On Oct 22, 10:46 pm, "Mike" wrote:
You are waaaaay wrong here. What a mis-informed statement. If it

says 4WD..OR Marine...it always costs more.

That's bull. It costs no more to "tune up" a 4wd vehicle than a 2wd vehicle.
But I do agree with the "marine" part of your statement.

Yup, gotta change the fluid in the xfer case. Depending on use, that costs
an additional $20 to $80 per year. Less if you do it yourself. I just let
Jiffy Lube do it.You must not own a 4wd vehicle, as that's one of the common
arguments I hear against getting one (service costs more). ;-)

--Mike

wrote in message

...



Not once have I had to have the transfer cases serviced.

Theres a difference between never having them serviced, and never
HAVING to have them serviced. They need fluid changes as well, even if
you arent using them.

So no, they don't cost any more for repairs.

You are waaaaay wrong here. What a mis-informed statement. If it
says 4WD..OR Marine...it always costs more.

Here is why 4wd costs more to service, simply more parts to service.
My Nissan has required its front boots over the joints to be replaced
requiring me to replace the entire front driveaxle assembly because
grit got into it although it was rarely used.
Left front auto-hub failed after 10 yrs and had to be replaced and
would have been very expensive so I replaced it with manual hubs.
Replacing a clutch on a 4wd is much more expensive than 2wd and I
suspect auto tranny probs on a 4wd would be horrendous.
Alignment on a 4wd often is more than 2wd and hardly anyone could do
it right on my Nissan because the toe in in the manual was wrong.

Alternatives to 4wd: Carry a come along all the time and really know
how to use it. Chains, in winter, many roads in WY require you have
chains. When I lived there, I went all over including up steep icy
roads with 2wd and chains. Carry 6 bags of sand in the bed for weight
over the drive wheels.

I normally launch from good ramps so I have not had any issues with
getting stuck and a come-along would get me out of almost anything.

"Tune-up", whats that mean? In 313,000 miles, I never really had a
tune up and I always went an absurdly long time between oil changes.
Engine seized at 208,000 miles due to a corroded freeze plug leakign
when my wife was driving it. For that matter, I can honestly say I
never washed my truck EVER. My wife washed it a few times to try to
shame me into it (didnt work), thats what rain is for.

My family wants the 4wd for WY but we will only spend one month there
next summer and then MAYBE a year there before reverting to a month a
year.