I agree with some of the qualified statements (not hilly country, driving more carefully, staying home when ice and snow gets crazy) about 2WD suitability here in this thread, but each seems to be followed up in this thread by an unqualified agreement at 4WD is just not necessary. Not the same thing!
Take this post. Yes, there are some facts here, in 4WD trucks understeer, AWD vehicles, not so much. But really, let's take a sniff test on some of these statements...
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
I also routinely drive 4x4 trucks via work, and find them easier to put into the ditch due to the inherent understeer (which increases as you move closer to maximum lock), and harder to get out.
I used to drive 4x4 (4x6?) Dually's at work all the time, and they would get stuck in a mud puddle. The problem was the high load rating highway tires with the zig-zag tread. This problem is so irrelevant to the thread I wouldn't bring it up except you brought it up. Work trucks typically have long lasting high load highway tires totally unsuitable for off-pavement work. Anyone considering the 4WD versus 2WD question due to cost constraints is unlikely to even consider such a vehicle.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
Having 4 wheels dig into soft ground is not better than 2 wheels digging into soft ground.
Uh-huh. Sure. To me, having 4WD means moving instead of digging in.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
A 4x4 has a complex front end and you can expect to spend about $2000 in maintenance about every 60,000 mi. 2wd front ends last longer and cost less for maintenance.
Uh-huh. $2K every 60K miles. Sure.
I've had the same 4WD for 14 years and have exactly $0 in front end maintenance after 130K miles. Well, I replaced the shocks twice and the semi-metallic brakes for the first time at over 100K miles if you really want to count that, but I don't think 2WD will do any better. I'm thinking of replacing the front U-Joints, just as a precaution, but it's not necessary yet. If so I'll be into that for about $55.
Originally Posted By: Johnny2Bad
A 2wd truck with good tires is better than a 4wd truck with poor tires pretty much every time, and I see a tendency around here to assume a 4x4 solves all traction problems so owners tend to make poorer tire choices and leave them longer before replacement.
People with poor judgement make poor decisions, like buying a Diesel pickup "because it's tough" when they have nothing to tow. That and poor tire choices really are a side issue.
While you make some good points in your post, they're really lost in the mistakes. I owned a 2WD Dakota and took it places no 2WD should go, and now I own a 4WD Dakota. I know the limits of both, but there's hardly a comparison to be made.