downside to 4x4?

are there any downsides to driving a 4x4 instead of a 4x2?

 

Depends where you live

 

sticker price..lol

 

gas mileage?

 

Increased maintenance and cost. More components to fail.

 

4x4 is heavier, and you incurr some friction losses through the front diff. As a result, you lose 1 mpg in city driving according to the EPA cycle. (V6 auto 4x4 vs PreRunner)

 

In some cases I'd say it's almost like having spares. Front wheel drive after rear driveline damage for the win...

 

Extra maintenance, higher insurance, and supposedly get about 1 mpg less than a pre runner. Of course that's not counting the extra cost on the truck itself.

 

According to IIHS data, you are twice as likely to die in a Tacoma 4x2 than a 4x4.
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4605.pdf

 

in what way would it be increased maintenance?

 

But if you actually plan to use it and need it for boat ramps or desert mobbing, it's the best thing about your rig.

 

You have t-case and an extra diff to maintain.

plus actuators and cv axles etc that don't necessarily need maintenance but they could with high mileage need replacement.

 

you wont get made fun of for driving a truck with no balls...

oh wait downsides??? nvm

 

I guess I was thinking the opposite direction like theres more things to fail, front diff actuator etc and then it'd cost you more money. There is that though.

 

ive read that some 2wd have lockers and differentials. what is the purpose of these?

 

Extra differential and the transfer case to change gear oils on. It's not that big of a deal but is an extra. Anyone else got more?

 

Lockers? To lock the differential. Differentials? No one knows what those are for.

Oh, you're not wrong. It absolutely cuts both ways.

 

All Tacomas have at least one differential, an optional locker is in that differential and locks the two axle shafts together so they spin at the same rate. You can look up lockers to find better explanations.

 

Downsides? Well, perhaps. Since a 4x4 can get you out of a greater number of difficult situations, you might be tempted to try more situations (including a few you probably shouldn't). As a result, you might get stuck more often, get ribbed by your buddies more often for getting stuck, and spend a whole lot more time cleaning up (you, your truck, etc) afterwards.

 

Just get the 4x4 or you will regret it later. I have 2 4wds and at one time I had 3. It's worth it to me to be able to flip a switch and get out of just about anything.