Is my 2wd TRD sport destined to just be a mall crawler?

I do! Now tell me what to think.

 

I think if you're getting stuck often, you may need 4wd. Just remember pushing the boundaries will stick anything.

 

Did you buy your truck to mall crawl/trail hop or did you buy it to be used as a truck?

 

trucks have different uses though. I don't need a truck offroad. A 4Runner would have been fine. I don't even need 4wd for my tool box, which is why I have a truck. Now not even working out of box.

Have an Onan genset parked in the bed now. Never would have done that w/o truck.

 

Unless you live in rough weather most of the year, most taco drivers stay in 2wd.
My taco is most likely never going to tough a dirt road because where I live there are paved roads everywhere.
I wouldn’t consider my taco a mall crawler because I hate the mall parking lot.
I would consider it a work truck because I use it as a daily for work and deliveries.

 

I know exactly how you feel. I bought a SR5 2wd knowing I would never Offroad. Then I jump on this forum, and everyone has either the TRD Sport or TRD OR 4x4. I felt like I just picked the wrong truck.

I thought about it some more and realized that the people posting on this forum tend to be more die-hard Tacoma enthusiasts who push their truck to their limit. I’m simply not one of those people. And all of that is perfectly fine. I got the SR5 2wd because that’s what I need. And who cares?! Like everyone else said before: it’s your truck, so make it what you want. Who cares what everyone else has?

 

I bought a 2wd and discovered offroading after. Luckily 2 years later I was tboned truck got total. Got a fair amount back and decided to get a 4x4 this time. I went offroading and have yet need to use 4x4. I guess I haven't offroad hard enough yet.

 

Build a prerunner

 

There's always gonna be those people who judge you for having a 2wd, but that really depends if you really care about what others thinks of you. You can definitely off road still, but better tires should be next on your list. Also, don't drive on sand. We get royally fucked in sand SEND IT

 

Don't need 4wd for sand, just LOW air pressure for flotation and a little bit of momentum. Then again don't plan on climbing steep chutes or out of swamps holes and the like, just use your head.

 

that’s a nice photo

 

A good driver can do a lot off road without 4WD in many terrains and circumstances. You may face some limitations, but get a good winch and find out. Have some fun. Don't put too much stock in the forum hive mentality. It's not wrong, but it's also not always the only way.

 

The quicksand just looks like it is meant for offroad. Not a fan of it until I saw it offroad and it just works

 

With forty years of offroading experience let me say this. Unless you are getting into serious off roading a two wheel drive is fine. Anymore true boondocking is banned most places. Trails all seem to be rated so you have info in advance.

Stock 2 wheel drives with the proper tires and a good locker can go most places. You'll still need the same tools one would carry with a 4 wheel drive. The biggest thing is to learn how to use your vehicle to it's best advantage. The best way to do that is first ask questions (you've got that down) and second have someone with experience teach you. You could figure it out on your own, but that can get expensive. Better to learn from other's mistakes.

 

This is the first 4WD I've actually owned. I've used it a couple of times to get out of a tough spot, but of my own making, not "off-roading". That being said, I have had/been in charge a HMMWV (the real, you know, Army kind) the better part of my 20+year career, and rarely needed 4WD, that thing would go anywhere and do most anything with never engaging. I didn't pay for gas, so a lot of fun to be had.....

 

Doesn't matter what you bought your truck originally for. what matters is what you want now, if you have the money, buy what you want and be happy.. Life is way too short..

 

I like the skeleton. Very capable and can take you to some serious places. That being said most people have no clue what the hell is going on with those things anyways. I'd take it over the new GMV that came out. You can trouble shoot and jimmy rig if you absolutely had to on the standard vehicles. The new 1.1 are just not user friendly

 

I am not trying to be a jerk or anything but none of the 2wd offroading pictures attached here are showing actual offroading. They showing trucks driving on dirt roads or grass field. You will ofcourse not need 4wd for that. A 2wd soccer mom SUV can make those trails as well.

 

Personally wouldn't invest in a winch and mount, lift, or locker. Take it out and see how it does. I use 4wd a fair amount and I am planning some more remote trips that I wouldn't try with 2wd or without other trucks. I made a decision a long time ago that I don't buy 2wd (unless it's a just a fun car). We have weather and go places you may not though. With the deals I am seeing from my local dealership currently, I would trade to a 4wd. Tires 1k, lift 2k, winch and mount 1k, armor 1k+. If you bought and installed that to be more effective off road, you will just wish you had a 4wd. If you aren't going to use 4wd, then don't change. If you actually plan on off roading, get the 4wd now and cut your losses.