I have owned my last 2 wheel drive pickup

[dirttoys]

The first winter I had my new 1983 Ranger some friends wanted me to go cross country skiing with them. I bought a pair of skiis, and let them navigate as we went to the ski area. I knew that we were in the wrong place as soon as we pulled into the parking lot... I was driving the only pickup in the lot. We were at the downhill slopes, and needed to be on the x-country trails a few miles away.


I hate all of the above, especially ABS. If one side of the vehicle is on snow and the other is on pavement you may as well not have brakes. After doing about $350 worth of front end damage -at 2002 prices- because my '98 GMC wouldn't stop, I disabled it. It's amazing how much better it stopped in snow; rather than rolling along the top like a kid's sled, pumping the brakes would allow the tires to cut through the snow to the pavement and stop.
One day I was driving through town and a motorist was waiting to pull out of a parking lot. He made eye contact, and pulled right out in front of me. I was into the brakes and stopped in less distance than the tables we learned in driver's ed. With ABS I'd have had hit him for sure. Because it wasn't working I avoided the accident but if I had hit him, I would have been considered at fault.

I couldn't begin to guess how many times I've been negotiating deep snow and had the TC kick in while trying to negotiate a hill.
When that happens you may as well get out the snow shovel.

I acknowledge it is sub-optimal it specific instances, by and large I stand by believing it is better to have than not. I am an old guy and would rather drive myself, but, for leadership she is 100% better off with it.

Best,

ed

 

[RSKY]

The rest of the story I forgot to put in the original post. The day BEFORE I got stuck in the yard and had to be pulled out I drove about 45 miles to a guy's woodworking shop. I had to pick up a 100+ year old wooden door that he had stripped the finish off of. This was for my youngest daughter's house that she is rebuilding. Got the door, backed out of his very narrow uphill drive, and dropped the right back tire off the pavement on the other side of the road. There I was, sitting across the lane and a half paved road spinning that right back tire in mud. Had to have my wife drive while I pushed and the tire finally caught traction on the pavement. I will say the little V-6 left an impressive 4-foot black streak on the pavement before she could get it stopped. And she barely got it stopped before hitting the ditch on the other side of the road. So I guided her as she backed up enough to turn the wheel and get straight on the road. I gave her instructions for a few seconds and showed her my dirty hands. She laughed at me and hit the gas WITH THE TRUCK STILL IN REVERSE. I only had to push for a few seconds to get her back on the road this time. Grandson was in the truck and kept asking her what Granddaddy was yelling about.

I have owned my last two wheel drive pickup !!!!

RSKY

 

[scaredychicken]

Has anyone driven the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz? It is a small AWD pickup with 3500 lb. towing, which is all I need. I have a 4wd Tacoma TRD Off-Road right now that is very good, but I think I have filled the bed full maybe two or three times and have never come close to the max. towing weight. I pull a single axle trailer for bigger stuff. I think that Santa Cruz will be my next pickup or one like it if it gets good reviews.

I am an El Camino fan / owner, and the Santa Cruz immediately caught my attention. I've done some research, but have yet to see it up close.

 

[scaredychicken]

Lots of aftermarket lockers available out there - but it all depends on which rear axle you have as to which one you can have installed. Some are air-operated (require a small compressor), some are electric, and some manual. You'll have to do your research - and even if you do your own installation, they ain't cheap.

I had ARB brand air lockers installed front and rear in my van - made it a whole bunch better vehicle out in the rough stuff.

I guess that my question more specifically is, can you install lockers on a 2WD like the truck that I have ?

 

[deserteagle71]

I guess that my question more specifically is, can you install lockers on a 2WD like the truck that I have ?

You will have to research that. Find out which axle is in your truck, and then check on line to see if a locker is available for it. Or - if you have a trustworthy shop nearby, have them check to see which axle is under your truck. The same model truck can have several different axles depending on when it was built and how it was spec'd out. I know my F150 had two different axles available when I bought it. There is usually a tag on the rear differential cover, or some numbers stamped there or on the axle tube, that tells you the model of the axle and what gear ratio it has.

If there is a locker made for your particular axle then there is no reason why that locker can't be installed...other than the cost.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I think ABS is a safe addition. Many people who didn't like it at first didn't know how to use. Most people think lock up brakes , white knuckle style and hold on. The thing about ABS is you can steer. That is a very important factor. To be honest, the first snow induced skid each year has me doing the hang on, as I forget I can steer out of danger. Then, I'm good foe the winter.
Yes, there are situations that no ABS would be better, but I believe, overall, ABS is the safer choice. You got to remember to steer out of danger while ABS does its thing...

 

[ovrszd]

You will have to research that. Find out which axle is in your truck, and then check on line to see if a locker is available for it. Or - if you have a trustworthy shop nearby, have them check to see which axle is under your truck. The same model truck can have several different axles depending on when it was built and how it was spec'd out. I know my F150 had two different axles available when I bought it. There is usually a tag on the rear differential cover, or some numbers stamped there or on the axle tube, that tells you the model of the axle and what gear ratio it has.

If there is a locker made for your particular axle then there is no reason why that locker can't be installed...other than the cost.

Another source of information is the vehicle Identification Number. It's on your title, and/or insurance paperwork. Or you can see it in the lower drivers side corner of the windshield. Take that VIN to a dealership and they can run it to tell you what rear axle you have.

 

[gtbensley]

I couldn't have a 2wd truck as I manage to get my 4x4 stuck from time to time.

 

[jyoutz]

How does everyone get to drive only "flat" terrain?

I've used the locker on my F150 numerous times - but it has always been in situation like crossing deep ditches at an angle where one front tire and the opposite side rear tire is pretty much hanging in the air. Without a locker I wouldn't move.

How do people only get to drive on flat ground? They live in the Midwest.

 

[jyoutz]

When I was a kid, only 1 person in the neighborhood owned a pickup truck. Pretty much every dad on the block would borrow it from the neighbor at least once a year, to haul stuff too big for the station wagons. As I recall, it was either Chevy or GM, 4x4, with a 3 on the tree manual transmission. That's the first time I recall seeing a 3 on the tree. Then in 1970, my dad bought a Nova with 3 on the tree.

Anyhow, the point I was trying to make is that back in the 60's-80's it was rare to see a 4x4 pickup in town.

Now it’s rare to see a 2wd truck