Ok, so I lied in my profile, I don't have a Tundra. I have a Taco and I want a Tundra. :)But I am having a hard time deciding between 4x4 and 4x2. I don't know why. I usually have no problem making decisions like this. The difference in price is about $3,000 which isn't a huge difference. Anyway, what do you guys think about the whole 4x4 versus 4x2 debate? If I were in CA I would for sure get 4x4 for skiing (etc), but in TX I'm not so sure how often it will be useful.
Sean
(I figured it wouldn't hurt to bring up this topic once again since we don't have it in the archives anymore. )

in my opinion, if youre interested in lifting it, get a 4x4. theres nothing worse than seeing some truck lifted skyhigh and it not a four wheel drive. if you dont care and you dont want the payments and the extra maintenance, get a two wheel drive as i did. its up to you. i promise you'll like it either way you get it, but onoe may be better for you...

4X4 RULES!!!!!!
JUST ONE TRY AND YOULL KNOW WHY!!!
I use mine like 4 times a year and its worth it. 4x4 is the best thing ever invented, period. The value of the truck will be higher, so when you sell it, you will get your money back.

oh yeah, those lifted 2x trucks are so lame its silly!!! I just was on a trip to baja, where some idiota in a 2x ranger all raced out like the goons I see in socal wheelying down the road, had gotten stuck in sand. My buddy, in his 4x silverado pulled the guy out no prob. That lifted 2x sh@# is for people that think looks are everything.

I agree! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I bought a 4X4 after being trapped (by 18" of snow) for a week with no heat/power. You might consider a slightly used Tundra to get the price down a bit. There are deals out there, you just have to be patient and be willing to do the leg work!!

Yeah, the thing is, I can't find a 4x2 with the options I want locally, so I might be *forced* to get the 4x4. Right now Toyota is offering $2,000 cash back in my region which makes it very tempting. I definitely like the offroad package handling (I prefer the stiffer ride), but having a 2wd truck with TRD on the side seems a little 'poser' to me, but then again maybe I'm a poser. :)

Sean

lifting a 4x2 isnt as stupid as yall think, most of the biggest trucks are 2wd. the reason being is that alot of people cant afford to get a freehanging transfer case and 3 drive shafts. on my truck i didnt have a front drive shaft for about 6 months because i had to speacial order one that will work at a high angle. My front drive shaft alone cost $900. Its not a stupid thing its a money thing

I have the 2wheel drive TRD option myself. Liked the ride and looks of the TRD, but decided the higher cost of the 4wheel drive wasn't worth using it maybe once a year. From what I hear, with four wheel drives, if you don't use it, you lose it. Or as my boss told... "when you need it most... it won't be there." That more than anything swayed me to stick with the 2 wheel.

What it really comes down to is money. For me I am still in college and took out a student loan to get a Tundra. I figure that I will be able to make the payments after I graduate. If I had a bigger loan I would have got 4x4. I have only had my Tundra off road package and LSD for a week so I haven't taken it off roading yet, but my buddy has a Tacoma with off road and it does wonders. He would go into some snow with the locker turned off and get stuck, but once he engaged the locker we were out of there. So I think that if you don't want to fork over the extra cash for the 4x4 then you should at least go for the off road package with LSD. It is not as good as 4x4 but it is the next best thing. Later

I can't think of one reason why I'd even think of getting a truck without 4wd. If I wanted something to get stuck in the mud or sand, I'd get a Lexus or BMW or something. Sure is nice to have when you need it, and the resale value is much higher on 4wds than 2wds, so it's not like you won't get a respectable portion of your investment back, either.

Of course the resale value of a 4x4 is higher than a 4x2. The resale value of a 4x4 is about 3k more than a 4x2 which is the cost of 4x4. It costs more for 4x4 so obviously you will get more when you sell. The problem is everyone is saying you will just get your money back, but that doesn't make sense. You buy a 30k dollars 4x4 tundra and sell it 2 yrs later for 20k dollars. And for a 4x2 say you buy it for 26.5k then 2 yrs later you sell it for 16.5k. You still lose the same amount. Anything that costs more will get more when you sell it.

