I am new to 4 wheelers, and I think I want a 4x4. I have found an 06 Rancher footshift that looks like it's in good shape going by pictures (it's a pretty good drive for me to go see it in person).
It appears that this 4wheeler is a full time 4wd instead of being able to choose between 2wd and 4wd and I don't think I'd like that since the big majority of the time I'd assume I'd want 2wd. For the times I "dont need" 4wd, doesn't the extra load on the drivetrain hinder the fun factor? I'd also imagine it hurts the turning radius enough to make it less nimble.

Does this full time 4wd really cause the problems I'm describing?

 

A 06 Rancher should not be full time 4wd.

 

How do you shift from 2wd to 4wd? (Honestly I've looked at so many craigslist ads, I could have it confused with another one, but I'd have sworn this one was full time 4wd since that was my only negative for it. It is a foot shift , the best I remember)

 

All 350 rancher are full time, 420 rancher is trac-lock 2wd-4wd

 

Is it an 400AT rancher?

 

Should be a yellow slide switch on the right handle bar.

 

My bad my 04 was a 400 and it is switchable

 

The one I'm looking at is a 350 foot shift - guy says it's full time 4wd.
I like everything else about it - just don't think I want full time 4wd.

 

IMO fulltime 4wd is alot harder to do tail spins an handle in the woods at slow speeds...But I use my full time for slow speed riding an love it but each there own..Its not an sport atv tho.just an great mid range atv to hunt and work with. Im not sure what you are wanting to do with it or how you are wanting to ride it..

 

it's not that bad, my Honda is a 05 and yeah it doesn't turn as sharp but i've never had an issue on my trails

in some ways i actually prefer it over my Suzuki, the thing is really light so it's pretty easy to try and pick it up when you get stuck and i like the manual shift better

only thing is you should be able to get a automatic 400 for pretty much the same price