Ranger Prerunner 4x2 vs 4x4 (not sure if this is the right forum to post this in)

MichaelC · Sep 2, 2018

Thinking about building a ranger prerunner. I've heard it recommended to buy a 2-wheel drive vehicle if you're building a prerunner truck. A friend told me not to get a 4-wheel drive ranger because prerunning would put too much stress on the transfer case. But I've also heard of people having real issues with 2-wheel drive prerunners when getting into sand etc. Any advice?

(Important note: I'm not planning to enter any races, this is just for fun.)

4x4junkie · Sep 14, 2018

I don't see any issue with this putting stress on things...

4x4 prerunners typically are driven in 2WD until you get to those places where you really do need 4WD (in which case it's probably too rugged to be doing 50 MPH through it anyhow).

One thing a 4x4 system does affect though is weight. A 4x4 truck will have much more unsprung frontend weight (and a bit more sprung weight too), which may be an issue for some professional drivers, but probably wouldn't be as much an issue on a recreational rig.
In fact, 2WD IMO would be far more limiting on a rec rig because you'd then be limiting yourself to mostly good roads, or terrain where you can use some momentum to get up & over something... This won't be possible on a very long steep hill climb or if any large boulders are in the way (BTDT).

Welcome to TRS :beer:

Ranger Prerunner 4x2 vs 4x4 (not sure if this is the right forum to post this in)

MichaelC

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4x4junkie

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