Are PreRunners.....

I can't fathom owning a 2WD truck .. it just doesn't make sense to me at all. If I couldn't afford a 4WD .. or decided I didn't need/want 4WD I would buy a sports car. I especially don't understand the prerunner with thousands of dollars in customizations and mods that they just won't use. If I HAD to have a truck due to hauling stuff or moving stuff, that's the only time I would consider it. Even then, I'd get an SUV and just not haul stuff in it.

However, we don't have any sand where I live. I do think in a "Baja" environment they make a ton of sense. Flat open desert where 4WD is just more weight and more stuff to break.

To each their own and I have friends who don't understand the need for 4WD at all. I love the "I've driven 2WD vehicles for 20 years and never been stuck" ... hard to get stuck on the pavement friend.

 

I can see my Pre-runner as a my starter program; I never owned a truck before this one and with this truck:

I've been able to grasp the basics of off roading, I've met some limits of the 2WD system by playing in deep sand and mud, learned much about truck components along with suspension, learned much about airing down and the difference it makes, found out how tires can make such a huge difference in traction, learned vehicle control in slippery mud and in floaty sand, and learned that the right lines, on trails, make all the difference.

I'm sure all of this can be learned with a 4x4 system, but with a 4x4, you'd almost immediately engage 4x in any situation that begins to get sticky. This would not teach too much except for the thought, "Can't go in there without 4x." I don't have that choice and am forced to drive and make careful decisions knowing that I don't have 4x to help me- in a sense, I learn the hard way unless I make it through. Then I know that I've found something else my 2x can do. I just keep trying new things. If I get stuck on something, I may try it again but after a third try, I usually determine that I would need 4x for that obstacle and with that, I have met a limit.

With 4x, you can use bald tires and still make it almost anywhere (4WD [Doug] is my #1 example.) with a 2WD, using bald tires will get you slipping in a lot of mud and snow but with just a tire change to something more aggressive, the mud and snow you were having problems with become a joke.

Airing down is just more necessary for a 2WD in deep sand than it is for a 4WD (not to say that 4WD shouldn't air down- it helps no matter what.) But I'm forced to do this because of my lack of pull in the front- I just need to float to keep going!

Long, I know- but I had a lot of time on my hands this morning. Those are my reasons why I can agree that pre-runners can be seens as "starter trucks." I'm definitely getting a 4x4 now that I know what I can and can not do and I've learned the basics of offroad truck driving. I must say this- a guy who has only driven 4x4 on muddy and snowy trails may be scared shitless when he hops into a 4x2 and hits a muddy corner up a steep hill for the first time. Lots of control is needed.

 

My preRunner offroads just as well as any other taco. Tacomas are just superior to other trucks. Even if we (prerunners) dont have 4wd.

 

I was actually thinking about that the other day Doug... But we are all Tacoma owner's in the end...

 

I would agree with that. before i had the prerunner i had never thought of offroading, but now after driving it around and being around people that offroad, i'm pretty sure next time i have to get another truck im going 4x4

 

No it can't. Why? It doesn't have 4x4.

End of discussion.


Unless you meant it does what you want it to do offroad, then yes. But saying it can do what my 4x4 can is retarded. I've done trails that you'd get stuck 5 feet into the trail head before needed to get yarded out by someone with 4x4.

 

Got my DC TRD/SR5 Prerunner in Jan 11. This is my first 2WD truck and I've owned many trucks. I chose the Prerunner because it was a '10 and I got it for screaming deal (my 4th purchase from same dealer).

Lived in central/southern Texas most of my life with a few years at various assignments around the world. In central/south Texas, I have NEVER needed 4WD--not once. That doesn't mean I haven't had some fun in my other vehicles on occasion. However, now that I don't have 4WD, I sure WISH I DID! I will be trading my truck in at some point in the future and I know exactly what I want: Another Tacoma!

