general question about "terms"?

Hi guys, since i'm probably going to be on this forum a lot in the future, i was wondering if you guys can clean up some definitions for me. First, the term "prerunner" means its not a 4-wd? how different does a prerunner feel from a 4x4? Also, can you guys explain to me what the TRD package is, i heard there is an offroad and a sport version. THX a lot guys and sorry if this question is too bland.

 

a prerunner has the same suspension as a 4 wheel drive, but lacking transfer case/ front drive capabilities. it does, however,have a locking rear differential(fun for slinging some mud and running trails), and it weighs a bit less since there is no transfer case. i like my prerunner just fine!!

as for trd.....sport and offroad packages are a bit different. the offroad has a rear e-locker,sport bucket seats,trd offroad decals,chrome rear bumper and grille surround, 16inch wheels(and usually crappy bfg rugged trail tires), and the sport has a scooped hood, color matching grille surround and bumpers, 17inch sport wheels(with crappy dunlop tires), sport seats and a limited slip differential.

im sure i probably left out a few things......but you get the idea.

 

Prerunner has the 4x4 chassis but not the 4WD so it sits higher than a standard truck.

The TRD packages add extra features such as upgraded shocks & struts, wheels, etc. You can find what's added here.
The main differences between the Sport & Off-Road models is the Sport has a hood scoop (none on the Off-Road), larger wheels (17"), a larger anti-sway bar and a limited slip differential (vs. Locking rear differential for the Off-Road).

 

a somewhat related question i've been wanting to ask: correct me if i'm wrong, but the 4x4 trd off-road packages also include a rear locker, but why would someone want 4x4 and a rear locker? isn't that redundant? like what can you do with the rear locked that you couldn't just do in 4lo? or am i totally missing something? rear locker totally makes sense on prerunner.

 

Without the locker engaged, the rear diff is an open unit. Meaning that if one wheel is up in the air, or on ice, slick grass, etc. That is where all the power will be going, and you'll be sitting still. The front diff is also an open unit. So in an extreme off camber situation it would be possible to one front and one rear wheel out of contact with the ground. In that case the Locker would come in handy as with that engaged you would atleast still be getting 25% of your available power to the ground.

Another example. You go to cross a mud hole or big puddle, and what you don't know is that under the surface, some toolbox who did not tread lightly dumped his clutch and his 44" Super Swampers dug a trench that your passenger side tires have slipped into and you are hung up. The locker gets some power to the driver's side rear tire and maybe you don't have to sit in that puddle all day waiting for someone with a winch to come get you out.

The times when 4 lo won't be enough and you will NEED the locker are not many, but again it is one of those things that is better to have and never need, than to need and not have.

 

ah, i see. thanks for responding. seems chances are good i'll never need a rear locker, then. i probably won't be undertaking such extreme and chancy endeavors, at least not intentionally, or at least not until my truck is so old and decrepit that if i get stuck that bad i'll just leave it in the puddle and move on, that way other drivers can get across lol!

i always have a toe-strap as a bit of insurance, to help or be helped, if need be.

ps...hey maverick...i grew up in elmer, in salem county. don't miss it too bad, but it is still home. i visit my folks frequently. nice to see you on here!

 

LOL! Elmer. I know a dude from there, real weirdo. Also dated a chick from there, I want to say she went to Shalick? Anyhow, she was also weird.

Are you weird, too?

J/K. I was born in Vineland and you know that Elmer is the butt of many south Jersey jokes, sort of like Laurel Lake in Milville.

BTW, have any pics of your truck with the cap on? I'm debating getting one so I've been looking all over at them. Thanks.

 

haha, ya ill probably rarely or never use the rear diff lock but i like knowing i have it!

 

welp, now i'm one of those guys going off topic but: yep, i went to schalick and i'm probably weird. man, this is weird.

and i don't have any pictures of my truck currently, because i don't have a camera. however, my sister is visiting (from elmer) and she does have a camera. so perhaps this week i may for the first time ever take pictures of my truck. but be forewarned, i'm not gonna wash it first. (i will say though, the cap looks nice and the fiberglass and paint are good, but the hardware is pretty poor quality on mine. i think the leer 100QL comes with nicer hardware). i'll try to remember to pm you when i get the pictures up. oh, also, i bought my cap in delaware ($3 bridge toll but no tax!! and i had a leer factory coupon for $75).

 

^Sounds like a good deal. I used to love driving down to DE for big purchases and saving that tax.

Thanks in advance on the pics.

 

Always happy to find more of the Jersey contingent on her or ex-Jersey as the case may be.

I am from Woodbury in Gloucester county, and I know a bit about the Elmer area, there are some nice motorcycle roads out there, and I have always been fond of Tall Pines Campground for a quick weekend getaway that doesn't require driving all day.

 

aaron; Now that you know what a Tacoma Prerunner is,
The term PreRunner is used for vehicles that run an off-road race course before the race (Pre Run). The Baja 1000 for example.
These vehicles have to be tough and have good ground clearance.

 

hey angus...thanks for that bit of trivia. i had no idea, that's fascinating.

and maverick...i was born in woodbury! just at the hospital, never lived there or anything. and funny, i never payed too much attention to campgrounds that close to home, so tall pines sounds only vaguely familiar. i may have stayed there once when i was quite young. but i guess it must be nice to get out of the congested woodbury without having to go too far.

and aaron, sorry for sabotaging your thread. but i guess now you know any question can start an active discussion, whether it has anything to do with the question or not!

but, since no one has said it yet, i think if you didn't know if the truck you were driving was a 4x4 or a prerunner, you'd probably not be able to tell by how it feels/handles, etc (under "normal" conditions). also, 4x4 will get a little lower fuel economy and a little less power to the rear wheels because of the added weight and extra moving parts.