4wd vs 2wd?

N

no1knows

New member
I was wondering if the 4 wheel drive made a huge difference as far as the capability of the vehicle. I wanna buy a TR4 and figured 4wd was the way to go, but was told that it didn't make a huge difference. I don't plan on doing any hardcore off-roading with it, but don't want anything to stop me. I would like the vehicle to be capable of driving with adverse driving conditions, on trails, during inclement weather, etc.

Thanks
 
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I would not even consider a 2 wheel drive. A 2 wheel drive would be useless to me in the desert. There are to many oppertunitys to off road here in the west. Also would not consider a vehicle without low range. If I lived where it snows I would also want a 4x4.
 
That's what I figured for the most part, I thought it would defeat the whole purpose of getting a 4runner in the first place. Someone tried to tell me that I under estimated the 2wd and that it has benefits the 4wd doesn't. =/
 
no1knows said:
I don't plan on doing any hardcore off-roading with it, but don't want anything to stop me.
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This statement says it all. I guess it depends on what you use it for and where you live. As far as 2wd being as capable, thats BS, sure there plenty capable but theres sometime that you just need all 4 wheel spinning.
 
no1knows said:
Someone tried to tell me that I under estimated the 2wd and that it has benefits the 4wd doesn't. =/
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90% of the time the is said by someone with a 2WD who is trying to make themselves feel better. If you really want all the "benefits" 2WD, get a V6, so you can select 2H or 4WD...
 
i was trying to think of something but there really is no comparison a 4wd vehicle will go where a 2wd will not 4wd is nearly mandatory for any actually offloading the 2wd will handle dirt roads and dry grass well.... also there is much more of a risk when offroading with a 2wd because the only way to offroad is with momentum so you have to be moving the whole time besides do you really want a 2runner?
 
It depends entirely on what you plan on doing with the truck. If it's a people-mover/errand-runner and won't see anything worse than icy freeway or gravel roads, a good set of tires on a 2wd rig is all you'll ever need.

If you ever get out and about, though, get a 4wd. When you hit something unexpected in the back country and need 4wd, nothing else will do.
 
I had huge regrets after rationalizing 2WD and buying a Tacoma Prerunner. Here's some issues I ran into:

-Helping a friend tear-down his old rotten storage building the truck just dug 2 huge ruts instead of pulling the (pre cut) frame down.

-Had to beg my friends mom to use her 4WD when we wanted to go hunting after a couple days of heavy rain on muddy dirt roads.

-Had to call my wife's uncle to give us a ride the last 2 miles to his house during Christmas because we couldn't make it up a snow-covered residential street

-Stuck at work for 3 days in last years blizzard.

It's like my friend said: Why even have a truck if it's not 4WD?

Sadly, the Taco was an awesome truck and I might have kept it longer if it was 4WD.

......and don't forget the resale will be better too!
 
a 4WD IMO is more things to break & will be more maintenance (changing front diff fluid, etc)

I have a 2WD and for the people who say 2WD's a useless.....have you owned one?! It is very capable (the traction control helps a ton). I have driven it in mud, in very slick condition's, and in dry conditions. It does just fine and didn't think about getting stuck. While 4WD would be nice, 2WD suits me fine and it less maintenance. It also depends on the driver.

Whatever your choice may be, a 4Runner is def. the best SUV to get, after all we are all a big family.
 
I had a PreRunner (2wd w/rear locker) for over 100K miles and I can assure you that as long as you only do mild off-roading and don’t experience winter weather you will be OK (just OK). On the other hand, if you experience any bad weather (even rain) and/or do any kind of off-roading beyond a dirt road, 4wd will make a MAJOR difference. As far as extra maintenance, the only extra work is a one time change gear oil change to full synthetic. The 4Runner is an amazing vehicle with 4wd and after many years of using both, I wouldn’t even consider a 2wd in a truck.

Koz
 
you never mentioned what part of the country you live in. do you get snow, or is it always warm? i bought the 4wd and did not think twice about it. of course, i live in an area that gets a lot of snow. i do not offroad much, but it is nice to know i have it if i need or want it. plus, KCcarguy said it when he mentioned the resale value. good luck with your decision.
 
Koz said:
I had a PreRunner (2wd w/rear locker) for over 100K miles and I can assure you that as long as you only do mild off-roading and don’t experience winter weather you will be OK (just OK). On the other hand, if you experience any bad weather (even rain) and/or do any kind of off-roading beyond a dirt road, 4wd will make a MAJOR difference. As far as extra maintenance, the only extra work is a one time change gear oil change to full synthetic. The 4Runner is an amazing vehicle with 4wd and after many years of using both, I wouldn’t even consider a 2wd in a truck.

Koz
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Who the hell uses 4wd in the rain!!?! Other than that I completely agree
 
dont hate on 2wd now. But yes, if i was OP i'd def hold out on a 4wd. Mine was given to me so i had no other choice. but i wouldnt trade it for anything except for a 4wd runner. Throw a locker in the rear like Dous if you want something a tad bit more capable. but for my next car its 3rd gen 4wd ftw
 
I currently live in Texas and don't come across very bad weather or rough terrain, but I plan on moving out to the northwest, where that'll all change.
Thank you all for the feedback, that was very helpful and much appreciated. I think 4wd is the way to go for me!
 
I live in CT, 2wd would be extremely useless.

I wouldn't ever bother getting an SUV or truck if it was 2wd, even if where I lived didn't snow. It just seems pointless.
 
Dous said:
Who the hell uses 4wd in the rain!!?! Other than that I completely agree
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Using 4wd in the rain makes a big difference when turning, especially if you have a heavy foot (me) or your tires have some miles on them. With 4wd it's like you are on rails.

Koz
 
better to have it and not need it. then need it and not have it. the main diff would be gas mileage and there isnt hardly any between the two. there are just too many advantages for having 4wd for this to be a question. to each his own tho.
 
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