ya, i dd a 01 reg cab red chevy thats to lowered it is worthless as a truck, but it looks cool haha

 

I got tired of going sideways at lights every time it rains...now it's full throttle and full traction.

After driving my AWD a few months I will NEVER EVER go back to 2WD. NOTHING 2WD will hang in the corners and roads around my work, I can nail it going into a corner and the fronts pull you through. A Z28 tried to keep up with me one day and ended up sliding out the rear in the corners...the fronts pulling makes that much difference.

And...I think my tires will last longer since I'm not doing burnouts.

 

The transfer case is a Torsen T-3 and virtually indestructible. They use them in some big earth movers so I don't think you have anything to worry about with regards to the transfer case.

The transmission, on the other hand, is another story. If you plan on significant modding (i.e. power adder) and you have an AWD, you will certainly have traction, but that traction will likely be your transmission's undoing.

On a side note, Joe, your truck looks fantastic!

 

I think I am the only one that has had one of each. I am certainly the only one to make well over 500 wheel horsepower in both. I had the turbo 2wd last year that is like top 10 on the dyno list at 585rwhp and 600tq (it made more just never posted the sheet). The AWD had a maggie on it and is currently getting a 403 to go with the blower and should make in the neighborood of 600AWHP.

Here are the pros and cons

Pros 2wd -
Faster....hands down stock for stock or moderately modified
stops FAR better
lighter
can be dropped into the weeds if that is your thing
cheaper to mod (at least when you get into serious mods)
easier to tune (lack of AWD dynos)
less road noise than awd

2wd cons
Traction issue over 400 rwhp
doesnt handle as well as the awd
no where near as much fun to drive on the street as awd

AWD pros
Abundant traction probably 550-600awhp before it becomes a concern
handles much better than 2wd
tows much better than 2wd
Almost nothing will run with a modded AWD on the street

AWD cons
road noise (transfer case makes a little noise)
slower than 2wd lightly modded
less gas mileage (like it is really a factor if you are buying a 400 horse suv)
stops like **** (brakes upgrades needed asap)
more expensive to mod (transfer case and front suspension cost you more in labor when doing trans swaps and motor swaps)

 

Wow, 600 AWHP? Are you doing a 4L80 or 6L80 swap? I don't see the transmission living very long behind that powerplant.