4x4 only sucks in one situation, that's when you really get stuck. You would never get a 4x2 stuck in that bad of a situation. but the 4x4 give you the confidence to dig her in up the the frame and then what? If you plan to go off road, now I don't mean on snow covered roads, I mean off the pavement where low range in necessary, you can just crawl about anywhere and you aren't always thinking, I might get stuck. Love it, love it, love it.

Then why don't ya'll use your 4WD? off roading is the most fun thing I have ever done in my life... And I love it... I love what I can do with my truck... Buy a 4x4 and take it off road... don't just let it sit... If you want a 4x2, then treat it like a car... 4x2 will get you stuck off road unless you are good or you have lockers...

I bought 4x2, not b/c of money, but I really preferred the 2wd. I'm not planning on going 4 wheeling, just need to haul motorcycles and all the related gear. W/ 2wd, you get the following on-road benefits:
1) quicker acceleration (less weight and frictional losses w/ no transfer case)
2) better handling due to lower weight (esp. unsprung) and more balanced weight dist.
3) better gas mileage
4) lower insurance?
5) better investment - even if you get your full incremental 4wd cost back in resale, you'd have to get a market-based return on top of your original cost to rationally justify it on financial terms.
6) less maintenance

My $.02...

Yeah, one 4x2 I drove felt noticeably quicker than the 4x4 I have driven, but that could be for multiple reasons or just my impression. The reviews I've read put the 4x4 a few tenths of a second behind the 4x2 so it shouldn't be a huge difference.

I'll probably end up getting the 4x4 because I can get the options I want and it's only $43 a month more with financing.

Plus, I may end up moving to LA (although Austin is nice) so skiing and things like that become a short drive away instead of a plane flight.

Sean

My 2WD TRD is my first truck and I didn't buy it to be a "poser". I live in the inner city where the streets really suck, not to mention the RR crossings. My last 2 vehicles ('98 Prelude and '94 Cobra) really took a beating with regard to suspension and tires, due to bad streets. I specifically wanted the TRD because of the tires, shocks and stiffer springs and man, does it ride like a dream over the sh*tty streets. I would never use 4WD as it never snows here in San Antonio and anyway, I don't do recreational type things that would require 4wd. TundraGuy....if you plan to move to Calif., then I guess it would make sense to get 4wd because of all of the recreational areas out there, but in Austin??......dude, 2WD will work there. BTW, shopping for a Toyota in the "Gulf States Region" (of which Texas is a part of) really sucks because you get all that extra garbage they add to the truck that you really don't want. If you haven't already found a dealer that will custom order (believe me, that's hard to do within Gulf States), PM me and I'll give you a contact person in internet sales at a San Antonio Toyota dealer that will get you exactly what you want. He'll even email you a printout with specifics.
Good Luck and enjoy your new Tundra!!
John

Yeah, in Austin it's generally a waste unless you do serious offroading or tow boats (even then 2wd will handle most boat ramps around here). Still $43 a month, what the heck, might even like to do some fun offroading and I know guys who have large ranches. Your right on about the gult state distributor. They always want to add the 'extra mile' package which is around $1,500 for pinstripping and other useless crap. Champion Toyota Austin will do order builds or modify allotment cars. Modifying allotment cars is faster but you have to pick within the selection of cars that they are getting.

