PreRunner vs 4x4

I want to know what you guys think about the V6 PreRunner with the locking diff vs 4x4. How capable is the PreRunner on light/med trails. Should I just wait and find a good 4x4? Maybe I’m answering my own question

I had a 05 Pre Runner 4cyl no locking diff that I hated.

 

v6 prerunner with a locker + heavy right foot will get you places... but it might not get you out when you get stuck

Just get a 4x4 with the locker if you're gonna take it offroad. You'll be much happier.

 

Depends on what your version of light/medium is. But I'd take open diff 4x4 rather than a locking 2wd.

 

Having the E locker on a 2wd is a lot better than not but it ain’t 4WD. If you want 4WD then get a 4WD. And keep in mind when in 4WD Hi with a Taco you have 4WD with a type of limited slip, way more traction than open axles 4wd and way way more than 2WD with an E locker.

 

If you have to ask then get the 4x4. They are plentiful and not that much more expensive than Prerunners.

Rare to hear someone say the regretted getting the 4wd over a 2wd especially if you're into trail running. Pretty common to hear someone say they wish they'd gotten the 4x4 though.

 

Although it's apples to oranges (or apples to lemons in this case) my previous was a 4C Nissan ext cab with manual transmission, 7500 miles on it. Biggest mistake I ever made. It was really well maintained and in good shape, but the biggest beef was hills, it struggled to keep up to freeways speed, had to keep shifting into 4th, etc. I'd expect the same with a 4C prerunner.

I don't think or know if they ever put a 6C in a prerunner. 4WD, it depends on how much you'd use it but it's nice to have when you need it.

 

They did, you can get the 1st gen Prerunners with the 4 or 6cyl. Just not a manual transmission...only the 5lug 2wd or 4x4s got the option for a manual trans.

Starting in 2005+ you could get a Prerunner with a manual though

 

I don't think anyone is going to pass up a perfectly good 1st gen no matter the drive type.

 

My saying - rather have it and not need it vs need it and not have it….

 

I figured I was answering my own question by having to ask but the truck is sooo clean. I quess I was thinking I could convince myself 2wd would work for me but I know I’d probably regretting not waiting for 4x4

 

You’re in Texas, I thought it was Texas law that real Texas men must drive only 4WD trucks.

 

Take off the prerunner wording off the tailgate and change to the 4wd mud flaps? lo

that count?

 

I've seen that more than a few times around here (socal)

 

same here, a few hours north of you. Until you look at the front end and be like, must have the Bluetooth cv axle setup everyone been talking about

 

I've had a '02 V6 Prerunner with locking diff for 5 years. It's done everything it's been asked with no complaints (lots of camping, fire roads/light offroading). I wouldn't go rock crawling with it, and if offroad trailrunning was my priority (vs camping) I would definitely want 4x4. I'm very active with the locking diff offroad, and I wouldn't want a 2wd without it.

 

They do this in Tahoe to get around chain control.