2wd or 4wd

[ArizonaKevin]

When running desert trails are you in 2wd or 4wd in your UTV? I have always been a 2wd guy because I like sliding and drifting. Definitely accept that I will be slower than someone running in 4wd and am considering making the change for a little bit more stability.

 

[c_land]

4WD everytime it leaves pavement.

You can drift and slide in 4WD too

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

4WD most of the time for me.

 

[DLC]

Depends on how fast im driving, 4wd has better control and I believe it’s overall faster! you can stay on the gas more!
In tight stuff you can make tighter turns in 2 WD

my buddy runs 4 WD all the time and his tires wear evenly….. my rears always wear faster than the frts

 

[motormonkey]

Running in 4WD is easier on the drive train as it splits the power evenly. Saves axles and shafts.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Running in 4WD is easier on the drive train as it splits the power evenly. Saves axles and shafts.

I think that is debatable and depends on the surface. If you are in 2wd on a trail at speed and spinning the tires and drifting around, you are being very easy on the entire drivetrain. The more traction you have, the more load you are putting on everything.

Slow speed crawling, yea you are putting more load on half the drivetrain in 2wd.

 

[jesco]

I have always been a 2wd guy.... I raced the Mint last year and everybody I know told me Im an idiot for running in 2wd... turned the second fastest lap in class and finished 5th place. I have NEVER lost a belt or axle, racing or in my play car with 1000s of miles on multiple cars. Now.... fast forward to this year and after getting ridiculed by everybody I started racing in 4wd... what I have noticed is it definitely pulls harder out of turns, and because of that my arms get a little more tired, hahaha . I also think the car shakes WAY more in the washboard stuff in 4wd.. This years Mint I am undecided on 2wd or 4wd... my co-driver thinks I drive better and smoother in 2wd... so might be going back to 2wd.

 

[Happy Smitty]

Split the difference and go with 3 wd.

 

[Good Stuff]

2wd with the rear diff locked on the standard Havasu trails. 4wd with locked front and rear diff for sand hills.

 

[jeepdog]

I'm a old jeepdog...I was taught 2wd till you get into trouble..practicing your skills...the latest I here says leave it in 4wd...it's easier on the trails

 

[BHC Vic]

I'm a old jeepdog...I was taught 2wd till you get into trouble..practicing your skills...the latest I here says leave it in 4wd...it's easier on the trails

I learned like you. 2wd till you’re in trouble.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I have always been a 2wd guy.... I raced the Mint last year and everybody I know told me Im an idiot for running in 2wd... turned the second fastest lap in class and finished 5th place. I have NEVER lost a belt or axle, racing or in my play car with 1000s of miles on multiple cars. Now.... fast forward to this year and after getting ridiculed by everybody I started racing in 4wd... what I have noticed is it definitely pulls harder out of turns, and because of that my arms get a little more tired, hahaha . I also think the car shakes WAY more in the washboard stuff in 4wd.. This years Mint I am undecided on 2wd or 4wd... my co-driver thinks I drive better and smoother in 2wd... so might be going back to 2wd.

Do you have any driveline upgrades? The shitty carrier bearings in these things and the fact that there is no center diff do make them vibrate more in 4wd.

I do have to drive the car a bit different in 4wd when I’m pushing it, and for me at least the fuel economy is better. I like 2wd, but I can carry so much more momentum in 4wd.

 

[jesco]

Do you have any driveline upgrades? The shitty carrier bearings in these things and the fact that there is no center diff do make them vibrate more in 4wd.

I do have to drive the car a bit different in 4wd when I’m pushing it, and for me at least the fuel economy is better.

No, I haven’t upgraded the carrier bearing. I’ve touched just about everything else though…hahaha. At least on the race car. 4 seat play car is still fairly “stock”.

 

[endobear]

I prefer 2wd for most driving. I like to back it in to every corner.. 4wd only when I drop below 20mph or im trying tp keep up with turbo cars that are hammering it. 4wd mostly in the dunes though.
4 low when needed.

 

[motormonkey]

No, I haven’t upgraded the carrier bearing. I’ve touched just about everything else though…hahaha. At least on the race car. 4 seat play car is still fairly “stock”.

So you are running stock axles? I'm impressed. Haha. Seemed like some of the first upgrades a while ago. I'm hard on stuff sometimes. Lol.

 

[jesco]

So you are running stock axles? I'm impressed. Haha. Seemed like some of the first upgrades a while ago. I'm hard on stuff sometimes. Lol.

Not on the race car, I have RCVs on that. My 4 seat play car is stock.

 

[TPC]

Higher trail speeds 4WD essential.
On the dunes always 4WD.

 

[cakemoto]

I’m at 3300 miles not one blown belt.I’m always in 2 Wheel unless I’m rock crawling or in the dunes.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I’m at 3300 miles not one blown belt.I’m always in 2 Wheel unless I’m rock crawling or in the dunes.

I think 2 wheel is easier on them. That is good belt life!
I can kill them in Standard Wash if I’m going too fast for too long.

 

[Ladsm]

I have a 2013 XP4900 with 2500 miles on the original belt. On the dirt and mountain trails I run 2wd everywhere unless climbing a soft hill or need the extra traction. Out in Glamis with the paddles and smoothies I only hit 4wd to climb big hills. You can feel the stress on the drivetrain pulling the extra drag from the front end when in 4wd.

 

[badgas]

I have a 2013 XP4900 with 2500 miles on the original belt. On the dirt and mountain trails I run 2wd everywhere unless climbing a soft hill or need the extra traction. Out in Glamis with the paddles and smoothies I only hit 4wd to climb big hills. You can feel the stress on the drivetrain pulling the extra drag from the front end when in 4wd.

This is what I do as well 2012 XP 900 with 2400 miles. Never eaten a belt. I do change a belt every few years as I dont want to change one on the dunes : )

IMO 2wd in the dunes just feels way more smooth.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

interesting to hear on the belts. I am on the original belt at 2600 miles in my XX. Feel like I am on borrowed time but I don't mind replacing a belt in the dez so I want to see how long I can push it.

 

[TPC]

A fresh belt and oil change each season works for us. I carry a used spare for the unprepared we encounter. I’d rather donate a used belt than tow them 15 miles.

 

[Dana757]

I prefer 2wd for most driving. I like to back it in to every corner.. 4wd only when I drop below 20mph or im trying tp keep up with turbo cars that are hammering it. 4wd mostly in the dunes though.
4 low when needed. View attachment 1046722

that's some nice chunk! what trail is this??

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

interesting to hear on the belts. I am on the original belt at 2600 miles in my XX. Feel like I am on borrowed time but I don't mind replacing a belt in the dez so I want to see how long I can push it.

If you smell rubber or the car feels weird.. stop and change the belt. It is generally easier to change a failing belt, than it is a failed belt.

That is however why I like the Gates Carbon belts. When it lets go it just ejects itself out of the exhaust port in the CVT housing. The OEM belts shred and leave debris everywhere.

I get about 800-1000 miles out of them, and they are $80.

 

[endobear]

that's some nice chunk! what trail is this??

Spring Creek jeep trail. About 35 minutes west of Denver in Lawson off i-70.
It gets knarly. Way worse than my picture shows.