2 wheel drive capabilities?

Out of curiosity I'm wondering what seems to be the extent of the 2WD with the 4.0, automatic trans, and LSD, I didn't really buy the "wrong truck" I don't go off roading and in fact this is the first truck I've owned. I've been a Taco fan since 2005 and have always had small (fun) cars, and then last year I got this 2013 Sport DCSB. I love the looks of the Tacoma with a off road style but I am a firm believer in not applying tools for the wrong job. I won't be lifting it more than the 1" higher the leveling kit gets it and I'm wanting an A/T tire with mild tread and bit bigger, I like the roof baskets for function and style and the LED light bars look as good as they perform.

A friend of mine recently took me on his Jeep club ride and I know I could make the trails and the smaller climbs but some of the bigger stuff I would be VERY leery about.

What can a 2wd do?

 

2wd can get stuck in mud.

 

Nobody can answer that question.... it depends on trails/terrain and your driving skills.

You WILL NOT be able to go as far as the 4WD trucks without a little extra effort and/or mods to help you along.

I wheeled with a guy in a 2WD locked 99 tacoma. He was able to go everywhere the rest of us did, but he beat the livin shit outta that poor truck. It was battle scarred, dented, banged up on all 4 sides. I'm surprised he never rolled it.

If you're gonna go offroading...take it one step at a time. Start with the easy trails and gain some experience and get a 'feel' for your truck. You will eventually know what types of modifications you'll need and/or what trails you should avoid because they're just too difficult (or ...beat the shit out of your rig).

 

There's always THAT guy.

Thanks

 

well that is what you get for asking a stupid question.

 

It's all about tires and tread. If you got no traction then you won't go far

 

Thanks, I understand anything that's 4wd will be much better off. I have no intentions on beating the truck but lets say if there was a local meet I would like to be able to go and not be a burden. I'll attend the next jeep meet with my friend and take things slow, see what I'm comfortable with. I'm really just curious if it was even worth the attempt to go on a ride with a 2WD, kind of is it 4wd or nothing.

 

An uninformed person asking a question to a group of people who are more experienced is anything but stupid. Replying with a smart ass response and not contributing anything on the other hand is a level of jack assery that's not needed. I'm a newer member but not "new" to this world or forums for that matter, I have searched and was unable to find the kind of information I was looking for since the majority of this site's posters appear to be 4wd owners.

Thanks for the valuable information I'll be sure to avoid mud...

 

It depends on the group you're with.

A good 'leader' of the group would've set requirements before the trip (if any). If they don't set any requirements, then they need to chose their trails based on the lowest capable vehicle. If the group/trail leader gets pissed off because you show up in 2WD..... (And they didn't specify requirements), then you should find another group to go out with.

I would recommend riding along as a passenger. You'll be able to see what types of trails they drive on and if you think you can do it. Believe me, you'll know.

 

Thanks Janster, I have only been on one ride and I was a passenger then. I'm not sure if they had requirements or not and to be honest never even knew that trail rides would, makes perfect sense though. I'll look into the set up they have for their rides, I know I can make the trails but for the little climbs I will be needing some tires for sure!

Thanks for all the advise everyone, and more is appreciated.

 

I'm 2wd locked mutha fucka and I can do lot but if you plan on offroading I recommend 4x4. But if your just mildly offroad then a 2wd/lock will be fine

 

I had a 2005 DC Sport, pulled a 18' mud boat for 7 duck seasons and got out of a lot of stuff my buddies with 4WD were amazed I was able to. I never had to be towed out. The locking diff can help in mud but you obviously won't get all the way back with the 4WD guys.

I have a 2014 DC OR 4WD for this run, we'll see what else it does.

 

The next one I buy will be 4wd for sure, it will be way off from now though so who knows what I'll actually get into by then. My intentions are to have my son take over this truck when he gets his license (13 years from now) but until then I want to test the legendary Toyota reliability and keep something longer than 5 years or 80,000 miles. I just never thought I would get interested in trail rides and need to look into this subject.

 

The Ride I was on had a lot of whats in this video, few larger some smaller. I'm guessing with the right tires even a 2wd can make things like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtfoBNcZSY

 

I have a 2wd TRD off road with the locker and it has gotten me through some rough stuff. Deep sugar sand and some mud that without I would have been stuck

 

2WD is for prerunner guys that like going down fire roads. "Yawn" and jumping 1ft in the air "Weee" 2WD would not make it past the first gate keeper on the trails we do. Unless we winched you up it.
So if you like driving fire roads 2WD will be perfect.

 

Educate me, what exactly describes "prerunner guys". I understand a derogatory term when I see one but I understood prerunner as a vehicle option not a life style. Is there is group that prefer prerunners to off road packages, I would not be surprised considering the underdog story can be a fun build but that's not what I'm in for.

 

Not being derogatory. Sorry if it came off that way. Around here all the 2wd guys set their trucks up like desert prerunners. They the go out find fire roads "dirt roads I could drive my wife's Volvo on" They drive fast and try and jump over little bumps. it is quit funny to see. like this

 

I mean, could your truck do that?

 

Sure it could. But why would I want to? I would much rather go on trails I don't see mini vans driving on.