Ask Oppo: Could you give up real 4x4 and RWD for AWD?

"Somethin' 'bout a truck" (somethin-bout-a-truck)
08/26/2016 at 23:40 • Filed to: 4X4, Truck, Truck Yeah

I ask because I feel like RWD is part of the fun in owning a truck. That and 4x4 with real low range.

So could you give that up for an AWD system like what the Ridgeline has? Or do you need to keep it traditional and stick with a true 4x4?

DISCUSSION (25)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/26/2016 at 23:43

true 4x4. nothing like drifting a 1 ton diesel truck thru the snow here in Michigan its just so graceful.

wafflesnfalafel > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/26/2016 at 23:45

If i’m towing something big or a boat I’d want a full, lockable 4wd - otherwise for normal use on a midsized pickup or suv i’d prefer an automated viscous coupled awd type system I don’t have to worry about....

HammerheadFistpunch > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/26/2016 at 23:49

I’ve had all types; 2wd, part time 2 speed, full time 2 speed, full time single speed...It’s just a matter of what you need. I will say that if you use low range then there is no single speed substitute

Somethin' 'bout a truck > wafflesnfalafel
08/26/2016 at 23:53

I thought I would like that, but I just drive a 4x4 Jeep Cherokee and I wished the whole time I wished it was a real 4x4.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/26/2016 at 23:55

Depends. What do I need this vehicle to do?

Somethin' 'bout a truck > HammerheadFistpunch
08/27/2016 at 00:03

Honestly can’t say I need 4x4 because AWD would be enough. But I love real 4x4.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 00:16

I don’t need 4wd or AWD. FWD and a decent set of tires does the job for me.

HammerheadFistpunch > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 00:33

Pros and cons - full time beats out part time for snow in my opinion almost always. In my truck I can choose between full time awd or true 4wd by locking the center and in the snow I far prefer full time. Less understeer, easier to rotate with throttle and far more predictable in that it’s always there, even if I don’t know I needed it. That being said, I looked at and passed on a ridgeline because no low range.

dogisbadob > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 00:40

I have a FWD sports car

Danger > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 00:54

I have a full time 4x4 with manually switched low range. I dont really miss 2wd, though it is always fun.

OPPOsaurus WRX > HammerheadFistpunch
08/27/2016 at 00:57

I’d keep RWD/4WD over AWD cuz you can’t get sideways as easy as you can with RWD. Then you have 4WD to pull your ass out of the ditch

Somethin' 'bout a truck > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/27/2016 at 01:19

We think the same!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Danger
08/27/2016 at 01:22

I feel like I would miss it. But full time for wheel drive would have kids benefits.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/27/2016 at 01:22

That awesome!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/27/2016 at 01:24

Daily driver. Towing. Off road (no rock crawling) and hauling various things to various places. Basically the do everything vehicle that makes trucks so awesome.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > dogisbadob
08/27/2016 at 01:24

Awesome! What is it?

dogisbadob > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 01:33

a 4th gen Maxima (ok fine, an I30)

PatBateman > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 01:50

If I’m doing anything off-road at any time, 4x4 (low gears FTW). If not, 2WD. I don't know how well I'd take to AWD. Maybe wreck.

Alfalfa > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 02:00

Me personally? No. But about 75% of truck owners I know probably could, seeing as they do no hooning or offroading of any sort.

Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 02:09

It depends on what you plan to do with your vehicle and how heavy it is doing it. For blazing trails or crawling rocks you want that low range. If you are going to rally dirt roads and occasionally encounter snow awd might be a better choice. For a daily driver that sees snow a few times a year fwd and chains should be ok as long as your hills arent too bs crazy.

That having been said the heavier and slower you are the more you will want that low range grunt and traction.

Master Cylinder > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 08:32

I would personally prefer a traditional part-time 4x4 system, but I wouldn’t be too bothered about AWD either. The AWD is probably better for most drivers who use trucks basically as large cars.

Brobalt SS > dogisbadob
08/27/2016 at 10:19

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 10:54

I’ve got over 15 years of driving RWD pickups through Chicago winters under my belt. I love being able to kick it sideways and have fun. That said, I’m sure AWD could be it’s own kind of fun. I don’t go off-road, so no need for a low-range for me.

I did have a 4x4 for a bit over a year. It had the best of both worlds, fully selectable 4wd w/ low range, and an AWD setting. I used 4wd when it was full on nasty out, and AWD in mixed conditions.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Somethin' 'bout a truck
08/27/2016 at 11:59

No, I couldn’t. Some of the big reasons I went to a truck in the first place were:

When you’re putting in 2wd it doesn’t matter which wheels are driven, so men. Basic transport acquired.

When you’re in the mood for shenanigans you get RWD dynamics and associated fun.

If you happen to need more traction you just hit a button. Also allows you just to roam places, which is fun.

Low range.

A setup like the Ridgeline has can pick ONE of those and stick to it. Actually, it can pick one of 2.

I’ll say it again... Honda is trying to make a truck for the wrong market. It should be stripped out and sold as a commercial vehicle. It would make an awesome city fleet truck. As much as I wouldn’t get one myself I’d be chuffed if I was given one as a business vehicle.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/28/2016 at 00:09

I know, I agree with that. The Ridgeline is a smart truck.. but it’s not the truck for truck people. No shenanigans is the big reason I couldn’t get one..