4WD vs 2WD

[T4Rnewb]

Ever since I was forced to look for a new vehicle the first one that came to mind was a T4R because I've always been a fan of them, but this is my first time actually researching what I want out of it. Below is what I've narrowed my search down to that I think I would be smiling big with no remorse when as I drove away, but I'm having a HE%$ of a time finding exactly what I want. I'm starting to consider settling for less than perfect. My question for the enthusiasts on here is how important was/is it to you to have 4WD vs 2WD? Did you regret getting one or the other after your purchase? If you could switch to the other would you and why?

Now for what I'm looking for and why.....
1999-2002 Black T4R SR5 "Sport Edition" V6 4WD
less than 150,000 miles unless it was babied
under $10,000

My first consideration for settling is to drop the 4WD and go with a nice 2WD.
I won't be "needing" 4WD very often, but I will be using it to go camping and to also tow my 4wheeler to and from riding locations. I feel that even though my off-roading will be minimal, I will want it when I need it! I can't afford to get into a "fixer-uper" being that I'm a college student full-time, work part-time. Whatcha think?
:shrug:

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

My first consideration for settling is to drop the 4WD and go with a nice 2WD.
I won't be "needing" 4WD very often, but I will be using it to go camping and to also tow my 4wheeler to and from riding locations. I feel that even though my off-roading will be minimal, I will want it when I need it! I can't afford to get into a "fixer-uper" being that I'm a college student full-time, work part-time. Whatcha think?
:shrug:

Most likely you'll find a ton of people who are hell bent on 4WD being the best thing since sliced bread here.

Well it's great, don't get me wrong, but if you can't find yourself using it all that often, you really don't need it. It's a lot of extra maintenance, weight, and cost.

Seeing that I live in Southern CA, I have never driven in an inch of snow, and never NEEDED 4WD ever. Not once. It would have been nice to go through some cool trails, but really, I never NEEDED it where I've been. I've wheeled with plenty of 4WD's/2WD's.

My 2WD does very well in offroad conditions and can take me wherever I really find necessary to go, but then again, I'm not rock climbing or anything.

So it comes down to how much you really want to do, or if it's worth the extra money and maintenance.

BTW, I am 19, college student full time, and work part time, just like yourself.

 

[bak3rme]

if its a DD , i wouldn't worry too much about it, considering all the cars on the road without 4wd. if u wanna take it on some light trails, u should be good. also if ur gunna wheel keep in mind the type of tires also make a difference

 

[T4Rnewb]

if its a DD , i wouldn't worry too much about it, considering all the cars on the road without 4wd. if u wanna take it on some light trails, u should be good. also if ur gunna wheel keep in mind the type of tires also make a difference

I see that you are in Atlanta also, do you venture much off-road in the southeast with yours? Find yourself in any situations that called for 4wd in a manner that 2wd wouldnt have made it?

 

[xskydivingdudex]

ok so ideally i would love a 4wd but i got my 2wd from my parents so cant complain and well i mean if u have the money for it then kool but if not then the 2wd isnt too bad... ive gone mudding and wheeling with all my friend's with various trucks/SUVs that were 2wd and 4wd. I have only been stuck 2 in 5 years and well i mena if u dont plan to use it that often there are several drawbacks. 4wd are great but do require more maintenance and if u lift it u will def need a diff drop and ur not able to get as high of a lift if u want. Also they weigh more so u will have a slight difference in mpgs...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I'd rather have 4wd and not need it than need it and not have it but if you plan on keeping it a while and staying in Georgia then you'll be fine but if a move further up north in the future where you'll see regular snow then get a 4wd.
Even a bit of mud can challenge a 2wd where 4wd will give you a little more security.
If you find a 4wd Sport model then jump on it since the when/if you go to sell it the value and demand will be better than a 2wd.


Yes,I'm biased since when I think of SUV 4wd is mandatory or it's simply a glorified station wagon.:flamethrwoer2:

 

[mom]

when I think of SUV 4wd is mandatory or it's simply a glorified station wagon

Out here ... in the Silicon Valley, almost every gleaming SUV is 4WD and the ONLY justification for most of them is Tahoe a couple of times a year.

I seriously doubt any of these Lexus and Infiniti & BMW & Mercedes' SUVs have EVER been off road.

