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4x4! ...or PreRunner?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by zul, Jun 29, 2011.

  1. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:32 PM
    #1
    zul

    zul [OP] Professional Goofball

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    HAVE: Bed mat, Tailgate Lock, Color-matched Grille, Weathertech Floor Liners, Avid Step Rails, RokBlokz mud flaps WANT: Rear Plate Bumper, Steel bed cage
    Ok, so ever since I decided my next vehicle would be a tacoma I KNEW I would only buy a 4x4, not that "prerunner" 2wd crap. But with all the research I've done over the past month or so I'm starting to doubt whether it's worth it or not. Here are my reasons:

    1) I had to be honest with myself: 99% (or more) of my driving will still be on solid pavement. 60-70% of that will be wet... but rarely will it be icy or snowy.
    2) Even with 4x4, I wouldnt do any hardcore offroading. Mostly running old logging roads, or possibly some field driving.
    2) Buying a prerunner will save me a couple thousand bucks on purchase price, OR, if I decide to spend the same amount, I can get a newer, lower mileage truck (which would be awesome) and some extras like weathertech's.
    3) Gas mileage. The prerunners get several more MPG than the 4x4's, right? That would save me money long-term. It would also soften the blow from going to a truck from my mid-size sedan.

    I cant help but think that I will regret not buying a 4x4 down the road. I think it's the peace of mind of being able to get unstuck... But my damn brain keeps telling me it just doesnt make sense right now.

    What do you all think? Is the PreRunner worth it? Or should I bite the bullet and spend the extra dough for a 4x4?
     
  2. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:36 PM
    #2
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    Gas should be the same IMO. If it were me, I would bite the bullet and go with a 4x4. I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I have seen to many posts to where the guys get prerunners but ended up wanting 4x4's in the end. Think about if you want to resell it to, I'm sure 4x4's would be easier to sell. I say go with the 4x4, but in the end, its your truck and your final decision.;)
     
  3. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:38 PM
    #3
    easyeatlanta

    easyeatlanta Artificial Intelligence beats natural stupidity

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    i have a prerunner and if you are going to get one i would say get a trd so you get the locker i always wish i had gotten the locker and sometimes wish i had gotten 4x4 but the gas mileage is relatively the same
     
  4. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:41 PM
    #4
    baja820

    baja820 Well-Known Member

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    Just buy the 4x4. I guarantee one day you will be driving along and some little old lady will be stuck in the ditch in her Chrysler k car and she will flag you down and ask you to put your truck into 4wd and pull the car out of the ditch. At that point you will feel like a complete idiot.

    IMAG0077_87798860ec1ab455d68fed16ab7947a74f4c52b5.jpg

    4wd is a necessity for me.
     
  5. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    krimson

    krimson Nothin

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    Get 4x4
     
  6. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:42 PM
    #6
    zul

    zul [OP] Professional Goofball

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    HAVE: Bed mat, Tailgate Lock, Color-matched Grille, Weathertech Floor Liners, Avid Step Rails, RokBlokz mud flaps WANT: Rear Plate Bumper, Steel bed cage
    I figured the gas mileage would be the same on the road, but Ive seen several posts on the forums where people state the prerunners get better MPG. Is there a final (practical) word on this?)

    That is another question I had. How exactly is a prerunner with the TRD package better than a regular old SR5 package Prerunner? I mean it's still 2wd right?
     
  7. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:44 PM
    #7
    sechsgang

    sechsgang Well-Known Member

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    Since you are already wondering --- I say get the 4x4.
     
  8. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:44 PM
    #8
    beerking

    beerking Well-Known Member

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    The TRD Off-Road has the rear locker to help you get out of sticky situations.
     
  9. Jun 29, 2011 at 8:45 PM
    #9
    sechsgang

    sechsgang Well-Known Member

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    Basically 2WD vs. 1WD in a sticky situation, twice the traction.
     
  10. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:02 PM
    #10
    zul

    zul [OP] Professional Goofball

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    HAVE: Bed mat, Tailgate Lock, Color-matched Grille, Weathertech Floor Liners, Avid Step Rails, RokBlokz mud flaps WANT: Rear Plate Bumper, Steel bed cage
    So a PreRunner with TRD option would probably satisfy my peace of mind. I'd just absolutely hate to get stuck in an inch of mud and have to be pulled out. How embarrassing!:facepalm:

    I totally hear you guys on the awesomeness of the 4x4... but if you were me, and you had a limited budget, would you consider the PreRunner too? Be honest.
     
  11. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:02 PM
    #11
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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  12. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:24 PM
    #12
    CVYota

    CVYota Damaged goods

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    I first got a '05 prerunner OR PKG and loved it, never got stuck (locking diff helped more then once) but I also didnt go on certain trails. I hit 99k and decided to trade it in (still held half its original value) on a '11 4x4 with no pkg, even with the crappy tires I have hit some tough trails without a problem and will eventually add mods (got the TSB springs).

    To answer your question, for what you are doing, a prerunner with an OR pkg might be all you need and is a lot of fun to drive (I always carried traction ramps and chains), the difference in mpg is maybe 1 or 2 mpg.


    But that ONE time when you need 4 wheel drive...........
     
  13. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:28 PM
    #13
    Scott K

    Scott K Well-Known Member

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    Amsoil Synthetic ASL 5w30 Oil, Amsoil ATL Fuel Efficient ATF, Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in front/rear diffs & transfer case.
    The Prerunner doesn't have a front differential or transfer case, and subsequently weighs less - that is where you would pick up slightly better fuel economy with a prerunner over the same 4x4 model (engine/cab/bed).
     
  14. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:34 PM
    #14
    chich2000

    chich2000 Well-Known Member

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    I was in your shoes when I was looking for a truck. Trying to spend the least amount since I did't have the extra cash. In the end I got a 4X4 and I don't regret it. I use it 95% on dry roads, but having that extra set of tires turning when your stuck is well worth the money. I got stuck in snow ones and no 2wd truck could have gotten me out. I was in the mountains with no other vehicles.I had to trow it in 4wd low to inch my way out. I will never buy another 2wd vehicle.
     
  15. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:36 PM
    #15
    sandjunkie

    sandjunkie Well-Known Member

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    4x4. Once you have one, you will never by another 2wd truck again.
     
  16. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:38 PM
    #16
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    King 2.5" extended travel coilovers with compression adjusters, Camburg UCA's, King 2.5" rear shocks, TRD 1st gen CAI.
    I would suggest a 4x4 since you live in Oregon. You could get away with a 2wd down here in Cali.
     
  17. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:40 PM
    #17
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    4x4 with open rear diff is better than 4x2 with rear locker in most situations, simply because the front and rear wheels are farther apart, so they are more likely to see surfaces with different traction.
     
  18. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:47 PM
    #18
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ i say get a 4wd, worth the peace of mind
     
  19. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:50 PM
    #19
    winnebagel

    winnebagel Active Member

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    I was in the same debate, I went with the Prerunner with the Offroad package for the locking rear diff. I don't do serious wheeling, mainly just gravel roads and around a ranch. Anything I go through, the locking diff should be fine to get me out.

    Edit: I'm in southeast Texas too, everything's pretty flat here.
     
  20. Jun 29, 2011 at 9:50 PM
    #20
    babytruck

    babytruck Babytruck, babytruck...I've got a babytruck :)

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    Think of your last car. How many times did you 'need' it to be a 4x4 with the driving you are doing on pavement?
     

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