2wd TRD or 4x4

Hi guys new to this forum. In the market for a toyota tacoma prerunner 00-03 I just can't decide which choice would be best for me between the 2wd TRD or 4x4. I do not plan on doing any off roading, but I do plan on putting big tires (33/35 13.50) and a body lift (3") for show (ya im one of those guys who would dress up a 2wd..lol ). We get some snow up here in Missouri and i do travel the hwy's on my daily trip to work and back. Im just wondering if the 2wd TRD w/V6 of course, will be ok in terms of traction.. I know the 4x4 is the way to go but having a hard time finding it and staying in my price range. Just curious if the TRD system is all that...

Any help would be great

 

if you don't plan to off-road with it. get the Pre-runner. 4x4 doesn't really do much for snow traction on the highway anyway. It's not starting out that gets most people in trouble, it's going too fast for the slippery conditions and not being able to stop soon enough (or just slamming on the breaks). I see more morons in 4x4 Suburbans (etc...) stuck in snowy ditches than civics. People get complacent with 4x4. "I have 4-wheel-drive, I can do 60 through here." No, you can't. 4x4 doesn't do ANYTHING when your wheels are locked up from driving too fast and breaking too hard.

Many people use chains. I think they're much better for novice drivers than 4x4. My view on snow chains is this: yes, they increase traction (although not that much), but their main purpose is to slow you the F down.

4x4 only helps when you're trying to start out on a slippery hill (for example). If you're planning to put bigger tires on it anyway (slightly more traction from wider/knobbier tires), then that should work out at least a little better than the stock tires. You get *slightly* better mileage from a Pre-runner than a 4x4, too...

If you get a Pre-Runner, the TRD's have rear diff lockers, so that will enhance your traction, but you shouldn't drive at highway speeds with it engaged. The "proper" way to deal with snow driving is to have a second set of winter tires with studs.

 

Thanks for your advice..I am really leaning towards the TRD 2wd anyway

 

4x4...better to be safe then sorry

driving in the mountains on sliper roads i was loosing tracking like crazy in just 2wd...click on 4wd and it's solid as a rock

either way you're not going fast, but the 4x4 in the winter just gives it much better planted feel and basically guaranteed traction on the road

i can guaranteed you'll never use the locker so don't even bother getting the 2wd TRD....if you can find one, get the 4x4 TRD then you'll never have any worries, but i'd atleast get the 4x4 option

 

4x4, you'll regret it if you don't, unless you know for a fact you won't offroad with it...

because the first time you are stuck... you'll wish you had it

 

Do you drive in a place that gets snow every year?

You will be more stable and maintain traction better in the snow with 4wd than with 2wd. The diff locker will not help in the snow, it will actually make you more likely to lose control and would be most helpful for getting you out if you were stuck.

If you're getting your truck for looks and will be driving in snow I would go with the 4x4 and slap some TRD stickers on the bed sides if you really want the TRD look. You probably won't be using the locker much if it all if you don't plan on offroading at all.

 

Get the 4X4. I regret the 2wd just in the Kansas City winters. I can't imagine what I'm gonna do now living in the great white north

 

I own both a 2000 SR5 4X4 Xtra Cab long bed and a 2010 SR5 TRD DCSB PreRunner; I traded in my paid for POS 2004 F150 4X4 SuperCrew for the 2010. I bought the PreRunner because I didn't see myself needing another 4X4 in South Texas (ST). Well, if I were to go back 6 months, I'd get the 4X4 just so I would have ALL options available even though here in ST, you hardly ever need to use 4WD.

If cost is an issue, try to find a base 4X4 and sacrifice some of the creature-comforts on the up-lined models and get the 4X4. If anything, hanging out on TW will make you wish you had one in short order. In a base model, you can always add that junk later, but adding 4WD will be MUCH more expensive.

Living in Missouri, you can have a ton of fun offroading, be properly prepared to drive in deeper snow, and still have a nice commuter vehicle. Get a 4X4; you won't regret it. Just my opinion. And, I'm not the only guy on this forum that has had a bit of buyer's remorse getting a PreRunner vice the 4X4. I've read a ton of posts by other TWers that have had a PreRunner and later traded in for a 4X4.

EDIT: Yep, look at the post just above mine. Another regretter just as I was typing mine.

 

[/ENDTHREAD]

 

4x4 all day

 

4x4

 

Four wheel drive ain't no jive!

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

Because you don't do any off roading now doesn't mean you won't in the future. Perhaps a whole new world of adventure will open up once you have a vehicle that can take you there?

 

4x4, they are much much better in the snow. You can get by with 2wd in the snow but having power to the front wheels to pull you through turns and snow drifts is great.

 

Yea, I KNEW for a FACT that I was not going to off road with my Taco...Until i met TW

 

Do I now live where it gets snow every year? No. Did I grow up in "the hills" where there's snow every year? Yes. Do I drive the 50 miles up the mountain to were there is snow almost year round often enough to know how to drive in the snow? Yes.

Most snow accidents (according to personal experience and NTSB/CHP reports) happen from going too fast and loosing traction when hitting the breaks and sliding out. I know 4x4 gives you more traction (duh), but for the VAST majority of drivers, it, IMO, is a hindrance if all you're doing is driving to the slopes. It gives people a false sense of security. "I have 4x4, I can do 60mph just fine." = Wrong.

4x4 doesn't give your tires more grip when you're going around a slippery corner too fast and your tires break loose (laws of physics, and tire to ground friction coefficients don't change based on which wheels are being driven when hitting the breaks).

Yes, a good driver can use their 4x4 to get out of a slide, or prevent a slide from getting worse, but relatively few drivers are actually capible of doing that in a panic on the road (i.e. city drivers, lol).

If you're going to drive in the snow a lot, get studded snow tires, with 4x4. But if you're only going to drive in the snow maybe a few times, and never off road, don't bother with 4x4, and just drive slower and be carefull (i.e. safely).

Although you can still "off-road" with a 2wd (esp a pre-runner). You can't rock crawl, but you can certainly drive fast on dirt.

 

I wish i had a 4x4 NOW!!!

 

Why are you arguing against sound technology in snow (4x4) versus idiotic drivers who don't know how to drive in snow? User error is a different issue.

Driving up I-80 in snow and traffic, it is not uncommon to be forced to stop on a grade surrounded by other vehicles while a semi wreck is cleared. It may be impossible to start moving again without 4x4, especially if you have been sitting a while and it is dumping snow. I would rather move a lever than chain up any day and still not have good control of my front end, especially when the semi in front of me can't get started again and is slowly sliding backward toward me.

 

Cool story bro. I don't really give a shit if you can drive in the snow in 2wd, that has nothing to do with the OP getting a truck with 4wd or 2wd. 4x4 does better in the snow. Period. You can drive in the snow with 2wd just fine, but 4x4 makes things easier and more convenient, why make things more of a hassle? Just because some people are idiot drivers and think they are invincible in the snow with 4x4, doesn't mean the OP shouldn't get 4x4 for snowy conditions.

 

4x4!

 

4x4 over prerunner always. If you're gonna get a 2wd, might as well be low to the ground and have smaller tires.