2WD versus 4WD... Help Me:

Hoss_Ballsnapper

Hoss_Ballsnapper

New member
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.
 
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Hoss_Ballsnapper said:
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.
Click to expand...

A 4Runner is an off road rig, I would only consider 4WD. If I wanted 2WD i'd get a Highlander.. Wait, I have one of those as well :-)
 
I mean if you dont want the sliding cargo...ill come by and take it off your hands haha, get it and try it out. If you dont like it, you can always come here and trade with another owner or me. As for 2wd vs 4wd, thats something i had to have. Its a 4runner, says "off road" all over it and i mean if your not going to off road, it some what snows in georgia, could possibly use it. Its something good to have just incase. You never know :)

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Don't think there is much point in discussing the mechanical differences with you of course as a former owner of that kind of build, I still raise an eyebrow with these 2 wheel drive trucks, we don't get those in these parts but I think they'd sell, I see snow tires on most trucks in the Toronto area anyway.

Sounds like you're answering all of your own questions, use of the vehicle certainly doesn't justify the extra $ but my decision to buy the ORP model over the SR5 was the interior differences, certainly the ride difference (KDSS), I came from a Jeep as well and wanted the transfer case lever, I liked the wheels better, and sure ( but at the bottom of the list ) was the extra capabilities it offers in 4WD electronics. Even though my primary use for the vehicle is a daily driver, you know from modding that Jeep for the reasons you did and were as capable as you could afford.

If you can afford it then why not - can't predict the future, you might sell it someday, the extra $ should factor back to you. If you're going to keep it forever ( I intend to as well ) then its all that much more to enjoy. What are you gonna do with your $4500 saved by Go Pro stocks ? LoL

I say go for it, I don't have that tray thing either but had to order it that way.

Best of luck! :rockon:
 
Is the option of shopping online at other dealers out of state/county and getting it shipped to you off the table? If not, I'm sure you can find a SR5 Premium in w your exact specs in 4x4 for not much more. I live in southern california and purchased from a dealer in arizona. Shipping was $500 but was warranted with the savings from the local market premium charges.
 
atchcraft said:
Agreed. It's like non-alcoholic beer or tits on a boar; there's just no point to it. There are far better choices out there for a street rig.
Click to expand...

Agreed, if you don't need 4WD get something else. The 4runner is an archaic POS in comparison to "modern" crossovers. My wife's Murano has far superior handling, gas mileage and interior quality. It's a dream to drive and has all the toys and electronics you could ever want and was much cheaper than my T4R.

Lot's of alternative choices out there.
 
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.
 
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If you get 2WD, you are basically committing to driving slowly and morosely by every awesome offroad trail as you wonder "God I wish I knew where that trail goes...", and then continue on your way to Pier 1 Imports to find a new vase for the end table.

Friends don't let friends buy 2 wheel drive.
 
From your description of your driving conditions, the 2WD will be fine for your needs.

Use the extra money towards your cycling gear.
 
1996_Valencia_Owen said:
If you get 2WD, you are basically committing to driving slowly and morosely by every awesome offroad trail as you wonder "God I wish I knew where that trail goes...", and then continue on your way to Pier 1 Imports to find a new vase for the end table.

Friends don't let friends buy 2 wheel drive.
Click to expand...

Did you read the part where he said he had a 2016 JK with D60s and 40s and did not enjoy going off-road. So now he wants a 4runner.

The story is fishy to me.. but I guess people are all different. I almost purchased a 2wd myself.. but I just could not do it in the end. Glad I changed my mind because I would have hated it.... at the time I was riding motos all the time off-road and figured it would meet my needs to haul those around. Things changed after I got hurt.. so the 4runner got way more off-road time than I had orginally planned for it.
 
Personally I don’t buy truck that are 2WD, we have 4 in the family and not one is 2WD… and if I was in your shoes I would be looking at a Limited in 4WD / AWD being a street-centric purchase.

It’s the only 5th gen that comes with a Torsen center which basically makes it like an Audi; as in the system was designed to be used in 4WD on the road, and excels in environments like snow and wet conditions. It also maintains the ability to lock the center TC which gives you that true off-road style diff.

If it wasn’t for the upgraded interior / trim of the Limited, and the AWD system, I literally would have just bought something else.

That’s just my opinion, it's worth what you paid for it… I don’t see the point of buying a heavy body-on-frame SUV like this and not getting the capability especially if this is going to be a long term purchase. Plenty of other sporty more fun SUVs to drive on the street…
 
You’re going to hear a lot of “if you don’t need 4WD then you don’t need a 4runner” talk on this board because off-road is what most people here do. It sounds like you don’t need or want 4wd, so don’t get it. My previous 4runners (3rd gen and a 4th gen that I put tons of miles on) were both 2WD and mostly went where and did what I wanted. But this time around I opted for 4wd. I like it. Off-roading is fun. I can go camping way down padre island where 4wd is necessary. But I lived happily with 2WD for about 16 years. If they still make 4runners when I buy my next one, around 8 years from now based on my history, I’m 75% sure I’ll get 2WD. Added cost and maintenance is a bit of a drag... 1st world problems, I know...

Now - you will also hear a lot of “get a Highlander” since you aren’t going off road. So, why not get a Highlander? I put bikes inside my 4runner. This way I don’t have to worry about a rear-end accident destroying my expensive bikes and I can stop at a restaurant and not worry about someone stealing a bike off the back of my vehicle. I tried to fit 2 bikes with camping gear in a Highlander and I couldn’t make it work. Only you can decide if your lifestyle can fit in the smaller highlander.
 
My 5th Gen isn't even at off-road rig... I have my 4th Gen for that, but I still went with a 4WD package and I have zero intention of taking it "on the trails".

Ever since the day I had to put on snow chains it sealed the deal for me when all I saw was people with 4WD cars and trucks allowed to pass.

For the 1 time a year I head up to the mountains if I am lucky, its worth it not having to pull over to the size of the road and fumble with that junk in the snow.

Its a great platform to have 4WD/AWD, I figure you might as well do it right or don't do it at all.
 
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