4wd vs 2wd?

[JohnsD90]

Depends on the use, i would buy a little 2wd taco or old little pickup to run around to the dump in. But where i currently live i dont see the point in 2wd in a truck as a winter vehicle. Maybe when i move far away i will consider otherwise, but in a full size truck i will still probably want 4x4.

 

[Geolander]

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

Yep. So far, the only time I've used my 4wd was after hydroplaning going around a corner in 2wd. Closing the barn door after the horse and all, but it did give me an extra sense of security. I wasn't even going all that fast; just hit the gas a little too hard coming out of a parking lot.

 

[Koz]

But isn't that technically AWD?

No, it's 4wd when there is a transfer case.

Koz

 

[4RBuddha]

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.

+1

My first 4Runner was a 99 SR5 2wd. At least here in CA, it was fine for most mild offroading and the rain; but the first time I got stuck on a slushy/snowy fire road, I regretted not spending money on 4wd. I have since bought an 02 Sport Edition 4wd. No question, get 4wd. The one time you will need it, it will be nice to have.

 

[TRDCal]

besides do you really want a 2runner?

Hahahaha...no offense to any 2wds I just love this!

 

[DexTech]

I use 4wd on wet roads, as someone else mentioned better to have on than need it and not have it. The difference in gas isn't a big deal to me, if it was I'd drive an econobox.

Always in 4WD on dirt/gravel roads, I'd hate to wrap it around a tree in 2wd.

 

[NJshadow93]

The 4Runner is a legendary SUV because of it's superior 4WD system. I always thought 4Runners were bad@ss, especially when I would look at Jeeps and think, "wow, that's the best the competition can do?" And now, a fairly new and very proud owner of one, I am still amazed at the thing and love it more every day. To me, getting a 2WD 4Runner would be completely pointless. I do understand, because I figure, if you aren't getting one for its 4WD, you're probably getting one for it's powerful engines, legendary reliability, space, etc. But remember, even if you don't have to worry about snow, there are still other things such as floods. Also, V8 4Runners are full-time 4WD, not AWD.

 

[02SE]

I've owned some form of Toyota 4wd (Truck, Landcruiser, 4Runner) for the last twenty years. I prefer the Toyota's over other brands for their reliability.

My needs are the occasional 4wd trail running where you need low-range, the front tires pulling, and in the case of the current 4Runner, occasional need to engage the rear-diff E-locker. Also being able to get around in some of the serious snow storms we get.

The extra maintenance costs of having 4wd are inconsequential. Even considering my more frequent than necessary gear oil changes (usually because I'm bored and looking for something to do) for the transfer case and front diff, and some grease in the zerk fittings of the front driveshaft, I doubt I've even spent $50.00 on extra costs in the time I've had my 4Runner.

For me, a 2wd 4Runner would be completely pointless, and would never be considered.

 

[derekabraham]

2 wheel drive is never better than 4 wheel drive. Ever. Period. 2 wheel drive guys try to justify if it all the time, and say all these things about how their 2 wheel drive will go anywhere a 4x4 will go. It's quite comical.




However, if you live in a place where it doesn't snow, and you don't plan on going off-road, a 2 wheel drive vehicle makes sense.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

2wd isn't bad if you are on a rough road or trail but it will never go as far as a 4wd equipped 4Runner and in Colorado most of our trails shows the limitations of 2wd real quick.

The downside to 2wd is resale and that's a biggie but mpgs there really isn't a huge diff so I can't see how owning a 2wd would be better over the long haul.

 

[Lboogie1]

Hoping to bring this back to life. My wife is expecting so I wanted a fun car that I can still tow around the tot and wife. Obviously I'm hoping to join the 4runner family very soon have been seeing a bunch of 2wd but hard to come by 4wd at a reasonable price (I'm shopping 3rd gen). I live in LA but I want a car I can take up to the mountains like Big Bear/Mammoth or camping. I have family in Seattle so maybe even take a roadtrip up (which I've done in the past but needed chains in winter). I know that overall a 4wd is better but given the cost and availability of those not sure if it's in the cards for me. For what I'm looking for is a 2wd enough?

 

[el_kab0ng]

Buy once, cry once.

Like firearms and women, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Spend the extra money to get 4WD. You'll not only find uses for it, but your resale value will be better as well.

 

[Bumbo]

Hoping to bring this back to life. My wife is expecting so I wanted a fun car that I can still tow around the tot and wife. Obviously I'm hoping to join the 4runner family very soon have been seeing a bunch of 2wd but hard to come by 4wd at a reasonable price (I'm shopping 3rd gen). I live in LA but I want a car I can take up to the mountains like Big Bear/Mammoth or camping. I have family in Seattle so maybe even take a roadtrip up (which I've done in the past but needed chains in winter). I know that overall a 4wd is better but given the cost and availability of those not sure if it's in the cards for me. For what I'm looking for is a 2wd enough?

Only you can answer that question based on your own needs... You know better than anyone else how you will be using the truck.

There is a reason the 4wd models are slim pickins, they are way more sought after, hold their resale much better, and often times much easier to sell.

