Pre-runners ?

What exactly is this extra cost of maintaining a 4wd? Run in 4wd 10 miles a month and hit 3 more grease fittings? wow... That's gonna kill me over the next 5 years.

Not sure about the insurance, but my 2006 4wd DC is cheaper to insure now with me and my wife (i'm 27, she's 28) than my 98 corolla was under my mom's insurance. Even when I hit the 25yr old mark when it should have dropped. I also have 3-4 minor accidents on my record since getting the truck and switching everything to my name. So my truck is actually cheaper to insure.

 

i thought the insurance on mine would be much much higher than what it was

 

Wow, you and i are exact opposites. I let my ego do whatever it wants, kind of like a spoiled child. Thats why i am who i am today

 

oh, a drunken sandwich eater in a hole haha

 

gas, milege, insurance.
and ima city driver. =D

 

I'm with you, nd. I lived the first half of my life by someone elses rules, trying not to listen to what I wanted. I'm doing what I want now, and feel like i'm "living" for the very first time.... hey, everyone around me seems happier too!

What i'm trying to say is - 4x4 or not- do what you want!

 

And that's what it boils down to. If you have to ask, then it isn't for you.

 

Interesting thread on the pros and cons. I would only add that it may or may not be a big additional cost but I think the insurance costs and maintenance costs are higher on the 4X4. All that said...... when you need the traction a 4X4 is the way to go.

 

^That's a good point. 4X4 is generally higher but I doubt we have anyone here in the same state and same life situation that we can compare to. I wonder what the difference would be, though.

 

Well, the insurance argument is BS. I just went through requesting a quote from Progressive, and they didn't even differentiate between Tacoma models (DC, AC, RC, SB, LB, 4x4, Prerunner, V6, I4, etc). Just asked for year, make and model. So I'm gonna say NO, 4x4 insurance is NOT more expensive. At least not with progressive so if you have a company that charges more, then you need to switch!

 

Well, progressive doesn't care if it's 4wd or 2wd, so no extra cost there. And what exactly are these extra maintenance costs you speak of? So far I just have to lube an extra 2 or 3 grease fittings each oil change. Since I'm already under there greasing the ones for the rear drive shaft it's not gonna cost extra for the front. So what am I missing here?

Only thing I can think of is lower mpg with a 4x4, and easier to get stuck with 2wd.

 

^Yeah, I worry about getting stuck in the WalMart parking lot all the time.

Nationwide didn't ask either but they do have the VIN so they shouldn't need to.

 

^ see, I didn't enter a VIN or anything other than the drop down menu options on Progressive's site... I just did a generic quote. I added 2 trucks assuming later on I would specify trim lines, engine or at least 4wd vs 2wd, but they never asked! So again I'm guessing it doesn't matter. Or at least for the initial quote. But then, why would they ask for it later on if I decided to buy that policy? I mean, they wanted name, address, email, phone, driver info, SSN, accidents, etc in the beginning for a "more accurate quote" so that should have been asked as well if it mattered.

Oh, and I got stuck in a K-Mart parking lot once so don't rule that out! They didn't plow it too well and I ended up buried to the frame. Never would've made it out without 4wd.

 

My sentiment exactly. We're lucky to be able to choose.

TacomaTow (TT for short)

 

I have a 68 FJ-40 to do the 4X4 job.
I got the 2wd Pre-Runner because it looks better than the standard height 2wd & it still has good capability for light off road (camping, fire roads etc...). It gets much better mileage than my previous '03 4X4 Taco.

 

yeah toyota offers alot of choices alright....want a manual FJ? oh it only comes full time 4wheels drive...auto you can get either part time or full.....hmmm ok want a D-cab tacoma long bed 4x4...oh sorry no manual offered try again next week (or buy a nissan) I love my toyotas but I have seen alot of sales fall through because you cant order the truck you want like you can through alot of other companies..hate to say it...

 

here is something to consider as far as debating getting 4wd or 2wd---- better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it...

 

Yeah, that was one of the main reasons I didn't by an older gen DC when they first came out: no manual option at all! Once saw the 05's come out with a 6spd option I started paying attention again, and jumped on the 06 I have now when the dealer had one in stock.

My mom had a hell of a time tracking down a manual Rav4 too. Went to 2 or 3 dealerships before finding one. The first 1 said she'd have to get one off the boat, but sold it before it showed up. The dealership she ended up getting it from is the same one I later went to. It was an hour an a half from my work, but seemed like they'd be able to get what I wanted so I didn't waste time with other local dealers.

 

As an owner whos had two 2wd and two 4wd trucks here's my take.

A 2wd will do all the 'truck' things a 4wd will except when it comes to off-road, deep snow, steeps, and heavy work where 4lo is needed.
The question is do you really need or how often will you be in situations where 4wd is needed. A locker or LSD on 2wd should be enough
for those 'once a while' situations like boats ramps.

A prerunner is $2-3000 cheaper, will get about 1 mpg better, weighs 250lbs less (and therefore additional payload rating over a 4wd), and there is a little less maintenance over the life of the truck. I lived on the Tug hill for 10 years (200-300 inches snow a year) and had my 2wds at the time. With studded snow tires/weight in the back I could get around fine all winter. Around 6-8 inches unplowed, then had to watch my momentum. But there are alot of woods and farms around and found myself stuck in the warmer seasons. Even on my parts of my property I have to use 4wd to most of the year. The turning point was getting stuck in my buddy's field trying to get an old car out of his barn. The cows came down the mtn with an angry bull in tow. My red Ranger was mauled, with us inside. Luckily I had a 6 pack and patience before we got his plow truck to get him away. I got a 4wd a month later.
Of course, that 4wd Ranger's 4wd system broke at 62K (using correctly), cost me 5 trips to dealer and 1500 and still didnt work right. I waited of the new Taco to come out and got that, yes with 4wd. 32000 miles w/2200 in 4wd trouble free.


So, if you need 4wd, then dont shortchange yourself and get it. But for alot guys in urban settings or just cause you get 2 snowstorms a year,save your money w/ a prerunner.

 

I love my 4x4 but this thread reminds me of what a former boss used to say, "with 4 wheel drive you just get stuck in a deeper hole" (his excuse for not buying us one).
There might be some truth to that though.