undecided between 4x2 and 4x4

[motif]

I'm buying soon my 4runner but not sure yet which. I mean I know i want sport version but is it really big difference in normal driving between those two?
In price I see 3k$ saving but how about MPG saving? From spec I see 16/21 (city, highway) on both versions, but 4x2 should be better on gas right?

 

[HB 4X4]

I'm buying soon my 4runner but not sure yet which. I mean I know i want sport version but is it really big difference in normal driving between those two?
In price I see 3k$ saving but how about MPG saving? From spec I see 16/21 (city, highway) on both versions, but 4x2 should be better on gas right?

Depends whether you are looking at the V6 or V8. The V6 can select 2Hi so it will get the same MPG unless you put it into 4Hi or 4Lo. The V8 on the other hand is always in 4Hi and gets worse mileage, but not by a whole lot.

 

[motif]

no, no I'd never buy a V8. I'll buy only V6. What is 4hi or 4low?

 

[HB 4X4]

no, no I'd never buy a V8. I'll buy only V6. What is 4hi or 4low?

If you get a V6 then it makes no difference in MPG whether you get 4X4 or not.

2Hi- 2-wheel drive obviously

4Hi- Full time 4-wheel drive. It's always on, and activates if a wheel spins from losing traction, etc. A good example of when this comes in handy is black ice. You can use this at any speed, and like I said the V8s are always in 4Hi.

4Lo- Only use this when you are going slow (under 40mph) and you want maximum traction in off-road situations.

 

[GatorGreg]

I would always recommend the 4x4 version. What's the old saying? It's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

However, you can buy a lot of pizza with $3K (although I didn't think it was that much of a difference though) and it's not like the 4x2 version is useless - you still get the solid structure, quality, and cargo utility that make the T4R a legendary vehicle in its class. Also, the 4x2 version does come with an LSD in the rear so you get better traction then the typical 4x2 SUV and with a lift and a set of big AT tires I dare say an experienced off-roader could probably keep up with most 4x4 vehicles until the going gets really tough.

Where I live in Florida, I'd say at least 75% of the T4Rs I see on the road are 2WD, maybe even 90%, so there are certainly a lot of folks out there who value the T4R even in non 4x4 form. But some places, like Canada I think, they don't even sell the 4x2 version. So presumably Toyota feels that if you don't live up north, you really don't need the 4x4. However, I predict that if you get a 4x2 and start having some fun on mild trails, you'll get the off-roading bug very quickly and then wish you had the 4x4.

 

[Running-Riot]

I would always recommend the 4x4 version. What's the old saying? It's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

However, you can buy a lot of pizza with $3K (although I didn't think it was that much of a difference though) and it's not like the 4x2 version is useless - you still get the solid structure, quality, and cargo utility that make the T4R a legendary vehicle in its class. Also, the 4x2 version does come with an LSD in the rear so you get better traction then the typical 4x2 SUV and with a lift and a set of big AT tires I dare say an experienced off-roader could probably keep up with most 4x4 vehicles until the going gets really tough.

Where I live in Florida, I'd say at least 75% of the T4Rs I see on the road are 2WD, maybe even 90%, so there are certainly a lot of folks out there who value the T4R even in non 4x4 form. But some places, like Canada I think, they don't even sell the 4x2 version. So presumably Toyota feels that if you don't live up north, you really don't need the 4x4. However, I predict that if you get a 4x2 and start having some fun on mild trails, you'll get the off-roading bug very quickly and then wish you had the 4x4.

GatorGreg: I never knew that the 2wd models had a Limited-slip rear diff. Does that go for every Gen 4runner?

 

[alaskaman]

There is only one reason to have 4WD and when you discover it with 2WD you will know the answer.

 

[gm350reratliff]

There is only one reason to have 4WD and when you discover it with 2WD you will know the answer.

:iagree:

Get the 4x4!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Where do you live, what do you do for fun? I'm inclined to agree with the other folks, 4x4 is probably the better choice.


IMHO the mear fact you signed up here, posted in a few threads and are asking the question leads me to believe you have some "enthusiast" in you. With that said a 4x4 will be more fun and easier to be enthusiastic about. You'll be able to sell it easier down the road too.

:cheers:

 

[motif]

:iagree:

Get the 4x4!

I know, I know... but to be honest as so far after 25 years of driving cars I wished I've had 4x4 maybe once or twice. I want to have first of all RWD again,
now I have 4x4 Rav4 and never had situation I needed it.
Anyway something's tells me I can regret it if I don't buy 4x4x

 

[Martinjmpr]

I know, I know... but to be honest as so far after 25 years of driving cars I wished I've had 4x4 maybe once or twice. I want to have first of all RWD again,
now I have 4x4 Rav4 and never had situation I needed it.
Anyway something's tells me I can regret it if I don't buy 4x4x

You don't say where you live but if you live South of the snow belt and don't plan to take it on anything other than a well graded, dry dirt road, the 2wd should be fine. I had a 2wd Ford Ranger pickup with an LSD when I lived in Laramie, WY of all places and it was fine as long as I kept it within its limitations.

