2WD= glorified station wagon?

[mkultra]

Hey there,
New to the forum and T4R as I just bought an '03 SR5 V6 2WD last Thursday. $8800/76k miles/ very well kept. I see most people here have 4WD and sorta frown upon the 2WD's as a wannabe. Glorified station wagons I call most SUV's. Functionally, is my 2WD (stock) no different than a V6 sedan with high ground clearance. I have no desire to rock crawl or mud bog but would want to travel the thousands of miles of fire roads and washboard roads we have in Southern California and the Sierra's. I'm not foolish enough to think just because it's labeled an "SUV" it can go anywhere. Just curious how far most of you would push a 2WD.

BTW, while changing the wiper blades last night, I had the arm propped up as when washing the windows- the blade was removed for replacement- I knocked the arm down reaching for it- it springs back to the windshield- and puts a nasty spider web crack on the windshield upon impact. What a boneheaded move on my 4 day old vehicle.

Thanks for any replies

**Mark

 

[drmorbius]

Hey there,
New to the forum and T4R as I just bought an '03 SR5 V6 2WD last Thursday. $8800/76k miles/ very well kept. I see most people here have 4WD and sorta frown upon the 2WD's as a wannabe. Glorified station wagons I call most SUV's. Functionally, is my 2WD (stock) no different than a V6 sedan with high ground clearance. I have no desire to rock crawl or mud bog but would want to travel the thousands of miles of fire roads and washboard roads we have in Southern California and the Sierra's. I'm not foolish enough to think just because it's labeled an "SUV" it can go anywhere. Just curious how far most of you would push a 2WD.

BTW, while changing the wiper blades last night, I had the arm propped up as when washing the windows- the blade was removed for replacement- I knocked the arm down reaching for it- it springs back to the windshield- and puts a nasty spider web crack on the windshield upon impact. What a boneheaded move on my 4 day old vehicle.

Thanks for any replies

**Mark

Welcome fellow Burbanker! That's an amazing price. Are you sure you only paid $8800? Yeah, we get called soccer moms and stuff but I took mine out to Vasquez Rocks to take pictures and it's a dirt road into there off the highway. It was no problem. We have the same rear suspension as the 4 wheel drive guys and the articulation really showed itself going over some really deep holes. Inside you would never know the holes were there. I've never had it bottom out either on stuff my old Chevy Blazer used to act like it was going to break a spring on. It's a really tough vehicle and one hell of a freeway flyer. Plus it's a Toyota with all the longevity that brings to the party. It's the most amazing vehicle I've ever had and I guess having 4wheel drive would make it even more so. Don't let 'em put you down. You're going to love it.

 

[Thai]

Don't forget, your glorified station wagon can also tow more than a station wagon.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

There's nothing wrong with 2wd if it suits your needs and you get a few more MPGs but for me I couldn't see owning any SUV that was 2wd since if I own a 2wd it will be a car but owning 4wd and never using it is kind of silly.

 

[mangus7175]

Just curious how far most of you would push a 2WD.



Thanks for any replies

**Mark

Mark,

Speaking from experience I can tell you that you will be happy with the performance of the runner. I've taken my 2WD up in Big Bear going to Holcomb and it took the fire roads fairly well. My only complaint was the ride wasn't as smooth. You felt the bumps and the sways. If you plan on really taking your rig to fire roads often, I would suggest getting new suspension to handle the rough terrain. Glad to see another person from Burbank CA up on the boards...welcome.

 

[teampwr2]

DDDDDDDDOnt for get your 4 runner is basicaly a truck with a
4 R body on it , So whatever you would do in a truck you can do with your runner .

 

[shuly]

As much as I personally despise it when people buy a truck or vehicle that should be a 4x4...you will be VERY pleased as to where it can take you. We have a friend that has gotten stuck many times. However there have been places he has gotten that I have been surprised by. He loves to not use the 4x or lock the diff until after he needs it (which is a very big mistake and can be a dangerous thing if traveling alone.) Hence he gets stuck...and one of us pulls him out. It never gets old hehe. But diving into 2 ft of unplowed snow in 2wd is probably a no no and climbing a 35 degree hill w/o the diff locked will require winching to finish the climb...

