4x4 or 4x2 with Off-road

Hey All,

So I was out looking at vehicles the other day and my local toyota dealership has two 06 tacomas left and both are a really a great deal. Both were the ones they used for test drives so they have like 1k mi on them and the dealership is really antsy to get rid of them (>20k out the door). So my question is this I do I go for the 4x4 with just the bare bones package or do I go for the 4x2 with TRD Off-road. I mostly drive in the city but I do like to go and hit the trails now and then. I don't really plan on modding this much nor am i particularly able to do so (have the mechanical knowledge of a 3 year old =( ). Oh yeah both are access cabs with standard beds.

Thxs,
Chris

 

I assume that TRD off-road 4x2 is a Prerunner and probably has the locking rear differential (a switch on the dash). This will take you down just about every moderately maintained trail you'll encounter. Deep sand or mud might be a different issue, but if your goal is forest service roads, gravel roads, etc., I wouldn't have any problems with the Prerunner.

Do your homework, book the trucks out online, and grind them for a great price. You should be looking at several thousand off of window sticker. Don't be afraid to low-ball the price -- all they can do is say "no".

Edit: FWIW, the Prerunner derives its name from the trucks the Baja race crews use to pre-run the race course. Aside from a lot more suspension travel, these trucks aren't all that different from the Tacoma you're looking at. They have locking differentials and off-road tires, and they run the Baja 1000.

 

I'd go for the 4x2... all the way... sounds like it has way more options on the truck and is awesome to drive.. Go for it!

 

I have the 4x4 and the TRD and if you made me choose between the two i really don't know what i'd do. When i bought my truck both of those options were "must have's" for me. If you live in an area that gets much snow or ice i would definately get the 4x4. If not, and you dont plan on going off road much, i would probably go with the TRD.... great suspension!!! My old car was a BMW and i outfitted it with Bilstein suspension and loved it, thats what sold me on the TRD package.

 

Personally I would go 4x4 since you get a transfer case i.e. low range/4L.
Huge difference if you want to crawl down a steep rocky trail.

We have an SR5 Access Cab 4x4 4 cylinder truck and it works great off road even w/o the rear diff lock.

 

Gotta have 4WD no if ands or buts
TRD Off Road pack too

 

nah... ya don't have to have a 4x4... I don't... would never use it.. so why pay the extra for it.. I test drove both of them.. I like my 2x4 gets me where I need to be.. even if it did snow or ice a lot here I would never take it out.. it can stay in the garage until it melts.. LOL

 

It's all in what you need and do. You can do a lot with a 4x2.

That said, 4x4 was a definite for my purchase, since ~4 weeks a year I have to drive down 6" deep loose mud. That, and with winter ice, you aren't getting up my driveway without 4x4 or 4x2 with studs.

 

It sounds like you’re in the same situation I was. I decided on the TRD for all extras it comes with, the nicer interior, the bed outlet, nicer wheels, and the great suspension. I do want to do some off roading but nothing too serious, mostly some trails out in the desert and the Big bend area and some dry river beds, and for that the locking rear will be more than enough. I also live in an area where we get ice on the roads once or twice a year but when it happens the whole city shuts down. I had three days off of work this past winter b/c my company closed the doors due to icy roads. Therefore the 4x4 wasn't important enough for me to spend the extra money and I'm totally satisfied with my decision. Good luck to ya and let us know what you decide on.

 

TRDeity, with the 4x4 you can only lock the rear diff when you're in 4lo. Whats the deal with the locking diff if you are driving a 4x2?

 

my choice would be the 4x2...for pretty much all the same reasons as TRDeity.

also, i'd think the 4x4 package would weigh a bit more, which would in turn make the truck SLIGHTLY slower, and probably get SLIGHTLY worse gas mileage...maybe?

 

Well basically you can use it whenever you need to. Although you aren't really supposed to go much over 5 MPH when it's engaged and you should try to go as straight as possible b/c it does make steering more difficult.

 

That must just be in the 4x2, because i think it is impossible to lock the rear outside of 4lo in my truck. I may be wrong but i dont think so.

 

Right, 4x4 has to be in 4lo but 4x2 is anytime, thats what I meant to say, sorry for any confusion.

 

i would go 4x2 with the lsd it works great for me i dont go mudding alot but i did have to get through a winter with a ton of snow i have never expericed something like that because i am from fl but i was working in mo and my truck did fine

 

I have a 2006 Double cab TRD off road prerunner (4X2) and like the OP i do mostly city driving and on the weekends i go out to the forest and ride my quad but there are some dirt roads to go down to get to the camp site havnt got to go out there yet.
I live in florida , I didnt see the need for a 4x4 the most extreme off roading ill be doing is some dirt roads and the beach. If you live where theres snow or really wanna go on trails like out west then go with the 4x4 but other than that 4x2 prerunner is perfect locking rear diff should be good

 

4WD ftw.

 

I can get wherever I want/need to go with my Prerunner. Good tires and knowing how to drive go a long way.

I'd prefer a 4x4 though, obviously.

 

Wow, you both (and now me) have replied to a 2007 thread!! LOL

 

Yep. Couldn't have said it better. If function is head of the list, 4x4 for sure.