Save for a V6 4WD or just buy a 2WD 4-cyl?

I want to do some off-roading but im on a tight budget. Is 4WD really worth it?

 

Buy an older 2nd generation 4x4 if you want to offroad.

 

Why not a 4cyl 4wd? I have a 4cyl 4wd AC AT lifted with 255's and armor it's great on road (albeit a little sluggish) and great off road

 

Strongly depends on what you want to do. A 2wd corolla will hit up dirt roads/ service roads/ fire roads/ etc...

Do you want to traverse up steep hills and get to the top of the mountain?... 4WD.

Mud?... 4WD.

Sand like the dunes in California? Glamis, Ocotillo, etc... 4WD.

Rocky crawling?... 4WD.

Snowey conditions?... 4WD.

The more you get into off-roading, you'll quickly learn 4WD is the way to go. If you're on a tight budget, just go for the older Tacomas with a slightly higher odometer. No shame in that. The shame will be when you try to go somewhere where 2WDs can't go and you get stuck all the time and you have to ask 4WD buddies to recover your vehicle.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/recovered-bottom-of-miller-jeep-trail-socal.456064

 

God damn, Tom.

Excellent gif usage and memory!

 

What are you going to do when you want to sell in 5 years? You won't get shit for the 2WD. The 4WD will be sold in a week(most likely less).

 

I'm in agreement with the 4wd 4cyl unless you plan to tow often. I have a v6 now but tow often. Used to have a 2001 4cyl, manual, 4x4, reg cab......have alot of memories in that truck.

 

V6 or 4cyl just make sure its 4X4

 

Yeah I just had to tow a uhaul trailer 8 hrs home a couple of weekends ago through the mtns. The truck did fine but I wouldn't want to do it all the time.

 

I vote for v6 or a 1st gen. I have a 4cyl and I love my truck but I wish I had waited for a good deal on a v6 to pop up

 

Reading your vehicle bio it sounds like yours is set up about like mine. Have you installed the header yet? It is perhaps my favorite mod yet

 

If you have to ask then save to get the 4x4. Offroading in 2wd will only make you wish you had 4wd, believe me I've been there.

Keep in mind though that the expenses only get higher after you get the truck...offroading is an expensive hobby.

 

Can I get an

 

I had a 95 2.7 4 cyl 4x4. Lack of power was noticeable and you don't really get better fuel economy than a V6. Love my 05 V6 prerunner power feeling, but I have been out of trail since I got it, now I'm converting to 4X4. So V6 4X4 is the way to go.

 

I would be lying if I said I had never wished I'd bought a V6. All-in-all very pleased in the 4cyl though and when you get the thing off road and put it in 4lo it's like driving a little tractor motor it just keeps chugging along

 

Not yet... I have to update that... My build thread has most of the info in it as far as current stuff goes... Full mid travel setup with 12" rear shocks. I really need some gears cause my armor and 33x12.5s are killing power and mileage

 

If you don't need a double cab the 4x4 AC in 4 cylinder isn't a bad option. I personally didn't mind driving a 4 cylinder access cab 4x4 and would consider one if I didn't need the double cab space.

 

I've got an SOS aluminum bumper, SOS steel skids, and all pro sliders along with the heavy assed tires. I put the header on prior to the sliders and skids but could really tell a difference. It's worth you looking in to. That's also one of the reasons I went with the 255's they're 33" but only like 10.5" wife the smaller contact patch seems to help reduce the drag on the engine and they're great in any terrain so far

 

Nice man, I got a deal I couldn't pass up on 5 of these 33x12.5's so that's why I have them... I have SOS front and rear (with swingout) steel bumpers, and SOS sliders with kickouts. She needs gears especially because there are a lot of hills where I live. I have been wanting to buy a LCE longtube header for awhile now but haven't pulled the trigger yet