Is Buying a Four-Wheel-Drive Truck a Bad Idea?

They might seem like the solution to every scenario, but for most people, four-wheel-drive trucks might actually be a bad idea.

Four-wheel drive trucks continue to be hot-sellers in the US automotive market. Used 4x4s often sell for nearly as much as a new truck, and they offer the ability to go almost anywhere. But is buying a four-wheel-drive truck a good idea? There are several things that you should consider before you buy a 4WD truck. We will explain why they are more expensive to own, more challenging to repair, and more costly to maintain versus a two-wheel-drive truck.

How Useful is 4WD?

I remember getting my first four-wheeler and being super excited to get out in the dirt and try it out. It didn’t take long for the reality to set in, though. There really weren’t that many exciting trails that required four-wheel-drive. After a year or two, I rarely put it in four-wheel drive, and usually, it was because I was too lazy to drive better. Instead, I made practical upgrades to things like the wheels and tires, suspension, and steering to make off-road driving in two-wheel-drive easier.

Situations Where Four-Wheel Drive is Handy

One of the considerations you should make when deciding whether to buy a 4WD truck is the types of situations you find yourself in that having all-wheel traction would be useful. Many parts of the US get significant winter snow and ice, along with rain and mud that can turn even the most pleasant drive into an obstacle course. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is more likely to get through these types of road conditions safely than a two-wheel-drive vehicle can.

You must remember even the best four-wheel-drive truck in the world won’t prevent you from getting stuck every time. Driving tactics are much more important for successfully navigating most terrain than having the ultimate off-road vehicle. Can four-wheel drive get you out of a muddy ditch? Sure, it can- but driving smart would keep you out of the ditch in the first place.

Why Buying a Four-Wheel Drive Truck Might be a Bad Idea

Upfront Costs

There are actually numerous areas where owning a four-wheel-drive vehicle is likely to cost you more money. We have already discussed above the fact that four-wheel drive trucks are more expensive to purchase. According to numbers from BussinessFleet.com, manufacturers mark four-wheel-drive trucks between $3,000 and $4,000 higher than the same truck with two-wheel drive. When you finance a new truck, that cost difference can add up to a significant amount of money.

Efficiency Costs

The added weight and drag of four-wheel drive axles and the beefier suspension parts can significantly affect fuel mileage. Some trucks may experience five miles-per-gallon difference between identical models differing only in the drivetrain. In many cases, a four-wheel-drive truck is more likely to have larger tires and other add-ons like a winch that will further decrease fuel mileage. When you need your truck for getting back and forth to work, a four-wheel-drive can add up to a big chunk of money in gasoline costs each year.

Wear and Tear

For the same reason a four-wheel-drive truck doesn’t get as good of gas mileage as a two-wheel-drive, it also wears parts quicker. This includes common things like brakes and tires, but you’ll also find that you need to change ball joints and tie-rods more frequently than 2WD trucks. Major components like engine and transmission units will need more frequent service because of the extra weight.

Cost of Parts is Higher

In general, you’ll find that replacement parts are more expensive for a four-wheel-drive truck. Components like shocks and brakes are frequently different for four-wheel-drive vehicles and can command significantly higher prices. Numerous other parts of the vehicle are not interchangeable with two-wheel drive vehicles, making replacement more difficult. It’s not uncommon to find unique exhaust systems, brake lines, fuel lines, and transmission linkage components for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

There are More Parts to Break

With two drive axles, you increase the number of driveline parts that can break, including transfer case parts and steering components that are unique to four-wheel-drive trucks. Suspension parts rarely interchange and are at a higher risk of early failure due to the vehicle’s weight. If you plan on using your four-wheel-drive truck for serious obstacles, it’s only a matter of time before something breaks.

Registration and Insurance

In most states, the cost of automobile insurance and registration are higher for four-wheel-drive trucks. Depending on the laws of the state you register your truck in, you may end up paying several hundred dollars more per year for insurance. Many states impose a weight tax that applies to many four-wheel-drive trucks but not two-wheel-drive models. The cost to register a truck without paying a weight tax can save quite a lot of money in some states.

