Does it matter if I get a 4x4 for not??

[Knight-Errant]

This also applies to the learning process involved in dealing with these mechanical systems.
Some consider problem solving enjoyable.
Others, not so much.

Certainly this. Reminds me of the 4runner limited "too much friction" video. I cringe every time I watch this. Just one of the reasons why automatic AWD crossovers have become popular, the general public is too lazy or disinterested to learn how to properly operate a 4wd system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oHWbyEfUKs


Toyota tries to educate folks, but what can you do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ojl8t92oA

 

[duffdog]

4wd is good when you resell it.

No car dealer that I am aware of wants to buy a 2runner from any person in any condition. Most will only offer the lowest value for it as a trade in and then it is just sold to a junkyard because of low buyer demand.

But its your money, not mine.

 

[grantprior13]

Perfectly happy with my 2wd living in so cal. 4wd is always a nice option to have though. If you're going to need to use it, get it. If not don't worry about it, it's just something less to worry about breaking.

 

[JeffMerr]

Hey folks,

Forgive me for being a noob here. Im in the market for a used 4th/5th gen 4runner with decent miles. I live in so cali. My question is, does it matter if I get a 4x4 or not? It'll just be city driving and occasional going up the mountains on paved road.

But im a features guy that just loves the fact that it has a 4x4 and can be used at whim when i need it.

What good is 4x4 for besides off roading fun. Towing?

Totally depends on what you plan on doing with it and if you need 4 wheel drive where you live. I don't need 4 wheel drive and have never been in a position where I wish I had it. But I don't take my truck off road. To me it was worth it to go 2wd and pay less for the vehicle, less in maintenance, and get slightly better mpg. For city driving and going into the mountains on paved or gravel roads (which is exactly what I do), 4 wheel drive is not necessary.

 

[JeffMerr]

4wd is good when you resell it.

You pay a lot less for the vehicle up front and less in maintenance over the life of the vehicle so the resell value is a moot point.

 

[Qlaloo]

No unless you off-road heavy, I really wish I would've bought a 2WD over my 4WD SR5. I'm looking to trade mine for one actually.

 

[jrm]

If i were to buy a 2WD

i'd make sure it had the rear locker...

 

[The Yin]

Had the same question

I was asking myself the same question 4 years ago when I got my 4runner. I live in SoCal also, but I live down a dirt road, and my brother lives out in New Mexico and his wife has a 4x4 jeep (got to keep up with the sister-in-law, right?).

But, taking all into consideration. We had a 4x4 explore years ago and never used/need the 4 wheel drive. We drive down the same dirt road just fine in a minivan, I've never gone off roading here nor there (in NM), other then simple unpaved dirt roads. And I've yet to find myself in a situation where 4wd would have been needed/useful.

So, I'm happy with my 2wd 4runner.

But for yourself, you've got to look at your situation and see if you've ever needed 4wd, or might need it in the future. To think about; Do you go on camping trips? Do you have friends that go wheeling? Do you plan to, or might possible have to, move to an area with more rain/snow? Is wheeling something you would like to get into? Do you plan on reselling the 4runner in the near future?
Just some things to consider.

 

[Drunner97]

I was out tooling around in the mountains of So Cal yesterday checking out some roads for an up coming T4R get together, running around in 2wd to make sure that all the trails were going to be doable. Also had a 2wd Tacoma with a locker with me, to test any roads that I had the urge to slap it into 4hi on because I didn't want to tear up my tires trying to get up stuff. 95% of the stuff we did was 2wd friendly, and even some 2wd locker needed section. If you really aren't going to get into off roading 2wd is all you'll really need, but if you want to get up to the good views, 4wd is what you'll want. We were stopped short of our goal twice because the Tacoma wasn't going to be able to make it up the loose, rocky, off camber sections.

Choice is yours. Dirt becomes an addiction once you get into it, and I can't believe some of the views and the places I've been because I have 4wd.

 

[Erkelbot]

I think another member nailed it on the head -- resell is important to consider. There will always be a market for the 2wd versions, sure... BUT, there is a MUCH broader market for the 4wd version. Add to that the fact that you'll want to go all weekend warrior in your truck and drive/camp everywhere...

It's an easy decision for me -- I live in MN. BUT, I think it's also easy just about everywhere since there's fun to be had around these great United States -- and a market wanting 4x4s.

 

[TRDCal]

What good is 4x4 for besides off roading fun. Towing?

4x4 launches FTW!!

