4x2 Sport - trade or get ARB air locker

[JabzSA]

Although i have had my 4R for about 3 years, its always been a pavement special, daily run around, simple camping type of vehicle.

Long story short, recently i've been getting more and more into the idea of offroading etc.. the bug has bit, but the problem i have is that mine is a 4x2 with LSD.

Recently i was in South Africa, and like a dumbass was convinced by an "expert" that i could do a particular course where i was visiting in a 4x2 rental...well..i couldnt! Got stuck etc...very embarrassing.

So, now I am thinking...if i were to pursue this growing interest of mine...should i trade in my current 4x2 for a 4x4, or is there anything else that i can do to help bridge the gap? i.e. air locker (Front and rear)...

Note: my wife is dead set against trading the 4x2...so that makes it challenging.

Also, being inexperienced....will i have problems driving the 4x2 in snow? I recently moved up to North East....and winter is coming!

Thanks!

 

[techno]

100% trade for a 4x4. End of story. Next question?

 

[octanejunkie]

Buy a 3rd Gen 4WD for you and give her the 2WD. Next question.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Inv4drZm]

You might be surprised what a 2wd can do. ATRAC will simulate a locker so if I were you I'd throw on a nice set of all-terrains and see how she performs for you on some of the "starter" trails especially before throwing down the money for a rear locker on the 2wd.

Maybe the 2wd is good enough for you. If not then you can trade it in for a 4wd. You don't know until you try. At least wait until the snow comes and that might make you change your mind pretty fast!

 

[NinjaOne]

You might be surprised what a 2wd can do. ATRAC will simulate a locker so if I were you I'd throw on a nice set of all-terrains and see how she performs for you on some of the "starter" trails especially before throwing down the money for a rear locker on the 2wd.

Maybe the 2wd is good enough for you. If not then you can trade it in for a 4wd. You don't know until you try. At least wait until the snow comes and that might make you change your mind pretty fast!

This

Pretty much the only time I've been grateful for 4WD is using it to engine brake going down steeper offroad grades. Nothign replaces a good 4WD system, but good tires and suspension (especially aired down) will go a long way towards not needing it when properly driven

 

[JabzSA]

.

Thanks folks...

I currently have a set of BFG AT KO2s on...so i guess we will see this season..
In the meantime, I'll work on my negotiation skills.

 

[techno]

You probably already know this, but maybe your wife doesn't. The 4wd system on the V6 models gives the driver the option of 2wd or 4wd. So the reality of the situation is win/win! Your wife will get to keep 2wd and you can have 4wd for offroading! All from the flick of a switch (or a turn of the dial, whatever).

 

[morphious]

If you question the capability of a 4x2 and a locker then you should hit up [MENTION=117408]Oneluv13T4R[/MENTION] or look for some of his posts. He can go almost any where with his rig a 4x4 can.

 

[RonJR]

So much depends on the type of terrain you plan on tackling. On highly uneven, high traction terrain (rocks and ledges) where lifting a wheel is likely, the 2wd w/ locker will likely out perform the 4wd with open diffs. On steep low traction surfaces that are fairly uniform, so all 4 wheels stay on the ground, the 4wd will do better. For snow and ice, the 4wd with center diff wins hands down. (Which is not to say 2wd won't work. For my first 10 years in Colorado I drove to the ski slopes every winter with a rwd Olds Cutlass, and never chained up once. But I much prefer my fulltime 4wd 4runner for that kind of thing.)

 

[YetiX]

I was in your boat about a year ago. As you can see from my sig, I traded for a 4WD. My wife was also against it, but I was able to find a 4WD at a dealer that I traded for and actually lowered my monthly payment $30. (We won't talk about the cost of the mods that I'd done to the 2WD that I had to eat, ok?)

To me, the biggest advantage of the 4WD is 4Lo. The Lo range gearing makes tough obstacles easier and the truck takes less of a beating.