Anybody regret not buying a 4X4?

This is great news.

It seems that the 4WD folks dont really have much of a reason to try the 2WD Auto LSD feature. If they get in tight spot - they just go 4WD. But it would be really interesting to see how 2WD Auto LSD performs in a situation where 4WD is prefered.

 

HOLY SHIT YES! Back in 2008 I got a brand new pre runner, went on a little fishing trip all by myself at 4:30 in the morning, I had to drive about a 5 mile stretch of beach in a very isolated location at South Padre Island.

lemme tell you, when the only good place to drive is along the edge of the water and the shore is not a straight line, and it being dark as fuck, you being the only idiot out there in a 2wd truck it's a real blast I'm not being sarcastic. It was kind of a rush knowing that I could have gotten stuck but didn't. I just had to keep my momentum so I wouldn't get stuck, but all the turning I had to make due to the scraggly shore line kept me alert

So after that about a year later I said fuck it and went to the dealer and traded that pee runner in for a 2010 TRD OR 4x4. I didn't know SHIT about 4x4 trucks, I was fuckin clueless to everything 4x4.

But thanks to TW I have learned soooo much.

 

After owning 4x4 full size Ford pickups forever the 4x4 Tacoma is a much better experience to drive in 4x4.
#1 The Tacoma engages quickly from 2 to 4 wheel drive
#2 The Tacoma steers and handles easiser in 4x4
#3 The Tacoma doesn't lose much engine power in 4x4

 

Yo man it's like most of the 4x4 guys here have said, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Then again that really depends on your financial situation as well and your willingness to spend a bit more money for your own satisfaction.

and certain 2wd tacomas do have the locking rear diff, but it's only the ones with the TRD off road package, unless you add a locker to a non trd pre runner.

as for the auto LSD and TRAC question of yours... I dunno

 

Yes I hate 2wd, I need 4wd

 

They should just stop making 2wd trucks.

Most car manufacturers have already figured out that even people who don't need 4x4 need 4x4. This is why AWD vehicles are increasingly common (and, within 20 years or so, will probably be the only drivetrain configuration available on most cars).

Truck manufacturers aren't quite as fast (partially because of the different safety regs for trucks, and partially because truck buyers tend to generally be more educated about their vehicles), but I'm expecting within the next 20 years you'll have your choice of part-time 4x4 or AWD trucks as well in the light duty market. HD is obviously its own beast.

 

Yep I regret it every time I see a nice place to go play and I can't. Oh well live and learn.

 

I regret it every time I go snowboarding. Also, knowing that I'm not as capable of having some fun off-road sucks. I will definitely be getting a 4x4 with my next truck.

 

yesss, i regret it big time. saved a few thousand bucks but it still wasnt worth getting laughed at when i got stuck putting a boat in on a muddy boat ramp

 

I would never buy a 4x2 again, had one biggest mistake. 4x4 is the only way to go.

 

Nope. I've had one 4WD and two 2WD trucks. There's no doubt that 4x4 is better in the snow, but I've never been NOT able to get around with 2WD and chains just fine. For the two times a year this might be necessary, 2WD is just dandy for me. Auto LSD rocks, btw. Just throw some weight in the back and you're good to go.

 

My question is, how does the Auto-LSD and other traction control stuff help on unplowed roads? As in, ones with several inches because the plows haven't been through, or they turn a corner pushing snow across the lane you're in?

I love my 4wd for the simple fact I have the front wheels pulling too and snow doesn't dam up in front of the front wheels forcing me to stop, or over-throttle to compensate (and risk losing traction or going too fast).

To me the only good 2wd in snow is FWD. There are times I can't get out of my driveway in 2wd with the locker on. Don't think an auto-LSD is gonna do a damn thing to help that.

We traded my 98 corolla for a 07 Rav4 in 4WD because of the snow. The car did alright, but the hills always made us nervous. And if there was more than a couple inches on the roads we took the truck.

 

I always drive in 2wd until I get stuck then switch to 4wd. Dont know why I do that as no way in hell you can get to my place in 2wd. when one day I get into my place in 2wd I know spring arrived.

 

My neighborhood rarely gets plowed, and I've driven through it a few times this winter with a few inches of snow on the ground. And I' m usually the first person out on the roads during/ after the snow, since I love driving in snow. No issues so far...driving stick is great.

 

That's cool. Our Rav is the first vehicle I've owned with any sort of traction control. It's nice to feel it start to slide, then catch it and keep going straight. But that's with FWD and the rear kicking in as needed. I kinda wondered how it would work on vehicles that couldn't engage the front wheels. I've been behind way too many trucks fish tailing up hills, and have used the front wheel to pull me out of slides too often to want to try it though. And for the record, my neighborhood is good about plowing too. It's the 20 miles of back roads between there and work that concern me. And the 2 major hills I have to cross to do it. Those guys don't seem to care sometimes. Last time we had a major snow storm 1 out of maybe 20 side roads off the main one my job is on was plowed. Anything with less than 6" of ground clearance would have been pushing snow on the unplowed ones. (City streets within a mile of a major hospital no less.)

 

The auto-lsd and traction control work surprisingly well in these trucks...it seriously doesn't break the tires loose unless I really want it to. Even then, the traction control kicks in and it keeps the fishtailing to a minimum. If the weather is bad enough, I just stick to the main roads...

4x4 is better for sure...but for my area 2wd has worked well. I can't wait until we get a huge storm and I can really test my truck out.

 

lol. I would hope that anyone who has lifted their 2wd regrets not having 4wd unless they were hoping to have a pre-runner

 

The auto-lsd and traction control work well enough for most conditions people find themselves in. Most won't go out in severe weather without good reason. People with 4 WD will just because they can.

I had a 4x4 Tacoma years ago when i lived in Las Vegas. I only used the 4WD in snow on skiing trips to Utah once and off roading. Otherwise I really did not need it. I had a couple SUVs and pick ups since and drove back and forth to Branson Mo from Vegas in January passing through whiteouts in Flagstaff, frozen rt 40 near Amarillo and in the Ozarks. All with a 2 WD Ford Explorer and never once lost it or got stuck. I grew up in snow, learned to drive in snow and never had a 4WD or needed one.

The Locking rear will get me out of anything I can think of getting in. Don;t get me wrong, 4WD is great for snow country. but i find people who have them are over confident and take more chances and many find themselves in runoff ditches.

I ride a bike most of the year and here in SC we don't have helmet laws. I hate wearing a helmet and only do when the weather gets cold. Normally I get on my bike with whatever I am wearing and go. I refuse to take 10 minutes to "dress for the ride". I ride my motorcycle like a Sunday ride in the park with a bicycle (at at the same speeds LOL) Shorts, sneaks, t shirt whatever im wearing I go with.

When the weather gets cold, I want to stay warm so I dress in the "proper gear" and low and behold, I find I ride more aggressively erroneously believing I am "safer". I think those two extra drive wheels make people feel invincible. Like armor and a helmet on a bike. Many find they are not. I had one been there done that...but I also realized I really did not need it.

 

When I was shopping for my truck you have no idea how many sales people tried to tell me that with the traction control their prerunners would out perform most 4x4, they even went so far as to say the OR didnt have much of an edge, even with the locker. Coming from a 2wd ranger to this is night and day. I didnt get stuck much, but when I did 4x4 wouldve gotten me out.