Above a few thousand feet, up in Tahoe, chains or 4WD are often mandatory.

Me? For the few times I head to the hills, it would be better to RENT an SUV and put all the wear and tear on the rental ... or just pack a set of chains ... but that's just me.

Out here, if you don't ski (most everyone does) or go seriously off road (most everyone does not), then 4WD is (AFAIK) ...
a) Extra initial expense ($1,000 perhaps?)
b) Extra weight (500 pounds perhaps?)
c) Extra gas expense (1 or 2 mpg perhaps?)

So, you have to weigh those costs against the benefits three times a year up in Tahoe when the snow is so deep on the weekend that you're going that chains or 4WD is required.

BTW, may I ask:
What is the tradeoff of 4wd against 2wd (cost, gas, weight)?
Am I correct in my assumptions (pulled out of thin air) above?

 

[brian2sun]

I think you should not make the decision based on what you do now, but rather what you want to do or could even see maybe getting into. Would you want to hit the trails more in the future if you had 4x4? My guess is you would because it's fun and addictive.

What COB says is true, but he also doesn't tend to get invited to our usual once or twice a month local trail runs we have (although if you had 4x4, it would be great to have you along because you're cool as hell James!). My point is, I have met a lot of rad people on here and I wheel now more than ever, but if I had 2wd I would sit at home a lot more on the weekends and probably not realize the fun I'm missing out on. It's all about if you think you might want to do more off roading once you get the "bug".

BTW, COB now that you have an LSD, if you ever wanna go hit some light-moderate trails, hit me up, I'm down to show you some very do-able trails with your true-trac.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I was just giving my personal opinion since if I was to own a 2wd vehicle I would even own a 4Runner since there's better options for vehicles that will never go off beyond a forest road.

 

[TFJ-4runner]

First let me recommend you also try SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist that's how I found mine. Now what you should ask yourself is what you plan to do with whatever vehicle you get. In my case I bought this 4runner with the e locker and 4wd because I knew I wanted something to wheel. If you don't plan on wheeling it I wouldn't make it a huge requirement when looking for one, simple. Just find what meets your needs not what you think you should have. I will say just having the insurance of the 4wd is comforting. Even if you don't use it a lot one day you might need it. 0.02

20 year old college student

 

[nquaint]

I was just giving my personal opinion since if I was to own a 2wd vehicle I would even own a 4Runner since there's better options for vehicles that will never go off beyond a forest road.

I concur, IMO 4x4 is good to have whether you wheel or not. If you are coming from the sedan world then right now you may not think you'll ever want to go somewhere that might require 4x4. But I guarantee within a month or two of owning a 2wd 4runner you'll be looking longingly into the hills, having visions of the fun times to be had in them... I made that mistake with my previous vehicle, and will never make it again! ever!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

What COB says is true, but he also doesn't tend to get invited to our usual once or twice a month local trail runs we have (although if you had 4x4, it would be great to have you along because you're cool as hell James!). My point is, I have met a lot of rad people on here and I wheel now more than ever, but if I had 2wd I would sit at home a lot more on the weekends and probably not realize the fun I'm missing out on. It's all about if you think you might want to do more off roading once you get the "bug".

BTW, COB now that you have an LSD, if you ever wanna go hit some light-moderate trails, hit me up, I'm down to show you some very do-able trails with your true-trac.

Haha thanks man. It's okay, I work weekends anyway so chances are I'd never get to go as it is.

You know, Jay came over to my work on Sunday to show me the sliders. He mentioned that you guys went on a trail that my car would be capable of, I am totally down to go.

 

[brian2sun]

Yeah, I bet I know what trail he's talking about. I'd like to see how your truck does with posi in person, just cuz.

 

[drewser]

Now for what I'm looking for and why.....
1999-2002 Black T4R SR5 "Sport Edition" V6 4WD
less than 150,000 miles unless it was babied
under $10,000

Not black and not a sport, but assuming you're still willing to settle for 2WD, here's a nice SR5 at M-B South Atlanta:

2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD

Asking price at the dealership is $9500, but right now it's at $7500 with no reserve. If you could get this for less than $8K it seems like it might be a good deal(?).

