Friday morning coffee thoughts.....Would you buy a 4x4 even if you plan to never use it????

[Ram1500OwnerMaybe]

Why bother with the 4x4?
Well, the RHO and Rebel both look some much nicer than the Laramie and Big Horn 4x2 models.
Even my wife when she sees one on the road and says its sharp, I tell here that is a 4x4 and she says too bad.
Plus, dents and scratches on the RHO and Rebel add character as opposed to the other models which hurts it looks.
Even the RHO and Rebel have the Surround View on the base model which is what I want and is only available with the Laramie and above on 4x2.

Pros:
Sharper looking vehicle.
Base models have Surround View cameras.

Cons:
4x4 not as smooth as a ride than 4x2 or have they made advancements over the years?
Additional maintenance for stuff not needed.
Ever so slightly less gas mileage.
More expensive tires and extra road noise.
No bench seat. This may be the item that kills this deal.

Just tossing a topic of the day out there to see what others think.

 

[OCD Solutions]

You don't really have much choice if they don't give you one. All the models I'm interested in are currently only available in 4x4, with Ramboxes, and the I6.

I can live with the 4x4 and I6 but it's the Ramboxes that kill the deal for me. So, if I'm going to be driving a 4x4 with the I6 anyways, why not spend a couple grand more and have a truck that actually looks like a 4x4! The RHO is a sharp looking truck aaaannnnd I can get it without the Ramboxes!!

Definitely gonna need to add more funds to the tire and shock budget though.

 

[Blackdog.Tx]

Nope, no way I buy 4x4 if I'm not using it. I'm not into significant added expense just for looks. RAMs look great even in 4x2. If you need RAM boxes , thats different. I always had BakFlip hard cover with tool box.

For years I drove 40,000 miles a year. I drove 4x2, paid for upgraded antislip rear diff, and loved the 4x2... Laramie, 5.7, 3.21. I hauled and towed a light boat. I tried a 4x4 Expedition NBX (off road version) around 2006, didn't use it, and hated the ride 40,000 mile/year. I only boated a handful of weeks a year at that time, never had problem on ramp with upgraded 4x2 rear diff. Camping, I just used momentum with 4x2.... watched where I went and stayed out of trouble.

Now I have 2020 Limited and 4x4. I spend every weekend on boat ramps. Wouldn't be without 4x4 for what I do now: low mileage, 8,000 mi/year, towing every weekend or more. I don't need 4x4 all the time, but when I do, I need it: sandy trail/beach, low tide, slimy ramp; unexpectedly backing trailer off end of ramp at real low tide. (I engage 4x4 so wife doesn't slip pulling me out, just easier not to scare her.)

 

[Ram1500OwnerMaybe]

You don't really have much choice if they don't give you one. All the models I'm interested in are currently only available in 4x4, with Ramboxes, and the I6.

I can live with the 4x4 and I6 but it's the Ramboxes that kill the deal for me. So, if I'm going to be driving a 4x4 with the I6 anyways, why not spend a couple grand more and have a truck that actually looks like a 4x4! The RHO is a sharp looking truck aaaannnnd I can get it without the Ramboxes!!

Definitely gonna need to add more funds to the tire and shock budget though.

Yeah, thinking my "wants" of bench seat may be what dictates my choice.

 

[Ram1500OwnerMaybe]

..., and hated the ride 40,000 mile/year.

Is that ride that noticeably different???

 

[Scram1500]

2 wheel drive is fine 99.99% of the time. It's the 0.01% that's the rub. Better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it. As far as ride quality some might say the ride is better in the 4x4 with the extra weight to iron out the road

 

[Scram1500]

(I engage 4x4 so wife doesn't slip pulling me out, just easier not to scare her.)

Keep the racy stuff in the bedroom, this is a family place

 

[Blackdog.Tx]

Is that ride that noticeably different???

You'll have to drive both and compare the ride for personal experience. And drive both in rough bumpy road or lot.. A flat street won't show differences. I drove older generarion RAMs that rode well- I've had 5 RAMs since 2012. One was a 2015 RAM 4x4 that did ride stiffer than the 4x2's I was running... but don't have current comparison 4x4 vs 4x2.

I currently have 2020 Limited 4x4 that rides like a dream. I didn't compare when i bought, I need/wanted 4x4. It is 4x4, but doesn't have a 4x4 package.

However in the past, anything I rode in with 4x4 package rode significantly rougher. 4x4 packages often include suspension upgrades, lockers, skid plates. Stiffer suspension and weight impacts ride.

 

[RebellionisDuty]

My '25 Rebel is quite a smooth ride. Even with the off-road packages.

I do not use 4x4 much, but it's gotten me and other vehicles out of the mud. Like mentioned earlier, it's nice to have if you need it.

I've had to pull a friend or two up muddy hills that were too much for their 4x2. They were happy I had it. I was able to pull their truck and trailer up some pretty rough hills.

 

[FastBlackRam]

I also live in Florida and have 2WD because I didn't think I would need it. Well at some point I wished I had it. I do go to the drive-on beaches and have gotten stuck a couple of times. Because I sunk in a little deeper than a car would and I couldn't get out because of all the weight being in the front. It was ok because other people on the beach are friendly and are very willing to push you out. Also I went to Ormond Beach and they wouldn't let me through the gates because I didnt have 4WD. Good thing because I walked down there and there were SUVs they let on because they had 4WD and they were getting stuck one after another. There was a dude in a pick up with a big suspension and tires that was pulling people out left and right for a price. It was like a comedy show watching all these SUVs getting stuck and needing to get pulled out in the same area of the beach. Pickups and Jeeps got through no problem.

