New / 2wd limitations

Im currently In the market for my first truck, and the Tacoma is definitely the truck for me.
I have spent the last two weeks combing these forums regularly trying to learn as much as I can about the different options and will say I have seen some incredibly badass trucks so props to you guys, and this also seems like an awesome community of people. Anyway, Iv been sightly obsessing over used second gen Tacoma, and plan on purchasing one in the next week. theres a catch, Im a broke high schooler running off summer job savings. At this point i have found two or three trucks in my price range, however they are all 2wd, and newer 4wd are all a good 4 grand out of my price range. While I dont plan on doing Moab anything extreme, I want to be able to run some mild trails and go mudding with my friends on the weekends with a good set off offroad tires. So long story short I am unsure how limited my experience will be with 2wd, and whether or not 4wd is worth buying an older truck with more miles on it. Please excuse my ignorance but im learning and would love to get into offroading at some point haha. thanks to everyone who read cant wait to hear yalls thoughts

 

I bought a new 2WD instead of a 2-3 year older 4X4 of the same truck and regret it everytime I get stuck trying to touch some dirt. But thats just me

 

A PreRunner with decent tires will be fine in most modest offroading situations

 

Welcome to TW

Depends on what you plan on doing. You can do lots with 2 wheel drive. Theres a few members here with that set up

 

But a 4x4 can do more if you want to.

 

What mile and year range 4WD are you looking at? I feel like if you off road below the freeway speeds our LT friends do (and some 4x4 guys) you want 4WD.

 

I'm looking at either a 2015 2wd 30k or around 2013/14 50k

 

I saw you're in Austin, what school? I grew up in north Austin and had a 2WD Tundra in high school. Did the exact same as you, out mudding and exploring with friends. It's so hilly with lose rock, though, you won't get far. My best friend in high school (and one of em now) drives a second gen on 35" tires, 2WD, and as soon as there's a hill that truck stops. If you want to leave pavement I'd gst a 4WD. Just be patient and watch Craigslist.

Also, feel free to swing by the austin thread!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/austin-area-tw-chapter-all-gens-welcome.411172/

 

A high schooler with a 2015 Tacoma

 

https://austin.craigslist.org/searc...rice=32000&auto_cylinders=4&auto_drivetrain=3

Plenty of good trucks in the 30k range

 

Not always about your transfer case. Get what you'll get the best use out of. If you're going to play, you're going to pay. If you can't afford to fix breakdowns and are going to drive around town and look good then a 4x2 is perfect.

If you want to crawl or get muddy, then 4x4 is what you want. Just be careful with it, neither are cheap.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI

 

Well hell, guess we should all join crownvic world

 

Same username there. HMU.

 

Appreciate it, and yeah I'm at Anderson Hs up in northwest hills.

 

Get an older truck with 4wd, you'll regret it if you don't I've tried wheeling a 2wd truck and was always left wishing for 4wd.

 

Another Austin local

@LunaticConcepts

 

2wd will get you pretty much anywhere you need/want to go. This photo was taken at the top of a local offroad park after running Level 3 trails with several 4x4 vehicles. including two 4x4 Taco's. Get you some good tires, a driver mod, and some flexy suspension and you'll be fine. then get off the forum so you dont go broke from buying all the things. lmao

 

It's funny, I always have the thought of SAS'ing my truck because I want 4x4, then I go wheeling and I'm like, nah, don't need it.

 

Riiiiiiigggght go smoke another one bro

 

No smoking here.