I am going to purchase a new 3500 this week and I do not need 4WD but the local dealer has a screamin deal on the 4X4 right now. How much do you think the 4X4 will lower my mileage?

1-2 mpg. On the bright side it will increase your retail value by probably more then you paid for the 4x4 in the first place. Also you won't regret it the first time you need. These diesels are heavy on the front add to that the poor traction of duallys in snow and ice and I guarantee you will never buy another 2wd again.

Get it!

You won't regret it. I *almost* ordered mine as 2wd (coming from a 94 4wd w/271k on the clock) then really thought about it. The dozen or so times I needed the 4wd in the past 10 years, I REALLY REALLY needed it. Like 'I will not get home' and 'I am right next to nowhere and will be here HOURS/DAYS'. Then the decision was really easy.

My second tank of gas averaged 21.4mpg (mostly state highway, but a little city) so it hasn't hurt me much. Hopefully the mileage will even go up.

My .02? Go for it!

Costas
05 GMC 2500HD CC SB 4WD

I agree with the above posts. You just never know when you would need it. There are pros and there are cons, but I think it is worth it.

1-2 mpg. On the bright side it will increase your retail value by probably more then you paid for the 4x4 in the first place. Also you won't regret it the first time you need. These diesels are heavy on the front add to that the poor traction of duallys in snow and ice and I guarantee you will never buy another 2wd again.


I have a 03 4x4 and very glad I got a 4x4..........or just plain, what MAX POWER SAID):h

I got the 4x4 option and really glad I did. My last truck was a one ton 2 wheel drive 454. I got caught in an ice storm at my mother's house a couple years ago. On a flat, smooth, ice covered road i couldn't budge. I had to get out and stand on the bumper while my wife drove. If I had 4x4 especially under the weight of the dmax I could have stayed in a nice warm cab. I did go throw some weight in the back ater that and that helped. We like to explore the back country and really missed our old Jeep. But we had to have something that would pull our RV (don't like sleeping on the ground any more). Now we can pull the RV and still go exploring. Maybe not as serious as the Jeep would do but it isn't too bad.

I've had many duallys, the first one was 2WD............... Never again.

MB

Get the 4x4!! The mileage difference should be negligible. As a matter of fact, my Dad has an '04.5 2wd cc and my '05 4wd gets better mileage than his. In slippery conditiond the 2wd just will not go. "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"!!!! Just my 2 cents. Enjoy your new purchase.

Go for the 4X4. There are a lot of times you can get by without it like on gravel, compacted sand, deep ruts etc. but with 4WD you have far better control of the vehicle. Could get by in most of my off the pavement driving with 2WD but it can be rough on the vehicle and me. 4WD makes it all easy and is nice when you hit that occassional soft spot in the meadow. I stick her in 4 about 100 per cent of the time I'm off pavement. If you got it, use it.

This is kind of embarrasing :o but I needed the 4X4 to get out of my front yard once. Of course the front end was downhill from the rear and it had rained and I don't have grass just dirt and with no weight in the back end along with stock skinny tires I guess I was asking for trouble. I found out the eaton locker works though. ):h

I guess I'm trying to say that you never know when it can come in handy. I'm sure I could have worked some way out to get my truck out of the yard but pushing a button really makes easy.

As heavy as the front ends are on these trucks and as light as the rear end is, you can get stuck on wet grass in a 2wd. I would get the 4x4 because it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

critter81, by now you may have noticed everyone has recommended getting the 4x4.:confused: With 4x4 you have far less limitations than with 2wd. In JJ's case experience is always the best teacher. Having slid down a slippery Georgia clay campground driveway with a travel trailer behind me was lesson enough for me! :eek:

I went to buy a 2wd dually, fortunately Mama JJ was with me. She drug my a$$ over to the 4x4, reminded me of our sliding experience, and insisted on getting the 4x4. That is why she's my sweety! :ro)

I'm averaging about the same mpg's as most guys with the LLY so I'm on the side that say mpg decreases are negligible. There have been a couple of times while towing my 5ver that I need extra traction getting out of soft ground, the 4x4 yanks it up without hesitation.

4x4 it is, now do you want our input on what color you should buy? ):h JJ :)

No I know the color has to be white..:D I race motorcycle for a living and my sponsor wants a white truck and trailer....

Good to go then! Enjoy your new white, 4x4 3500 D/A truck! JJ