When did 4x4 trucks come the must have thing?

[JIMs70GMC]

The cyclone and typhoons have all wheel drive, single speed transfercase that use vicious coupling vice a differnetial. I do believe they can be locked front to rear similar to a locking torque converter.

[Superron21]

most new 4x4's are only used to clear the speedbumps at starbucks (tenbucks)

[8t5Silverado]

Originally Posted by uncle_handsome

It's not the fact that it's a 4x4 muscle truck. I think that idea is pretty cool. I'd like to see one left stock height or a little lift with a badass motor, loud dual exhaust and some wider tires, preferably an offroad tread style.

The reason I think this one in particular was dumb is because it looked like Dodge was trying to re-create a Dodge Daytona wing car (circa late 60's and early 70's) with a 4x4, not a 2wd. A lot of people here also buy 4x4's and never use them offroad. But most people who want a 4x4 up here want a fully functional bed. 90% of people buy them because they want to feel invicible in the snow. (and haul or tow their toys) The wing car even back then was a little impractical as a daily driver, though they were cool. ('cause it was built for NASCAR!)

Also if I cared enough about on-road or track performance to want a low (for handling an aerodynamics) hot rod truck, I would also be annoyed that it came with 4wd, because it has an extra 300 lbs on the front end. Not only will that reduce your overall ability to accelerate, but the weight's in the wrong spot. (It should be in the rear) This extra 300lbs on the front will surely kill your 60-ft times!

This "Wing Truck" also looked slightly impractical for anyone who ever needs to use the bed. It reminded me of Ford's Lightnings or the 454 SS. It also had tires that were almost a foot wide with what looked like fairly high-speed rated tires; these tires would suck on a dry gravel road... and at least half of the people who own 4x4's around here go places like that to fish, camp or go to people's cottages. (even if they never shift into 4wd)

A lot of times the p*ss-poor "custom" vehicles at dealerships are dreamed up and commissioned by the sales manager and/or the owner. I worked at one for a time and it is sickening. It's like you HAVE to have bad taste to sell cars.

Anyway, the wings on those Dodges most likely snap into the holes at the top of the bedside (like the SRT-10) and can be removed or mounted close to the cab, if you need to load something in the bed.

I've seen an orange 4x4 Dodge with the big wing that says Hemi at a local dealership. Hey, there are people who will buy this crap and think it is just as cool as a 71 Hemi Cuda...give me a break. My stepdad's brother bought a Rumble Bee (shortbed Hemi Dodge, yellow with black bumble bee stripe) and it's a 4x4 with 20's from the factory.

[Daubs]

I remember my dad's first 4x4...a 1976 Chevy K-20 HD 4x4 with 350 and 4 speed. Got a whopping 6 MPG city/highway, uphill/downhill, wind-at-back/wind-in-face, you name it.

He purchased the truck because of his job (construction) and actually NEEDED 4x4. Also helped when we were out hunting on the rural back-roads, and in the snow.

Well said Krue "It's better to have something (4wd in this case) and not need it, than to need it and not have it."

[olblue60@aol.com]

Plus, the new ones ride better, are easier to operate the 4WD making them better family friendly vehicles for all drivers.