Question for 4WD guys.

Hello folks,

I have an '08 DCSB PreRunner 4.0 SR5 with mechanical LSD diff. My truck, thankfully, has no issues. I've thought about buying a new Tacoma 4x4 TRD Off-Road later on, MAYBE 2015 or 2016. I've done some reading & observations & I notice a lot of complaints about 4WD:

* Having issues engaging when switched to 4WD,
* When you lift it you can add stress to the diff bearing (unless you do drop bracket) and you get vibrations. ECGS sells a better designed bearing to replace the OEM one,
* The ADD (automatic disconnecting differential) tends to go bad.
* The fact that Tacomas don't offer manual selector to go from 2WD to 4WD.

With a PreRunner your main concern is take-off vibe from the rear. You can do a spindle lift with rear springs & no worries about diff issues.

With the places I go to down here I've done good in 2WD & when I have become stuck, someone pulls me out, I don't wheel alone. Even if I had 4WD. I've even pulled people out with my 2WD.

Maybe I'm viewing this negatively but I would hate to get rid of my PreRunner with ZERO issues & get a 2015 or 2016, just to have 4WD, & regret it.

I understand that for people up north 4WD is important but even when I do go up north in winter I rent a vehicle so that won't be an issue for me. Even if I had 4WD I would still rent a vehicle.

For those of you that have 4WD or have gone from PreRunner to 4WD how do you feel with your decision?

Thanks.

 

I've gone from Prerunner to 4X4. No regrets going the 4WD route but it seems you dont have the need for it so keep you Prerunner

 

Sure some of those things happen to some people but for the most part people have no issue with 4WD. No vibes for me before and after my lift.

it seems a little foolish to always rely on others to pull you out when you get stuck with your 2wd. If you don't offroad much the yea it's a tough call. But why limit yourself and not use the right tool for the job?

 

Seems like small problems to me. Plus like stated above, not everyone has these problems.

 

I have a 2012 with a lift. I had a small vibration. But it was just a tire. Rebalance, been good to me ever since.

 

Personally I'd just keep the truck you have. You have no issues with it and will save a ton of money. I know it's not the most popular answer but it is practical. Seem's like you don't really need 4wd.

I have a 4wd and have no issues getting it in and out of 4wd. I also live in a place with very harsh winters and use 4wd a ton.
I have no lift and really never needed one. when my shocks wear out I might consider getting a small lift.

 

I have had no problems.

 

Those issues "typically" happen to people who either do not maintain their vehicles or do not use 4x4 enough.

Use it or lose it....I always say. The manual calls for 10 miles of 4x4 driving per month.

 

You've been reading too much.

My truck is 7.5 years old / 68k miles. I haven't had any issues with 4WD at all. I use is every winter and engage it whenever I can in the off months (as it should be to keep things working).

4WD is easy to engage. 4Lo range takes more steps but easy once you understand them. Anyone who has trouble getting it into 4WD is probably doing something wrong....or....not using things enough.

Anytime you lift a vehicle....ANY VEHICLE....you'll have stresses on the driveline. Not necessarily stresses on the diff bearing...but there are more stresses on the Ujoints and CV joints. People have been lifting vehicles for years & years. Having driveline vibrations after a lift is more common than you know. But guess what? People come here and get help on how to make things right. I've had two Jeep Wranglers with 4.5" lifts and a 12" long driveshaft creates HUGE driveline vibrations - which involved a lot of steps to make things right.

Everyone with a lift has dealt with driveline issues. Guess what? If you put a lift on your prerunner, you'll have the same issues (minus the CV joints).

ADD has been perfectly fine for me...... unless you plan on buying a vehicle that's 10 years old with over 100k miles on it, then yea....you might have problems. EVERY vehicle of that age will have problems.

Manual Shifter? I had one in my 96 and it was much harder to shift into 4WD. Clunky and finicky and you could NEVER engage 4WD while moving. Hell - I'd rather see them bring back manual hubs!!!

You could put a locker on your Prerunner - but - you've gotta be careful....since only 2 wheels are doing all the work, you could start snapping driveshafts like twigs. You're better off with 4 wheels doing the work.

So - doesn't matter what you decide to do.

 

Living in a state that is an off-roading wonderland with the possibility of snow storms almost half of the year, 4WD is the only way to go. Of course I prefer the manual transfer cases in 1st gen Tacomas but even most of those have an ADD, and the electronic setup on the 2nd gens has worked fine for many hundreds of thousands of owners including myself. If the worst happens and the ADD or transfer case actuator stop working, they are very easy to access and surprisingly DIY-friendly to repair/replace.

The 4WD should be used frequently for proper break-in and lubrication of components, which is why the owner's manual says to drive in 4WD for at least 10 miles every month. You have to do the same thing for manual 4WD systems, which are also not 100% reliable. If you have ever tried to lock a set of hubs that are rarely engaged, you are in for some swearing, sore fingers and broken parts.

Any suspension modifications to any vehicle can cause side-effects. It's not exclusive to lifted Tacomas. The good thing is that there is a huge aftermarket and many loyal Tacoma owners who are happy to help, IF you have drivetrain vibrations after a lift.

There are many more cases of pre-runner regret than 4WD regret and I think all of your worries are greatly magnified by a vocal minority on the internet.

 

This is true. My youngest son graduates High School next year & he's learning how to drive now. If he likes my truck I'll give it to him. If not, I'll drive mine for a while longer.

I've been stuck surprisingly very few times. I replaced my open diff with an OEM LSD & it helped greatly but not like 4WD. People who I've gone off-roading with have been surprised that it's 2WD.

That's true.

Good to know.

Can't argue with that logic. It's more of a want than a need for me.

good to know.

You are so right. A lot of people don't maintain anything then wonder why it doesn't work.

HAHAHA! Yes I have. I know enough to not mod my truck anymore for traction & my PreRunner is lifted & yes, I did, and still have some slight vibes. Valid points.

HAHAHA! As previously stated, I am reading too much.

It's true that no one complains of going from 2WD to 4WD but 2WD's wish they were 4WD's

Thank you all for the info & logic.

 

Sounds like what you have is doing it for you. Cheaper to keep it and put in a rear locker and winch.

 

I don't want to do anything else to the diff but the winch is a possibility.

Thank you.