2WD vs 4WD Suburbans

[Bob G2]

I have a question for those of you who have Suburbans in the snowbelt states. Is the 2WD with the locking rear differential
a decent choice in the snow? Granted that 4WD is going to be the way to go, I just thought that given the weight of the vehicle, the 2WD with the locking rear diff might be alright. Also, do the 2WD go OK at the launches? Any one out there with some experience on this, your opinion will be appreciated.

Did have a 4WD Sub for last weekend. My family and I loved it, but the price of these things is breathtaking. Just looking to see if I can shed a few thousand by looking at the 2WD.

[Terry/JNR]

I've been running Suburbans for over 20 years. In northern WI, 4-wheel is the only way to go. Did have a 2x4 a few years ago. It was suprisingly good in the snow and should pull just about any boat out of a landing with the locking differential.

[Bob G2]

Thanks, Terry.

[Mac]

Bob
There is the advice,"use 2 WD until you get stuck and 4 WD to get loose". Also, "Use 4WD to get REALLY stuck". I use the 4WD almost every time I got out hunting or ice fishing and on bad ramp(a lot of them are here in SD) in the summer. I use the 4WD to get stuck everytime I forget how long it took to walk to a farm house the last time.
You might want to check out resale on 2WD vs 4 WD also on one of the sites to see if that would be a factor.
Personal note to Bob G2: I'm going to Alaska twice this summer, although not to Painter's. I can give you a report afterwards if you send me your e-mail address. Mine is mhmiller@dailypost.com.

[ETT]

I've driven full size blazers or suburbans since 1970. Had em all in Ohio. The 2 wheel suburbans are probably better on ice than the 4 wheel blazers (longer wheel base really helps for on road control). Of course for off road or deep snow 4 wheel is the only way to go. The 4 wheel option while expensive and hard to justify to the little woman, is a fairly safe investment ie. the cost is returned to you at resale. Too bad they've become so popular, the price was easier to take when they were considered and "grandpa's truck" now all the rock stars drive em. Without knowing the boat or the type ramps your dealing with we can't comment on that aspect. I took a 24' SeaRay Laguna w/ twins all over the country in '93, (8,000# load) part of the time with a 3/4 ton 4 wheel suburban, and part of the time with a 2 wheel diesel suburban and had no problem with either. Good luck.

[Bob G2]

Thanks alot guys. ETT, I laughed when you mentioned "grandpa's truck" because I remember those days. I have been able to track down a few good deals, but, darn, they're still alot of bucks.

Mac, can't wait to hear what you got planned for the summer! Sounds real exciting and, for now, I'll have to live vicariously through everyone else's adventures(which is alright). My e-mail
is thegaiks@netscape.net , give me a shout here if your e-mail doesn't go through as it has been acting up lately.

[Phil T.]

You've gotten good advice so far. Here's some from my experience with a 4X4 Suburban with limited slip rear differential. You know, a three wheel drive 4X4, allows you to "boldy go where...", and shovel your way out.
Limited slip rear is trecherous on ice when in 2 wheel drive. One rear wheel spins, the other locks in and spins. No "static" traction, and the rear end tries to pass the front of the truck. Limited slip isn't real handy when trying to back out of more trouble than you're willing to shovel your way out of either. When in reverse, my rear differential is locked, so again the lack of static traction allows the rear end to slide out of my wheel tracks. Drive forward a bit, line it up, and try again (many times).
On boat ramps, the limited slip is great. I don't really need to use 4X4 to pull the boat out of the water, even on slippery ramps. However, on poor or undeveloped ramps, low range 4X4 gives even greater traction and control (both launching and retrieving the boat)than any 2 wheel drive. On really steep gravel ramps, I lock my manual hubs, shift to 4 low, and back down the ramp without needing to use brakes. Any other way, and braking tends to lock the front wheels, and I lose a lot of steering control due to front skidding.
A caution from TrailerBoats magazine. Don't use low range unless all four hubs are engaged. One set of axles isn't designed to withstand the double torque that low range gives the drivetrain.

[Dodge1]

Your right about the price on a new burb. Chev. puts over 10K in the bank everytime one leaves a dealers lot :o

I just finished looking at a new Chev. 1500, crew cab, with the 6.0. Very impresive - with 4 real doors and compared to the burb, it's a screaming deal.