What's the capability for off-roading with a 2wd v6 sr5? I'm not looking to climb steep hills or scale mountains, but just wondering how much can my rig handles in an off road scenarios. I just moved to Baltimore area, and 99% of the 4gen here are 4wd, I guess it is because of hilly terrains here and snow in winter. But I feel wimpy cruising around with my 2wd, even got soccer moms and their 4wd giving me funny looks. haha.
off road capability of 2wd v6
- Thread starter tranmd
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NJshadow93
New member
Unless you're going into the mud or crawling rocks, you should be fine. You could always invest in an ARB rear locker which will add more capability. And of course, lifts, tires, suspension mods will all help.
berettashot117
New member
drive careful
stevec5000
New member
You may need snow tires in winter but otherwise the only problem you will have is the lack of low range climbing steep hills. The 5 speed tranny went out in my 4WD pickup a couple years after I bought it and I couldn't afford another one so I took out the old tranny and transfer case and replaced it with a rear wheel drive model which eliminated the front wheel drive making it RWD only but I never missed 4WD.
I lived up there. I can guarantee you that 99.999999% of the people in that area are not going off road. It is for snow, which that region can get tons of. It is just in the path of some good north easterly winds, which really hit the North East. Baltimore, and North, is really a good zone for decent snow.
In order of snow effectivness:
1. True 4x4 vehicle
2. AWD Vehicle
3. Front Wheel Drive
4. Rear Wheel.
You have the "worst" combination. You have a rear wheel drive vehicle that is has little weight in the rear. This means that your rear tires are much more easily broken free, via, no traction. 2 and 3 positions are pure opinion, as I know some people think AWD is bad in snow. My personal experience is, it depends on the system since there are almost infinite variants out there.
The point of this isn't to debate AWD, but to show that a rear wheel drive ONLY vehicle is usually the worst option for snow. A front wheel drive is better because the weight on the engine helps a crazy amount in keeping traction. The engine pushes the wheels down.
I lived up there and had a 4wd 4runner, but drove it in 2wd often enough. The rule? Drive slow and put weight in the back. I never worried with that since I had 4wd, but if you want help; go buy 50 pound bags of sand. Put 200 or 300 pounds of sand back there and it will help push the wheels into the snow.
Tires. Tires can help a ton. In a 2wd situtation, you really want to get all the traction you can. Buy a pair of winter tires and throw them on for the winter.
And finally, don't drive like you are a 4wd. Know your limits and you will be fine. Baltimore and Maryland know snow, and they have effective snow crews. Don't expect to be the one who can go out in the middle of a snow storm for groceries. You, as a 2wd, should wait... by the next day most roads are fine. Highways are always the first to be plowed.
So.. You will be fine. Get good tires. Throw some weight in the back. Drive slow and steady and know your limits, and you will be fine.
In order of snow effectivness:
1. True 4x4 vehicle
2. AWD Vehicle
3. Front Wheel Drive
4. Rear Wheel.
You have the "worst" combination. You have a rear wheel drive vehicle that is has little weight in the rear. This means that your rear tires are much more easily broken free, via, no traction. 2 and 3 positions are pure opinion, as I know some people think AWD is bad in snow. My personal experience is, it depends on the system since there are almost infinite variants out there.
The point of this isn't to debate AWD, but to show that a rear wheel drive ONLY vehicle is usually the worst option for snow. A front wheel drive is better because the weight on the engine helps a crazy amount in keeping traction. The engine pushes the wheels down.
I lived up there and had a 4wd 4runner, but drove it in 2wd often enough. The rule? Drive slow and put weight in the back. I never worried with that since I had 4wd, but if you want help; go buy 50 pound bags of sand. Put 200 or 300 pounds of sand back there and it will help push the wheels into the snow.
Tires. Tires can help a ton. In a 2wd situtation, you really want to get all the traction you can. Buy a pair of winter tires and throw them on for the winter.
And finally, don't drive like you are a 4wd. Know your limits and you will be fine. Baltimore and Maryland know snow, and they have effective snow crews. Don't expect to be the one who can go out in the middle of a snow storm for groceries. You, as a 2wd, should wait... by the next day most roads are fine. Highways are always the first to be plowed.
So.. You will be fine. Get good tires. Throw some weight in the back. Drive slow and steady and know your limits, and you will be fine.
roadster-nh
New member
Having lived in NH for 25 years, my observation that more 4x4/AWD drivers got into trouble during the winter than those with RWD or FWD -- I imagine due to the false sense of security. 4WD sure helps to get unstuck, but once you're moving, it comes down to driving skill, common sense, and your tires.
berettashot117
New member
4wdftmfw. Nuff said
Coming from Texas, and as flat as Houston is, there is almost no need for having 4wd Runner, though Texans love their trucks. So when I moved to Baltimore, it's a shocked to see every Runner I've seen on the road sporting the 4wd badge. To a point that I don't think dealerships even care much 2wd Runners. So I'm definitely one of the odd duck here.
I'm hoping when winter arrives, I will see how it is to actually drive in snowy condition, then learn/adapt/adjust my driving habits. But from time to time I wonder if I take my Runner in the woods one day, would it be able to make it out by having only 2wd.
I'm hoping when winter arrives, I will see how it is to actually drive in snowy condition, then learn/adapt/adjust my driving habits. But from time to time I wonder if I take my Runner in the woods one day, would it be able to make it out by having only 2wd.
