2WD vs. 4WD

[ruthdog23]

I am getting ready to special order a 2007 Sport Edition V6. My question is do I need 2WD or 4WD?

I expect to drive it on the road 98% of the time with very limited light off-road action. I also expect to purchase a jetski shortly after I receive the TR4.

Do my needs justify spending the extra money for 4x4??

Thanks for any input!!

 

[petr321]

if you dont drive in snow then dont do it

 

[peter78]

As a 2WD owner I will give you my bias opinion. First, you are getting a V6, I like the idea of being able to go to 4WD or 2WD in the 4WD model. If you got the V8, it is 4WD full time. Second, you live in WV and you probably get a fair amount of snow. If you live in FL or here in GA, I would say it may not be worth it. When you have snow it will be nice to have 4WD. Third, if it truly is just a bit more for 4WD and there is no great deal on either model, I would go with 4WD. Sooner or later you will regret not getting 4WD and it will be easier to sell.

I guess being a 2WD owner, I should plug that model a bit, you will get slightly better mileage, less maintenance and a little cheaper for insurance. The 4Runner is meant to be 4WD, my opinion is to go 4WD.

 

[sharp4runr]

Do you drive in the snow much and is it hilly in your area? If so, I would get it.

4WD isn't really necessary for towing. Actually you have a little more towing capacity with 2WD. Since you are only towing jet skis, you shouldn't have much of an issue pulling the skis out. If it was a really heavy boat, the extra traction while on the boat ramp would help.

 

[Atomic 4Runner]

I am getting ready to special order a 2007 Sport Edition V6. My question is do I need 2WD or 4WD?

I expect to drive it on the road 98% of the time with very limited light off-road action. I also expect to purchase a jetski shortly after I receive the TR4.

Do my needs justify spending the extra money for 4x4??

Thanks for any input!!

When you're on a steep, wet, slippery boat ramp, are you going to worry pulling that jet ski out of the lake w/o 4-wheel drive. WV gets snow, right? Remember the 4X4 retains considerable value when it comes time to trade. You'll have the freedom to go whenever, wherever, and YOU can help motorists stranded in the snow, not be dependent upon someone else with a 4X4 to get you unstuck. How are we doing? Are you convinced yet?

If it's going to put a hardship on you, then don't get it. I'd rather have a 2-wheel drive 4Runner than no 4Runner at all. But if I can give up a burger or two each week and have the 4-wheel drive, then I've got heaven on a set of radials!

 

[01silverSR5]

I am getting ready to special order a 2007 Sport Edition V6. My question is do I need 2WD or 4WD?

I expect to drive it on the road 98% of the time with very limited light off-road action. I also expect to purchase a jetski shortly after I receive the TR4.

Do my needs justify spending the extra money for 4x4??

Thanks for any input!!

Here is my thought, take it for what it is worth. When I bought my runner I opted to go with the 2WD. I regret this decision, there have been a couple of times where I have been camping and I didn't feel comfortable taking the rig down a certain path becasue I wasn't sure if I could make it out. If you can afford the cost, go for the 4WD!

 

[ruthdog23]

Ok, I now think I do need the 4x4. I live in WV and we do get snow. I guess I would rather be able to drive through the snow and not have to rely on someone with 4x4 to pull me out. Thanks for all of your input!!

 

[toto]

I agree that having 4WD provides a certain level of extra confidence in your truck. I've found that it's great even in the rain - when you step on the gas, you know the truck is always going to move and not spin the tires. For that reason, I actually prefer the full-time 4WD with the V8.

So if 4WD isn't cost-prohibitive, I'd get it.

 

[rx900]

snowy area, 4wd. Dry areas (like Fresno,CA) 2wd is fine.

I opted for a 2wd because I don't use the 4wd and since I already have a 4wd SUV there isnt much of a need for two 4wd vehicles!

