2WD vent post

I traded my 4WD to a 2WD in 2008 and haven't gone back yet.

No one has ever criticized my truck in person. The only people that give me grief online is when I post on the Roast my Tacoma threads. I wouldn't worry. It doesn't happen, and fuck em if they did voice an opinion.

It's a capable truck. Forget others. Go enjoy the truck.

 

You have the right attitude about it because what it really comes down to is that some people can get really stuck with a 4WD… it all depends on how and where you are willing to drive it, but a lot of 4WD owners get a false sense of security and get into trouble very easily with theirs.

 

I don’t hate on 2wd at all. It’s folks own choice and money with what they do.

 

4x2 is all you need. Unless you go hunting going through deep water/mud and an area that gets a ton of snow. If you don’t have or do this you’re good. Mine handles snow just fine but we only get 3 or 4 days a year of this.

 

Thats cool, many buy 4WD, full skids, a lift and winch, and never take it anywhere but the Starbucks. Good to see a 2WD getting some love off road.

2WD is pretty damn capable. I go back and forth, we always seem to have a 4WD in the family but the last two 4WD we had saw maybe 100 miles total in 4WD out of the 300,000 miles we put on them. Kind of a Walter Mitty thing, I see 4WD and I see mountain passes in the San Jauns, long beach runs or bombing some goat trail to a ghost town in Utah or Nevada. The reality is I work all the fucking time and 2WD is more than enough for 363 days a year.

 

2WD is awesome you’ll be fine. My only comment is you’re 23 and in college, are you certain you will be living in FL for the life of your truck? It would suck to land a sweet job in a snowy mountain climate out of college then need a 4wd while paying for a move. Just something to think on, this truck will last you a long time so future proof your decision.

 

As someone who also has been doing things themselves since 18 I'd say your on the right track. I'll get into the 2wd vs 4wd in a bit but this is one of the more financially savvy statements I've seen on TW.

Keep up the line of thinking above and you'll do just fine in life. Well enough that in 10 years when you get your next truck you will easily be able to afford the 4x4 if you decide you want it. Congrats to whoever taught you about financial responsibility.

My first truck was a 2wd. I had so much fun in that damn thing it should have been illegal. hell, some of it probably was. My next truck was 4wd and I will never buy a 2wd truck again. For where I live and what I do 4X is not a want it's a need.

The only times I ever give shit to 2wd owners is when someone posts up "I WANT TO TAKE MY 2WD ON THE RUBICON!!!!!". In those cases my answer every time will be buy a 4x. Taking a 2wd truck on harder 4x trails is possible and has been done. What's also done is it rips up the trails. Trails that many groups and individuals have spent countless hours trying to keep open.

So enjoy the truck and know it's limits. I'll also tell you from experience that you will find those limits so listen to a few of the posters about keeping recovery gear in the truck. Other then that enjoy the truck and don't worry about it.

 

Every well maintained Tacoma sells if he needs something different.

I like to say "there is a butt for every seat".

 

First off, Congrats on the new truck. I used to have a 99 4Runner 4x4 in high school and I always wanted a Tacoma later on. When I went to the dealership, my thought process was "I never used 4wd when I had the 4runner, I will just get a 2wd TRD Offroad pkg and be fine."

Do I wish I got 4x4 with the offroading I do now? Sure, but my truck has been able to do the same trails as the guys that have 4WD to an extent (always know your limits and the limits of your truck).

4WD vehicles are not disappearing anytime soon and you can always upgrade later down the line.

 

i have a 2WD, i don't do off road. only issue i have with it is that it is simulated posi traction not the old school true posi traction.

 

Many of the Tacomas in Texas are 2WD. It’ll be fine.

 

Fellow 2wd owner here. I haven’t read the whole thread so I don’t know what all has been said, but just replying to your intial post 2wd drive sounds just fine. Good on you for buying it yourself!


I have an 05 prerunner and I’ve driven it since 2009. There are times when i wish I had 4wd, but honestly, it was to do stupid stuff. The only times I’ve been stuck are when my tires were spinning since I’ve avoided deep mud. If you avoid soft-soft mud you can get through most things with some good throttle control. I bought some cheap traction boards off Amazon 3 years ago, and the three times i’ve been stuck after that I’ve been able to stick them under there and get out. So, i would advise getting some of those. You can still have fun with a 2wd just not as much deep mud fun.


Anyway congratulations on your new truck!

 

I was someone in a similar situation when I was 23 (a little over 5 years ago actually. Almost 6) I bought a 2wd because I needed my truck to do 2 things. Get me places, tow my jetskis and my stupid track car when it inevitably breaks. I didnt want to deal with the extra servicing and I wanted the few extra mpgs.

I've since taken the truck from Texas to Florida and back. On multiple boat ramps while launching my jetskis, I've even taken it down to the Texas coast and drove on both a well packed beached road and a somewhat loosely packed sections, Its been perfectly fine. I wouldnt say I havent needed 4wd, but I've not gotten stuck yet. Use your brain in the situations you put yourself and your truck in. Definitely keep some kind of recovery gear incase you find yourself stuck.

Some people will never give understand and always give you grief for the decision. But they aren't paying your bills (probably) so I wouldn't give them alot weigh in your mind.

 

Totally respect your 2WD decision, but I like all Tacomas equally, regardless of powertrain or cab configuration. From the usage standpoint you’ve laid out, you probably won’t ever need 4x4. Probably. Hopefully.

Don’t let this secret get out, but a lot of 4x4 buyers hardly ever use their transfer case anyway, however…

That said, I can’t help but notice that your post sounds suspiciously like you’re trying to convince yourself, and seeking others to support that. If it is your dream truck, then the cost of adding 4x4 spread over the years of ownership is pretty cheap vs any regrets you might have when you’re afraid to stick it in a sand dune. If you can swing it financially, go for it. It will pay you back if you ever sell or trade.

 

Yes. The only other place I would go is back home to CA to take care of my (great) aunt and uncle when they get old as they took care of me when I needed it.

 

Not convince but this is the decision I came to after years of researching and putting my realistic needs and usage into play.

 

Already have them in my online cart ready to purchase!

 

Just enjoy it. Lift it, lower it, leave it stock. Rear locker helps alot, Honestly most people dont care. More 4x4s are out there that never use it.

 

I'm a couple of hours south of you, also in Florida, and I have a 2WD as well. I moved here 20 years ago after living in ohio for 25 years. Up there a 4x4 was basically mandatory with the amount of snow in the winter and mud on dirt roads in the spring. Here I really don't think the extra expense is necessary. I do dirt, grass, and malls with no issues and never plan on doing any heavy duty trails. I think if you stick to hard packed beaches (think Palm Beach) you will be fine. Enjoy your truck and tell your GF that if she really wants a 4x4 next time she can pony up the extra $3k

 

My truck is a 2wd TRD sport and I take it to some amazing places and see lots of dirt. I've been stuck twice, and both times I could have avoided it and I learned lessons. I installed a Detroit Truetrac a year ago and it's been a game changer. Hopefully yours has a locker. Just don't go too crazy building it up. Reasonable lift, good tires, something to cover the bed. Ive written a few articles about this topic...

https://dirtnsmores.com/2wd-offroad-lesson-learned-patience/

https://dirtnsmores.com/maxsa-traction-boards-review-stuck-in-sand/

https://dirtnsmores.com/best-offroad-recovery-gear-every-4wd-2wd-owner-should-carry/

Believe me, I've went through the same issues as you about 2wd and what people might say. But so far I've been fine and my truck hasn't imploded.

With that said... I bought the truck before I thought about offroading and trails. My next truck will have 4x4.

Cheers!