4x4 Vs. Locking rear diff

I grew up in snow country in north Jersey and spend many Winters in the Ozarks and never had a need for 4WD. Its really not all THAT necessary. People do get around in those places without 4WD. I have a friend who lives in Tahoe and he doesn't have a 4WD and does fine. I have seen as many or even more 4WDs in runoff ditches than 2WDs. Seems to me those who drive them have no clue how to drive them in the snow. They really believe somehow by having 4WD they can turn snow into dry road. as far as ICE goes, 10 wheel drive would not be of any benefit.

 

You certainly have plenty of answers here, but I used to live in your area, owned a WRX and currently own a 2011 Tacoma 4wd and a beast of a modded STI. I agree with the earlier poster, you cannot beat the WRX on light snow and ice, suby just got the 4wd right and on the STI I can lock the rear differential just like on my Taco. Where the Tacoma comes into it's own is when the snow gets deep or you need clearance for other reasons. I live in WV now and trust my suby until the snow gets over 4 inches. After that the Tacoma does great. Get a 4wd and get the off road model, you will love it. Besides, it saves your suby from all those winter stresses like salt and gravel.

T

 

Yeah but in Tahoe when control is in effect you can't go anywhere without 4x4 unless you want to chain up... or wait till they plow the roads

Additionally, why would the OP not get 4x4 if the option is there... 2wd truck will be NO WHERE as capable as a 4wd an any situation other than dry pavement (then they are equal)... regardless of how much weight you put in the bed... a 2wd truck will not make it through 6" to 12" of snow with only weight in the bed. I'm glad that your 2wd works for you but it is no reason to give out bad advice. 4wd is a good idea in damn near every situation... its better to have it and not use it than not have it and NEED it.

btw, If you want to play the "I've seen game" I've seen WAY more 2wd cars and trucks in the ditch during snow than 4x4s...

 

4x4!

 

Seriously.....you guys in your 4x4s think you own the world.......
When it snows around here, I drive my Prerunner home and get in my 94 toyota 4x4.
My Prerunner is to pretty to ride around in the snow......some crazy person in a 4x4 may smash into it.....

 

Question; if the rear differential is locked, you can only go straight?

 

Chaining up a few times a season is far less expensive overall than owning a 4WD and very effective and far more effective on ice than an unchained 4WD.

It is sound advice. Save his money and get a 2WD and a good set of chains. UNLESS he is going to use his truck all year round for the 4WD benefits such as extreme off roading. But I think differently. Always from a financial standpoint. You don't semi retire before 50 without keeping an eye toward the financial part of everything. Nickles and dimes add up to dollars and zero debt in a hurry.

 

I agree to a point. Until recently I just put snow tires on my S-2000 and did well till the snow got over 2 inches . In places where they have hills (like WV where I live now and No. Cal where I used to live) the 4wd comes in pretty handy, though I agree I see more 4wd's in the ditch than other cars, as you say four wheel drive doesn't turn a snowy road into a dry road.

T

 

you even admit that 4x4 is better in the snow

some people don't have multiple vehicles

 

Mark it is a tool issue. One can use a hammer to do just about anything. Then there are some that think they need a bigger hammer to pull a nail when all they need to do is move it in and use a little more leverage.

I popped the clutch on a 4x4 V6 with the TRD Supper charger and spun all four tires in the dry. Was it useful? Sure in one way. Using a 2010 to run up a washed out hill with a Prerunner with out the diff locked. Hey I made it up that hill and was doing spins and donuts while our F250 was chasing and crawling behind me.

I guess it comes down to what you are looking at doing. A 4wd Taco will do the same as a Preruner in most situations. And it will smoke all four tires with the supercharger on the streets. The 4wd will give you the ability to crawl your way out of most anything while if the 2x4 Pruner will have to have a hardy suspension and some momentum to make its way threw.

All in all its up to what the person wants. Both trucks can do the same. Its just a matter of how much you want to spend on the Taco options for combined merits.

 

I would only use the rear dif to get out of a jam. Normal driving even in snow dows not require a locked rear. Just keep moving. Better off with chains anyway if there is any ice suspected. Chains trump 4WD all day long on ice.

 

Look man, this is where you are wrong... they are not the same tools... a 2wd in rough driving conditions is like trying to pull a nail out with a screw driver instead of hammer...sure it will work but it will be more difficult.

btw, 4wd just makes everything easier... a 4wd will do everything you mention that your 2wd will do with perfect ease whereas your 2wd will struggle.

and this is not a matter of offroading... this is just snow, a 4wd in snow is a lot safer than 2wd in snow... while else does DOT require either 4x4 or chain when its snowing... it doesn't say..."4x4, chains, or 2wd driving very fast"

 

4wd and chains trumps all... 4wd and reduced speed is WAY safer than 2wd...

it is a fact of PHYSICS that 4wd gives more traction than 2wd... in snowy condition traction is key. Why not have the most you can?

 

I agree but people with 4WDs don;t believe they NEED chains. I have never in 40 years seen a 4WD with chanins on all 4;s LOL

They sincerely believe just having 4WD is enough...until they hit that patch of ice and have a close up look at a drainage ditch.

 

aight, well I'm done arguing about this topic because its just dumb... everyone knows that 4wd is better than 2wd and you guys are just trying to find a way to justify your lack of it.

the OPs original question breaks down to which has more traction 4x4 or 2wd with locker and it is a fact of PHYSICS the 4wd has more traction.

It is better to have it and not use it then not have it and need it...

I'm out!

 

I wonder why Prerunners are not sold in Canada , and all TRD models are 4x4 ?

 

I don't have to "justify" my lack of it. I cannot justify HAVING a 4WD..

 

Canadians are far more practical and far less about "image" but pay waaaaaaay to much for these vehicles so their judgement can be questioned if not their taste.

 

There is no way in hell that a rear locker is better than $4x4.....that is just fu*%in silly

 

Because people that know how to drive in the snow do not need to sit behind the seat pissing away gas with a some I am doing better syndrome. This on the road thing is a mute point for the OP. And for the record who the hell drives on the road or highway in 4wd?