Isuzu MU-X 4x2 v's 4x4 For Towing

[xcvator]

The time may have come to upgrade the old "Jackaroo"  Think the MU-X would probably suite me as a tow vehicle but if I'm not going off road ( getting too old ) would there be any real advantage of paying all the extra costs of the 4wd over the 2wd ?
And NO I am not interested in dual cabs or the big "Toyota Tanks" 

[glenm64]

If you have definitely put the line through off road requirements, why not?
Not just the extra purchase costs, but you will be saving on maintenance costs. Less mechanical and electrical components also mean less to go wrong when on the road. Its the same motor and gearbox, towing capacities and pay load is the same, so its a more than capable tow vehicle.
Not sure about resale losses, but it sounds like its going to be a long term vehicle anyhow.

Cheers Glen

[Steffo1]

The time may have come to upgrade the old "Jackaroo"  Think the MU-X would probably suite me as a tow vehicle but if I'm not going off road ( getting too old ) would there be any real advantage of paying all the extra costs of the 4wd over the 2wd ?
And NO I am not interested in dual cabs or the big "Toyota Tanks" 

One of the wife's BILs bought a 2WD  Ford Territory a few years ago and, even though he wouldn't think of going off the bitumen, he did say to me that, in hindsight, he should have gone the "All wheel" option as, with the front wheel drive and the van on the back, he has had issues on wet grass.
Van is 16' or 18' I reckon.

[KingBilly]

Keith, the 2WD is rear wheel drive, not front like a lot of alternatives, so perfectly suited to towing. You save weight, service costs, potential mechanical issues and dollars.  Go for it.

Just as a heads up, end of next year, there will be a completely new model MUX.  Maybe some run out specials if you care to wait.

KB

[Steffo1]

Whoops. Close posts.

[kylarama]

I've got a Dmax and was looking at 2wd right up to the death knock, as it's mainly a work ute.  Only went 4wd, to keep options open for the wife's Prado if she wants to downsize in 18 months. A small part was resale value and worried my mates would question my manhood....

Given Isuzu's lack of LSD, no diff lock option and rubbish traction control. You could struggle when things get slippery with a trailer on the back.  I.e. a wet paddock, as I found out.

As others said. The cost saving is pretty big going 2wd.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Bird]

IF your not going offroad, why not look at something like a Commodore etc Shit loads of power
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/the-last-great-aussie-tow-tug-109555/

what is your ball weight and overall weight on tiny?

[Fizzie]

I'm with Steffo

We got a 2nd hand AWD Territory last year. 2.7l turbo diesel, 2.4t tow capacity, & I can sit on the highway speed limit, & even pass people!, with our 16ish' van, at ~1900kg, on the back

[DannyG]

Very good choice of tow vehicle I must say. 

2wd will effect resale with out doubt but you also pay less at the start and if it is a long term vehicle then who cares. And with the Isuzu engine being b10 rated it can very much be a trouble free long term vehicle.

[Swannie]

Mux is. A great choice keithy
Swannie

[Mattsglxr]

My brother has just bought a 2wd MUX and has towed his van a couple of times and is very happy with it. If not hitting the tracks anymore why not go 2wd. As others said only trouble if it get a bit wet and greasy but you can wait for it to dry out can't you lol.

[Murray]

Hi xcavator,
I can't add anything about the MUX, but we have the BT50s for work. I'm not suggesting BT50s I'm just throwing in a comparison between 4x4 and 2wd in utes.
We have one 4x4 and five Hi Rider 2wd. We wanted the 3.2 lt diesel because of the weight carried and ks we cover (average of 60,000ks/yr per vehicle, each vehicle carries 950kg constantly.)
The only 2wd combo available with the bigger engine was the HiRider.
If buy and running costs are a considertaion, as it is with business:  Lower buy price + the savings per kilometer on fuel means we are way ahead when we sell/trade in over what we get for the 4x4 model.
No difference in service costs and we get same k's from tyres on both styles of utes.
The HiRider has the same rear diff as the 4x4 with anti-sway, traction assist etc and being rear wheel drive we don't notice any difference to towing ability.
So, if the 2wd MUX comes with the same basic traction assist features as the 4x4, I doubt you will notice any difference in performance between 4x4 and 2wd.

Cheers,
Murray

[KingBilly]

So, if the 2wd MUX comes with the same basic traction assist features as the 4x4, I doubt you will notice any difference in performance between 4x4 and 2wd.

Same safety and Traction assist features

https://www.isuzuute.com.au/mu-x/specs-and-compare.aspx

KB

[xcvator]

Thanks for all the input   

[xcvator]

Same safety and Traction assist features

https://www.isuzuute.com.au/mu-x/specs-and-compare.aspx

KB

Well **** me, the old "Jackaroo" has none of that stuff, guess I learnt to drive proper

[KingBilly]

Well **** me, the old "Jackaroo" has none of that stuff, guess I learnt to drive proper

Well now you are an old codger with failing reaction times so you will need all the help you can get get to remain a good driver 

Good luck with your decisions 

KB

[Bird]

The time may have come to upgrade the old "Jackaroo"

nobody has asked - Why ?

[xcvator]

nobody has asked - Why ?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$   

[GeoffA]

nobody has asked - Why ?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$   

Keefy, what's not right with your beloved Jack??

[Bird]

i know of a good patrol up fer sale
or d4ds prado with 5million of goodies on it with 2klms on clock
very shiney

[ScarpsD40]

Congrats on the new tug choice. I saw a guy towing a boat the other day with one of these Keithy🤔

[xcvator]

1 total clutch assembly ( collapsed in S.A )
1 major oil leak from the front somewhere ( undiagnosed )
Parts are now getting very hard to find and exxy when you do, maybe if we lived in Qld we could get it fixed, the Jack's are a dime a dozen there, but we live in Vic. The decision has been made, Jack's going but we haven't told him yet,  .Now the fun starts removing the bits I have added over the years.
Change over price has been given and accepted, pity I didn't know about d4d's Prado

[xcvator]

I saw a guy towing a boat the other day with one of these Keithy🤔

pissorf, it's only 2wd 

[Fizzie]

pissorf, it's only 2wd

But you said you don't need 4wd or off-road

[Pottsy]

1 total clutch assembly ( collapsed in S.A )
1 major oil leak from the front somewhere ( undiagnosed )
Parts are now getting very hard to find and exxy when you do, maybe if we lived in Qld we could get it fixed, the Jack's are a dime a dozen there, but we live in Vic. The decision has been made, Jack's going but we haven't told him yet,  .Now the fun starts removing the bits I have added over the years.
Change over price has been given and accepted, pity I didn't know about d4d's Prado

Keith, was that your October trip to the Fleurieu when you struck trouble? Did you nurse her home?
Cheers
Pottsy