I have never had a problem nor has anyone I know had a problem & I know allot of scrambler riders. There is more maintance w/ 4wd but well worth it. You can make the 4wd go as fast as you would like plus you have 4 wheels digging in putting power to the ground not to mention the safty factor on hills, obsicals, etc. I have no fear cause I've stopped in the middle of hills on purpose & just crawled real slow to the top & it was slick, rocky rutted etc I could have flew up it but sometimes it's more fun going as slow as you can. I've lightened mine to the 2wd weight so I'm not loosing anything. Check out my modifications below.
Jim Maloney 98 400 Scrambler
http://photos.yahoo.com/jim400scram

 

I have a 95 scrambler 400 4x4 I can honestly say i have NEVER done anything to the front end other then grease it and adjust the chain once. And i am sure proud of my machine going through the mud and up slippery muddy hills only getting to the top and waiting for my friends on there 2 wheel drive quads.... LONG LIVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE

 

Defintely go for the 4x4 unless you are real **** about the extra weight. I had the Sport 2x4 and traded it 6 months later for 4x4. I have the 500 Scrambler 4x4 and have had no problems and would never go back to just 2x4.

 

Hey guys,

Great input ! I appreciate all the comments. After many, many phone calls I have found 2 2000 4x4's sitting around. Only problem is selling this 400ex. Oh well hopefully I can get rid of it soon. I am pretty much convinced I want the 4x4 but I found a guy willing to sell a left over 2000 2x4 out the door for $4400. Who knows only time will tell! Once again thanks for the input I will keep you all posted.

Triston

 

Don't be afraid of the 4x4 system. It is the same as what is in my Xplorer. Have 3600 trouble free miles. Occasionally I have heard (from other people) about an occasional hub sticking, but 90% of the time, it just needs the hub oil changed. When the oil gets old enough, it seems to get less 'slick' and will sometimes cause sticking. If you change the hub oil every now and again (a quart will change both hubs several times) you should have no troubles.