78 years, I have only gotten stuck in the snow once, and because I was trying to be courteous and pulled over too far to let someone go by and it was on a road that I knew would drift. I could have pulled out with a little shoveling but a guy did for me. It was a front-wheel drive Terrain.

Ron,

Here's a good article: Edmunds article on AWD vs 4WD

It essentially boils down to your anticipated driving needs:

If you want good traction going to get groceries in the snow -- AWD suffices.
If you're going off road regularly -- 4WD

BTW/FWIW ... I have both kinds of vehicles -- an AWD and a true 4WD. I'd never go off road with the AWD car ... except maybe into a hayfield or something Its good to stay out of the ditch running for beer in a snow storm ...

You're not going to conquer your world in an AWD ...

JM

My buddy once said 4-wheel drive gets you 30 feet further than you should have gone.

Just to mess you up even more, all AWD drives are not the same. e.g. Suburu's AWD system is different from Honda's.

I just replaced our Acura RDX with a Lexus RX. In Canada, both of these vehicles come standard with AWD so you don't get a choice here. In the USA, FWD is standard.

I refrained from commenting in this thread since it didn't seem limited to trucks but since it's still here...

Thanks, John, I think my choice will be to stick to FWD.

Yep, a good rule of thumb is to use 2WD to get in and 4WD to get out.

Unless the AWD you get has a limited slip rear axle, what you really have if in serious stuck situations is 2WD at best with one wheel spinning on the rear and another spinning on the front. Even with limited slip, it's really just 3WD.

Women drive AWD and men drive 4x4’s.
What do you want your image to be?

Don

LOL
I only drive the wife's AWD SUV when I HAVE to.
My 4x4 has manual locking hubs and manual shift t-case. None of that sissy auto shift-on-the-fly stuff for me. {insert Tim Allen grunts here]

Time for this thread to be moved to the greasy spoon...

As I remember Kevin, you have the 7.3 with the six speed manual 4x4.
That’s what I drive and bought it new in 2000. I

Gord, I’m surprised it was not moved yet?

Don

I was a D.O.D. Police division and trainer. My rule of thumb that I always told the Probie's. " four wheel drive is designed to get you out." However use common sense if you are alone in a swampy area, four wheel can definitely get you in but is not always there to get you out in an emergency situation. Personally I prefer 4WD in the pastures, mud, etc. Ron in your situation you have made the correct decision based on your history. Ed

Image is a perception, not a reality, Don. I am wavering back and forth on this. First No 4wd but then there is an older Canyon price right and with the features I want. And the one I would like to see is months away from production. The other is available but not close to me. I have looked at an Impala but I have gotten so used to the ease of entry and exit I want a truck or SUV. Besides I am not getting any younger. So many decisions and no women on-site to instruct me.

Have you checked out Subaru? They make an awesome AWD?
We bought Vicki's Forester new in 2011. 165,000 miles and no issues.
AWD's do wear the tires faster though. On a whim I ordered the turbo charged engine.
Trust me it's a real sleeper. 120+ is easy to get to.

Don

Three of my four pickups are 4 wheel drive as is my Trailblazer. My other pickup is a 2 wheel drive. The 4 wheel drives have worked well for me and I understand how they work. For that reason I don't have any desire to change and try something different.
Jim

Don, I have always wanted a Suburu since I tried out a model 360 in 1969. But my advice to my son is never to buy a car that there is not a dealer nearby. The nearest is 40 miles. If it was a used one it is not as much an issue because parts are easily available. But to get a new one for major service would sideline me.

Ron, there is only one Subaru dealership in mid Missouri and it is 45 miles from us.
The distance has not been an issue because we have not had to take it in for any service.

Don

“Pre-'73 GM truck, of course” ?

2-ton My wife thought she cut a fat hog with a dull knife when her AWD got home in the snow,never slipped a tire !!