 

[1923bob]

I had a 2005 Ram 2wd for 16 years nice truck and I loved it, made some trips to Denver and back then 2021 sold it and got a 2021 Limited 4 X 4 technology between the trucks is like night and Day. Ride quality I think it's better than the 05 Ram mainly because of air suspension, I would not want a truck without 4 wheel drive now. The 2005 was a great truck but I am spoiled with all the creature comforts and technology,wouldn't want to go back. Just my opinion.

 

[Scram1500]

I also live in Florida and have 2WD because I didn't think I would need it. Well at some point I wished I had it. I do go to the drive-on beaches and have gotten stuck a couple of times. Because I sunk in a little deeper than a car would and I couldn't get out because of all the weight being in the front. It was ok because other people on the beach are friendly and are very willing to push you out. Also I went to Ormond Beach and they wouldn't let me through the gates because I didnt have 4WD. Good thing because I walked down there and there were SUVs they let on because they had 4WD and they were getting stuck one after another. There was a dude in a pick up with a big suspension and tires that was pulling people out left and right for a price. It was like a comedy show watching all these SUVs getting stuck and needing to get pulled out in the same area of the beach. Pickups and Jeeps got through no problem.

What kind of SUVs? They were probably AWD which isn't so great in those situations, those "cars" are front wheel drive (open diff as well) until slip is detected and power is sent to the rear through witchcraft. A 4WD locks the front and rear together, hence the crow hopping when trying to steer on dry pavement as the transfer case is not a differential. Most places in the north east that permit beach driving require a 4WD with 2 speed transfer case

 

[kapinallinen2]

At least one vehicle on the driveway with a 4X4 is a must for me.
I mean, what if it snows and we run out of milk and bread and beer...

 

[azzx]

Why bother with the 4x4?
Well, the RHO and Rebel both look some much nicer than the Laramie and Big Horn 4x2 models.
Even my wife when she sees one on the road and says its sharp, I tell here that is a 4x4 and she says too bad.
Plus, dents and scratches on the RHO and Rebel add character as opposed to the other models which hurts it looks.
Even the RHO and Rebel have the Surround View on the base model which is what I want and is only available with the Laramie and above on 4x2.

Pros:
Sharper looking vehicle.
Base models have Surround View cameras.

Cons:
4x4 not as smooth as a ride than 4x2 or have they made advancements over the years?
Additional maintenance for stuff not needed.
Ever so slightly less gas mileage.
More expensive tires and extra road noise.
No bench seat. This may be the item that kills this deal.

Just tossing a topic of the day out there to see what others think.

Yes - I would buy a "real ------- not AWD or other bogus variations" of 4X4 any day of the week! Must have a center diff. Nice to have center and front locking diffs too.
What is the point of buying a pick-up if it is not 4X4?
Have owned 35 vehicles with "real" 4X4 function in 50+ years!

 

[Richard320]

There's not really any difference in the front suspension between the two. It's not like the old days where the 2WD had A-arms and coil springs and the 4X4 had a straight axle and leaf springs. The ride's gonna be pretty much the same.

I'm not really one to go offroading where four wheel drive is a must, but I do go to snowy areas from time to time and not having to stop and chain up is a big advantage. If I ever got a boat, I'd be sure to put the truck in 4HI on the boat ramp, just in case the rear tires don't get good traction. And if you're like me, who runs a car into the ground before I'll part with it, the 4X4 will be a big bonus to the high-school kid who's gonna buy the beater.

 

[rick619]

Even if you're not going to offroad it, 4WD Auto is nice to have when driving in a rain storm.

I thought about getting 2WD. They didn't have any with the options I wanted.

 

[BlueHemi1500]

Some of the models you noted do not come with a beach seat option, so be aware. Personally, I would not buy a truck without a true 4x4 system. I find my truck very comfortable to drive/ride around in, and I need to use the true 4x4 system due to weather events. As noted above, drive 4x2 and 4x4 of similar models back to back to compare how they will ride in various environments.

BlueHemi1500

 

[nkmjo]

I never thought about a 4x4 until I test drove a 2025 Rebel on a whim right after I tested a 2025 Laramie 4x4. It felt to me like Rebel actually rode better than the Laramie did. Also the option package requirements are a little different between the two and I was able to get a Rebel spec's more the way I wanted for the $. Alas, surround views is an additional option package on both unfortunately.

 

[PurpleRT]

Sure will. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I was back home in the area when snow decided to hit us in NW FL.. yep shut the town down for the week but I was able to still get around unlike most people so it didn’t really effect my day to day. Pulled a Scatpack up the hill that couldn’t catch traction. Folks thought I was crazy when truck shopping that I wouldn’t entertain buying a 2wd this was a reason why and other since I never know when or where the next job-site is gonna be, I’ve been up north and midwest plenty of times during the winter. You tend to get the difference back in resale value.


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[HemiDude]

Only 1 truck I've owned was 2wd, and that was my first Ram. Never saw a need for 4wd before that, but it didn;t take long for me rethink that. I had the truck for 10 years, and it was a good one, but every truck since has been 4wd and I wouldn;t have it any other way. Ram have the best riding 4wd trucks, in my experience, so I wouldn;t let that dissuade you.