Just keep in mind that while the 4x4 costs more initially, it also returns more at resale time, and the 2wd is just the opposite: Cheaper when you buy, but also less $$ when you sell.

Around here (CO) I can't even imagine why anybody would want a 2wd 4runner but there are a few of them around. As I understand it, in the Southern parts of the country, 2wd 4runners are pretty common.

 

[Thai]

GatorGreg: I never knew that the 2wd models had a Limited-slip rear diff. Does that go for every Gen 4runner?

Don't mind GG, he gets his facts mixed up often. 2wd 4runners come with traction control on the rear axle. It is NOT a true LSD...however, electronic traction control provides a similar benefit to a LSD. And this is why Toyota marketing smartly calls it an electronic LSD. The rear diff is totally open with no additional gears/clutch packs typical of LSD.

 

[Thai]

If you get a V6 then it makes no difference in MPG whether you get 4X4 or not.

2Hi- 2-wheel drive obviously

4Hi- Full time 4-wheel drive. It's always on, and activates if a wheel spins from losing traction, etc. A good example of when this comes in handy is black ice. You can use this at any speed, and like I said the V8s are always in 4Hi.

4Lo- Only use this when you are going slow (under 40mph) and you want maximum traction in off-road situations.

To expand on Josh's post.

4-HI is always ON. It always sends some amount of torque to the front and rear axle. The AMOUNT sent depends on traction/slippage...i think that in the 4runner, the torque sent varies from 50/50 to 30/70 or some variation like that.

4-LO is a pure off-road tool...and some people use this mode to lower their boat into a lake. Anyway, 4-LO has nothing to do with traction per se. When you switch into 4-LO, the transfer case switches to a different gear set, allowing for MULTIPLICATION OF TORQUE. It allows you to go slow off-road, yet have more power per turn of a tire. It increases traction indirectly because you're going slower than normal while still having plenty of power (via torque multiplication) to go over obstacles or up a hill. (As a side note, many people also believe that traction control works more aggressively in 4-LO than in other modes.)

 

[GatorGreg]

Don't mind GG, he gets his facts mixed up often. 2wd 4runners come with traction control on the rear axle. It is NOT a true LSD...however, electronic traction control provides a similar benefit to a LSD. And this is why Toyota marketing smartly calls it an electronic LSD. The rear diff is totally open with no additional gears/clutch packs typical of LSD.

Thanks Thai for clarifying. Damn, that's the last time I get fooled by Toyota marketing BS So I'm asusming they had the "electronic" (bogus) LSD on the 2WD T4R starting in 2001 with the advent of ATRAC? Or was it not until the 4th gen that they coined that phrase?

 

[GatorGreg]

Anyway, 4-LO has nothing to do with traction per se. When you switch into 4-LO, the transfer case switches to a different gear set, allowing for MULTIPLICATION OF TORQUE. It allows you to go slow off-road, yet have more power per turn of a tire.

Hey Thai, the simplest way I've come up with to explain the transfer case shifter in my GX when people inevitably ask me "Hey, WTF is this lever for?" is I tell them it's like the switch on a 10 speed bike for the 2 gears on the pedal crank, simply makes it easier to pedal up a hill. Even women seem to understand that

 

[Thai]

Thanks Thai for clarifying. Damn, that's the last time I get fooled by Toyota marketing BS So I'm asusming they had the "electronic" (bogus) LSD on the 2WD T4R starting in 2001 with the advent of ATRAC? Or was it not until the 4th gen that they coined that phrase?

Toyota actually has been using that term only recently in their brochures...probably to make it sound better than just traction control. Well, you gotta credit those marketing folks...they got YOU and you are well-informed as most people on here about these things. They are good indeed...just like listing bogus ground clearance and water fording depth. I wish that there was an independent committee to oversee these advertisement claims, kinda like SAE for engine outputs.

If you want a true LSD, then i think that you only have the Tacoma Sport as a choice. Everything else in Toyota lineup is either a locker or traction control.

 

[Thai]

Hey Thai, the simplest way I've come up with to explain the transfer case shifter in my GX when people inevitably ask me "Hey, WTF is this lever for?" is I tell them it's like the switch on a 10 speed bike for the 2 gears on the pedal crank, simply makes it easier to pedal up a hill. Even women seem to understand that

Yup, good analogy.

 

[Running-Riot]

Ohh, okay. Thanks Thai.

GatorGreg, you got me all excited for nothing.