2x4 versus 4x4

I have an 08 trd off road prerunner with a v6 it has a positive differential just installed a 2.5 Fox Coilover Kit w/ Upper Control Arms & Rear Shocks. My question is since its not a 4x4 is it worth putting all this money into it do these trucks get stuck easily like in the mud or sand just curious before i go and spend all this money on any more suspension parts

 

You have to drive them differently. You have to be much more aggressive. That may not always be the safe thing to do. You can go slower and steer more in 4X4 and still not get stuck.

The back end will tend to be a little more sloppy in soft or slippery stuff. Big deal right? You may not have room to keep it going strait say if there is rocks on both sides or some other trail hazard like a tree stump.

If you have to stop because your back end slips out and the ground is iffy you will be stuck.

 

You're the only person who will know if you need 4X4.

The only way you'll know, is if you get out there and use the Prerunner for what you bought it for. Terrain is different and unless you adapt to that terrain with your pre-runner and still find yourself not tackling the terrain the way you'd want to..... then perhaps you need to research what you need to do in terms of upgrades OR make a decision to trade it in and get a 4X4.

Obviously - you posted this thread - so it sounds like you're having second thoughts about having the Prerunner. Maybe it is time to get a 4X4

You have a TRD Offroad with a locker? Have you used the locker much?

 

lol yeah i am having second taughts i should have just went with the 4x4 2 years ago too late now i just paid off my truck but the lock do you mean the positive differential

 

if its the off road model its not a "positive differential" it will have a locking diffrential. meaning at 5mph or under you can push to locker button on your dash giving you full and equal power to both rear wheels. when not engaged you get one tire fire
use only off road.

 

Took my Prerunner up to Big Sur and did fine on some pretty ugly fire roads. First 2x4 I've ever owned though, would have been way more comfortable in my old 4x4 Taco.

Word on the whole going fast vs. going slow and easy note, I got stuck mid hill taking it too slow and had to back all the way down. That really sucked, but made it fine on the second pass with a little more speed.

 

4x4's are for men

 

It's called momentum. While offroad and depending on the vehicle & situation you're in - YOU'RE the only one who can make the decisions whether or not you need momentum or you don't.

Momentum is a good thing while going uphill and through mudholes. It's a bad thing while going over big rocks & going downhill.

 

It's 4x2 not 2x4 people!! A 2x4 is a piece of lumber.

 

i agree with the momentum idea, i have a base model 2wd and i have been able to do some pretty impressive stuff with my stock height, open diff, and 18 inch rims wrapped in 255/55-18 tires.

it all depends on the driver and what you know you and your truck can do, i can go through almost anything in my taco because im confident in it and with my driving skills.

ask some of the guys on the New Mexico owners thread they can vouch for me and say that i made it through some stuff they didnt think i could just because i know how to use speed to my advantage

anyway just think it throught 4x4 are awesome can go amazing places but so can 2wds if you can push it far enough

 

wait for it....

 

In the rain my truck is usless in 2WD. Couldn't imagine trying to do any kinda offroading without 4WD. But if you look at the Pro 2 trucks, they are pretty bad ass but they're on a track where there's limited to no chance to get stuck. I've always been 4WD/AWD bias when it comes to trucks or even cars.
Vehicles have 4 wheels.... why not use them all.

 

But context matters- You obviously knew what he was talking about cause you were able to correct him...

 

a 4x2 can do okay, but if you do much backcountry driving, you'll end up in trouble without 4x4, especially on hills, and more so going downhill.

where i generally 4x4, you cannot simply substitute speed....

 

Class VI road (unmaintained public access road.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1fPVXj3Gqk

 

lol I own a 2x4....wish I got the 4x4