Like I said it never gets old haha...but you will truly be amazed and happy with what 2wd will get you. Also if you have a friend with another 4runner that has 4x...you can travel together and see if/when you end up getting stuck. With practice you will find that you should have no trouble getting most places you want to go. Stay off the black trails though...that is just asking for trouble. The moderate trails you may find some challenges but with another runner and a tow strap you should be able to make it through anything. Just don't let the guys in the jeeps get pictures of the 4runner being towed. That would be a crime!

 

[pipspeak]

well I bet 95% of t4r owners never take their trucks offroad anyway... heck, I saw an ad recently for an 05 that proudly proclaimed: "never used 4wd", as if that's a selling point (far from it). I use 4wd probably for less than 5% of the miles I drive.

So a 2wd is not a "true" off-roader if someone wants to be a snob about it, but are you the 5% who really cares? Also, you'll get yourself higher clearance, more load space than any station wagon, more towing capacity, and, of course, that great price! Slap on some decent tires and you'll still have plenty of off-roading capability.

 

[thetaxguy]

Re: Re: 2WD= glorified station wagon?

Mark,

Speaking from experience I can tell you that you will be happy with the performance of the runner. I've taken my 2WD up in Big Bear going to Holcomb and it took the fire roads fairly well. My only complaint was the ride wasn't as smooth. You felt the bumps and the sways. If you plan on really taking your rig to fire roads often, I would suggest getting new suspension to handle the rough terrain. Glad to see another person from Burbank CA up on the boards...welcome.

The next time you plan on going up, let me know. I can meet you along the way as I live in Anaheim Hills.

I went out to Pioneertown last weekend. After going out to Pappy's I decided to go hit up some trails. I was pleasant suprised how capable the stock vehicle was on pretty rocky trails. The only down side of the trip was when I got stuck in a wash with pretty deep sand. But with a quick tow I was on my way again. Maybe with better tires and a little less air pressure I would have been fine.

 

[MikesToy]

Welcome aboard! You're in Cali. So 2WD is no big deal. PLUS, for $8800???? That's a good steal.

 

[Falls]

There is a soccer park about 5 miles from my house , you don't see many 4R's there , but if you want to admire the wannabe's there are some damn nice looking Crew cab F250's , Hummers , Suburbans , ect... all pimped out 4x4's and probably have never seen more than a mall parking lol. My buddys wife just bought a new Jeep Rubicon . Women drive alot of nice stuff now days ....I welcome the eye candy

If the 2wd suits you needs then you made the right decision. I have never owned a 2wd except for a few cars , but this is my 15th 4x4.

 

[mangus7175]

Re: Re: Re: 2WD= glorified station wagon?

I never really thought of wheelin' until I got the runner...then I realized I should've bought the 4X4. I originally purchased the runner for my girlfriend because we decided to return the Odyssey. Finding out more about the runner, my curiosity got the best of me and started to take "my girl's" runner on some easy fire/service roads and had a blast. I'm actually thinking of getting an FJC sometime next year or possibly a used '04 to '06 Taco depending on the deal. I have to admit that the wheelin' bug got to me and I can't look back now...I seriously jonesing for some real wheelin'

The next time you plan on going up, let me know. I can meet you along the way as I live in Anaheim Hills.

I went out to Pioneertown last weekend. After going out to Pappy's I decided to go hit up some trails. I was pleasant suprised how capable the stock vehicle was on pretty rocky trails. The only down side of the trip was when I got stuck in a wash with pretty deep sand. But with a quick tow I was on my way again. Maybe with better tires and a little less air pressure I would have been fine.

For sure...I'll PM you next time...also, I heard that Cleghorn can be done with a 4X2 as long as you stay on the bypass...any experiences? I would love to try that trail sometime.

