2wd?

[Hellamatic]

Buy a Highlander. My mom had a 2009 hybrid, and it was great. Useless in deep snow, but great as a commuter/road trip vehicle. Plenty of room too.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I would go for the limited if you do pick the 4wd 4runner, that way you don't have to exercise the part time 4wd every month.

You still have to exercise the system on the Limited going into 4lo.

 

[wfo9]

I would get the 2wd. Lighter, better mpg, more reliable... 4wd that is never used is a huge waste IMHO.

Don't listen to the fools here. Including me. Just make up your own mind.

There is nothing wrong with a 2wd 4runner/Tacoma..... They are better in many use cases.

 

[MomRunner]

I just traded in my Buick Enclave for a 4Runner 2WD with 3rd row seating. I live on a rough country road so I do like how this handles compared to Enclave on this road. I don't go off-roading therefore the 4WD wasn't necessary for me since my husband already has a 4WD truck(Tacoma).

My boys have no issues getting in and out of the vehicle....kids can climb just about anything. The 3rd row has plenty of room back there (2 person) but I wouldn't recommend a long road trip for and adult. In all reality we only use the 3rd row if we carry extra people which is about once a month...otherwise the 3rd row stays folded down.

I am not a minivan person and I did drive the Highlander. It was nice, but I like sitting up higher and having a bit more clearance due to the area I live in.

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

You still have to exercise the system on the Limited going into 4lo.

I wasn't aware of this, nor do I own a limited. But, The manual gear boxes say to put it into 4h once a month. I don't remember reading anything about 4L, and assumed the reasoning is to get the gear oil moving in the transfer case which contains both 4h/4L gears. Most importantly on the trail and sr5 it activates the front diff, which keeps the system lubed up. Im sure exercising the actuators from time to time wouldn't hurt tho. I don't know enough about the limited transfer case to make an argument about it, so I could be wrong.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I wasn't aware of this, nor do I own a limited. But, The manual gear boxes say to put it into 4h once a month. I don't remember reading anything about 4L, and assumed the reasoning is to get the gear oil moving in the transfer case which contains both 4h/4L gears. Most importantly on the trail and sr5 it activates the front diff, which keeps the system lubed up. Im sure exercising the actuators from time to time wouldn't hurt tho. I don't know enough about the limited transfer case to make an argument about it, so I could be wrong.

There are a lot of 4th gens in the 4th gen forum that have stuck actuators from none use. All 4th gens have the torsen dif like the limited. This is a popular thread there http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/163282-4x4-psa-use-lose-monthly-reminder.html

 

[NMJack]

Just get the 2wd and enjoy less maintenance down the road...

+1 You forgot to mention cheaper to buy, cheaper to fuel and better performance not carrying around the equivalent in weight of an un-needed boat anchor.

flamers: he said it first!