Just a courious Question, Which one will do better in the Trails...A Bone Stock Open Diff 4x4 Xterra (No Mods) or a Locked and Lifted Modded out 4x2 Xterra ?

It's going to have to depend on the trail the X is on. If by modded out you mean 6" of lift w/ M/T's, solid axles, etc. Then the 4x2 will do fine for the most part. Run into some slippery rocks or a muddy incline and I'd have to go w/ 4x4. This whole thread, if it gets big, will turn into a bunch of what if's.

In general I would take a Stock 4x4 X especially on the 1st gens.

In some specialized situations like baja desert running I would take a 4x2 if it had the right LT type mods over a stock 4x4.

The locker will get you a long way - but the big thing a 2WD lacks is the low range gears.

Yeah, I think I would rather take a Bone Stock Open Diff 4x4 Xterra on slippery rocks or a muddy incline...at least you have that extra "Front Diff" to help you out a Little bit more !!

Both have the same thing, 2 wheels getting power. The 4x4 however has that power on both ends of the vehicle and will beat the 2WD in every circumstance.

How do you figure? I agree I would rather have 4x4.
But to say every cirumstance is rediculous. What if your rear and front drivetrain tires are off camber?
You would get traction in the rear if one is locked.

Everything that people in CO consider 4 wheeling. We dont do Baja there are no large open flat type ares to go, we Rock Crawl in the mountains all over the state and lots of it. A 2 wheel drive has absolutely no business on the off road trails in CO. And if I ever saw one stuck in CO on the trails I would tell him tough shit.... here is the number to a wrecker. This way they could pay the bill and then have to think twice about going out on the trails again.

im gunna agree w/most everyone here and go with 4x4 just because you have the extra pull when you need it. i drive a 4x2 and ya i have tons of fun with it but i cant tell you how many times i have needed/wanted 4x4 to get thru things that i want to attempt. even if i locked my 4x2 (which i am still contemplating) i still dont think ill be satisfied.

this thread is gunna get pretty lengthy haha

This could be argued for decades, but I think it would depend on the situation.

I have a 4x2 and plan on locking it one day, but that will probably be in a few years unless I somehow come upon some major amount of cash.

If you were going to SAS a 4x2, you might as well convert it to 4x4 while you're doing the SAS.

Good thing I never got stuck then..

Back in the 70's I was on the "off road trails" all the time in my 2 wheel drive trucks that I owned. Never got stuck, but I did pull out some stuck 4x4's

I don't recommend it, not a good idea, but as many state, it just depends on many variables.

About the only thing a locked and modded 2wd is good for is great donuts.

If you spent the same money on the same mods on a 4x4 the least you get is 3wd.

You'd have to hit the rocks really hard with the front wheels to "bump" them up on say a 7 incher, increase that to 24 inches and you'd destroy the front end trying to get it on top of the rock. Once the front was on top you'd have nothing to pull the assist the rear wheels up. You'd be stuck...No front go power = no go.

Even in the mud fronts just dig (really push) down into the slop stopping big moe from doing his job.

Yeah give me a stock 4x anyday...unless you're talking high speed sand running.