Upgrades for a Two-Wheel Drive Truck

There are some upgrades you can do to a two-wheel-drive truck that’ll give you almost as much functionality as a four-wheeler without the weight and inefficiency issues. Some of these modifications are simple and inexpensive, while others may take a little more planning. You should have a high-quality repair manual for your truck before you start adding aftermarket parts. A digital workshop manual is a great tool to have handy when you are working on your truck.

Body and Suspension Lift

Body and suspension lift, also called “jacking,” is one of the most common and popular modifications you can make to your two-wheel-drive truck. A suspension lift is usually a straightforward job you can do in a day. The typical kit will include blocks for straight axle applications and longer coil springs. You’ll also receive strut spacers in many kits. Most owners that chose a suspension lift replace struts and shocks with longer aftermarket units.

A suspension lift provides more clearance underneath the vehicle. However, we advise not going higher than two inches — just enough to provide adequate clearance, allow for less expensive parts, and keep top-heaviness to a minimum. Specifically, 1.5-inches should be perfect for most.

A body lift is just what it sounds like- spacers placed beneath all body mounts. This task is relatively easy, particularly with a friend and a pair of floor jacks. Notably, a body lift kit allows for taller tires and provides clearance for a longer travel suspension.

However, body lift kits can affect numerous wiring connectors’ travel and location, shift and pedal linkages, and numerous other parts. For that reason, use a high-quality service manual that shows detailed images of the various body connections. A digital copy that can be enlarged is ideal for this task.

Wheels and Tires

Equipping your two-wheel-drive truck with wider wheels and taller tires provides more traction. There are hundreds of different wheel upgrade options perfect for aggressive two-wheel driving, and you can even find factory upgrade parts in junkyards or online, often at low prices. It’s a good idea to measure your suspension travel to determine the maximum tire size you can fit in your wheel well. Many states restrict the amount of tire that can protrude from the arch, so be aware of the laws in your area.

Don’t overdo it when you pick tires. Sure, those mud boggers look cool, but the sound of them on the pavement is going to drive you nuts, and the soft tread will have melted off before you get to enjoy them. Selecting a good all-terrain or mud and snow tire for your truck will give you plenty of tread in the dirt and keep the noise down while getting there. It’s not uncommon to see two-wheel-drive trucks headed out with a set of wheels and tires in the bed to swap out before playing in the dirt.

Limited-Slip Differential

Installing a limited-slip diff is a substantial modification that requires some special tools and quite a bit of effort. Don’t start this one without a high-quality service manual. This modification requires dismantling the rear axle and differential and replacing the gears. Depending on the type of axle, it can be an affordable upgrade but might run around $1,000 on some trucks. A professional installation will run in the $1,800 to $2,500 range, including parts.

A limited-slip differential transfers power from a wheel that loses traction to the other wheel. Unlike a locker, the limited-slip differential disengages when you are cornering, so it doesn’t drag the tire around corners. Limited-slip also makes your truck easier to control in snow and rain, so this is a great upgrade for safety and performance.

Add a Winch

Adding a winch to your two-wheel-drive truck will get you in and out of more places than you could ever imagine. A winch will save your butt. It’ll also save your buddies’ butt. When you install a winch on your truck, it’s a significant investment. You’ll likely spend around $600 for the winch itself. Moreover, it will need to be securely mounted to the frame and might require custom brackets. Wiring the winch into your electrical system is not terribly hard or expensive. A digital wiring diagram is one of the best tools you can have for DIY winch wiring.

Last Words

There are many reasons to have a four-wheel-drive truck, and many people count on them every day to get where they need to be. Nonetheless, for many of us, owning a four-wheel-drive truck ends up costing significantly more over the years, and it doesn’t always make sense.

Most of the time, if you daily-drive your truck, you’ll be happier with a two-wheel-drive that has some modest suspension and tire modifications and a limited-slip differential. A truck set up like this will be perfectly comfortable on most truck trails and backroads you are likely to drive.