How much would it cost to convert a 1982 chevy silverado from a 4x4 to a 4x2?
instead of looking at how to convert the truck from 4x4 to 2 wheel drive, suggest that you research the Chevy 4x4 trucks. the 4 wheel drive is a safer truck, especially in the winter driving conditions. if the truck has manual hubs on the front axle, then the gas mileage is only a little less than 2wd. also contact the insurance company and discuss insurance rates, on a truck as old as this one there may not be much or any difference in the rate. my main suggestion is to do your homework and find all the positive reasons for owning a 4x4 truck. http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforu... hope this helps
Does a 4x4 truck use more gas compared to a 4x2 truck?
Yes, I am sharing some my opinions for your question. 1. In operation, the typical 4×4 drive-line connects the engine to the rear wheels through the transmission, and also connects the front wheels to the engine via the transmission and a transfer case. And In operation, the 4×2 vehicle is powered by the rear wheels and steered by the front, as is the convention. 2. Payload capacity and weight of 4×4 truck is more as compare to 4×2 truck. That’s why 4x4 truck use more gas as compared to a 4x2 truck.
4x4 v 4x2 Truck?
I am looking to buy a new truck, I see that I can save a lot of money by not getting the 4x4 option...but do not know if I will hinder more than help. Is it worth the extra bucks for the 4x4? Most of the time it would be used for commuting, towing a car trailer, or even firewood. Most of the time the roads here is MD are dry, and we only get snow a few times a year. I have 4x4 in an expedition, but only used it when I wanted to put myself in a situation when I needed it. What is your advice?
What is the difference between 4x4 and Z71 trucks?
Not to be too lengthy, and some great answers here. Just wanted to provide a bit of background. Years ago, when dealers ordered GM trucks (GMC and Chevrolet) when you ordered a 4wd truck, you could add the Z-71 option code, which was an OFF Road suspension. It included Billstein or Monroe shocks, skid plates under the tansmission and transfer case, and sometime, the G-80 EATON rear locking axle. The option became so popular, people soon started asking for trucks with the Z71 option. The Dealer would have to pull the invoice on the truck or review every window sticker on the lot. So, for ease of identifying, GM started putting decals on the trucks with the package. Eventually, the package became so popular they turned it into an entire trim level, even making it available on 2WD models. It was a very affordable option, considering everything you got for the price. However, many 4X4 trucks didn't have the option, and only said 4X4. Today, it doesn't necessarily mean what it used to, but originally, it was just an option, known only to dealers, for the off road package.
Does driving in 4x4 actually use more gas than when not?
When you're comparing otherwise-identical vehicles, and they're operated exactly the same, under exactly the same conditions, yes. Ultimately, the extra fuel burn arises from drivetrain friction -- not just the mechanical friction of the drivetrain components (depending on your system, many or few of which may be disengaged from the engine when operating in 2WD) -- but also from the competition between the front and rear axles. Slight variations in the loaded radius of your tires will occur during normal operation of your vehicle; in 2WD, these are normally magnified when turning in one direction with respect to the other, but nevertheless present when driving along a straight path -- so the differential is working (slightly) even when you're going straight. When you shift into 4WD, the front and rear axles are mechanically linked through the drivetrain, and the vehicle tends either to attempt to pull itself apart or to squash itself together along its longitudinal axis -- and in curves, might even behave differently in this regard from side-to-side. Ordinarily, these imbalanced forces are relatively small, but they nevertheless have a comparatively great influence on fuel economy.
Should I buy a 4x2 or 4x4 truck?
As long as you never have to go off the road, 4x2 if fine. Although, if you ever need to park your trailer on grass, dirt, ext. or venture to the beach I'd recommend 4x4. I've gotten my chevy 2500 4x2 stuck many times parking our horse trailer because the ground wasn't rock solid. A ford ranger is relatively small, so you wont have as much weigh weighing you down, but 4x4 is more reliable and provides more options to what you can do. Accidents happen and sometimes off-roading is inevitable, 4x4 always helps to get out of sticky situations. I have two 4x2 trucks and it limits what we can do. I hope this helps :)