Sean

TundraGuy. Too a degree I just went through everything your going through except I knew I wanted a 4X2. When I unexpectedly sold my old truck I started my search for a Tundra not realizing how hard it was going to be to get a “nicely” equipped 4X2. Come to find out Toyota doesn’t allocate too many 2 wheel drive trucks to our part of the country. I talked to one dealer in PA that hadn’t sold a 4X2 for about a year. My local dealer was working hard for me but wasn’t coming up with anything close in the dealer searches. They were willing to order one but I wasn’t necessarily willing to wait so I started to Internet search the southeast. I found I could search (have access) to the complete database of Tundra’s for the states covered by Southeast Toyota LLC. Even then I only found 2 trucks that matched exactly what I wanted (including color). One of them was in Winston-Salem NC and I started up a conversation with the dealer and we came to an agreement on a price (same price my local would sell for) so I agreed to purchase it. I flew to Greensboro NC, they picked me up at the airport, went back to the dealership, completed the paperwork and I drove the 500 miles home. In essence I paid more than normal to get a 4X2, $118 plane ticket, 1 ½ tanks of gas and 8 ½ hours of my time. It all boils down to what you want, need or can afford. I have been driving trucks for 31 years and the Tundra is forth-straight 4X2. We do get some nasty winters here but I have survived with 2WD just fine. If we need it my wife's 2001 Acura MDX will get us places when old man winter kicks in. Just my 2 cents.

I debated the 2wd vs. 4x4 for a long time as well before getting the 2wd. My duck hunting buddy was pushing me to get a 4wd for hunting purposes. In the 10 years I had my previous truck (2wd Mazda), I only "needed" 4wd a couple times, once I got out of the situation by rocking the truck forward and backward (tough in a manual transmission!) and once I had to get dragged out by a jacked up Chevy. I decided against 4wd because of cost, extra complexity, weight/fuel mileage, and I wouldn't be using it much. If you're regularly in the situation of getting stuck then definately get the 4wd. Otherwise go for the 2wd with limited slip.

Heya. I currently have a 3000GT...and my bud mark has recently created tundra interest in me. I have decided to sell my car and buy one, however i do have a dilemma. I do not know whether to get 4wd or not. I plan to use my truck for daily driving, street racing, nice looks ;) , and a little bit of offroading. Should i really shell out the extra 4k for the 4wd? I'm sure that money could go to other things..



-Jon
jafshari@houston.rr.com
1991 3000GT SL w/ 42k original miles *FOR SALE*

I guess it depends on what kind of roads you will be driving on. In Georgia the red clay gets rather slick after it rains, that was a deciding factor on my decision to get the 4wd. It rides the same as a 2wd-smoooth! I engage the front end about 20 times a year so I think I made the right choice getting it. Didn't regret getting the 4wd at all especially when I had to use it the first week of owning the truck.

Obviously whether you need 4wd is determined by how much you'll use your truck offroad and in what circumstances. If you are on the edge and not positive, I say this: Most good offroad drivers argue that it is the driver's ability to choose a line and their skill in driving it that matter more than just throwing a truck into 4wd and plowing through. Additionally, if you are planning to lift your truck, 4wd actually limits your ability with the Tundra to do so because of binding issues associated with the CV joint in the front end; typically 2wd vehicles can be easily lifted an additional inch or 2(?) higher than the 4wd without conflict.

If you plan to race your truck, I'd think you'd want to keep it as light as possible so that you have less inertia to overcome. In this case, 4wd would be a bad thing, consider instead the supercharger! :devil:

If the worst you expect to drive is a dirt road with ruts and a few rocks to steer around, you may be fine with 2wd. If you plan to drive deep mud, clay (as mentioned) steep rocks, or basically anywhere that you might expect to have one or more wheels lose traction frequently, then keep that in mind. Good luck with your decision! I love the options my 4wd provides me, but my previous car (yes car) got me into places I never thought it could and out again with 2wd. Your ground clearance alone is your biggest asset initially.

Chris

Welcome to TS,

If I were you living in texas, I would go with the LSD rear end 2WD, and spend the 4k on the charger. You have no snow to worry about and I bet the times you off road were you need 4wd will be counted on one hand per year. Instead get the LSD for traction and charge it for every day pleasure.

