2WD versus 4WD... Help Me:

[BigW0rm]

Get the 4x4. I traded in my 17 Ridgeline FWD after a year of owning it.
Now I'm happy :biggrin2:

 

[emailjoe2]

There’s a happy middle ground. Look outside your market or be patient and find a better deal on an SR5 4x4.


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[bigguy02]

What I’m sure is going to be unpopular idea, have you looked at a Jeep Grand Cherokee? I bought my 4runner to take it off road, but I looked at a GC and really liked it as I family hauler suv.


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[Hoss_Ballsnapper]

Your story is a strange one indeed. Put 40s and d60s on a JK and did not enjoy wheeling? Very strange story. most people don't go to those lengths without some some real passion and joy for off-roading in big terrain. 40s... obviously make an already bad platform drive like crap for road use.

Anyway.... the 4wd is real nice to have for sure, but yes it is way more to go wrong and a big weight penalty also. The 2wd versions are almost indestructible... 4wd is also solid, but there is quite a bit more in terms of parts to deal with if you never use it... They rarely fail, but in 150k... things will happen like CV boots....

There is nothing wrong with a 2wd 4runner if you just want the utility of a BOF suv. It's identical to the 4wd version, just missing ~400lbs and a front drive line. Very basic and outdated with nothing exciting to offer besides no frills reliability.

If you did go to sell it at any point. The 4wd upfront cost will pay for itself. Also the 4wd and 2wd versions drive about the same. The 2wd does move around an get slightly better economy because of the decreased weight and rotating resistance.

Just decide what you want.

More than just you found it strange... my wife, my cycling friends, my new wheeling friends, especially my accountant.

Yeah, always wanted a Jeep, wasn't getting any younger (still am not), wife talked me into getting one, went out wheeling -- enjoyed it, then went batshit crazy with parts, 4 months after purchasing new the build was complete and I had every redneck and his toothless girlfriend waving at me as I'd drive by, but the wheeling fell off from its former glory and driving the thing on errands felt similar to what I would imagine it was like to drive a Sherman tank on a family vacation.
Started thinking about keeping it long term and doing really stupid stuff with it vs. babying it and listing it.
Seemed smarter to list it and call it a "Very expensive itch that I scratched" and move on with life.
So I did, and now I am here!

 

[Decipher]

Get the 4WD. You will NEVER have 4WD and wish you bought 2WD instead. The other way around...yup, even in a good snow storm. You’ll always be working from behind with 2WD.

I live in lame Illinois and have driven to Georgia, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri...the list goes on, for the right vehicle. Don’t settle for what’s in town.


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[Decipher]

I hear Toyota Siennas are nice nowadays for your average skirt swishing adventures.

Haha. Quote of the thread.


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[Tmic0723]

I live in NC, and bought a 16 4Runner SR5 2WD. Had it for about a year and traded it in. I loved everything about the truck - but I made a big mistake not getting 4WD.

I plan to get another 4Runner in the future, possibly a 2019 even, but even in NC I really needed 4WD. Any type of snow was a disaster. I went to a Subaru and have AWD and it is a huge, huge difference. I felt like I had no control in the 2WD 4Runner. I would say it's worth it if you truly feel you'll have it a long time. I'm notorious for trading my vehicles after a short period of time (my family thinks I'm nuts). In Georgia, you could probably get away with 2WD, but I'd never buy a 2WD again.

 

[MossJenks]

Why would you get a gas-guzzling tank like a 4Runner cor your needs? Get a car.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

2wd?!

Go buy another truck. Why would you want a truck that drives like a truck on the road if you dont need to. Go get a MDX or another suv which is way better handling on the road if you dont plan to use 4x4 off road.

 

[LandCruiser]

2wd:




4wd:

 

[philsey]

Unfortunately, you came to the wrong place to get much actual objective advice.

You do not need 4WD .. so don't buy it .. TC will take care of any need you've listed. Contrary to T4R.org popular belief, it will not make your dick bigger.

Oh, and if you're a real man, you'll not succumb to a lift and AT tires either. They do enhance your manhood at the shopping mall, but it's temporary.

 

[Jin]

i live in houston...really no reason for 4WD, but i got it anyway.

I will say that i have been stuck 3 times and did have to go into low 4.
Twice at the beach, and one time when i made a u turn off a farm road.

 

[4runr4eva]

Okay, I need some convincing here folks and the story is long--so please bear with me.

About to purchase my first 4Runner (either a 2018 SR5 Premium 2WD or a 2018 Offroad Premium 4WD).
Both are available in my two preferred colors (SR5 in Nautical Blue and ORP in Black).
The SR5 has everything I want (moonroof and no sliding cargo tray) except no 4WD.
The ORP has one thing I don't want, the rear sliding cargo tray, and another huge thing I don't want, a larger price, but it does have a moonroof, KDSS, all black interior and of course 4WD.

