Opinions wanted: 4WD vs. PreRunner

[DavidL]

I am in the market for a first-gen Tacoma for 99% pavement and daily driving use. However, I also enjoy camping and getting off of the beaten path occasionally. I would like to have a vehicle that could take me into most of the roads and trails on a forest-service map in the desert southwest or the Rockies, but not necessarily for rock-crawling.

Can a 2WD PreRunner with e-locker be useful off-road for forest roads and trails, and what would be its limitations? I drove some forest roads in CO a few years back in 4WD with a stock Cherokee -- had a blast and would like to do some more of that. Do you think a 2WD would reach its limitations pretty quickly, such as on steep climbs or somewhat rocky sections of trail? Again, I don't have a desire to do anything radical, just don't want to get stuck or have to depend on others along the trail.

Thanks in advance for your opinions,

David

[socalman22]

Well it looks like the 4wd would be more useful, cuz i can see it in your head now " I wonder if my truck can do that" but from what it seems the 2wd would be some fun for you also.

[deadbolt]

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off...ver-rated.html

hope this helps.

[05TacoTRD]

You'd be surprised at what a locked Prerunner will do.

[Janster]

The Prerunner with a locker is pretty capable.... But if you're in any doubt, get the 4WD. You don't wanna be exploring a dirt path and be saying to yourself "I should've bought the 4WD"

[Ridingontrd]

Originally Posted by Janster

saying to yourself "I should've bought the 4WD"

Amen!! to that.

[DavidL]

Thanks deadbolt for that thread. It was immensely helpful. It showed me that there are many different perceptions of what "off-roading" is (to some it means the beach, to some it means mud, snow, etc.). I will not be persuing mud or snow or ice, but I will be going on mountain forest roads in the Rockies where a few feet separate you from the edge of the trail and a near-vertical drop of maybe, oh, a few hundred feet I would guess? Maybe more? Bottom line for me is, I would rather have the low-range and crawling ability of 4WD to get me through obstacles than relying on momentum in situations like that. Definitely don't want to be carrying speed on those tight mountain trails. Thanks again for that link.

[concrete jedi]

... but for the one percent of your time ? I would think that a prerunner would suite your needs just fine. Put on a nice set of all terrain tires and always go with friends, you'll be fine.

[tnt136913]

pre runner plus carry along winch , take u any place a 4x4 will go, thats my setup, plus a lot less maintenance

[wareaglesc88]

Originally Posted by tnt136913

pre runner plus carry along winch , take u any place a 4x4 will go, thats my setup, plus a lot less maintenance

Oh no... I just read several pages of that.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off...ver-rated.html

[Janster]

Originally Posted by tnt136913

pre runner plus carry along winch , take u any place a 4x4 will go, thats my setup, plus a lot less maintenance

You might be right about the *less maintenance* part... but, if you're gonna compare anything - then we've gotta go EXTREME capabilities.

If you took a Prerunner with a locker & winch.....and whatever else you could upgrade it with to make it more capable (minus the front drive components).

& competed it againest:

A 4x4 with a locker & winch...and whatever else you could upgrade it with to make it more capable (front locker)...

I'd hate to say it - but - the 4X4 is gonna go a lot farther and faster without even using the winch.