Other trips I had in mind next year are DV and Mojave...hopefully once I get my real rig I can join-up on some 120 runs or TTORA runs.

 

[thetaxguy]

Nope. No experience on Cleghorn. I am fairly new to the whole off-roading thing. Any other trails that you have been on around here?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If you truly have no need for 4wd then 2wd is obvious the smart choice but in areas where you see real snow more than just a few times a year 2wd isn't going to cut it when the snow gets deep and if you choose to really go off road as more of a hobby than you need 4wd but the 4wd equation isn't just about off roading.
In Colorado 2wd won't even make it up to the most of the trailheads we go on as I know since I use 2wd as far as it takes me.

2wd 4Runners fit the "soft roader" category which is fine for most people out there.

 

[mangus7175]

Nope. No experience on Cleghorn. I am fairly new to the whole off-roading thing. Any other trails that you have been on around here?

None really besides a few trips up to BB. I'm still in the process of reading about some trails that are 2WD friendly - as long as you have good amount of ground clearance and of course better tires.

I heard from my buddy at TTORA that most of the trails at Mojave can be driven with a 2WD 4Runner but as always it's always good practice to go with someone who has a 4X4 and of course when possible always go with someone when going on an off-road trip period.

Till I get my real rig I'm planning on getting the full OME suspension and beefier tires. The stock suspension on my '04 just seems too soft when I took it up to BB.

 

[JB.]

In Colorado 2wd won't even make it up to the most of the trailheads we go on as I know since I use 2wd as far as it takes me.

2WD configured how? Open, locked, limited-slip?

 

[shuly]

Re: Re: Re: Re: 2WD= glorified station wagon?

.... heard that Cleghorn can be done with a 4X2 as long as you stay on the bypass...any experiences?

Done Cleghorn...definately stay out of the rough stuff. But if you stay on the main road you should have no trouble at all. Cleghorn is nice because you can see the brunt of the obstacles. The moguls will definately eat up your 2wd Stay on the main road.

If you really want to explore I would recommend the backcountry adventures books by Massey and Wilson. They don't have really nasty trails, mostly stuff that can be easily done and a lot of their suggestions are very scenic. It should be a nice way to maybe explore and see how capable and confident you become. Any green trails in Charles Wells books should be fine in 2wd also. Just make sure that when you attempt the easier trails they are dry. They can get very nasty after a rain.

 

[Thai]

2WD configured how? Open, locked, limited-slip?

RonM's 4runner is a 3rd gen. He has a rear locker that can only be operated in 4wd LOW range...correct me if i am wrong RonM. No LSD. No ATRAC.

So, if RonM is in 2wd, then he is OPEN in the rear.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yep,when it's 2wd it's real 2wd but having the multi-mode auto would be really nice and then to have the ATRAC on top of it would make it perfect but it's really too bad Toyota discontinued the rear locker just as ATRAC became available.

I mess around in 2wd on parts of the trails I do and see how it does and the same with using the rear diff lock and without.

 

[mangus7175]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2WD= glorified station wagon?

Done Cleghorn...definately stay out of the rough stuff. But if you stay on the main road you should have no trouble at all. Cleghorn is nice because you can see the brunt of the obstacles. The moguls will definately eat up your 2wd Stay on the main road.

If you really want to explore I would recommend the backcountry adventures books by Massey and Wilson. They don't have really nasty trails, mostly stuff that can be easily done and a lot of their suggestions are very scenic. It should be a nice way to maybe explore and see how capable and confident you become. Any green trails in Charles Wells books should be fine in 2wd also. Just make sure that when you attempt the easier trails they are dry. They can get very nasty after a rain.

Thanks for the tip...definitely for now since I only have a 2WD I would stay clear of any hard trails...typically I want to do more scenic trails as you mentioned...most of the time when I do go it's always with the girl and the kids so I don't think they would appreciate too much rough stuff.

Us 2 wheeler's should definitely setup a meet sometime to explore easy trails...I know there are tons in SoCal...some easy trail riding and some camping mixed in...good stories and good eatin' and mos def good
beer