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What exactly is a PreRunner?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Dave, Oct 30, 2006.

  1. Oct 30, 2006 at 4:11 AM
    #1
    Dave

    Dave [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What exactly is a PreRunner?

    I saw a couple over the weekend that looked exactly like my 00 Taco but it also said PreRunner on it.
     
  2. Oct 30, 2006 at 6:16 AM
    #2
    cockyockyfree

    cockyockyfree Member

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    Mine is an '06. It is a wanna-be 4wd, but is only 2wd. It has a button to push for emergencies to turn your rearend into posi, but just to get unstuck, and not over, I think, 5 miles an hour. It looks 4wd, but is 2wd. Mine is 6 speed manual behind the 4.0 v-6 w/ TRD package.
     
    LUNCHBOX66 likes this.
  3. Oct 30, 2006 at 11:09 AM
    #3
    twoarezee

    twoarezee Well-Known Member

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    rims,tires,3"/6" drop, 4x4 front end, 01 tails and corners, prerunner buckets,tenzo r steering wheel w/ momo hub, b&m shifterw/ jdm trd knob, alpine system, tint, 3 3/4" autometer tach, jardine cat back, k&n, debaged, hellwig rear sway bar, kyb monomax shocks, tundra v8 oil filter w/ mobil 1 in ever
    its a 2wd taco with the 4wd suspension and the trd e-locker in the rear.
     
  4. Nov 23, 2006 at 1:00 PM
    #4
    edave5

    edave5 Active Member

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    3" body lift; 3" suspension;added power windows, locks, and mirrors; bucket seats; regeared to 4.56
    Not all PreRunners have a Diff lock. The diff lock is available with the TRD package.
    All it is, is a 4x4 model, without the transfer case, front diff, or 4 wheel drive shifter (two more cupholders in it's place).

    The differences of a prerunner and a standard are somthing like this:
    Coil over shocks vs. Torsion bars
    Ground clearance comparable to the 4x
    6 lug vs. 5 lug,
    If it's a 4 cyl, you get the 2.7L instead of the 2.4L
    Your gear ratio is also different in the pre-runner from the factory due to:
    Larger tires (265/75/16) and 16" wheels
    oh, and you get fender flares (not the same as 4x4 model's flares) and a different bumper valence.

    I believe the prerunner has a larger radiator also, but that may just be because of the engine difference.

    that's just what i've learned from having my '02 prerunner for 3 years.:)
     
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  5. Nov 24, 2006 at 7:43 AM
    #5
    Ldytaco05

    Ldytaco05 it's all about me

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    That's good info. but what are it's limits when going off-road? and towing?
     
  6. Nov 24, 2006 at 10:34 AM
    #6
    edave5

    edave5 Active Member

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    3" body lift; 3" suspension;added power windows, locks, and mirrors; bucket seats; regeared to 4.56
    depends on what you've done to your truck really. I'm running 33" BFG All-Terrains, and they are a big improvement over the stock Dunlop AT's. However, it is a bit disappointing with the regular cab. It seems that there is not really enough weight on the stiff shocks, so when i'm on a rough fire road at 20MPH, it gets really uncomfortable, whereas the double cab and other trucks i've had do great. But it does climb. A locker in the rear will really get you places.

    As far as towing, there isn't much difference. You have to get a Class III hitch if you want to pull somthing like a boat. Running stock, the bumper will take 3500lbs Gross trailer weight with a max of 350lbs Tounge weight. I have a class III hitch installed that allows me to use a drop to level out my boat, pull 10,000lbs Gross, and 1000lbs Tounge. The 2.7L 4cyl actually does suprisingly well. The prerunner also has heavy duty brake calipers (4 piston) which stops the boat with minor difficulty. The fact that the suspension is a lot stiffer really helps WHEN towing. It actually makes it ride smooth when the boat is hooked up!

    If you have a stock, standard taco, you're going to notice the the rear end wants to almost drag on the ground with any kind of weight on it. the prerunner's stiff suspension really helps it handle a lot more weight. My regular cab can take a load of 2005lbs (1 Ton), including cargo and passangers. It is the highest max weight out of all the trucks, since my cab is so light.

    Sometimes I have to sacrifice MPG for comfort by leaving some load in the back, it helps it ride smooth. Maybe i'll get some Rancho RSX 9000 ? air adjustable shocks. That'd be nice...
     
  7. Nov 27, 2006 at 12:58 PM
    #7
    twoarezee

    twoarezee Well-Known Member

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    rims,tires,3"/6" drop, 4x4 front end, 01 tails and corners, prerunner buckets,tenzo r steering wheel w/ momo hub, b&m shifterw/ jdm trd knob, alpine system, tint, 3 3/4" autometer tach, jardine cat back, k&n, debaged, hellwig rear sway bar, kyb monomax shocks, tundra v8 oil filter w/ mobil 1 in ever
    no tacoma ever came with torsion bars, on ly the pre-taco did.and the 2rz and the 3rz have the same radiator because they are the same engine but they have different crankshafts wich accounts for the .3 liter difference and the extra 8hp.
     
