Are 2WD 4Runners basically useless other than as grocery getters?

R

robtmc

Member
First post more or less.

Recently inherited my wife's 2001 2WD 4Runner with 73k miles on it. Great shape. Had the choice of selling my 02 WRX or the 4R and we decided keeping the Toyota made the most sense from a usefulness standpoint.

Now that I have it, a few things come to mind that bother me. Most here understandably favor 4WD. We did not buy that due to price differential, insurance, and not needing it in SoCal for the wife's driving needs.

Now in Hawaii, we did manage to get it stuck in sand at the beach once, and that left me leery about doing much exploration without even a LSD in the rear. Entertaining the thought of a small boat, but the idea of being stuck on a wet boat ramp with the rear wheel spinning bothers me.

Is getting an Aussie Locker worthwhile, or is just selling it and looking for a similar year 4WD the better choice? It is still basically a low mileage daily driver for retired geezers.
 
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I'd sell and get a 4x4 personally, I bet a mutlimode would be helpful in Hawaii at times on the beach or during those sudden downpours that turn the roads into muddy slick messes. It may be harder to find a 4x4 out there, seems like every time I'm over there I see about 40 PreRunner Tacomas and 2wd 4runners for every 4x4, but for a bit more than modding your current truck you could probably have what you really want.
 
Not useless at all!

Use the money from your WRX sale to buy a 3rd Gen 4WD T4R and use your 2WD as a parts bin! :caked:
 
robtmc said:
Interesting, did a search for "2WD 4Runners" and looked back to the start of the year and saw nothing. Sure it was in 3rd gen?
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Pretty sure... oh well. EDIT: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/168912-2wd-versus-4wd-debate-re-visited.html I don't know if that helps at all, more of just people posting opinions about 2WD and 4WD...

If it was me I would look for a 4WD, just so when you need it you have it. A LSD or auto locker or whatever would certainly help, but as far as backing in a boat I would still be weary just since both rear tires would be in the water, granted if it was a light boat and you didn't have to go very far in you'd probably be fine. I just know 4WD/AWD (since I have a 2001) has been very convenient backing my jet ski trailer in, especially on places where I can drive on the beach or it's a shallow lake so I have to go out pretty far to load the skis back on. Though as said, it's probably pretty hard to find a 4WD in Hawaii. Food for thought! :jump:
 
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Good link, thanks. Yet more reading and bookmarking on top of over a month's worth so far here.

Been watching CL for later model 4WD 4Runners, and as you might expect, they go for a major premium. The condition of many cars here is pathetic and I am too old to be into refurbishing someone else's neglect.
 
2wd Runners are almost as capable as any generic 4wd offroad with all terrain or other offroad tires. But when it comes down to pulling or towing other vehicles while on loose gravel or slippery pavement, it's about as useful as a golf cart.
Source: I offroad my 2wd 4runner with a buddy who's runner is 4wd
 
I was in the same boat as you. Sold my 05 wrx for a 2000 4runner. Mine is 4x4 though. Two wheel drive isn't going to get you as many places, but the fact that you have an SUV now with more ground clearance than your average vehicle gives you a huge advantage. It's not necessarily useless, you just wont be able to go as many places as some 4x4s. Plus you can fit way more in that 4runner than you can a wrx. If you think about it, you can do way more with your 4runner than your wrx. I used to carry a 15' kayak on top on my wrx. It was nightmare every time taking it down the freeway. With the 4runner it was a piece of cake. Plus once I get to my destination, camping gear, friends, and whatever else you want can be brought along and easily accessed. I used to have to be a little more primitive when I had the wrx lol.
 
First of all what island are you living on?

Second there's a lot of Toyotas on a island of Oahu or whatever island that you are on. Hawaii is a Toyota state. Sevco Toyota is where you want to go for a used 4runner or a private owner. The reason I say go to Sevco is because in Hawaii, the older people tend to service their truck only with Sevco. Maintenance is golden with the 1 owners in Hawaii.

I'm from Oahu and grew up with Toyotas. Don't put a lunch box locker in a 2wd, just get a 4wd from the start. I have alot of connections on the island of Oahu, so if you need help I can't send you in the right direction.
 