No but in reality if you're not going to use it and just want the "feature" then don't bother. It's hundreds of pounds of extra hardware that will affect your MPGs and if you never use it, when you try to, the actuators are going to be seized and it's not going to work. Then you're stuck with either a hefty repair bill, a 2WD with a bunch of useless extra parts, or trying to sell a broken 4x4.

 

[Sifrk]

In 05 I bought my first 4Runner, and I was at the same crossroad wondering if I wanted to shell out the extra $2 - $3K for 4x4 capabilities and suffer the lower MPG. I went with the 2WD. Then within a month I went offroad with the 4Runner through the Rincon Shortcut in the Azusa mountains, and by the time I came out on the Angeles Crest side, I was already regretting my choice. That said, I've not done any what I'd consider punishing trails that truly require a 4x4 system, and maybe because in part I didn't have a 4x4 so I opted for the safer trails. There are plenty of mild trails that really can take you off the beaten path, and they don't require you to have a 4x4.

I just got my second 4Runner, and this time I went with a 4x4 option. Just got it fairly recently so I've only done one trail (one that I did in my 4x2) as I'm not all that familiar with how to handle a 4x4 quite yet. But I'm looking forward to doing more challenging trails soon.

For the price difference, and if you're not worried too much about the fuel economy, I'd go with the 4x4 and having it in your rear pocket in case you need it. Other more seasoned member will have to speak to this but I assume the 4x4 will be a bit more expensive to maintain.

 

[vanion2]

If you are only driving pavement then you won't need 4x4. I lived in mountains and easily made it home in a Honda CRX, Subaru Justy, Toyota Corolla, and a various sport bikes. This included pavement and dirt roads, snow, and rain. The only time I lost control of a vehicle was driving my mother's Mazda MPV 4x4 because I wasn't familiar with automatics. In short, 4x4 is always optional.

That being said there are a lot of advantages to 4x4. Driving in adverse weather or tough terrain gets so much easier. Resale value is definitely and advantage. One dealership doubled the offered trade in value just because it was 4x4 on my 3rd gen.

4x4 is not advantageous in a V6 4runner when it comes to towing. You eat up at least 300# of payload and the 4runner has a low payload rating to start off with. If you need to tow in adverse terrain look for a V8 4x4 4Runner.

I just traded in my 4x4 3rd gen on my V8 4th gen 2wd. I will miss the 4x4 feature but I bought this 4runner with towing in mind. I don't haul in snow or mud and with the auto LSD feature, proper tires, and knowing how to properly use an automatic I didn't consider the loss a deal breaker by any means. Lower maintenance costs, increased payload and tow ratings, and a tiny increase in mpg off set the fact that I will have to continue my practice of being full aware of where I drive and knowing the limitations of what I have to work with.

If you can get the 4x4 I would go for it but if a 2wd deal comes along and you don't use 4wd now then don't be afraid to go with what you know.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Bumbo]

Lots of good comments and recommendations in this thread...

Really at the end of the day, if you have to ask... you probably dont NEED it.

Personally not having a 4x4 would literally be a lifestyle change for me... Plus my woman would probably leave me, a couple off-road friends that would probably never call me again to hang out, and the earth would start rotating in a different direction due to loss of traction.

We love being outdoors, camping, the good ole dusty trail, exploring, going to new places... Its such a capable platform it would feel like a waste of a body of frame suv.

I would literally never buy one without it. When I search for trucks in general, I dont even consider the 2x4s...

 

[AKmoney]

My thought process is like this (I'm likely going to upset a few people):

If you aren't going to go offroading at all, not only is there no reason to get 4WD but there's also no reason to get a 4Runner, period. Yes, there are plenty of 2WD 4Runners to choose from but IMHO, they're a fairly pointless vehicle. There are many other non-offroad-worthy vehicles on the market that don't have body-on-frame construction like the 4Runner; nearly all of them will offer a more comfortable ride coupled with better handling/braking/acceleration, better fuel economy and more cargo space. For example, nobody would buy a Highlander for offroading but they have a more spacious interior and they ride/handle better on pavement than the 4Runner because they're built with a single unibody rather than with a heavy, space-sapping body-on-frame.

In some cases a 2WD 4Runner may make sense, for example if you need to tow something regularly and there's value in having the V8's torque coupled with a relatively small footprint that easily shares a 2-car garage with another vehicle.

<ducking>

 

[mizak82]

I wouldn't buy a 4runner without 4WD.. Seems like a waste..

but if I'm looking for a used 4wd vehicle, then the 4runner is at the top of its class..

plenty of better 2WD models out there..

 

[vanion2]

So in summary after reading all these posts the answer is 43. Basically do whatever makes you happy and can afford. The rest is just opinions.

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