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Buying 4x4 or 4x2 for new purchase ?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by crazyman, Sep 2, 2010.

  1. Sep 2, 2010 at 5:32 AM
    #1
    crazyman

    crazyman [OP] Not bothered....

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    Chris
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    Does Plasti-Dip count as a mod ?
    Hi all.

    I'm new here, haven't yet purchased my Taco. Another month or two....

    I know from several test drives that a DC LB is the truck I'll get.
    Some things I'm not certain of yet.

    A few questions:

    Debating between 4x4 or 4x2. My sis has a 99 Taco 4x4. She loves hers and uses the 4 wheel drive a few times a year. Of course she lives out in the sticks and has reason to have 4 wheel drive.
    Not me, at present I'm a city boy.

    For the difference in price though, I'm wondering if I should invest in the 4x4 even though I'll rarely use it. I may have need for it in a few years if I move, but for now, probably not.
    I have a slight interest in going off road around my area. There are some nice trails.
    May get back into camping. May get an off road bike for those trails. May move back out west. Lots of possibilities.

    Are the standard seats available with the Off Road package ? That's a deal breaker, as the 'sport' seats were very uncomfortable.

    Thanks for the input !:D
     
  2. Sep 2, 2010 at 5:40 AM
    #2
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

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    Johnny-5
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    The sport and off road models both have the sport seats. You can get an SR5 4x4 without the off road or sport packages though.
     
  3. Sep 2, 2010 at 5:45 AM
    #3
    jpmorrisvb

    jpmorrisvb Well-Known Member

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    Like any purchase you need to think how you are going to use it. Think with your head and not your ego.

    4 x 4 vs. 4 x 2?

    Pros ..... a rugged stance, 4WD there when (and if) you need it.

    Cons ..... additional costs, additional weight, additional maintenance, higher insurance (?), lower gas mileage due to the weight, tire treads (rolling resistance), rear end gearing.

    If it is going to be your daily driver go with the 4 x 2. My '10 2WD AC 2.7 AT gets over 29 mpg on the highway.

    Most of the folks here have 4WD so I am sure that they'll give their slant.

    Best of luck and welcome.
     
  4. Sep 2, 2010 at 5:48 AM
    #4
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    I know there are a lot of people on here that will scream you must get a 4x4. I think it's all in how much you really think you will use it, and how much extra are you going to pay for it.

    I bought used, so I figured if I can across a good deal on a 4x4, I'd get but I was not going to pay a lot extra or go out of my way for it, because I truly do not have a need for it.

    I had a 4x4 Tahoe, and the only time I put it in 4 wheel drive, was when I was in Colorado, and that was more of a precaution than an actual need. I can see people living up north wanting/needing 4x4 but it's just not a NEED for me.
     
  5. Sep 2, 2010 at 5:55 AM
    #5
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    My opinion is...go ahead and buy a 4x4 so it's there when you need it. I don't use my 4x4 too often but when I do I'm glad it's there.
     
  6. Sep 2, 2010 at 6:13 AM
    #6
    xxaarraa

    xxaarraa Well-Known Member

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    I live in Boston and have never needed 4WD. BUT.... I got the 4WD because it looks like an actual truck (wider track, higher up off the ground, bigger wheels, fender flares etc.). 2WD Tacos look very puny and ridiculous in my opinion. Those mickey mouse wheels tucked deep into the wheel wells are just too goofy for me, especially in a pickup truck.

    Your mileage may vary.
     
  7. Sep 2, 2010 at 6:20 AM
    #7
    crf69

    crf69 scraping my emblems off my plasti-dip

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    Ryan
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    ummm yeah
    4 drive tires are better than two.... (simplest terms i could think of)
     
  8. Sep 2, 2010 at 6:23 AM
    #8
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe you haven't heard of a PreRunner...they are 2WD but they look just like the 4x4's, ride height, stance, etc. I agree about the look of the regular 4x2's looking puny but that's why they have the PreRunners, they are 2WD but you get the higher stance, bigger wheels, etc.
     
  9. Sep 2, 2010 at 6:34 AM
    #9
    jpmorrisvb

    jpmorrisvb Well-Known Member

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    Come on man .... you'll give everyone a shitty opinion of Bostonians (as if those jerks from New York don't already have one .... :D) with comments like that ...... :cool:

    As far as "your mileage may vary" .... that's an understatement.

    ps .... and I think my 2WD looks great.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Sep 2, 2010 at 6:46 AM
    #10
    Masada

    Masada Well-Known Member

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    I think he's looking at the prerunner sport or TRD off road and also the 4x4 version so they are identical in height, stance and wheel (tire) size.

    To the OP,

    It sounds like you have an intreset in the outdoors and wheeling, and if you start to like it more you will want a 4x4. I'm a little biased because I have a 4x4 taco and would never go back to a 2wd truck.

    However, we have taken several prerunners with us on trail runs that had the electronic locker in the back (trd off road version) and had no issues. I think one would get stuck in the sand or dirt once a trip, had they had 4x4 they would have been fine but we offroad in groups so we just pulled them out. I guess the biggest advice someone can give you is go in groups if you're offroading in a 2wd vehicles so if something does happen you can get some help to get out. Not that 4x4's are invincible, but you do have more options available to you. Oh and if you get a prerunner, I'd only go with a TRD Offroad with the electronic locker in the back based on what you have written.

