4WD/AWD vs Ground Clearance?

[thatbikefella]

Hey all. Just thinking out the next vehicle ideas.

I used to off road/explore in just about anything. Cars, trucks, bikes, etc. Anyways, I'm wondering, if one could have EITHER 4WD or even an AWD car-based platform, OR a 2WD rig with lots of room and/or bigger tires under it, what would you pick? The simplicity of a 2WD driveline? The affordability of a less-desired vehicle? The lower likelyhood that it has already been beat on? Or would you trade clearance for the traction of all the wheels being driven? Our Subaru will really claw through snow and mud, but her ol' belly is a little low slung. I could lift it, and probably will, but in the future, I might not stray too far from stock on the next rig. Maybe.

Really though, 4WD/AWD is great, but people have done plenty of exploring in Beetles/Vans/Buses, and most third world militaries seem to love 2WD Toyota pickups. I had a 2WD Ford Ranger that I took on all the 4WD runs. Maybe a locker/spool would be nice in the dirt. I'm not looking for hardcore wheeling, but something that will still get/smash/drag itself across the odd washout on the forest roads, can hop curbs no problem and will ride alright. I would consider lifting a 2WD rig to allow for bigger high volume tires for clearance, flotation and better ride. Maybe like an expo prerunner sort of thing. We are moving to Yellowknife and I would like to trip out to the Arctic Ocean, Yukon, the Rockies, etc, and for going back to Nova Scotia occasionally. Maybe a truck with a cap, RTT, maybe a trailer or not. That said, if I get a deal on a 4wd truck, I get the best of both worlds.

Oh, and I like the thought of lightweight, good economy and ease of repairs.

Thoughts?

 

[Mountainhound]

Personal preference I guess, but for me I have no use for 2 wheel drive mud and snow there is no substitute for awd/4wd. I have been all over in my truck in 2 wheel but when needed that lever has been a godsend.

 

[RubiconGeoff]

I think either one will serve you well but each will also have its limitations. If you can't get a high-clearance 4WD then a high-clearance 2WD with good tires and a locker or a good limited-slip (such as a Detroit TrueTrac) will probably get your further than a low-clearance 4WD/AWD (which without a traction adding device in either differential is still only a true 2WD) especially if you air your tires down and know how to pick a line.

 

[mattnkc74]

I would always opt for a 4wd with a 2 spd transfer case non push button crap. Recently picked up an AWD astro van have to say I've been impressed but the problem with most AWD is that they are viscous clutch systems not exactly a bulletproof design. When maintained they work good. I've done some crazy stuff in 2wd pickups also but you never have the gear reduction to crawl over stuff momentum's your friend with it. As far as having a good 4x4 goes I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

 

[tarditi]

4wd with lo range int eh transfer case, locking center differential and select-able locking differentials for the axles... that's my $.02

 

[Airmapper]

In my personal experience, 4x4/AWD without ground clearance is useless except on packed snow.

I used to drive an AWD Ford Escape. It did well, until the road got uneven. I ultimately got hung up in places a 2WD could go through with a little momentum and some clearance.

When it gets down to it, you can have 4x4 and both axles locked, if all your weight is on the belly, you still aren't going anywhere.

Plus if you are stuck, it's much easier to extract a vehicle that simply lost traction as opposed to bottomed out with no weight on the wheels.

Ideally both is best, but of the two I think ground clearance opens up more road than 4X4/AWD without it.

 

[rayra]

False construct. 2wd or 4wd or AWD, you've still got a differential hanging down, so where does your posited difference in ground clearance come from?

As a yout, I did a lot of offroading in 2wd mini trucks and baja bugs. Got stuck a lot too. 2wd is 1wd after all (and save your 'limited slip' / positraction gainsaying, consider it given). Better to have 4wd. Far better to have a better sense of you and your vehicle's capabilities and stop digging deeper into a hole / hopelessly stuck situation.

 

[skeates]

Why not get a 4wd/awd and then save up for a lift kit? You'd be able to get out at attack a ton of stuff right away (I can't tell you how many Honda Civics I've seen at trail heads!) and then have the option to add clearance at a later date. Just don't get something meant for strait-up city driving. It's easier/cheaper to add clearance then it is to add 4wd. Just my $0.02

 

[PirateMcGee]

For solo and in most stuff I prefer a 2wd simple pickup. Good gas mileage, plenty of room, handle decent on road (which is where the reality of most time is spent), not super capable offroad so you won't be tempted to get yourself in over your head, capable enough to go plenty of places.

 

[MOguy]

High clearance is not specific to AWD/4WD. In some Jeep models (maybe only in the past) had part time and full time 4wheel drive. Part time locked the center TCase for off road only (part time use). Fulltime could be used full time use and depending on slippage the tcase would "lock" and send power to the front or rear as needed. My 4Runner has a similar set up and so do the H1s.

 

[SnowedIn]

False construct. 2wd or 4wd or AWD, you've still got a differential hanging down, so where does your posited difference in ground clearance come from?

I don't think they're implying that the 2wd vehicle will have increased ground clearance over a 4wd/AWD version of the same model - but that instead, they're asking what is more effective - to have 4wd/AWD, or a different 2wd with greater clearance and a simpler drivetrain.

The question makes more sense if you consider how much cheaper a used 2wd pickup truck is than the 4wd models. The 4wd may cost 2-3 times as much for the same model, miles, and condition. For a given price you can usually choose between a 2wd, a lower AWD vehicle, or an extremely beat up 4wd.

I wouldn't give up 4wd or AWD if I intended to drive in rocks, mud, and snow. There are a lot of things that are trivial for them that would cause frustration or worse for a 2wd.

 

[OCD Overland]

Our Subaru will really claw through snow and mud, but her ol' belly is a little low slung.

...most third world militaries seem to love 2WD Toyota pickups.

...We are moving to Yellowknife and I would like to trip out to the Arctic Ocean, Yukon, the Rockies, etc, and for going back to Nova Scotia occasionally.

I don't know, but if third world militaries were based in Yellowknife, they might love Subarus. If this is going to be your only car, then I think in that environment you'll regret giving up a good AWD.

 

[LR Max]

Depends.

Here in the south, if you are simply staying on the pavement and the heading out to the grass fields, then a FWD with traction control is fine. REV up the engine, pop the clutch, let TC kick in, and you are good to go.

Pretty much the same for general dirt roads, AWD might be good for the occasional tough spot. However it seems like everytime I get an AWD, I really needed a 4WD.

 

[tacr2man]

2wd with chains give a huge leap in traction in most circumstances , 2wd with chains and good ground clearance give another jump both are better than awd/4wd with limited ground clearance and usually car type tyres . Fit a locking diff as well and you are as capable as most 4wd with good ground clearance . . the downside is having to fit and remove .

 

[MOguy]

2wd with chains give a huge leap in traction in most circumstances , 2wd with chains and good ground clearance give another jump both are better than awd/4wd with limited ground clearance and usually car type tyres . Fit a locking diff as well and you are as capable as most 4wd with good ground clearance . . the downside is having to fit and remove .

I disagree. I have selectable lockers in my jeep. I can tell you 4wd (with open diff) give you better traction than locked two wheel drive. In situation such as ice chains on an open diff 2wd car may do better than 4wd even locked, but for the most part that is not the case.