Do I really need 4WD? Or, is a Prerunner sufficient?

A 5-lug sounds sufficient.

 

My first Tacoma was a '99 Prerunner with the TRD Offroad package (it had the locking rear differential). Absolutely LOVED that truck and I bought it used for a great price w/ only 22K miles on it. At the time I lived in AL and traveled home to FL a lot, so I never needed 4x4. Once I found out my job was moving me to Fairbanks, AK (Army) I knew that I had to ditch it for a 4x4. Since leaving AK in early 2006 I haven't needed 4x4 at all (been back in the Southeast).

Okay, lots of words to simply say that based on your described needs/use, get a Prerunner w/ the locking rear differential and you'll be set.

Edit: I forgot you wanted DCLB only. I don't think you can get that with a locker (correct me if I'm wrong). Any how, you'll be fine w/ a two-wheel-drive for your area/use.

 

Get and don't regret it.

 

2wd truck? Pfft. I saw a guy get one stuck in this weak sandy hill yesterday. 4x4 ftmfw

 

SR5 4x4 with Lsd and V6. Increase your resale value when you trade it later and take up a new hobby. Life is not all about work.

 

If you buy the best, you'll always be happy with it.

Go 4X4

 

I've had my 2011 Prerunner 2wd for over a year now and have never regretted the decision not to get 4wd. I don't hunt, fish, or take my Tacoma off-roading. I've been down gravel and dirt roads and even in a little mud also and my truck took it all in stride.
I read further up in this post where someone stated that a 4wd Tacoma is worth more years down the road when you decide to sell it, but how much more will you spend for fuel by driving a 4wd all those years? I'm averaging almost 21mpg with my 4 cylinder automatic.

 

I live in FL. & had a 4x4 Ram for 7 yrs & never used the 4x4 here,I only used it twice in GA.
I never needed it to pull the boat out,in my mind I wasted money on the purchase & the extra fuel. I bought a prerunner & it does everything I need it to.I've had no issues hunting & fishing plus I get better mpg. As far as looks the prerunner looks like a 4x4.

 

Southern states are another story. 2WD is the norm. Still, I would feel regret with 2WD. Resale will give the money back and MPG's is about 20MPG with my v-6 4x4. Northern states 4WD is a must have.

 

negative......... but it does help for those 3 bad snow days a year

 

I vote 4x4. I got my prerunner in high school and it hasn't failed me yet, but I live in the country. We just had a hurricane, the 4wd on my dad's truck was really helpful when it got muddy. That wasn't off roading for fun, that was because our road was impassable and we had to drive off road.

I think it's better to have 4wd and not use it than to not have it and end up needing it. plus they have good resale value

 

Those three days is usually a lot more than that. My favorite time to go out on the road. I did just fine for years untill I bought my first 4WD truck back in 90'. I will NEVER go without it again

 

Sounds like the spruce guys like 2wd trucks

Gotta have 4x4 in new England, sounds like you can get by without it in FL but who wants a truck with no nuts?

 

+1

 

I live in NC, and really don't need 4WD. I keep buying them though.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste....

 

Was facing the same decision last week. Pulled the trigger on a 4x4 last Saturday.

 

Workman thinks you should get the 4x4.

 

I drove a 4wd truck for several years and used 4wd about 3 or 4 times a year for light snow that Honda Accords were driving in. I opted for the PreRunner because I honestly didn't need it. I've never even thought about using 4wd in the rain.

 

if its even a question get the 4x4. i barely have a need 4 wheel drive durring the week. thats so i can get good parking and not carry my tools as far if the job is muddy.

on the weekends my family and i go on nice secluded trails usually reserved for jeeps and quads. maintenance= front diff and t-case oil changes once in every 30k or so miles. im biased to this though as i've always been interested in gears and tires and traction and basically having a good time. 4x4 is an amazing thing. you would not believe what it would pull you through, and with the healthy reduction of the t-case, at a nice slow, comfortable pace.

test drive one and ask if you can put it in 4lo, in a strait line, in the parking lot. jam the stick in low (1st) and tell me if your loins dont get all soggy at the potential for torque. good luck on your purchase

 

I bought a pre-runner last year. I have hunted, fished, and camped my whole life yet I've never owned a 4X4. I don't take my truck to the boonies to play. The pre-runner fit my needs. I wanted the improved approach angles over the non pre-runner (and ride height) since I do venture off the beaten track on occasion. Here in central Arkansas we rarely get snow but when we do it's gone in a few days. A set of tire chains allows me to go where I need to go.

I've frequently questioned whether I should have bought a 4X4 but a practical assessment of my needs tells me I made the right choice. I saw no need to spend the additional dollars for a feature that I don't need. Resale value had no meaning since I intend to drive this truck until one of us dies. I'm betting on the truck to outlive me.

Each of us make choices based on our needs, wants, and finances. If you want or need the 4X4, by all means get it. But make your own decision. Only you know what you'll be happy with.