4x4 is over rated

I agree.... this thread has its ups and downs, but i don't see anybody poking shit on anybody, just people trying to prove their points....

 

X2 ... 2wd trucks are as rare as hen's teeth around here. They just flat don't work in winter!

 

yea i guess every truck has its use.... thats why they are designed that way... to fit everyones needs.... of course i would feel more comfortable in going through mud and sand on a 4wd but i can count how many times i've gone through that...

 

Doesn't help that you didn't really have the option of getting 4wd.

 

I know I never personally said anything about hard core trails. I won't be taking them on myself UNTIL my 4wd is more heavily modified anyway, but it has nothing to do with drive train. I want sliders, bumpers and skids to protect the same things that are on both versions.

However, the "mild" (or whatever you want to call them) trails I've been on would be hard to do with a 2wd without some help. Hell, just the 30-50ft sections of river mud I've needed to cross to get back to solid ground I wouldn't attempt with a 2wd. Front wheels bog down, rear wheels spin, and you're almost up to your knees in mud running recovery gear. Much rather put it in 4wd and hit the gas a little to get through it. Only real time I use speed since there's no trees or anything around to hit or winch from if I had a winch.

Oh, and most sports cars suck on ice. Too much power, RWD, low ground clearance, low profile tires..... Except maybe the Sti's, Evo's, or other AWD ones. My wife had an old Camaro and had to back up hills because it would fish tail so bad even with 300lbs of sand in the trunk. Just could NOT get enough traction to push the front end.

 

yea, you are right.... not in Toyota.... when i bought it i looked at the gmc canyon (that even was cheaper, with leather seats and stuff) and ford fx4... but i decided i could live without the 4wd and choose toyota quality and reliability over 4wd option....

 

Tis true. I get everything I want out of my Prerunner. Even taking it off road. But I bought it for the road, and even though it does snow here occasionally (piercedtiger ) it isn't enough for me to justify a 4x4. Hardcore off roading is fun, just not in my $22,000 Prerunner. But I do totally respect the guys who bought their trucks for that purpose. And as piercedtiger said, if you know your limits (and don't believe it more capable that it is) then more power to you.

 

just to add to this post, i can say that 98% of the 4wd trucks in the city which are lots and lots (cheyenne, ram, f-150, colorado, etc) don't even see a non paved trail....

 

That thing cannot do the hardcore stuff unmodified. My buddy just got one exactly like that one and put a hole in his gas tank the first time out... we all got a good laugh, he was pissed!

 

That's the biggest thing. If you know how to handle your truck you can go places others think you can't/shouldn't. (like me surprising the shit out of my buddy by dropping off the road onto some atv trails through nothing more than a hole in the trees/grass)

The "over rated" part I can see if we're talking soccer moms and other people that do 90 in blinding snow or rain yakking on the cell drinking coffee because they "have 4wd and won't have any problems." Those jackasses give people that actually USE the 4wd option for it's intended purpose a bad name. (And honestly, I don't consider those people real drivers.... Just accidents waiting to happen so I don't count them in driver statistics. )

Can't count the number of 4wd SUV's that've flown buy me on the highway during winter and ended up on their roof further down the road.

 

You can't do this in a 4x2!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxIrsrAs_0A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOYH5_63AeE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c60g0verZQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Cf_ZBgd3U

 

From your pics it looks as though you drove down a dirt road! The locker does make your truck more capable than any 4X4 that does not have a locker however follow a friend with a 4X4 and you will be trading the Prerunner in.
PS. Next time stop and throw a little more dirt on the truck! You should have to look at the roof to tell the color.

 

there is nothing wrong with 4x2 trucks. and yes, they are very capable. i was impressed with Jhodge's truck during the Carolina Meet. The biggest difference i noticed between our two trucks is that during some rocky parts, hodge would come to a raised rock and instead of being able to pull over it, he had to back up and build a little momentum to clear it, where i could just crawl right over it. but other than that it was very capable. but to say a 4x2 can do everything a 4x4 can is ignorant. if you think your 4x2 can do anything try this. find a hill with a decent slope, 35% maybe. the hill can be gravel or dirt, doesnt matter as long as its not paved. drive down that hill about halfway, nose first. come to a stop. now back up the hill. you cant do it. if you say you can, you're lying. a 2x4 truck, with a light back end doesnt have the traction to back up a steep hill with loose terrain. in this situation, tires, and power and driving experience are a non issue, the only thing to get you out of that situation is 4 wheel drive. i've seen it over and over and over again. So once again, nothing wrong with 4x2's and i'm not bashing anyone's truck. but you cant do everything a 4x4 can

 

I can only afford a PreRunner

I'm looking at picking up a 2005 PreRunner TRD with 56,000mi. here in the next couple of days. With my full time employment and full time courseload I probably won't be able to go out as much as I want, so 2WD is fine to me.

 

Man, I can't believe someone brought this thread back to life!! I know how emotional all of you get with your 4x4's and 2x4's. But now it's got me thinking... The only thing that gets me with ALOT of these 4x4 owners is the EGO and mentality that 4x4 is the ONLY capable drive train. It all depends on what you want... I grew up in the Mojave desert and a 4x4 drive train there would be nothing but extra weight to burn gas, slow you down, and make your front end top heavy on going through a pack of woop's.

I took my truck wheeling a few weeks back and I was climbing all kinds of stuff and never got stuck. A jeep pulled up behind be and tried to climb the same hill in 2wheel and could not (for what ever reason) then he backed off put it in 4wheel and climbed it EASY! Then he followed me on the flat ROUGH LONG trail and couldn't keep up... I got to the end of the trail and sat and waited for like 10mins and he pulls up and says 'Is this the End" I said yeah, Then he said "well according to my navigation we still have 10 more feet to go" I guess he was trying to one up me.. Man 187 the EGO!

 

this thread is great

 

My head is starting to hurt reading all this stuff....

Ya'll need to take a chill pill!!

If you wanna go wheeling in a 4x2 or 4x4 - just DO IT!!

Regardless of what you're driving.....
1) Don't go wheeling alone
2) Be prepared (recovery gear, dress accordingly, water/food, cell phone or some sort of communication in case something happens)
3) Make sure your vehicle is maintained and ready for the trip

Depending on the terrain - YOU are the one to decide whether your truck (OR YOU - driver experience) can handle the terrain or obstacles. Ultimately - it is YOU whom will decide to take things easy or push them too hard. Sooner or later - YOU will learn what your truck can or can't do. After that - YOU will be the person to decide whether you continue wheeling the way things are....or whether you want to upgrade.