Its not that there is anything wrong with a 2wd truck, they are still capable of getting you to a developed camp site or on a weekend excursion, but 4wd is like a form of insurance sometimes. Its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Personally I would never consider a 2wd truck because I off-road often enough to justify having it. Even if I didn't its a fact that they hold their value better.

Its very difficult for me to consider a 2wd truck these days but I would if its just a city truck and I didn't have AWD capability (the ability to keep the center unlocked)

I don't know as much about the 3rd Gen but on a 4th and 5th (Limited only on a 5th Gen) both have a Torsen locking TC/Center Diff so you can actually engage 4WD on dry pavement and get the benefits of AWD when driving on roads with snow or less than ideal surfaces. I often times use 4WD unlocked when driving mountain roads with snow or wet surfaces.

The take-away is that not all 4WD/AWD systems are created equal and you have options as to when and where to use it.

If you want to turn up the snob... Buying a body on frame SUV like this in 2WD is almost pointless. There are better cars to choose than a "2Runner" if that is your pick.

 

[Lboogie1]

Thanks guys - you've reaffirmed my thoughts. I agree with the better safe than sorry approach, plus I do want to eventually go on trails. Everything you say makes sense, looks like I gotta up the budget!

 

[Bumbo]

Thanks guys - you've reaffirmed my thoughts. I agree with the better safe than sorry approach, plus I do want to eventually go on trails. Everything you say makes sense, looks like I gotta up the budget!

It's not always budget... often times it can be pure patience when shopping for older truck like that. Just be ready to jump on it when you see it.

Maybe use the time to brush up to understand the differences in what to look for in a 4WD / AWD system. To be honest it was a bit of a learning curve for me when I first got into this stuff.

I also have a Chevy Silverado which was my first 4x4, but it was news to me that not all 4 wheels spin when in 4WD in that truck.

Both front and rears are open differentials and I dont have any ability to lock/unlock the transfer case.

I gained a lot of appreciation for how Toyota builds their 4WD systems, but there are still differences across their catalog.

 

[supawabb]

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

If you need to put it in 4wd because of rain, then you need to look at 3 different options...

1) maybe you need different tires?
2) maybe you should be in a boat?
3) if you can't drive in the rain without being in 4wd, you shouldn't be on the road.

 

[Lboogie1]

Good call out, I really should just immerse myself if I want to take this seriously. I do know that I've looked into the 4runner vs a Cherokee XJ when it came to 4x4 - I'm new to this looking forward to getting into that nitty gritty.

 

[techno]

If you need to put it in 4wd because of rain, then you need to look at 3 different options...
1) maybe you need different tires?
2) maybe you should be in a boat?
3) if you can't drive in the rain without being in 4wd, you shouldn't be on the road.

Yeah, sometimes it's not that simple and there are circumstances that you just might never think about or come across. For example, there's a section of road near my house that with even a light sprinkle of rain becomes VERY slippery. It's a T intersection and the road that's ending is steep. The top of the T road has limited line of sight, meaning it's easy to pull out in front of other cars that have right of way. If my 3rd gen is in 2wd it is extremely difficult to get moving. Even brand new road tires spin and even front wheel drive cars suffer. Honestly it really sux, especially in winter ( the salt trucks dump about 2 tons of salt when they get there). The road surface is terrible for traction. Even in the dry, an mildly aggressive take off will spin the wheels. If I'm in my 3rd gen and it's wet, 4wd is a must for my own safety and peace of mind. I can do it with VERY light throttle but got to hope to hell no one else is coming! My 4th gen traction control gets a regular work out at this intersection.

 

[blkwtr]

Grew up in the Midwest on a farm. Learned to drive in snow, ice, mud, rocks and hills with 2wd. No one had 4wd. No one had a suv (they didn't exist). So, I don't need 4wd. I live in Florida now and go off road about 100 times a year. With 2wd I have only been stuck once in the last 35 years. The John Deere that tried to pull me out also got stuck. So, a lot depends on where you drive and how you learned to drive. The 4wd thing is overrated.

 

[Bumbo]

Grew up in the Midwest on a farm. Learned to drive in snow, ice, mud, rocks and hills with 2wd. No one had 4wd. No one had a suv (they didn't exist). So, I don't need 4wd. I live in Florida now and go off road about 100 times a year. With 2wd I have only been stuck once in the last 35 years. The John Deere that tried to pull me out also got stuck. So, a lot depends on where you drive and how you learned to drive. The 4wd thing is overrated.

It really isn't overrated... it's just another tool in the box but it still takes driver skill to use it correctly.

There are also a lot of things in life I don't NEED, but that doesn't mean I dont WANT it. Aside from cost, I don't see a reason to not get it...

In your defense nothing trumps experience and technique; ive seen drivers do some amazing things in a 2WD truck. I've seen the same drivers use 4WD to get themselves out of some sticky situations when the 2WD thing didn't work out so well. I drive my 4x4 in 2WD on the trail a lot for that reason alone. I don't want to go in too deep to the point I can't even save myself.

If anything an inexperienced driver ends up getting in even more trouble with a 4x4, even more so with lockers in the mix. You can screw up far worse in a capable truck. Same truck in the hands of a capable driver can accomplish some pretty insane stuff.

It's like those people jump into high power exotic cars just to wrap them around a pole making a u-turn... you can't fix stupid, and you can't buy skill.