Is 4x4 worth it?

If you don’t know if you need 4wd then you probably don’t. Most people that have them don’t need them. A good set of tires on a 2wd with a limited slip rear end and some good driving skill will take you to a lot of places you wouldn’t think.

I ran 30+ miles of old logging/fire roads last month and never needed 4wd once. I was very impressed by what this truck could do in 2wd with good aggressive all terrain tires.

Let the truck prove to you what it can or can’t do. If it doesn’t perform to what you want it to do, most of the upgrades you mentioned can be swapped onto a 4wd later if you trade it in.

 

1st gen TRDs were just TRD Offroads...there was no 'Sport' model until 2nd gens in 2005. Therefore nearly every TRD 1st gen has a rear locker...with some rare 4cyl TRD exceptions.

 

You are me! Daily driver. Construction. Same daily miles. And at time wished I got 4x4. Ugh. I’m considering trading in at tax time of course I’ll be a 20k miles by then

Ugh. And I don’t want to do my upgrades just to want to trade it in

 

Sounds like you got a plan

 

You sound like you barely offroad and only do trails that aren’t rocky. You should be fine, I’ve seen people do that sort of thing in a Prius

 

Did not know this
I also have a 2016 trd off road, 4x4
Haven’t even used the 4wd, goes fine on most trails I do. One benefit of 4x4 in SoCal is no chains when you ski.

 

Is 4x4 worth it? For your situation, I'm gonna say no.

To give you a bit of perspective, in the winter up here there are 2 hr long+ stretches between towns with zero cell service in between. There's also limited traffic on the roads. Getting stuck / ditching / hitting wildlife in winter could mean being in your vehicle for hours in -40°C or worse weather (thank god for the garmin inreach). Which is why 4x4 is worth it in my situation. It's an extreme situation, but it hits the point home.

If I lived in socal I'd definitely have a 2WD! Probably a civic though.

 

How long are you planning to keep the truck? If just a couple years, then keep it and trade for a 4x4 later. If a long time keeper, then just bite the bullet and trade it in now.

 

I have a 2016 OR DBSB 2WD.
I'm only 21 and I use it at my daily driver, road trips to national parks, occasionally the snow but use chains of course. I don't off road it's just a look package with some extra features. Yes the resale might be a bit higher but that's also because its initial price was higher too. Insurance is already $220 and would have been more monthly, not worth it for me with the money retained from resale later. Just my personal view.

 

I have a 4x4 and used it only once and to be honest I probably won't use it much (also live in socal). I bought it knowing that but imo the resell will be much higher/easier with a 4x4. My coworker has a 2wd third gen and loves his with no regrets.

 

Lash in some big water jugs in the back with good tires, any you will be fine for most trails in So Cal without 4x4. I dont always lock mine in, only if I get stuck.

 

Nice, you’re using the truck like it should be.

Most 4WD owners drive in 2WD 95% of the time, including myself

 

unless you are into off roading or driving up hills on snowy day, it's as useful as tits on a boar hog

 

Nope. Don’t listen to them. Listen to me. I am always correct.

 

The one great thing about CA is the diversity in beautiful outdoors that we have...there are endless 4x2 trails and endless trails strictly for 4x4s. I myself prefer the latter (the 4x2 trails only made me want to do harder ones) but there's something for everyone.

And yes, its awesome going up the highway into Big Bear in the winter time past all the people in cars and 4x2s either stuck or struggling to put on chains

 

4x4 or nothing. You never know when you will need it. 2WD is fine for your car. Your truck is meant to be a truck. Better to sell it right now private party, take the minimal loss and buy a 4x4.

 

Man, if you're going to put 20k on it before you get a chance to trade it in anyways, might as well get out there and enjoy your truck for what it is and then see how you feel down the road. That's a great looking rig and with the guaranteed high resale, assuming you don't trash it, you might as well have fun with it. A 4X2 is never, ever going to be be a substitute for a 4X4 in certain situations, no doubt, but throw some KO2s on that truck, air down when needed, and you'll be surprised how far off the beaten path it can get you, provided you learn and respect the truck's and your limits.

 

I’m on the life is short, get what you want train.

 

A quote that's always stuck with me is:

"You'll run out of health before you'll run out of money."

I agree, life is short. If you ultimately want the 4x4 despite your needs maybe not requiring it, go for it!

 

The dcsb 4x4 offroad I have is perfect for my needs. I use the 4wd multiple times a week for work and pleasure and use the bed and back seats frequently. If I didnt use these features, especially the bed and 4wd I would personally be in a new Subaru crosstrek.
My father has bought his two last trucks in 2wd and regrets it a few times a year, even in sunny florida.