Later,
BB

i have one last question...with regard to pulling ability.

Lets just say lots of women around here drive their cars into ditches. When it rains, the roads are super slick. I live in an area called the woodlands, full of trees everywhere. Now when they are in these trees and whatnot..can a 2wd pull a car out like a 4wd can?

I have a followup question. I wanted to hear from the people in Colorado. I will probably buy a tundra within the next year. Soon after that I will more than likely move to Colorade. Is it better to get the 4x4 for use in Colorado or is 4x2 ok ?

Thanks
tpgn00

4wd or 2wd is a personnel preferrence, but I can make a gaurantee. If you buy a 2wd, in the future you will wish you bought the 4wd and if you bought the 4wd you will never wish you bought the 2wd. Is that a bold statement or what.

I have a 4x4 Tundra and I have not needed the 4x4 once. I live in California so I don't encounter the bad weather that much. I have done lots of driving through the Sierras in the winter and have not had a need for it. In the rain I wish I had the limited slip. I got the 4x4 "just in case" (the limited slip also wasn't available when I got my truck). You would be quite surprised what a 2x4 could do with decent tires and a limited slip or locker. I know the most off road some 4x4 will see is the curb in the parking lot. But I'm sure to them it was worth the extra $$$ so they would look cool cruising over that curb.

You say you want nice looks, daily driving, and street racing. You can do all that equally well with either 4x4 or 2x4. The 2x4 will be quicker than a 4x4 though (slightly better mileage as well). They both ride the same. You could get some nice 18" or 20" rims, better tires, a sway bar, and a super charger. Then it will be seriously fast and handle great. You can do that on either the 2x4 or the 4x4. Lowering the 4x4 would be more of a challenge though. I guess it just comes down to wanting to spend the extra 4k for 4x4 that you may never actually need. That 4k could go a long way for mods on your new truck.

I've really only used 4wd when I was pulling watercraft/boats from slippery boat ramps, or when helping pull vehicles who couldn't get out of the boat ramps. I've also used it on snow-covered roads when driving through West Texas.

I don't regret getting the 4wd option; I do enough outdoor activities that having 4wd is a really nice 'tool' to have around. I also use my Tundra as a daily driver and for long distance trips, and is the best vehicle I've owned. Has plenty of power and is capable of handling nearly any road condition 'out of the box'. If you really don't do much offroad or boating, and you want a 'sport truck' or 'street truck', you may be happier with a 2wd and blower, as others have stated.

I use the Lightning as my 'street truck' :D

First of all....that '91 SL is a very nice ride. My best friend had a maroon '91 SL that he bought used in '94. Very nice cabin and dash, with amber lighting. I test drove a '93 VR4....loved the way that spoiler would raise at ?mph. Too bad Mitsu dropped that model. You shouldn't have any problem selling a '91 with only 42k miles on it.

On the Tundra, well, since you live in Houston, my vote would be for a 2wd with LSD. I'd use an extra 3-4k to get goodies like dual exhaust, headers, upgrading stereo, XM Radio, Line-X and maybe bigger rims/tires.
How much you have left for aftermarket goodies would depend on how well equipped you get your SR5 V8 or Limited.
Good luck and have fun!!

I have a 2WD Tundra and I take it out to the desert a few times a year to do some shooting. I drive it off road on rutted, rocky dirt trails and even through some patches of soft sand (keep the momentum going through that stuff) and I haven't gotten stuck yet. I generally go out there with a few other friends who do own 4x4 trucks but even they rarely have to actually use it.

I kind of wish I had 4x4 but I really haven't needed it yet.

Originally posted by tpgn00
I have a followup question. I wanted to hear from the people in Colorado. I will probably buy a tundra within the next year. Soon after that I will more than likely move to Colorade. Is it better to get the 4x4 for use in Colorado or is 4x2 ok ?

