Hey guys, I havent been on here for a long time so I am posting to check in-sort of. I also have a question and what I am about to say is going to lead up to it.

Now, today I went to a Chevy dealer and for the first time drove a diesel truck. It was a White '07 Classic 2x4 with the Allison and the LBZ duramax. This thing was awsome. Then I drove an '07 NBS with the Z71 and 5.3L-it was dissapionting after driving the Duramax truck. The Duramax was a CC/LB 2WD truck with the rear locking differential.

Now for the question. What I would do with the truck (if I bought it) would be to go dirt bike riding, go camping, and use it as a daily driver and maybe a few years down the road get a toyhauler. The question is (and I know that there have been quite a few posts on this, but taylor it to what I'm asking please) do I need the 4x4 or would a 2x4 with the rear locker be just fine? If I bought a new truck, I wouldnt thrash it offroad, I would just mildly use it for what I need. I know the 4x4 can be a benefit, but where I live it doesent snow, and if I go to the snow (which is like never) thats why they make snow chains.

Would the right set of tires help offset the fact that the truck isnt a 4x4 when in rare cases that I would need it? I am thinking that if I got the truck that I would go for a bit of a prerunner look and lift it and put 35s on it (no fiberglass fenders or anything like that). I would also hook up a portable winch system for "just in case" scenarios.

Does it look like I would have all the basis' covered if I got a 2WD truck? I figured that the main thing would be the tires.

I'm sure there are questions that you guys have for me regarding the uses of the truck for me that would help you better to answer my question.

I would 100% get the 4x4. You have a good idea what you will use it for but 4 wheel drive comes in handy for those times you can't think of.

get the 4X4!! I Have the 07 classic and i pull a toyhauler out on the sand dunes with no issues, past the other guys stuck up to the axles lol. you wont be dissapointed and whos to say where you will be in a few years as i assume you wont be getting rid of this truck any time soon...

It is up to you, but if you don't think you will need 4wd, then don't get it. Honestly, most people, me included don't use it very much at all. I have an NBS 07 company truck with 16K on it, and it has never been in 4wd. Don't tell the boss, or he won't let us get anymore of them.

If you don't live in snow, and won't take it off road, then you probably don't need it, and a locker will suffice.
If you plan on trading often, you will not get the value out of the 2wd, but if you are going to keep it, then I would not worry about that.
I don't think I would put 35 inch tires on a 2wd, just for the simple fact that it will hurt your pulling and off the line performance. Use a good all season tire on the it and you should be okay.

I bought my truck under the same pretense as you. I do alot of traveling/camping, you name it. I have never been in a situation where I wish I had 4wd. I never got shortchange either while traveling, thinking gosh wish I had it , so I could go do that or see this. Plus it's more wieght, which decrease your towing ability, more maintenance and raises your insurance. Thats my opinion.

Resale will be better, and 4WD is a lot easier than getting out to hook up that winch you plan on getting. I would ditch the winch idea, and go with the 4WD. If you increase HP in the future, and might want to beat a ricer or some hotshot sports car - it's nice to have so you can 4WD launch and kick their asses.

If you do get it, I would recommend engaging it once a month to make sure everything still works properly - just in case you do end up needing it sometime!

You don't say where you live - or where you plan on driving, so it's kind of hard to help.

If you live in warm climate, I would seriously ask myself if you would need 4x4. It adds a lot of weight to the vehicle and also adversely affects fuel milage and towing capacity. It also drives the price up for both the initial purchase and maintenance. As for resale, I don't think the impact would be as big in warmer states as it would in northern states.

I live in Michigan and wouldn't even consider a 2x4, but that's because of the winter weather. If I lived in the southern US, I probably wouldn't have a 4x4.

I live in Pacifica, CA. Its about 15 min. from San Fransisco. I am close to Hollister Hills SVRA, Carnegie SVRA, and Metcalf in San Jose.

I would plan on keeping the truck for quite a while. But I could go anywhere, you know?

How much more is the 4WD option? $2500?

Lifting a 4WD and a 2WD should be just about the same, +/- a few $$ maybe.

Now, how much is a quality winch and bumper? Remember your lifted w/35's and have a toy hauler to pull out. $2500?

How much more is the 4WD option? $2500?

Lifting a 4WD and a 2WD should be just about the same, +/- a few $$ maybe.

Now, how much is a quality winch and bumper? Remember your lifted w/35's and have a toy hauler to pull out. $2500?


In the market, 4x4 is more than $2500. I wouldnt buy a winch bumper, I would get a reciever hitch and have a portable system. And, I dont have a toyhauler, but if I did, I wouldnt take it anywhere like that.

Now, what youve said is a good point, and you guys have me throughly convinced that a 4x4 would be better.

My first truck was a 4WD Z71, when I lived in Vegas. My second truck was a 2WD, living in Nashville, not towing, not going off road, hauling loads from the home center and primary highway vehicle.
Then I got into horses, bought 15 acres, and wished I had a 4WD, kept getting into sticky situations.
Like the others said, it depends on what you intend to use it for, and whether or not you want to pay for it in operational costs!

In the market, 4x4 is more than $2500.

I was off by $600, its a $3100 difference.