In Defense Of The Prerunner

Okay, get out your popcorn eating emojis third gen forum, although I assure you this is not my intention.

I can't help (obviously) but to have noticed consistent 4x2 slamming. Most recently in that "Taco Down" thread. The general consensus here is that prerunners are for "poseurs who want to look 4x4 but can't afford it".

I am a humble man. I will admit that I questioned my decision to purchase a 2017 TRDORDC 4x2 after joining this forum. How could I have done such a thing? And, in the interest of pure transparency - and calming any flaming - I will also admit that I would obviously trade for a 4x4 if someone were offering a straight across trade (same model/year). In a split second.

But, now that I've had a chance to really drive my prerunner. On and offroad. Let me give my own, first hand, experience of this vehicle. And why it is the exact perfect truck for me and my family. And how frickin lucky I am to have stumbled into it... as I honestly didn't do the correct amount of research before purchasing - here or anywhere.

The truck:



I've now got just over 4,000 miles on her. So, disclaimer, this is a 4000 mile review. BUT:

So far I've taken her to Giant Rock Airport - outside of Joshua Tree. This includes deep sand roads - to deep sand no roads. Some only deemed accessible by dirt bike. I've taken her to Baja. My fav little secret surf spot - offroad - south of Ensenada. This includes a dirt road to the break and then major mountainside offroad driving... south to a few other beach breaks and back. I've taken her climbing in Yosemite - which included a few logging roads with gnarly holes and mud (nothing over a foot).

I've also driven her around Los Angeles a bunch. Stuck in freeway traffic - out to studios and locations a lot. Bumper to bumper traffic, wide open freeways, winding little mount washington and hollywood hills roads etc.

I'm having a hard time saying I'd trade this truck for anything. I stumbled into it for $32k. When I was looking to buy an SR5 4x4 for $34k plus. I drove quite a few different 4x4 models and was instantly unimpressed and unsure that I would go for the new tacoma. They felt heavy and powerless off the line. I was not interested in the 4x2.

When the salesman and I started talking about the offroad model he didn't have a 4x4 in stock but he did have this black one in 4x2. "No way, I'm not going to buy a 4x2 truck" I said. "Fine, just try out the off road options and see if you like that". Well, immediately when accelerating I noticed a difference. The 4x2 had more pep. Felt lighter - yet with the suspension and hood height still felt sturdy. I went back and jumped in the Sr5 4x4 and could feel the difference. Slightly more sluggish. This is true on the freeway as well.

Well, I loved the offroad options... the black interior.... the general stance of the truck and figured that this was going to be my "city truck". Used primarily for movie scouting. So I'll take the better MPG and less cumbersome ride for more MPG and save $5k on not getting the OR 4x4 (couldn't find an OR4x4 for under $36-$37k in LA).

Also, disclaimer, I have two 4x4s at home. My wife's AWD XC70 and my '87 22R 4x4 (tried to eBay earlier but buyer fell through and I held onto it). So I figured I'd just use those for the snow and baja etc.

But then I remembered something. Holy hell, I grew up driving 2wd CARS in the snow. I've also taken my old bay window VW Bus down to Baja and Joshua Tree numerous times and had a blast.

This prerunner has WAY more clearance, better tires (still stock) and with a little weight in the back should be able to go anywhere. So I went with friends to Josh and Baja (noted above). They had 4x4 so I figured I'd be safe to get pulled out.

I haven't been stuck once.

No, I'm not a rock crawler. If ya are - and ya like Moab and deep snow or ice - get a 4x4. Totally get it.

But with good tires (I'll swap out for better all weather ones soon), weight in the back and heads up driving you are good to go in these trucks. I don't plan on taking my 4x4s anywhere this winter - in this prerunner I now trust.

I'm grabbing 20+ mpg in the city, love the pep, love the ability to go anywhere "I" need to go. And the fact that I saved my fam $5k from a OR 4x4. If I'd gone SR5 it would have been $2k more but without all of my favorite interior "city" features.

Anyway, why should you care? You shouldn't. Unless you're looking at buying a 4x2 - or just bought one - and this forum is getting you down. Clearance, weight and locker have killed it for me so far. And I'm lighter and faster with less moving parts and better mpg than the 4x4 version (which might just be too heavy for this 3.5 [has anyone with a 4x2 complained about torque or has it just been 4x4?]).

Winter remains to be seen. But I've done winters in VW buses, a 1978 Thunderbird and a Saab. My '87 22R 4x4 continues to collect dust. These little trucks are a hell of a tool, people. And that little 4x4 decal don't make you a man.

 

Good write up! Nothing wrong with a 4x2, I would have considered it if I didn't need the 4x4. As long as you're happy with your purchase, that's all that matters anyways! I always like reading/hearing what other people look at and decide upon, sometimes another point of view broadens my horizon outside of my typical thought pattern. Enjoy your sweet ride!

 

Thanks for sticking up for the prerunners - this forum is regularly very hateful.

 

I'm sorry.

-4x4 owners.


























































Kidding, obviously.. that'll never happen. But the best way to be confident in your truck is to be, not write a letter.

4x2FTMFW

 

Hey, thanks for the response. Totally get it. Forums like this would never exist if people didn't like to write about their "things" (that other people designed and built). Being a fanboy can be fun sometimes

 

I have a hard time being rabid about something that, from my seat, is 90% plastic.

I love my truck, but if it gets totaled tomorrow, no big loss.

 

I seent a PreRunner fly to the moon once

 

.. I have assembled one already.

 

You can check it out if you like

 

I made a meme just for tis thread!

 

Nice work!!!!!!!

 

This should be a sticky...

And Post of The Year (or the K02 Bro thread)

 

3.5L is the same whether its in a 4x2 or 4x4, the extra "pep" is in your head.
This subject comes up a lot here as well.

As a previous 4x2 PreRunner owner I have zero regrets about buying 4x4 this time around.

 

Everyone has different needs for a truck. 4x4s are very regarded here because this is a very off-road 4x4 centric forum.

 

(i'm kidding, nice post)

 

Not everyone needs 4x4 but 2wd is very capable with a locker. Get what suits you OP, if you ever need a 4X4 you can always buy one since It's not exactly a rare option.

 

Hey Jake,

That's a cool vid. Thx for chiming in. I've seen that too. What tires are on that prerunner? Is there weight in the back? I guess my question is; is that you in the vid? Is this your real first hand experience? I'd be curious to know how many times you got stuck in your prerunner and why you swapped? And I can only assume it isn't a third gen prerunner you didn't like? Which is a very different truck. We've all seen the "Why 4x4s are better" youtube vids and I've even seen one that argues tires being the deciding factor in snow when a 4x2 with a/t tires destroys a 4x4 with stock tires on (cars tho). My point is; let's keep it to real, first hand, experience here. Because you ain't gonna find a third gen offroad 4x2 video on youtube until I make one (seriously considering it).

Edit: Also, have you driven a 3.5 4x2? Not sure if it's all in my head.... And I spent a few days a/b-ing.

 

Whoever tells you that prerunners are for for poseurs, just let them know that most Trophy Trucks are 2WD!