Thanks
tpgn00

For 26 years, I lived in St. Louis and wondered why people there would buy four wheel drive. There was never so much snow that two wheel drive wasn't enough -- the problem was the half million idiots on the road who forget what snow is from one snowfall to the next. Back in 1975, I bought a Jeep CJ-5 and discovered that four wheel drive lets you get stuck in inaccessible placed.

Then, last year, I moved to the mountains of northern New Mexico. Before doing so, I bought a Tundra for myself and a Sequoia for my wife, both with four wheel drive. It was overwhelmingly the right thing to do. Virtually every vehicle owned by the locals here is four wheel drive, for good reason. It snows from October to May and it monsoons from July through August. I use four wheel drive A LOT, even in the summer. Without it, we would be housebound quite often.

Colorado is much the same if you plan to live in, or near, the mountains, except that you'll have even more snow. Out on the eastern plains, you'll get snow less often, but it will be really awful weather when you do.

I would get the four wheel drive in your situation.

Originally posted by tpgn00

I have a followup question. I wanted to hear from the people in Colorado. I will probably buy a tundra within the next year. Soon after that I will more than likely move to Colorade. Is it better to get the 4x4 for use in Colorado or is 4x2 ok ?

The main reason we bought a 4x4 was so we could go offroad when visiting Colorado and Utah. We drove in a blinding snowstorm on I-70 this past December. Never would have made it from Idaho Springs up to the Eisenhower Tunnel (+/-11,000' elev.) without the 4WD. BTW...don't pass a snowplow in Colorado...they throw BIG rocks. :eek:

Check out the Sightings forum. Some of the Colorado guys get together for backroad trips, if you are into group outings.

~Sally

I just bought an 02 Tundra SR5 V8 Ext cab in 2WD. So far I love it! Like you I live in the Houston area and I go to school in Huntsville, TX (Sam Houston State Univ.) I do not regret getting the 2WD at all! All of my friends have advised me to save the money and get the 2WD. It's lighter/better acceleration/fewer problems? (Dont ge me wrong, if you can afford it, get the 4wd for the off-road capabilities!)Anyways I hope to see you at the Houston meet on the 20th, if you need anything just let me know.


PS: I was just in the woodlands today!

Steven

I would say go with the 2wd with LSD. That's what I have and I have never totally got stuck. I was stuck for about 3 minutes in thick mud, but eventually got myself out. I go offroading quite a bit on moderate trails filled with boulders and steep inclines. The V8 is very nice to have when climbing steep inclines.
DJ, I just got back from vacationing in Angel Fire. That place is unbelievable. We stayed on top of the ski mountain in a huge cabin. I dreaded coming back after experiencing your wonderful town. After fishing all day and experiencing your terrific weather, I came back to hell. 115 degree temperatures and never any rain in site. I envy your hometown.

Getchoo a 4x4 if yer coming to sunny CO. If you plan on driving in the winter, it'll save your backside. Even if you never go off-road, the snow we get here tends to be short, sweet, and slick, melt fast and turn rapidly to ice and slush. 4wd or the Seq's awd will keep you out of most trouble, keeping in mind that 4wd does not mean "invincible" or "unstuck-able". I see more 4wd vehicles in the ditch here simply because the driver figgered their 4wd was enough to keep them out of trouble.
I cannot count the number of times my 4wd has kept me out of trouble, both in the snow and off-road.
BTW, I'm one of those CO people who take their trucks off-road a lot, and the trails around here often get to the point where 4wd is a necessity, not a luxury. The trails here are beautiful, so you might want to consider 4wd simply for the ability to drive out to the middle of nowhere to camp, fish, or just see the scenery. If you plan on driving off-road for the fun of it, get 4wd. If you never intend to go off-road and live in a climate without snow, get 2wd...gas mileage is a tiny bit better, your street performance stands to gain more since you wont have cv axles to keep turning or wearing, and if you do want to lift it for looks, you can go beyond the 2.5" recommended for 4wd Tundras due to the cv angle.
BTW, the 4" maximum lift is more due to upper ball joints than cv angles, but you're still going to be wearing the cv joints if you crank it up too high.