I am nearly done with my negotiations with the dealer and the difference is $4500.00.

Backstory...

I came out of a couple years of Jeeping. 2016 JKU Sport, bought it new, that was then built-up with Ultimate Dana 60's front and rear, EVO/King long arms and coilovers and Nitto Trail Grappler 40's with KMC Machete beadlocks. I jumped in deep. And truthfully, I didn't enjoy wheeling that much -- but I really didn't enjoy my rig as a daily driver even more. I then spent the better part of six months finding a buyer while not taking a huge financial bath -- got lucky and sold it in Feb of this year for only a 3.9k loss.

So, here's what I can say...

I am not going to mod the 4Runner beyond (maybe at that) wheels. I am not going to wheel it ever. I might find myself on gravel and a fireroad for camping. I do not intend to trade it in (famous last words I know) and just use it until it dies.
97% of my driving is small city errands, 3% highway, I average around 8-9k miles per year in a car (I mostly am a walker/cyclist ~ I know, not cool to mention at a 4Runner forum but it's true). I currently reside in Georgia but we move from time to time so there's always a chance we could relocate where there is snow but it's highly unlikely.

I also know the resale value of a 2WD is jive but again it is my intention to keep this vehicle for its life.
I also am aware that 4WD is awesome when you need it unexpectedly... but again, my brain tells me "what scenario would that be to justify the additional $4500.00? Maybe a trip north to Michigan to see my wife's family in the winter -- but we hardly ever do this and the two times we did, we flew and rented a car and it was in the dead of summer to boot."

I am also, perhaps needlessly, concerned about maintenance of the transfer case and front diff over time (or honestly, in my case, atrophy~because I would be using it so seldom) if I go the 4WD route.

So that's that...

can you give me your opinions on which direction you'd go if you were in my shoes and for what reasons?

Thanks much.

Why not an SR5 4WD/ or Prem. :shrug:

 

[e60ral]

it doesn't sound like you need 4wd, but since you don't need 4wd you should really get something other than the 4Runner.

The 4Runner is outdated and it's outclassed by pretty much any other crossover-type suv if you don't need offroad capability. Get a Highlander or sedan or something, or even a minivan if you want maximum utility.

 

[kcp1158]

Buy the 4wd

Buy the 4wd. You'll have an easier time reselling the 4wd over the 2wd. The resale value is much better with the 4wd. If you ever go somewhere that snow flies the 2wd is terrible with the 4Runner. I would agree with one of the other post's, if you want a 2wd get the Highlander, you'll get a better ride, better fuel mileage and have close to the same amount of cargo space, plus have more of the safety features not offered on the 4Runner. We had a Highlander up to a year ago, went to a Rav4 ( When our lease was up ) Now have a 4Runner (4wd) and Rav4 (awd) not disappointed at all.

 

[mscot]

Whether you go 4wd or not, I wouldnt get KDSS in Georgia. It's great if you're in the mountains a lot but if you're main driving is relatively flat and straight you're spending $1700 and getting a rougher ride for the benefit of going 5mph faster on an off ramp.

But, it sounds to me like you need to access what you plan to do with this vehicle. If it's a people hauler you may find something else more enjoyable.

 

[dot_tom]

All I have to say is I bought a 2016 Tacoma 2WD and got it stuck in the beach parking lot a week later. Never again will I have a 2WD truck or SUV. We still have that truck and love it but plan to trade it in soon for a 4x4.

Better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[philsey]

it doesn't sound like you need 4wd, but since you don't need 4wd you should really get something other than the 4Runner.

The 4Runner is outdated and it's outclassed by pretty much any other crossover-type suv if you don't need offroad capability. Get a Highlander or sedan or something, or even a minivan if you want maximum utility.

Disagree with this logic.

I drive a 4R because I like it. It suits me. I like the reliability. I like the "road presence". I like it's look. I like that it is just a little unique. I like that it is (relatively) simple. I have absolutely no real need for it. I simply prefer driving a large-ish SUV.

When I decided to replace my 2010 (which was a totally unnecessary wild hair), I found absolutely nothing else I wanted. I just like it.

 

[Sothras]

Having purchased a 2018 SR5 Premium in Jan I now wish I went with the 4WD.I have done a few mods- shocks, wheels etc and now realize I would like the ability to do a LOT more wheeling.....

Coming from an Escalade I needed the 3rd row and it was available so i jumped on it, now wishing I waited..

Good luck

Chris

 

[sqtx]

I had a 2wd 2014 4runner. It was a great vehicle. If you don't need the 4wd go with 2wd. That being said, I didn't need 4wd, and end up wanting 4wd. I traded in the 2014 2wd and got a 2018 4wd.