Good luck. I'm on the hunt for a 2001-2002 SR5 myself -- probably 2WD, mostly for the reasons you've listed above.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Yeah, I bet I know what trail he's talking about. I'd like to see how your truck does with posi in person, just cuz.

Yeah, I'd love to play with the posi some more. Where's it at?

Lets make a day, I guess it doesn't matter before or after Jay helps me get sliders on.

 

[bak3rme]

I see that you are in Atlanta also, do you venture much off-road in the southeast with yours? Find yourself in any situations that called for 4wd in a manner that 2wd wouldnt have made it?

o nice. im in the kennesaw/woodstock area. i keep mine as a DD from school and work. I go up at KSU so i dont really get out to do a whole lot of wheelin besides deserted construction sites or small trails around the area. i was stuck one time when i was dumb and ran through some deep mud ..but then again i dont even think 4wd could of saved me

 

[xskydivingdudex]

well i disagree with most of these guys in that if u own an SUV u have to have 4wd even as an insurance... i mean its kool and all but ya if u dont plan to wheel then go for the 2wd bc its alot less headache. Myself personally would love 4wd like i said before but since thats not an option for me 2wd does wat it needs.

Dont be sucked into thiking that only 4wd 4runners can go wheeling bc i know alot of guys that wheel and only have 2wd, its harder maybe but thats part of the challenge as i see it. Everywhere my friends go in 4wd i go in my 2wd and well everyone will get stuck at some point... thats why the MOST important thing to remember is ALWAYS go with a friend bc they can just pull u out or buy a winch.

I think most of these guys are bias becuase they all own 4wd 4runners which i have no problem with but u need to figure out wat is best for u and more importantly wat u can afford to buy and fix up however u so feel.

 

[mom]

u need to figure out wat is best for u

Still, nobody has answered the most important question to the OP (I would think).

How can you make a decision about 4WD vs 2WD if you don't know:

Q: What is the difference between 2WD and 4WD in ...
a) Maintenance?
b) Reliability?
c) Gas mileage?
d) Initial cost (amortized over the life of the vehicle in your hands)?
e) Weight?
f) etc.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Maintenance? Yes,there is more since there's more moving parts.

Reliability? 3rd gen reliabilty is very good across the board but with more moving parts with the 4wd more things can potentially go wrong but issues with the 4wd system aren't that common. Most issues with the 4Runners (pink milkshake,axle seals) can happen to either 4wd or 2wd.

Gas mileage? The diff is not that big and only makes a difference mostly in city driving since getting the 300 more lbs of the 4wd from a stop takes a little more effort but on the hwy it's pretty much the same. A manual tranmission over an auto can make more of a difference with better MPGs.

Cost? Yes,4wd can cost a couple grand more initially but at the other end the 4wd will hold it's value better and is easier to sell if needed. If cost over the life of the truck is a big concern (it's not really that big) then maybe a 4Runner isn't a vehicle for those people since there's better options for 2wd types. You have two more gear boxes to replace fluids in but that's really the biggest diff but overall maintenace is about the same.

Weight? A little over 300lbs in similarly equipped models.


And yes,I'm biased. It's cool to see 2wd guys going off road with the 4wd crowd and I'm sure you do ok but here in Colorado even on our milder trails the modded 2wd will hit a point they will have to stop and turn around while the stock 4wd will be able to continue and yes,I've tried a few trails in 2wd just to see the diff and it's night and day. I don't like like wondering if I can make it on a trail and not have 4wd but that's just me and no offense should be taken by the 2wd set.

There is no replacement for having 4wd but if you don't need it and will never use it then it's hard to argue for 4wd but if you see any real snow on a regular basis then definetly buy a 4wd since a 2wd 4Runner in the snow can get pretty hairy.

 

[Gerdo]

Personaly one of the biggest drawbacks of a 2wd is the lack of gear reduction (transfer case Lo). I would think that you would put a lot of strain on the drivetrain wheeling without that. I'm a huge fan of 4Lo for the torque even when I dont need 4wd. I would love to have 2Lo.

If you Go the 2wd route there are a few things to improve the offroad capabilities. Lock the rear and get a winch to get you out of those jams when you push too hard.

It is less junk to cut off when you go SAS too.