-Sean

Originally posted by basmith


...

DJ, I just got back from vacationing in Angel Fire. That place is unbelievable. We stayed on top of the ski mountain in a huge cabin. I dreaded coming back after experiencing your wonderful town. After fishing all day and experiencing your terrific weather, I came back to hell. 115 degree temperatures and never any rain in site. I envy your hometown.

Shhh. It's a secret. It's 63 degrees and the hot part of the summer is over.

I was raised up in Wyoming, 'way off the paved highway and over twenty miles from the nearest town. The wisdom learned when you're miles from the store sure seems to fit:

It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Originally posted by tpgn00
I have a followup question. I wanted to hear from the people in Colorado. I will probably buy a tundra within the next year. Soon after that I will more than likely move to Colorade. Is it better to get the 4x4 for use in Colorado or is 4x2 ok ?

Thanks
tpgn00

If you're coming to Colorado, throw down the extra cash for 4wd. You'll use it in winter in the snow, and there's lots of places to explore off the paved path in summer. If you like the great outdoors, chances are you'll add at least a couple more outdoor hobbies to your resume once you get here. You don't want to limit your access to some of the Colorado wilderness just because you have 2wd. Also, think of 4wd as added winter insurance - it'll save your hide at least once each snow season - just don't drive like an invincible maniac, like some of the boneheads out here who think 4wd comes with magical brakes that stop a truck doing 75 mph in the snow - they end up upside down in ditches (no kidding - this happens all the time). Resale for 4wd is much better than 2wd in Colorado, also.

If you want the quickest most responsive powertrain with the best V8 gas mileage than get the 4*2 and spend the extra cash on interior upgrades and maybe even the TRD supercharger.

Being in Chicago we do see a couple good snows a year.I had a '84 Ford 2wd for 12 years and a least 3-4 times a year I wish i had 4wd.That truck would get stuck very easily.Rear doesn't push,front doesn't pull.Last big snow I was running it in the Drifts.This Tundra is the best snow truck I've had.Last was A Cummings 4x4 Ram.It sucked in snow.
RichR

((I've really only used 4wd when I was pulling watercraft/boats from slippery boat ramps, or when helping pull vehicles who couldn't get out of the boat ramps. }}

I've been considering the 4x4 for just this reason but wasn't sure how often it was a problem. But I am planning on getting a 26 foot offshore boat and know it will be pretty heavy. I'd really only use the 4wd a few other times a year for the muddy hunting season down here in Louisiana.

Larry Lawton called it......it sure is better to have 4wd than not to have it and then get in a situation where you wish you had it. That doesn't work for me. I also made sure I got LSD on my truck with that in mind, and also to keep it a little less squirrely when offroad. In addition, when you do decide to sell your truck, it will sell considerably higher with 4wd than without it. Case in point for me was when I sold my 91 Toy 4 x 4 extra cab earlier this year. The medium blue book was 6300, where the same truck without 4wd was priced around 3800 bucks.

hey guys,

Im looking foward to buy a used 2000 tundra and im interested a 4wd one. The problem is that i just cant find cheap one. I want to put he RCD lift on it, but i dont know they only do 4wd. Is it that much of difference off roading? I just cant make up my mind, what do you guys recommend?


The thread "4wd or 2wd" merged with the thread "4WD vs. 2WD" as they are the same subject. ~MustangSally

4 WD you'll never be sorry....just broke: )

I love my truck and could not see getting a truck without 4wd.
just my 2 cents.

It depend on what you are going to be doing with it. I choose to buy a 2wd Tundra for several reasons.