  8. Nov 27, 2006 at 1:48 PM
    #8
    edave5

    edave5 Active Member

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    3" body lift; 3" suspension;added power windows, locks, and mirrors; bucket seats; regeared to 4.56
    I could have sworn I saw a tacoma with torsion bars. hmmm.... well thank you. what do they have on the front?

    Yes, the 3RZ has 9mm stroke advantage over the 2RZ, but that's not the only difference. Also, I checked out the radiator difference and the PreRunner and 4WD models get a radiator that is 5" taller than the standard 2WD.
     
  9. Nov 27, 2006 at 2:25 PM
    #9
    twoarezee

    twoarezee Well-Known Member

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    coil springs and shocks. are you sure its taller and not just moved up?
     
  10. Nov 27, 2006 at 2:40 PM
    #10
    edave5

    edave5 Active Member

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    3" body lift; 3" suspension;added power windows, locks, and mirrors; bucket seats; regeared to 4.56
    yeah, they have the size specs on kragen's website. it's actually 3 15/16" larger, i looked at it wrong at first. That's not much of a difference at all and hardly worth noting anyways.
     
  11. Jan 14, 2007 at 8:06 PM
    #11
    hagar71

    hagar71 Member

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    do you use yours 'locked' to ride around when icy? will that be bad for it? or do u use it for unsticking ur toy?
     
  12. Jan 15, 2007 at 3:36 AM
    #12
    007Tacoma

    007Tacoma I dub thee malicious!

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    That is true. Not all of the PreRunners have a locking Rear or even limited slip. It is available with an option package on all of the PreRunners. The TRD Package has one, but you can also get one with Traction Control and Daytime Running Lights on the 2.7L PreRunners (AccessCab and RegularCab).

    I have a 2007 PreRunner SR5. I wanted the Limited Slip Rear, but couldn't find one. I will be installing an LSD or a locker soon. If you have questions about information on the decision process, see this link to another Thread on our forum.

    I have to say that I am extremely impressed with the 2.7L 4 cylinder. It has more power than I thought it would. Since I am still under my first 2000 miles, I haven't tried towing anything with it yet, but I won't be towing much (max=3000lbs).
    Unfortunately, the 2007+MY don't offer the 2.4L as an option on the standard Tacoma. I am not sure aobut the other 2nd gens (2005-2006). The engines offered are a 2.7L and a 4.0L. In my opinion, I don't think the 2.4L can offer a reasonable amount of power for the 2nd Gen body and frame. It just weighs more than the 1st Gen.
     
  13. Jan 15, 2007 at 3:43 AM
    #13
    007Tacoma

    007Tacoma I dub thee malicious!

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    Lockers are usually used at low speeds (<25MPH). The lockers don't let any slippage of the differential (hence the LOCK name :) ) The Limited Slip Rear (or LSD w/o the side-effects ;) ) can be used at higher speeds because it does allow some slippage.

    This slippage is what keeps you from tearing up tires and/or rear ends, but still affords you some great traction. Lockers are for when you are seriously needing something to move you.

    I am looking to add an LSD to my rear. Simply because it allows me to use it at higher speeds (i.e. on ice). They both have their PROS and CONS, but a locking rear diff will always get the most power to both the rear wheels.

    I hope this helps.
     
  14. Jan 16, 2007 at 3:49 AM
    #14
    hagar71

    hagar71 Member

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    thanx ..totally helps!
     
  15. Jan 16, 2007 at 4:47 AM
    #15
    007Tacoma

    007Tacoma I dub thee malicious!

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    May I remind you, my Tacoma is a 2nd Generation. I do not know the differences between the 1st Gen PreRunners and the 2nd Gen PreRunners.
     
  16. Feb 13, 2007 at 9:29 AM
    #16
    2003greenbean

    2003greenbean Carolina Alliance Costal Div

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    if i have the locker on and go over 5mph a buzzer goes off untill i slow down
     
  17. Feb 13, 2007 at 12:12 PM
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    007Tacoma

    007Tacoma I dub thee malicious!

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    Really? That's a new one to me. It makes sense. You don't want to run with the locker on the road. TECHNICALLY ;) you aren't supposed to be going that fast offroad. So, it makes sense that they would tie that to the speed control. :cool:
     
  18. Feb 13, 2007 at 4:33 PM
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    2003greenbean

    2003greenbean Carolina Alliance Costal Div

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    it was a shock to me thought i messed something up but i guess it is a saftey feat so anyone doesnt tear any thing up
     
  19. Jul 25, 2008 at 2:29 PM
    #19
    johnblazecali2001

    johnblazecali2001 New Member

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    FT Lewis
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    I wanna convert my 4x2 to a 4x4. Im told that its too expensive and that it'd be cheaper to trade in my 08 PreRunner for a 4x4 Tacoma. Is this true? How much would it cost to convert my PreRunner to a 4x4?
     
  20. Jul 25, 2008 at 2:32 PM
    #20
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

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    Trading in your 08 or selling it, you might only lose a few grand. I say get a factory setup and then you also get to have a warranty.
     

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