XE 4WD w/ OFF ROAD PACKAGE or SE 2WD w/ BIG TOW or OFF ROAD PACK

crewcab4pd · 06-08-2004, 10:12 AM

First, I would like to Hi and what a great source of info is on this site.
Well I'm all most ready to make a purchase but not sure of a couple of things you guys could help me with.

Most of my driving is a 30 min commute non highway
My problem is a traction issue. I really don't do any off roading (but I like the lifted look of the crew cabs).
Should I;
A) Get a 4WD EX w/ OFF ROAD PACKAGE = E LOCKER which may come in handy of winter snow.
B) Get a 2WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC for traction on rain wet road & light snow.
C) Get a 4WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC & ABLS
I really don't tow or haul anything of great weight, just Home Depot / Lowes runs for weekend projects.

Thanks in advance for any input.

geece1 · 06-08-2004, 10:30 AM

I vote for C for no good reason except that it is what I am driving

Seriously the 4WD with the VDC & ABLS pretty much covers and condition you are likely to face on a paved road, except for trees across the highway greater than 12" in diameter.

TrojanDan · 06-08-2004, 10:46 AM

What lifted look for the CCs? Height for KC 4x2/4x4 is 75"/76.6", the height for CC 4x2/4x4 is 75.1"/76.7". I don't think there is that much of a difference there, maybe you've seen CCs w/the Daystar or Rough Country kit already installed?

I think your main decision is whether or not to get 4x4. The MSRP difference in cost is $3,100 between 4x2 and 4x4. Your gas mileage & acceleration will also be slightly lower w/4x4. I think you need to decide how much snow is an issue in your area, since you're not doing much offroadin. If the snow is light, then VDC and ABLS will probably help you out enough, and you won't have to get the 4x4. Seems to me, from the facts you've given, that option B would be the best/cheapest for you! But then again, that's just MHO.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 06-08-2004, 10:52 AM

TD's measurements are close..

Actually the 'Off-Road' pkg adds .8 inches to the CC 4X2 figure.

The hieght difference between the 4x2 version wtih off-road and the 4x4 version is .8 inches total.

Also, the difference between 4x2 and 4x4 will probably be seen in gas mileage and initial price of the truck.

We went the 4x2 route with the extra packages (KC version though) and are more than happy with the setup.

Chris

itsachopperbaby · 06-08-2004, 11:09 AM

I've recently bought the 2WD Big Tow King Cab. Will use it for quite a bit of highway hauling: hay bales, horses, building supplies.

Have only had it for 1 week, and wish I would have got the 4WD. Had to pick up a bunch of hay in a field with recent rain. The tires kept spinning and couldn't get good traction to get the hay carrier into the round bales. Only got 2 bales out of 10 and had to give up on the rest and come back when it gets drier. I tore the heck out of the guy's field. Actually got stuck and had to disconnect the wagon.

Once loaded and on the highway, pulling those 1 ton beasts was easy.

PS: the fade in the FM and CD portion of the Fosgate is very annoying. Need to have the ability to turn that "feature" off.

TrojanDan · 06-08-2004, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaTitan

TD's measurements are close..

Actually the 'Off-Road' pkg adds .8 inches to the CC 4X2 figure.

The hieght difference between the 4x2 version wtih off-road and the 4x4 version is .8 inches total.

Also, the difference between 4x2 and 4x4 will probably be seen in gas mileage and initial price of the truck.

We went the 4x2 route with the extra packages (KC version though) and are more than happy with the setup.

Chris

Those #'s aren't right? I just pulled them directly off of www.nissanusa.com, in the "dimensions" area. Oh well, either way, the height difference is not much.

Austin · 06-08-2004, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewcab4pd

Most of my driving is a 30 min commute non highway
My problem is a traction issue. I really don't do any off roading (but I like the lifted look of the crew cabs).
Should I;
A) Get a 4WD EX w/ OFF ROAD PACKAGE = E LOCKER which may come in handy of winter snow.
B) Get a 2WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC for traction on rain wet road & light snow.
C) Get a 4WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC & ABLS
I really don't tow or haul anything of great weight, just Home Depot / Lowes runs for weekend projects.

If you don't do any off-roading, then forget option A. The rear locker can only be engaged in 4LO, so it does nothing for on road driving situations. Great for off-road playing, pretty much a waste for on road driving.

If you're worried about traction, get the 4wd with big tow package. VDC and ABLS will give you more traction than you know what to do with.

If you're not worried about traction and don't feel you'd ever use 4x4, then stay with the 2wd.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 06-08-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrojanDan

Those #'s aren't right? I just pulled them directly off of www.nissanusa.com, in the "dimensions" area. Oh well, either way, the height difference is not much.

I agree the numbers aren't that different BUT the numbers on the site and in the literature for the SE are not with the Off-Road pkg. The O-R pkg itself adds the .8 inches.

Just clarifying.

Chris

vgodley1 · 06-08-2004, 12:28 PM

Hi, I went with the XE 4 x 4 with off road package and perfered group and I love it. The only thing you give up that I would like to have had is power mirrors,(truthfully though I havn't needed them yet). I didn't like the crome grill so I thought this was the better option anyway. With bed liner, offroad package, perfered package, floor mats and mud flaps, price was around 28,700 out the door. I am getting between 15 and 16 MPG on combo driving. Put my own hitch and electrical hookup on the truck for around 130.

I don't think you would regret either purchase but I personally think the crew cab and 4 x 4 cover every option you could want.

TrojanDan · 06-08-2004, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaTitan

I agree the numbers aren't that different BUT the numbers on the site and in the literature for the SE are not with the Off-Road pkg. The O-R pkg itself adds the .8 inches.

Just clarifying.

Chris

Cool beans. Thanks for the info.

tnbowhunter · 06-08-2004, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewcab4pd

First, I would like to Hi and what a great source of info is on this site.
Well I'm all most ready to make a purchase but not sure of a couple of things you guys could help me with.

Most of my driving is a 30 min commute non highway
My problem is a traction issue. I really don't do any off roading (but I like the lifted look of the crew cabs).
Should I;
A) Get a 4WD EX w/ OFF ROAD PACKAGE = E LOCKER which may come in handy of winter snow.
B) Get a 2WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC for traction on rain wet road & light snow.
C) Get a 4WD SE w/ Big Tow Package = VDC & ABLS
I really don't tow or haul anything of great weight, just Home Depot / Lowes runs for weekend projects.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Sounds like your commute is about the same as mine, I have a K/C SE 4X4 with big tow, and off road. It has abls, and vdc. I notice that you are from New Jersey. Being from that far up north I know that you get much more snow than we do down in Tennessee. I didn't neccesarily get 4 wheel drive for the snow, mostly for when I go hunting or for pulling the occasional log or whatever here on the farm. But when it does come that rare snow, having four wheel drive sure does come in handy. I would rather have it and not need it than to not have it and need it. To me it is just a good peace of mind knowing that it is there if and when you do need it. I can guarantee that if you do have it you will use it sooner or later.
So I guess whaat I would do in your case would be to go with option C.