Why did Toyota?

MikesToy

MikesToy

Banned
Just wondering why Toyota made 2WD for 4Runners? :bugeye:
I thought that's why it's called 4Runner because they are 4WD's. Hmmmmm......
 
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In the states that i have lived in (Texas and Florida), 4wd is pretty much a luxury item that many people do not need. In these states, if you have VSC (stability control), then you have everything that most 4runner 2wd owners need for safe travels on the highways. So, if you have a 4wd-only vehicle, then you would lose significant amount of customers in these states.

Just to push the point further...Jeep is offering 2wd versions on the WRANGLER!! This proves just how many people out there who don't care/need a 4wd system.
 
Technicality

And technically, under most conditions and without lockers a 4Runner is really a 2Runner while a 2Runner would be a 1Runner!
 
Thai said:
Just to push the point further...Jeep is offering 2wd versions on the WRANGLER!! This proves just how many people out there who don't care/need a 4wd system.
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This is true, but just to clarify all the 2 door Wranglers are still 4x4. 2WD is only available on the new for '07 4 door Wrangler.
 
Technicality, Technicality :)

Gromulus said:
And technically, under most conditions and without lockers a 4Runner is really a 2Runner while a 2Runner would be a 1Runner!
Click to expand...

I get your point but I'd just change "most" to "some".
 
osxcode said:
I'l bet most of the 4R's are in fact 2wd, in fact, most of what I see passing by here in LA are 2wd
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It depends on location...here in Texas, it's the same way...mostly 2wd. However, in northern states, 4wd dominates.
 
Thai said:
In the states that i have lived in (Texas and Florida), 4wd is pretty much a luxury item that many people do not need. In these states, if you have VSC (stability control), then you have everything that most 4runner 2wd owners need for safe travels on the highways. So, if you have a 4wd-only vehicle, then you would lose significant amount of customers in these states.

Just to push the point further...Jeep is offering 2wd versions on the WRANGLER!! This proves just how many people out there who don't care/need a 4wd system.
Click to expand...
Exactly true!!

Thank you Thai for posting this!!

Each region orders their vehicles a certain way to cater to their potential buyers.

osxcode said:
I'l bet most of the 4R's are in fact 2wd, in fact, most of what I see passing by here in LA are 2wd
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Thank you osxcode for posting this!!

This weekend...I had many Photographers from Southern California that I met through Xanga come up here to San Francisco.

They were saying they don't need to parallel park & don't have hills in Southern California.

Here in San Francisco...we are opposite, mostly 4WD 4Runners.

Because we are just 3 hours away from Lake Tahoe, which has snow in the winter time.

Plus...I know some people that just can't stand FWD, so a 2WD 4Runner is not a bad idea.

And also if you want a solid vehicle & sit up tall compare to a passanger car.
 
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Thai said:
It depends on location...here in Texas, it's the same way...mostly 2wd. However, in northern states, 4wd dominates.
Click to expand...

Yup it's a regional thing. In NorCal, only SR5s are readily available in 2WD. Sport Editions and Limiteds are always 4WD on dealer lots.
 
4Runner means to run in the "fore" ground and to be in the lead. That's what Toyota is implying with the name 4Runner
Has nothing to do with having four wheel drive.

This reminds me of this girl who came into work and said her boyfriend just got a Toyota Ford Runner. And I said you mean 4 Runner and she was absolutely insistent that I did not know what I was talking about. :confused:
 
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I always thought of 4runners as being able to "run" 4 people around town.
In the 80's toy pickups were tiny and there was no way you'd fit a family into a truck, so throwing 4 in the name of their new SUV kinda sets the tone for more space I guess.
 
I get the 2wd thing... It's just not for me.

Living in Florida I must admit, I wrestled with 2wd V8 or 4wd V6. I have often thought a V8 2wd with a set of the shorter, handling oriented rear springs, a nice exhaust and some good street tires would be a cool vehicle. If I could have 2 T4R's one of them might be a 2wd.

:cheers:
 
I've always looked at it as a representation of both the "forerunner" idea and that it's 4wd since back when it was named there was no such thing as a 2wd 4Runner.
 
CJ3Flyr said:
If I could have 2 T4R's one of them might be a 2wd.

:cheers:
Click to expand...

I have 2. One of each like you stated. see signature

In NC it is about a 50/50 mix of 2x4 vs. 4x4. People in the west side of the state with the mountians want 4x4s for sure. People in the middle to the coast are split, some people like to drive on the beaches some don't so you see alot more 2x4s.
 
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You couldn't give away a 2WD 4R here in Colorado.

My Mom bought a 2WD Lexus RX330 here in Denver a month before they moved to San Diego a couple of years ago. The dealer had to special order one in 2WD and made my Mom pay the FULL purchase price before they even placed the order just in case my Mom changed her mind...for the same reason I mentioned above.

I do understand, however, why people would want 2WD over a 4WD if they lived in a southern climate. If you want the size and features of an SUV but don't drive in inclement weather, why not buy a 2WD? Most 4X4 SUV's here in Denver were bought to get around in the snow and will never leave pavement.
 
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