WISH I GOT 4WD

It’s true. 4WD is completely unnecessary for the average joe who lives in California. That’s the huge reason why 5-Lugs and PreRunners are so abundant, and 4x4 is rare.

When I did my conversion I actually had to travel to Reno to buy my parts because 4WD parts in California were so pricey. I paid $450 for a transmission and transfer case from a full service yard in Reno instead of the $1,250 a Toyota yard wanted up here.

 

LOL

 

This idea that locked 2wd=open diff 4wd has come up a few times, but it's not true.

In some situations they are in practice equivalent, but you are misunderstanding how an open diff works. Open diff is equal torque/ unequal speed across the axle, this allows you to make turns and such without hopping the tires.

Let's say you pull over on an icy shoulder, one rear tire on the pavement the other on ice. When you give it gas to pull away one wheel spins and you don't go anywhere. It may seem that only one wheel is getting power but this is not the case.

Each wheel is getting equal torque, but since it takes very little to spin a tire on ice, that's all the one on pavement is getting too. (Equal torque/ unequal speed) If for example it only takes 10ftlbs to spin a tire, that probably isnt enough to move the truck forward with the other wheel.

A truck in 4wd that has a least somewhat similar traction under every wheel is being driven by all 4 wheels. While a locked 2wd may have an advantage in certain situations, locked 2wd=\= open 4wd.

 

You can cheaply convert a 2wd to 4wd, by installing a winch on the front. It will pull you through anything

 

You can also go cheaper and just walk as that’s what you will be doing a lot of the time 4 wheeling with 2wd and a winch.

 

I don’t think this is the best option

 

I would say 4x4 is always good unless it’s a road queen and then it’s just a useless expense. That said I don’t know how you would be able to not take a massive hit and get a 4x4 now. If you can sell it and are looking for another and If your in Cali go north of the bay to freeman in Santa rose. They were by far the best prices I could find. Maybe pay it down and then look at it as a learning experience, sell it and go to Santa rose, they had 4x4 DCSB OR starting in MT for 31. That said I don’t think I would go MT in Cali if it was a dd. Too much stop and go from my experience. That said I only had to do it to leave Cali and come back to AZ where it’s not a issue.

 

Rottie mix.

 

Drunk or dumb

 

I thought my 2003 4X2 Tacoma was my dream truck, but then I started snowboarding about 8 months after I bought it and I had to deal with chains for several years after that.
Since then we bought a 2007 4X4 4Runner (which handles awesome in the snow) for our family car, and I kept my 2003 for work but bought a 2015 4X4 Tacoma.
I clearly remembered being thoroughly annoyed in Big Bear when you're in a beautiful truck driving 2 MPH with chains on and people passing you in a front wheel drive Honda Civic.

I guess I don't have any advise, but I definitely feel your pain..

 

California is a huge state with almost every kind of terrain possible. What an ignorant statement.

 

Need...
I use mine

Wish i could use it more

 

Why don't we have some understanding for those that may need some 'educating' instead of throwing insults around? To the casual observer from another part of the country, they may think California is just bumper to bumper highways. Someone from another state once seriously remarked to a friend of mine that since my friend had an Italian last name and was from New Jersey, that he or at least some of his family must be in the Mafia.
There's a lot of misunderstanding out there.

 

ig·no·rant
/ˈiɡnərənt/
adjective

1. lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.

 

No I'm not ignorant, I actually lived in CA for a time, I know there are lots of different terrains and off-roading opportunities. Even spent some time on the sand dunes myself.

What I meant is that you dont need 4x4 in CA using the truck as a daily. There isn't weather that makes 4 wheel drive a necessity like it is in my state. I never said there wasn't opportunity to USE 4x4, I'm just saying you won't find yourself NEEDing it. My dad still lives out there and bought a 17 new, has about 30k on the ODO now and I'd bet he hasn't turned that dial one time yet.

If you're offloading that's a different story of course.

 

Have you ever even been to California? It is a big state. Plenty of need for 4x4 where I live.

 

The OP IS off roading.

 

Why on earth do they offer TRD "Off road" in 2WD? I just don't get it.

 

For those who like the looks and don't need 4wd. One who wants the upgrades in the TRD models but don't want the chrome on the Limited, and don't want the scoop and all color matched flares and bumpers. They sell, so there must be something to it.