Why did you buy a pre-runner?

Just because I didn't have the money for a 4x4

 

the truth...

Traded in F150 for Honda Civic because I live so far from base. Got tired of pulling my hunting boat with my civic, and it finally came to fruition when my lab was old enough to hunt. No way I was letting a muddy dog in my back seat.

I hunt and fish year round (hunt when it's in season). Probably drove my civic on more dirt roads that most local guys drive their trucks. Wouldn't mind the 4wd but I truly don't need it. Ironically, I don't "need" 4wd, but I mod my truck in hopes it looks more "off-road capable"

I have a joint Facebook acount, so it only makes sense that I have a 2wd.

Trey

 

I can't wait to take a pic of my prerunner up in the hills of southern NM. Soon!

 

Wasn't even looking to "buy" a truck, but at the time was looking for something more reliable than an F150 which I used to abuse to the point of splitting the transfer case, then a Chevy 4x4 K-10 which I put over 300k miles on it (383 stroker to replace the 305), then walked in the Toyota Dealership with my wife " to just look around". Ended up the same day with what looked like an attractive truck with 20" Enkei's and lots of room for the kids, etc. . I couldn't have been happier as I've logged close to 190k miles on it since then, and am just starting to get the bug to do something different. (This forum has been a great inspiration to spend my money). It's a reliable work vehicle, but now shopping to do a transformation from wheels, tires, lift kit, etc. to garner some more attention to my business vehicle.

 

I have a pretty short and specific list of needs from my truck, none of which require 4WD. I need to be able to pull a small trailer with a few smokers in it, haul some supplies in the bed from time to time, and transport my kids on occasion. It'll be all dry, non-icy Texas pavement for me. As such, I got a mid-size truck with a short bed, 2WD, and a set of tires designed to improve fuel economy . The perfect tool for the job!

 

I bought mine cause I don't off road but like the looks and reliability of the Tacoma. It was also closer to my price range I had to buy used and wow these things hold their value!

 

They told me I'd be cooler

They were right

 

I had a prerunner, it was totaled now I have a 4x4. It's a love hate relationship. I miss my 2wd for the mpg and it just feels better without the extra weight. I've taken both trucks off-road about once a week in the winter. I live in the desert and have done a lot of stuff with 2wd and a locker but at the same time with the new 4x4 I can go on unthinkable trails with a 4x4. If I didn't off-road hands down I would have a prerunner.

 

Bwahaha, no man card for you.

But in all seriousness, sounds like we are in the same positions, truck wise at least. What mods have you done to make the pre-runner more off road capable?

 

I'm converting to 4X4

 

I liked the look of them. I don't need a 4x4 to drive around town, tow my race car, or haul mtb's to the trails.

 

It appears that you have righted your wrong! Cheers!

 

I don’t go off-roading so no point in a 4x4.... but I loved the look of the prerunner, and apparently a lot of people do since even after 9 years of ownership I still get compliments about it everywhere I go. Capable and looks good.... if it were a chick, it’d be like hitting the jackpot

 

My first 2nd Gen Taco was a Rugged Trails TRD OR Prerunner I purchased new in 2008. Silver on Black. At the time I was living in South Carolina and based on my needs back then for a good deer hunting truck, since I didn't go muddin, and there was no difficult off road trails in the Sumter Forest, the $24K PreRunner was perfect for my application. I loved that truck. But there was always a tinge of regret that I did not get a 4x4. But I was pleased, the Prerunner was much more comfortable than my 1st gen, the big 6 was a lot more powerful than the 4 banger and the higher stance of the Prerunner was just tough looking. I don't know if this has been discussed but prerunners are used for the offroad racer teams first scout out of the race courses, thus the term Pre-runner. At least that was what was told to me so many years ago. Today I own a 14 TRD OR 4x4 with no regrets. One of my neighbors has a brand new Chevy Canyon all decked out with the OR package, roll bar, lights etc. Its a really sharp Chevy rig, but my 14 TRD is like an old Ruger single action Super Blackhawk, it still gets the job done, and deserves respect.

 

1. Texas
2. Cheaper (upfront, insurance, maintenance)
3. Especially with a locker there’s no trail head I can’t get to
4. Not interested in crawling, most intense wheeling I do is tearing up muddy ranch roads

 

1) had a 4wd 4Runner, and got into off-roading. Found that I liked going fast more than crawling.
2) living in Central / Southern California
3) LT is and was the goal from before I found my current truck

Prerunner suit my application well enough, or make it cheaper and/or easier !

Although once I’m “done” with suspension and a cab cage, I may slowly piece together 4x4 conversion with an FJ tcase.

 

I wanted an X-Runner, but had a hard time finding the right one. Ended up with a sweet deal on a 10' 4.0L extended cab SR5 PreRunner that I couldn't pass up. Would have liked to have 4x4, but I honestly don't have the need. I just needed a truck to haul shit to and from my house and be fun to drive. Plus any 4x4 was $5000 more than the price I paid for my truck, that along with higher insurance, higher maintenance costs lower fuel economy etc. made the decision easier.
But i'd still rather have an X-Runner.

 

Easy too work on,easy too lift,none of that 4x4 acculator junk to have to deal with,no vibes,insurance is less,better gas millage,no cv axles to have to worry about breaking,goes 90% of the places a 4x4 will go,HOOD SCOOP.