 

[blindside]

i got a 2wd instead of a 4wd only because i live here in cali where there really are no extreme weather concerns plus i don't really go off road plus my wife use to drive it before i did... but if i had the chance to go back in time, i would have chosen a 4wd, i would prefer having the best of both worlds.

 

[Koz]

The 4wd system in the 4Runner is also great for wet weather. Boat ramps can be traction PITA, why struggle?

Koz

 

[Mountaineer]

I grew up in West Virginia and if you can afford 4wd, get it. You'll typically get enough snow to make it worthwhile. Definitely get it if you do any skiing or are up in the mountains during the winter. Even though I live in Memphis now, I did not even consider getting a 2wd when I bought my 4Runner. If you're having any doubts, do youself a favor and get a 4wd. That way you won't ever regret it.

 

[boston_kevin]

I would ask, why are you even considering 2WD? Is it for the gas mileage? If so, you will only gain maybe 1-2 mpg on a good day. You do see some weight advantage (in towing) with 2WD over 4WD, but we're talking about 200 - 300 lbs difference in capacity. I'd opt for the 4WD. Between the snow and sometimes icy roads you get in that area in the winter, 4WD is a nice reassurance. Not to mention, your resale will also go up (if you decide to sell).

 

[ruthdog23]

You have all convinced me that 4WD is necessary and a value adding option. 4WD it is!!! Thank you for all that replied. I don't know what I would do without this site.

 

[T4RUSAF]

You have all convinced me that 4WD is necessary and a value adding option. 4WD it is!!! Thank you for all that replied. I don't know what I would do without this site.

HAHA, amen! That is exactly what happened to me, but I did it after I found this site! Started off w/ a V6 2WD, found the site, punched myself in the face for not getting 4WD, and after I gained conscienceness got a V8 4WD...

Okay not that quickly... but after about a year of debating I did end up selling my 2WD to buy a 4WD. It defintely was the insight of this forum and I guess my trips up to Tahoe that sold me on the whole thing... great decision!

 

[Thai]

We are an influencial bunch!

 

[Northof49]

Sounds like you've made a good decision.

I'd rather have 4wd and never need it, than need it and not have it. My thinking is that if you're buying a brand-new, fairly stout body-on-frame SUV, might as well go for the all-weather version

 

[MicaBlue03]

I experimented with 2WD and 4WD modes on snow (a fairly slippery snowstorm as these things go) and found that even with traction control the lack of weight in the rear end made the 4Runner a marginal performer.

I'd worry about 2WD on boat ramps. Seems like the bottom of the ramps (where the rear wheels are) is often slimy and quite a bit slicker than the area farther up the ramp.

 

[Fro-Runner]

If you buy the V6 then you can have both the 2wd and 4wd because of the select mode feature. All V8's come with all wheel drive option only. I like the ability of having the 2wd experience in dry weather and the sure footing of the 4wd during wet weather. Believe me....... the 4 Runner does handle DIFFERENTLY in 2wd than it does in 4wd--- especially when cornering. You get in and out of a corner with more spirit in 2wd than in 4wd.

The V6's now have the same 5 spd auto tranny as the V8 models so you get the constant power band without the lugging associated with the 3rd gen 4 speeds.

My choice and advice would be to buy the 4wd V6 sport edition or SR5 model. You will not be disappointed as you can always debadged the side doors and conceal the fact of whether it's a SR5 or limited model.

 

[4Runnerdesirous]

I have questions before buying pre-owned 4Runner

Hi, we are a Toyota family looking to buy a pre-owned 4Runner to pull a Casita. I am specifically looking at the 4th generation because the V-8 was made then.
The V-6 will easily pull the Casita, however. So my questions are:
The V-8 stays in 4WD full time, how is street driving? Historically, which has less mechanical problems, staying in 4WD all the time, vs switching from 2WD to 4WD (the V-6)?
There was a V-8 motor change in 2005 from the 4.7L 2U-FE to the VVT-I. Which is better? Or will we be better off with the V-6 4.0L since the majority of our driving will be street driving?
Thank you for your input!