2WD vs 4WD = oops

So I bought my 4Runner back in December(2014 SR5) and love the hell out of it. At the time, I had no intentions of getting into off-roading or thinking that I would really ever "need" 4WD. (ontop of that, I have very little mechanical knowledge - working in that)

That being said... I dont have 4WD haha.
Big mistake, I know.
Got an awesome deal, and honestly I was just stoked to make my first big boy purchase.

I've read a lot online, and basically everywhere says the same thing - sell your 2WD and buy a 4WD. With that not being in the realm of possibilities, I'm fine with having my buddies pull me out when I get stuck. They get a kick out of it anyways.

However, are there any recommendations on sources for learning to handle better with 2WD?
Should I invest in some traction planks?

 

Good, aired down, tires.

 

Sigh - financially that'll be a nice swift kick to the nuts.
I'll probably end up making some hefty payments leading up to 2019 to get the amount owed down, then maybe wait for the good ole new year price cuts to make a move.

Just need to stop putting into the one I have haha.

 

Live and learn! I know my next rig, which Im very positive will be another 4runner, will be my baby for a while. I really do love my SR5, and every ting about it - just not the 2WD. The few times when I've needed it, I've had help, but that wont always be the case. If this thing had 4WD I could see myself keeping it for another 6-8 years no problem.

 

I never knew you could get a 2WD 4Runner ....

 

I have 2wd and a locker. My best investment on my truck has been traction boards. I have the 100$ xbull ones of Amazon, they work perfectly and ive even used them as little bridges.

 

Traction boards, and keep a snatch strap in your vehicle at all times. That will help if you get stuck. You could always go bigger like a winch in front so you can extricate yourself if you’re alone.

 

A locker is your friend, as well as driver experience plays a big role. That and aired down quality tires and that’ll get you a lot of places.

For the places it can’t get you, a winch sure as hell helps as well.

 

Locker and a winch will make it a lot more bearable.

 

You'll be dead one day and your payment won't even be a memory. Get the 4x4 while your alive and enjoy it

 

Invest in good tires and learn throttle control. Then go have a good time!

 

Get friends with 4x4.
That’s what I did.

 

We don't even sell 2WD 4runners or Sequoias in Canada

I wouldn't bother either if I lived down south.

 

Ok it's not just me. I never heard of a 2WD 4 runner

 

If you start investing in multiple recovery tools (traction boards, winch, rear locker, etc...), you will pretty quickly have spent the money it would have taken to sell your 2wd and buy a 4wd. I'm not telling you what to do, but your vehicle isn't going to gain any resale value as a 2wd that has been taken off-road. I'd save up until I'm able to sell it privately (your best bet for maximum sale price) and then start the hunt for an early 5th gen with 4wd (I bought my 2012 SR5 4wd with 73k miles for under $24k a year ago). Just food for thought.

 

Buy a 3rd gen t4r 4wd. Costs a little more than wheels/tires would and you will have more fun with it because who cares it’s a trail rig.

 

They've always had 2WD 4 Runners, well not sure about 1st gens but 2nd gen to current were all available in 2WD. I knew a few people whove had them. They call em 4x2. For 2018 they still sell 2WD in SR5 base. Any models higher are 4WD but the fancy soccer mom grocery getter Limited model is also available in 2WD.

 

Maybe, but he's going to want to buy that same recovery gear anyways regardless if he's 4wd or 2wd, so that point is invalid.

 

I am failing to see how beating up a 2wd off road while you slowly get really sick of your buddies dragging you through mud and over rocks when you could have just saved for a bit for the correct platform instead of buying recovery tools first is an invalid point. It's actually a very valid point.

You mentioned buying an aftermarket locker (which requires an onboard compressor) and a winch (which requires a hidden mount/cutting up the stock bumper or an aftermarket front bumper). That could get into $3k-4k territory quickly. I'm offering the perspective that he might as well suck it up and switch to a 4wd 4R before doing all that.

Again, I'm not trying to tell the guy what to do; just offering something he may not have considered.

 

I mean that if he gets into wheeling, he's already going to want a winch, and very likely a locker. This would be money spent anyways.

Obviously a 2wd will never be as capable as a 4wd all things equal, but with a few upgrades and a good driver, they can still get out and do most of what a 4wd can do.