4WD vs. 2WD

R

Rylabone

New member
Greetings,

Very soon I'll be purchasing my first new car in twelve years. Needless to say I'm very excited. I have the style and options decided on however I'm going back and forth on 4WD or 2WD and thought I'd throw it out there for some persuasive banter.

I have no plans whatsoever to take the truck offroad. I live in North Texas where it snows one day out of the year (we just close the town down on that day anyway). The reasons I'm considering it are...

1) many trips to the mountains for skiing.
2) I've heard they hold their resale value better.
3) It has a certain "cool factor" to it.

Maybe a better question is...Is there any reason NOT to get 4WD?

Thanks to all who reply.
 
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I was in the exact same situation that you were when I was getting my runner. No plans to go offroading, why pay more for insurance. Anyways needless to say I saw some of the 4wds here and what they did and I regretted my 2wd purchase ever since. Get the 4wd, you won't regret it.
 
Get the 4wd

If you plan on being in ski country with snow on the ground, the small increase in cost for the 4wd is worth it. And your resale will be higher, maybe someone who will use it offroad, who knows?
 
Well speaking as a 2WD owner, I have a slightly different view. Quite a few people buy 2WD, but are usually not on these boards. Here are a few other threads that might help.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=3076&highlight=2wd*

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=4779&highlight=2wd*

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=2463&highlight=2wd*

I known a few people who have bought a 2WD and after the purchase they write me and say they have regretted not getting a 4WD.
 
I have owned 2 4runner both in 2wd. THis new 2005 SPort 4Runner I got in 4wd and LOVE it. It has helped(in the snow already and occasions in the rain.) My insurance went up only $20 per year not to mention a MUCH higher resale value. One other thing When I was tryin to sell off both my previous models, EVERYONE that called wanted a 4wd not 2wd.
 
Well if you get the V6 4WD, you'll have the best of both worlds. The V6 has ample power and can still tow up to 5000LBs. The drivetrain is able to switch between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. So stay in 2WD if you want better gas mileage and then switch to 4WD if conditions warrant it.

That's what I do anyways and thats the reason I bought the V6 4WD Sport Edition...
 
2WD vs 4WD

Not so long ago, there was an advantage of 2WD if you were interested in towing. 2WD used to have a greater towing/load capacity than 4WD because of the increased ride height and the springs. This advantage, I believe, now only exists in the super-duty versions of the pickups (F350, GM 2500, etc), and I am not sure that this is still true.

3 things to consider about 4WD:

1) More moving parts to maintain (and or replace if necessary) - transfer case, front diff, extra U-Joints, geared hubs, etc.

2) Slightly higher maintenance costs (changing fluids on the tranfer case and front diff)

3) Higher initial cost of ownership

But... 4WD has a higher resale in all 50 states for SUV's (and an easier resale). 4WD offers the ability to go offroad, through almost any weather, and additional safety when you need it, and gas mileage is roughly the same between a 4WD and a 2WD SUV due to the aerodynamics of the vehicle.


Think of what you will be using it for, how long you want to keep it and then decide what you want. I would say go for the 4WD, you won't regret it.
 
I agree with most of the things already said... especially on the resale value. It is much easier to sell a 4x4 SUV (of any type) than a two-wheel drive version.

If you drive up the mountains into ski country and get stuck JUST ONCE in snow, you'll regret not getting the four wheel drive.

I live in New York, and we've had a few really bad winters in the last few years. Well, they weren't really bad because of the fact that I've had a 4x4 SUV in the garage. But even if I lived in Texas, I'd still opt for the four wheel drive.
 
Thanks, again, for all the input. I wanted to make sure I'm clear on something...the V8 4WD is ALWAYS in 4WD? I hope this is not a naive question but on my last 4WD (IH Scout) I had to stop, throw it 4WD, get out and lock the hubs, then go! It sounds like technology has passed me by a little!
 
DaveS said:
I never understood why they sell the 4Runner in a 2wd - doesn't that make it a 2Runner ?
Click to expand...

good point. they should make them have 2runner badges and some distinctive appearance so they don't make the 4runner look bad when they get stuck on the side of the road in the snow.

I remember when I lived in Raleigh NC where EVERYONE has SUV's; the first major snow storm in years to hit NC comes along (2ft+) and there were 2wd SUV's stuck *everywhere*. I had no idea how many people were driving 2wd trucks! I guess no one down there thought they'd ever need 4wd. Everyone with a 4wd was ok though...including me ;) It was hard not to chuckle a bit driving past all those stuck SUV's.
 
I haven't read this whole thread yet, but wanted to state my opinion: I wish I had 4wd. I love my ride and think I got a great deal on it, but I do wish I ended up with 4WD. You can add just about anything else, without too much difficulty, but 4wd is not exactly a standard accessory/replacement.
 
Full time 4WD

To answer your question, the V8 models are all full time 4WD (obviously the 4WD models). V6 models have the option of running in 2WD or 4WD on any surface (which is also different than the previous 4WD systems). No hubs to lock on either model either.

V6 has a selector switch that goes from 2WD to 4WD HI then 4WD Lo. This can be switch from 2WD to 4WD at any speed under 50mph and on any surface. There is no binding or side-effects from driving in 4WD on dry pavement with this system.

V8 has a selector for 4WD HI and 4WD Lo.

Toyota 4Runners have no "Neutral" selection on the transfer case, so you cannot tow a 4Runner with the wheels on the ground (you must trailer the vehicle). This is also different from most 4WD vehicles.
 
Yup boston_kevin pretty much nailed it on the head. The Full Time 4WD on the V8 4Runners is essentially the same as the 4WD HI on the V6 4Runner. As far as I've read on the forums, there are no differences (Please correct me if I'm wrong as I don't want to misinform anyone).

One correction though: The part time 4WD on the V6s can be switched from 2WD to 4HI and back at any speed below 62MPH. It says that on the manual as well as the driver's sun visor.

All the 4Runners should be stopped when switching to 4LO. I would hope that is common sense, but I figured I'd post to clarify :arrow: (There is probably a GOOD reason that you are putting it on 4LO anyways)

July
 
The V8 4x4 is really AWD.

In the V8 model, all four wheels are driving with a 40/60 split using a Torsen torque sensing differential. The power will adjust back and forth between the front and rear wheels as needed. You just drive in AWD just like the Landdcruiser or Subaru. When the going gets real sloppy, you can push the locking diff button and the front and rear will lock--don't drive this way on dry ground. You can also go into 4Low by stopping, puttin it into neutral, and turn the knob into 4Low until the dash shows it's engaged. Then you have in essence a small Tiger Tank and all that's lacking is a good 120mm smoothbore cannon on the roof.

V6- 4x4 uses the more traditional 2 High for all around driving, 4 Hi for 4x4 with normal gearing and 4 Low after stopping and activating it for slow powerful crawl gear.

I have the V8 4x4 and it is transparant. There is very little to no negative difference in feel when turning or steering or performance other than an improved traction in all weather conditions. There will be many times where you won't have time to shift to 4High or just a pain to shift back and forth in low traction situations that aren't real slop conditions. Mashed down snow drifts or snow piles right after a plow has cleared the path is a good example. AWD gives you the best of both worlds, and locking diffs and 4Low should you need it.
 
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