On a better note, I am now a few days away from purchasing a fellow military friend's 2000 Tacoma 2.7 4WD Xtra Cab in Imperial Green with truck cap--it has been babied but used well and has had tons of aftermarket 4WD parts added to improve off-road performance. I'll post pics and full description when I get it.

I will never go without a 4WD truck again... I may never use it but having the option is peace of mind if I choose to go less-traveled places. If you are in the market for a new Tacoma, get a 4X4 from the get-go. In Texas, it is really not necessary, but why not have the security in knowing it's there when you need it?

Being a member of this forum has actually been a real blessing to me and I appreicate everyone's thoughts/advice. You guys/gals helped me realize my next Tacoma will be a 4X4!

 

In the end get a truck that suits "YOUR" needs, obviously there's a market for 2wd trucks or all major manufacturers would just build 4x4 right? In the end 4x4 doesn't compensate for a little common sense, you'd be surprised at the 4x4's that are unintentionally off-roading when when the weather goes to crap. As some can't understand 2wd, I can't for one understanding off-roading a $30,000 truck but to each his own.

 

the first vehicle I ever purchased was a 2008 pre runner. Like rleeharris said, being in South Texas, I never thought I would need a 4x4. After many solo beach (surf fishing @ SPI) runs, and MANY close calls, I really did regret not getting a 4x4.

so I ended up trading in my 2008 prerunner for a 2010 TRD OR 4x4 DCSB. Dumb move (financially)? Yes, but money wasn't an issue for me then. No down payment, kept the same monthly payments with an even lower APR.

I have learned so much from TW about these trucks, I have pushed both my ex pre runner and current 4x4 further that I could've imagined, found out the limits of the pre runner, and I'm still looking forward to finding out the limits of my 4x4.

"sent from my dumb palm pre pixi" goddamn my thumb hurts hahaha

 

seems like it'd be the other way around to me

 

Had a 96 blazer that got stuck in the damp grass on a very slight incline....in 4wd. Had a friend with a Chevy silverado come pull me out after I went down the slight incline into a field. Figure I'd be OK since my dad drives in fields all the time with his 2wd ranger, guess not lol. My friend then drove into the same spot and made it out just fine. He didn't even engage 4wd but I think his more agressive tires helped a lot.

Turns out the field was freshly plowed which I couldn't tell because it was nighttime.

Anywho, crappy story with crappy trucks, but I guess what I'm trying to say is other factors make a difference? A 4x4 Tacoma with ultralight truck tires (basically highway tires lol) would get stuck were a 2wd Tacoma with aggressive tires wouldn't?

Not saying a 2wd will go everywhere, but it is capable of light stuff I guess.

 

yep, my pre runner couldn't climb a curb in reverse (if both tires were touching the curb) I had to back up at an angle. That's from a dead stop I mean.

then again so would most vehicles hahaha.

 

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I like the STICKERZ

 

well said P-Trac !!

 

Good point. With my club we play a game called "who can get farther in 2wd" Last person to put it in 4 wheel wins!

 

Had I a 4WD, that'd definitely be a game I'd be all over. I love the challenge of my 2WD, but could really use the security that comes with the 4x4.

 

My first truck was 4x4:




My second truck is 2wd:




Each serves a valid purpose.

 

I don't think "training wheels" are the correct term to use for Prerunners...but more like a matter of preference and needs. Not everybody is into wheeling, I had no idea at the time of buying that I would get so into it. I am a little more limited with just having a rear locker but it gets me where I wanna go. I enjoy fishing and camping and my truck has ALWAYS gotten me in and out of areas safely and effectively, a lot depends on the driver IMO

 

Word, ColtsTRD. When I bought my truck, I thought I was gonna buy an ATV next and planned to just go to a campground in the dez, unload the ATV and stomp it around. Well I learned to love my truck more than that and forgot bout the ATV. It definitely does depend on the driver- my old man had a 2WD Ford Custom in the and never once got stuck in it during his many hunting trips- he even created his own trails!