2wd Prerunner build vs 4x4 Prerunner build

So I have a 2017 2wd trd sport and I want to make it into a Prerunner or at least get a mid travel kit. I’m not to sure if I should even do it or just get rid of the truck and then a 4x4. So pretty much I just want to know why people care about the 4x4 on a Prerunner build just to have more things to break and fix later.

 

I’d keep and build your 2wd for the reasons you mentioned and better fuel economy.

 

Whet is your intended use case? Where will you take it and how often?

 

IMO, the only reason to choose 2wd is if you're going to drop huge money on front suspension and plan for higher travel than driveshafts allow for. Otherwise 4wd will always be better.

 

Is the whole definition of prerunner is being 2wd platform?

 

If you want to get really pedantic about it, it describes a use case not a vehicle configuration. For OP's meaning it's anything that can go fast off road.

 

I didn’t know what a prerunner was until fairly recently. It describes a truck that is used to prerun a desert race course. Most trophy trucks are 2wd due to reliability issues but that is changing.

I’m not sure a 4wd taco is going to be significantly less reliable than a 2wd. It’s not a race truck by any stretch of the imagination. It’s a bit heavier is all. Personally, I’ll never buy a 2wd pickup again, but I live a long ways from any desert.

 

So the frame is already chopped with a drop bracket lift? (Maxtrac 6in lift in your profile)

 

I would imagine the steering in 4wd could be a problem in certain racing situations, even on loose surfaces

 

In my experience 4wd is much better at steering in low traction conditions than 2wd, but awd is the best.

In fact I was out drifting in snow this past weekend and demonstrating to my buddy how much harder it is to stay on a figure 8 course in 2wd compared to 4wd.

4wd also provides gobs more acceleration.

My impression of the Baja 500 and similar races is that they are dominated by high speeds (up to 140mph) in a straight line with on an undulating surface. 4wd/awd provides only a slight advantage in that context. Its different than rally car racing where there is constant cornering on smooth roads.

 

Well, how you made (incorrect) assumptions about OP's truck probably didn't help... MaxTrac is a 2WD spindle lift, and even if he did have a full drop bracket kit, still don't need to chop the frame because there's no differential housing that needs to be lowered on a 2WD.


OP, my thought is if you're actually thinking at all about 4x4, just get one. Sure there are a few more parts under there to contend with, but unless you drive exclusively on open dry desert (and of course pavement too), there will be times the 4WD will come in handy.
I started out with a 2WD truck myself, then (fortunately before I began building it) decided 2WD wouldn't get me to where I wanted to go and so I sold it and bought a 4x4. No regrets.

 

Sorry for the no reply not really sure how to reply to a specific comment but pretty I’ve never thought about going off road until now. I have no friends or family that are into this. I can always make friends but I already need the truck built by then. I live in OC Cali so not to far but I also won’t be going like every weekend, maybe like 1 or 2 times a months not too sure. I know I won’t ever go overland since I don’t like really like to camp so I’m not to sure if I really need the 4x4 even tho it’s better to have. Really the only reason why I’m considering this is because I love the wide look but I obviously can’t just slap on the truck without having the rest but at that point I also need to actually use the truck for it was built for. So if I’m actually willing to do all this then I want to do it right so I just want people’s opinion that have built Prerunner if getting a 4x4 actually worth it when you’re only doing Prerunner thing?