Trading 2.7L PreRunner for 4x4

Mud and sand behave like deep snow. You want a long footprint from your tire - width is unnecessary. At low psi, you'll be amazed. I drive in 2wd at 12 psi in deep snow quite often. The air compressor is key for this. You need a way to refill the tires.

 

I'm coming from your same scenario OP.

Just sold my 2007 AC SR5 PreRunner, and just ordered a 17' DCSB TRD OR 4x4 6MT.

I sold mine for various reasons.

1. I off road in remote locations to hike, camp, etc, and need 4x4. I've been stuck plenty of times to not want to deal with that scenario as much.

2. The 2.7L has an issue with catalytic converters going bad prematurely. I was @ 148k, and CA has some of the worst smog laws. Was going to cost $1600 to replace. To me it wasn't worth it to put money into a truck I wasn't completely happy with.

3.Going to have a family soon, needed a DC, manual tranny, and the TRD OR fit exactly what I wanted.

 

I would definitely consider not just going to 4x4 but V6. The difference is in power is much greater than the difference in MPG.

 

Wow, ok. I've definitely learned a bit about airing down tires (ever since getting mildly stuck in sand a couple years ago), but don't have a great on-board system for that.


AdventureKid, thanks for your input, it definitely sounds like we're coming from similar situations. Coming from the '07, that '17 will probably feel a good bit bigger. I remember finding my '15 pretty large, after having driven a friend's '06 many times in the past (when did they change the size on that, anyway?). I got used to it pretty quick, though.

Yeah, I'm definitely going V6 4x4. I don't see the point in upgrading if I'm not going to do it right, and that 2.7L seems not ideal. That's the one of the main things that kept me from looking more into doing a conversion on my current truck, is that I'd still be stuck with the 2.7L.

 

I would take this with a grain of salt and do a bit more research. The factory locker is very strong, and it has a warranty to boot. I've not heard of anyone "shred their rear diff". Also, 4x4 without lockers is effectively 2wd in slippery conditions(sand/mud/snow).

 

Obviously I'm pretty uninformed on this topic. I've read up on lockers in the past and honestly have already forgotten their purpose. But slippery conditions are basically all I need 4wd for; I don't go rock crawling, I just wanna not get stuck driving to the good camping spots!

 

I use the e-locker regularly and its never given me a bit of trouble, and my fluid is always clean. I wouldn't give any thought to the elocker being weak or a risk. It's definitley with having if you think you'll use it. That being said, I don't personally know how practical it is for everyday use in snowy conditions. But it's very helpful offroad in the right conditions.

Also as far as having a way to air up your tires, the Viar 88p compressor is small and very effective, easy to carry in your truckand can fill up your tires in under 10 minutes. I use it and it's one of my favorite investments at only 65 bucks.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely look into that compressor. It's sounding like having a locker is a smart move, and that I'll need to decide between the stock locker, or adding one aftermarket. I'm not sure what all it takes (mechanically and financially) to do this myself, so I'll have to look into all that first.

 

I've done the conversion on this exact truck, 2014 2.7L DCSB. ask me anything.

 

Oh cool, I was mostly looking for people who have traded up their 2wd/2.7L for a 4wd/V6, but I'm interested in hearing about the actual conversion as well. You still have the 2.7L engine, right? So do you find that it has enough power for your needs, along with the 4wd? Did you install a locker? How much did the overall conversion cost in money and time? Are you mechanically inclined at all? (I'm really not very, and probably don't have many of the necessary tools, so this is relevant I figure)