    Now if you do like going outdoors and wheeling, then chances are you will get bored with the dirt roads at some point and want to explore some more challenging trails. You will want a 4x4 truck for that, plus if you meet some other TW guys then you might bet more into it. For me having 4x4 on a truck is amust, that way if I need it's there and if I get more into wheeling I don't have to buy another vehicle to do it in.

    OP best of luck in your decision.
     
  11. Sep 2, 2010 at 7:01 AM
    #11
    VTDave

    VTDave Well-Known Member

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    OP: if you're planning on staying in Florida, why not go 4x2? After all, the landscape is pancake flat and it doesn't snow. A Prerunner could handle most outdoor adventures there, assuming you don't try to drive through a swamp.

    Now, if you're planning to move to Colorado or Appalachia, my answer would be 4x4. As others have said, think realistically about how and where you'll be using the truck - then buy accordingly.
     
  12. Sep 2, 2010 at 7:13 AM
    #12
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    "even though I'll rarely use it"

    Umm... you can't use 4WD if you don't have 4WD...

    Better to have it and not need it... than to need it and not have it!

    The seats in the off road are very comfortable... I am on my third Tacoma 4WD Off Road, I am over 200 lbs, and only in the new 2010 did I have a seat issue... that was solved here on TW, when someone mentioned the lumbar support knob (I didn't know this new Taco had it, as the previous two did not)... it was loose, and once tightened the seat became as comfortable as the previous two Tacos were.
     
  13. Sep 2, 2010 at 7:32 AM
    #13
    jonny

    jonny Betty White Edition Heep ZJ

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    OP
    you need to buy what will fit YOUR needs.This will turn into a 4x vs prerunner thread in no time :laugh:

    my .02/story
    I originally bought a prerunner thinking that I will never need 4x..or that i wouldn't use it enough to justify spending the extra $$. but.. the bottom line is you can only do so much with a 2wd. there will be a few members, that come to mind, that will chime in and say: well my 2wd did this and that...sure the prerunner is plenty capable-don't get me wrong, but the 4wd is a huge advantage.My fiance and I really enjoy the exploring the outdoors and camping so i thought long and hard before I got rid of my 2wd.
    I recently traded in my prerunner for a 4x (FJ) and do not miss my prerunner at all :D
    Spend the extra money for the 4wd the first time and know that it will always be there when you need it. rather than save money now...and kick yourself in the ass later when you have a strap hooked to your truck.
    Been there :p
     
  14. Sep 2, 2010 at 7:46 AM
    #14
    jspadaro

    jspadaro Well-Known Member

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    Get 4x4. Not because you need 4x4, but you're on the fence, meaning you'll regret it later.

    I did the same thing to save money and ended up trading up 10 months later.

    Get 4x4. :)
     
  15. Sep 2, 2010 at 8:28 AM
    #15
    MSUtacoboy

    MSUtacoboy Well-Known Member

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    personally, 4x4, i'm in MS and never know when i'll need it.

    the times i've needed it i didn't have it. not making that mistake again.
     
  16. Sep 2, 2010 at 9:15 AM
    #16
    crazyman

    crazyman [OP] Not bothered....

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    Does Plasti-Dip count as a mod ?
    Wow ! Lots of replies so fast.

    I'm in a position to buy as much truck as I need. A fully loaded Taco 4x4 is certainly within my budget. Not a great deal more than the 4x2 version.
    I'm kind of leaning toward getting the 4x4 with the regular SR5 seats. I plan on keeping this truck for a good number of years. I'd like the potential of having access to 4 wheel drive if the need arises. It's certainly possible as I can think of a lot of trails around that I'd like to explore (preferably in a group). That reason along with getting back to camping, biking and such.

    I might have written it wrong about the seats. I know there is a 4x4 SR5 out there somewhere. I just could get comfortable with the TRD / Sport seats. That's really the only issue.
     
  17. Sep 2, 2010 at 9:18 AM
    #17
    joleger

    joleger Well-Known Member

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    I second this comment. If you are concerned about gas mileage, get the 2.7....but get 4x4.
     
  18. Sep 2, 2010 at 9:21 AM
    #18
    crazyman

    crazyman [OP] Not bothered....

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    Does Plasti-Dip count as a mod ?
    Not really worried about gas mileage. I've had full size V8 and V6 trucks. My current Honda Element only gets about 18-19 around town.
     
  19. Sep 2, 2010 at 10:00 AM
    #19
    Masada

    Masada Well-Known Member

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    Dude, you may need a little time to get compfy in the seat. But my trd offraod seats are so much better than my dads SR5. His stick to my clothes and are a pain to keep clean. If you plan on going camping, the TRD seats are way better IMO. I've cleaned huge coffee stains out with nothing but water and a rag.
     
  20. Sep 2, 2010 at 10:12 AM
    #20
    jonny

    jonny Betty White Edition Heep ZJ

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    maybe get the trd sport and trade seats w/someone who just bought a 2010 sr5?
    i am sure there are plenty of sr5 guys out there that would love to trade for trd seats.
     

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