I am thinking about getting a Rancher (probably foot shift). But I'm not sure if I need the 4 wheel drive. I wouldn't mine paying the extra price for the 4x4, but someone told me the all-time 4 wheel drive makes the Rancher very hard on gas....is that true?

Also, I would get the 2 wheel drive, but I'm not sure how they are over boggy, wet terrain. Any help would be appreciated.

 

the 4x4 is not that bad on gas. It would definitely be worth the little extra money. If you think it is not getting good enough gas mileage then you can buy and unlocker for it. If you get the 2x4 then the first time you get stuck you will be regreting it.

 

Definitely the 4x4, if you buy the 2 wheel drive you might as well buy a tow strap with it so you'll be ready for your buddies with 4x4's to pull you out. Also the ES is pretty nice and isnt that much more either.

 

Unless mudd bogging is a hobby of yours the 2wd is fine.4wd is good to,you just get stuck a little further in the hole.The rancher is an outstanding atv.Whatever drivetrain you chose,you will be pleased.

 

I don't know how much snow you get in Virginia, but he's from Newfoundland, don't they get alot of snow there? It's been my experience that when the big snows come the 2wd guys stay home. If I were going to spend say $5000+ on a new 2wd quad I think I'd go for a 300EX or 400EX and get the most bang for my buck. I do however agree that the Rancher is an outstanding machine.

 

You are better off getting the 4x4 rancher its a way better machine ! My brother has one and its great. he has the ES version and right now it has over 4000 km's on it and still going strong. you will be wanting a 4x4 when the snow comes. I had my brothers rancher up to the headlights in snow and I was still moving. the way I see it is if you have the money you might as well get the best you can get so id go for the 4x4. By the way im from St. John's NF

 

Does anyone know what Mpg is on the 2x4 & 4x4? If it's not too much of a difference, I'm going to get the 4x4. Thanks!

 

I don't know exactly,but I can offer this bit of info on the MPG. A few weeks ago we went to a club ride that was 31 miles and I got back to the truck with half a tank left which would be about 1.5 gallons used out of the 3 gallon tank.I don't know what kind of terrain you ride on or your style of riding ,but ,this was full throttle,up oneside of the mountain and down the other.Also my rancher is not stock , I have a bit larger tire and I'm running a performance pipe ,with a re-jetted carb so my machine is probably using a bit more fuel than stock. If you don't mind my asking why is the MPG a big issue?

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I have the Rancher in 4 wheel drive and then added the Warn 424 select so now I have both. Gas milage seems about the same either way.

 

my 2x4 rancher w/ 26inch 589s can keep up with any stock 4x4 around. and even go through some stuff that they cant! we had 14inchs of snow and i rode around w/ stock slicks. year they spun alot,but it got me pretty much anywhere i wanted to go in the fields and some trails.