WWYD? the old sell/trade in prerunner for 4wd predicament

I would definitely get into a 4x4, as capable as your 2wd has been for you all this time, you'll have a whole new world of locations and terrain to explore with 4wd. And there really is no substitute for 4wd on the snow/ice. Except maybe these

 

Responded in my build

 

damn i love this forum. so much good info.

i looked at this option a few years ago and will definitely revisit considering the truck prices. thanks for the link i hadn't seen that before. rock solid toys quoted me at $7800 that's pretty steep but includes install and parts. and it's warrantied for a year. hmmmm

prices are crazy right now i'd really have to be patient.

oh i know i will go on more travels if i had 4x4. for sure. right now i wait for buddies for some dirt road trips just to be extra safe. i need a bed too it's so convenient... bikes, dog, her stuff, snow sleds, work stuff, dirty camping gear bulk firewood. it's crazy how much we use it. even the wife approves of truck over SUV for the reasons listed.

 

if anyone's interested... here's the most recent photo: this morning in Lake Arrowhead after an hour of two dudes shoveling the front of the driveway. It was beautiful, but not ideal to be driving home. But we made it safely.

 

man now you really got me thinking, although i am not mechanically inclined just reading what you're saying sounds pretty technical. but i am good and researching and learning. i fix things when i need to, even on the cars. i'll will do more research. appreciate the offer to help install... i may just end up going this route!

 

I wonder if he still has the parts you need on post number 137?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1998-tacoma-5-3l-vortec-ls-engine-swap-thread.648542/page-7

 

Are those AT3's? I always wondered how my AT3's would do in snow. Have yet to try!

Have you tried putting cpl hundred pounds of weight in the bed over the axle? I've heard that could help.

I have had a lot of fun in Death Valley in my 2wd, but I haven't done any of the "hardcore" trails that others here do. More like Titus Canyon type stuff.

 

Yes at3 4s. Like them a lot. Done some easy dirt trails and no issues. I made it through some nasty roads on the way home today. Felt it slipping it wasn't fun. A few days ago was worse. Chains on both days. But yes, great tires. I think it would've been worse with other tires. They quickly regained traction. I just wasn't stoked.

Yes weight in the bed helps immensely. But we didn't have any extra room to add weight. Family of four and dog equals a lot of crap in the bed. Beer cooler was empty

This was today's drive from arrowhead down the mountain .

 

basically how it goes, definitely want to source all your parts and have them before hand and not wait till things come in. Taking the transmission out definitely is a 2 person job. I did it by myself and it took like 5-6 hours and put it back in with an extra hand and took like half that haha. Also a good time to change rear main seal. I did that. Man I had no idea how dirty my tranny was with mud caked up in there. It really surprised me.

 

No...

 

Convert?? What? No. Truck is hardly modded. Sell it privately and buy a 4WD. The end.

 

It’s paid off. Keep the 2wd and find a wreaked 4wd in Copart and reduild it to your hearts desire. I don’t like wheeling with my daily driver but it’s a lesson I learned.

 

I'm looking at the Nissan frontier like... Wtf are we doing with these tacoma prices