[/QUOTE] I bet a mutlimode would be helpful in Hawaii at times on the beach or during those sudden downpours that turn the roads into muddy slick messes. It may be harder to find a 4x4 out there.[/QUOTE]

Rain in Hawaii is not even close to what we have in WA. Multimode would be an waste over there. 4wd Toyota trucks are all over the islands, no matter which 1 you go. You just have to know where.
 
Pintlar Tactical said:
Put an e-locker in it and you would probably be OK for 80% of what you might get into on the islands.
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Do able yes, but hard to find. Going to cost a fortune to get from the states. The 4x4 community is pretty big and there all close. Word gets around fast when it comes to factory elocked Axles. I mean were on any island.
 
As an answer to your question, op, no they just turn into glorified station wagons so there is that to think about.

OR...


Drivetrain swap!!!! Get a front diff and transfer case from a junkyard runner or something that fits the runner and mate everything up. Now this is way over simplified because there is some severe modifications involved but hey its worth weighing this option.


Good luck.
 
With that low mileage you could get a hell of a premium if you sold it, which would give you plenty of cash to move into a 4wd.
 
Go price what used Toyota 4x4's cost on the island. Then make your choice. If you haven't done this already the numbers can be shocking.
 
I bet a mutlimode would be helpful in Hawaii at times on the beach or during those sudden downpours that turn the roads into muddy slick messes. It may be harder to find a 4x4 out there.[/QUOTE]

Rain in Hawaii is not even close to what we have in WA. Multimode would be an waste over there. 4wd Toyota trucks are all over the islands, no matter which 1 you go. You just have to know where.[/QUOTE]

I know it doesn't rain there like here, but I have family in Manoa and it still gets a bit slimy at times, plus I'd just use it as an excuse to get a multimode Runner. I was over there in December and some (rare) thunderstorms rolled through and let me tell you, I have never seen it rain so hard; the entire freeway was pulled over near Waikiki, but as you know, 5 mins later and it was GONE, unlike Seattle where it starts in Sept and goes until June. :doh: I think the best feature of MM is being able to set it in "AWD" and leave it no matter what conditions, perfect for a woman if you let her drive it and want to minimize the chances of her spinning it on a rainy night. :laugh:
 
thebrandon said:
Plus you can fit way more in that 4runner than you can a wrx. If you think about it, you can do way more with your 4runner than your wrx. I used to carry a 15' kayak on top on my wrx.
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Right there is one of the main reasons we kept the 4Runner. Did get my 15' Scupper Pro and another Necky kayakon top of the WRX, roof rack flexing like mad, but it was spooky.

4Runner, piece of cake. Smaller kayak goes in through the back window with rear seats down, big guy on top.
 
busmup808 said:
First of all what island are you living on?for a used 4runner or a private owner. T

Second there's a lot of Toyotas on a island of Oahu or whatever island that you are on.
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Big island.

There are a lot of cars on Oahu, but then, 80% of the people live on that island. Not too many live here, and pickings are slim.

Plenty of mid-90 4Runners, but no desire to step backward to a fixer upper. Many of them look like they have had a rough life.

There is a 2007 and a 2008 for sale, both with around 70k+ miles that are asking about $20k for. A bit steep.

Suppose I could roll the dice and try and get one from Oahu and barge it over, but flying around to check it out would be a pain.

Living on a sparsely populated island has its drawbacks.
 
robtmc said:
Big island.

There are a lot of cars on Oahu, but then, 80% of the people live on that island. Not too many live here, and pickings are slim.

Plenty of mid-90 4Runners, but no desire to step backward to a fixer upper. Many of them look like they have had a rough life.

There is a 2007 and a 2008 for sale, both with around 70k+ miles that are asking about $20k for. A bit steep.

Suppose I could roll the dice and try and get one from Oahu and barge it over, but flying around to check it out would be a pain.

Living on a sparsely populated island has its drawbacks.
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Might be more choices on Oahu but no better deals usually. Be patient in your search. And consider buying new if you are willing to take on a payment. I bought a loaded brand new custom order Tacoma from Servco Honolulu for less than the asking price on used ones 5 ish years old and 50k ish miles on them. The Toyota resale market over there is crazy. Especially on 4x4's.

For example I sold my 93 reg cab 22re with 250k miles on Oahu for $6,500. And it wasn't even a clean truck.
 
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