1. I already have 2 4x4s and probably don't use the 4 wheel drive in them much. The only time 4 wheel drive is needed for me is to go to tahoe. And when we go to tahoe we take the wifes Landcruiser cause the tundra access cab can't fit all the kids.
2. better MPG
3. better towing and hauling capacity.
4. less parts to break and service.
5. I don't rock crawl and for screwing around in the desert or taking the dirtbikes out to ride, 4 wheel drive is not necessary.
6. I would imagine the 2wd would have better acceleration since there is less parisitic loss to the drive wheels versus the 4wd and it weighs less.

I have a 2WD and can't see the benefits of the extra cost of 4WD. The 4WD adds about 300 lbs. of weight to the truck, and the front axles are always turning even when you are in 2WD. The 4WD is slower, gets worse gas mileage, cost more, has more problems, and handles worse.

My 2WD is one of the best vehicles I have ever had in the snow and I don’t even have a limited slip differential (I do have good all season tires). It has about the same ground clearance as a 4WD and if I don't tell anyone they assume it's a 4WD truck.

The 4WD truck will hold its value a little better though and it is the thing to get if you are into serious off road driving. If you do 90% of your driving on road and don’t have really bad winters than the 2WD is the way to go.

I got a 4x4 even though I barley do any off roading (dont want to mess up such a nice truck). I could probably have got by with a 2x4. Between here (nor cal) and my home (so cal) I don't see many conditions that require 4x4. But I do like to go to Tahoe, and 4x4 can be quite helpful on trips up there (I have used it up there, but I don't think I have needed it up there). This is my only ride, so I can't just take another vehicle.

It is nice to have 4x4 for the just in case times. But for you it seems that you don't really need it on your truck. On top of all the pros for 2x4 there is also the fact that 2x4 are easier to lift. You don't have to worry about breaking CV joints with a coil over lift in front. You can crank your coils up to 3" over stock w\o any problems on 2x4. Just some food for thought.

I had a '85 Toyota 4x4 and it ran great. Yeah, I played with it for awhile, but living in Texas I found no need for it. Plus, I scared the hell out of my wife in it.:D But it really comes down to what you really want. I had given some thought about the 4x4, V6, V8, etc. prior to buying my 2001 Tundra. Test drive them and I am sure you'll most likely come to a conclusion as to what best suits your needs.

Dan;)

We all have different purposes for our trucks. Assess what YOU are planning to do with it. Below are the reasons I went with 2WD:

Prior to debadging and removing the TRD stickers, everyone always assumed that my Tundra was a 4X4. As soon as I told them it wasn't, I'd inevitably get asked "Why didn't you just get a 4X4?!"
Well for one thing, the Tundra too much of a fata$$ to use as a 4 wheeler--at least for me it is.
Also, I already have a small Toyota 4X4 pickup. It's compact and the right size for tight trails. Even then, I very seldom use 4wd anymore.
For serious stuff I have an ATV and it's loads of fun, virtually unstoppable, and a lot less prone to trail damage.
I use my Tundra to haul and tow moderate loads. So I use the additonal acceleration and payload almost everytime I drive it.
Finally, I don't have to maintain additonal components I would never use in this truck.
It's all in what you are going to use it for and what you already have.
If it's your only ride and you've got the extra 3 grand or whatever, get a 4X4 for the versatility--if you want it or think you have a need for it.

A 2wd with an LSD will handle most of the off-road excursions the majority of drivers take. It works just fine for wheeling through the mud even when I am towing my race trailer into the muck. And as previously mentioned you will save money in gas and have better handling, braking and acceleration.

If you plan on doing recreational off-roading you should get 4wd.

If you are going to lift the truck, IMO, get the 4WD. If you are planning on lowering it get a 2WD.

If you get the 2WD and decide to lift it, you'll get the itch to go out on more off-road trips. You'll then be kicking yourself in the a$$, because you didn't get a 4WD.

Even though you have an LSD on a 2WD, you'll have problems on steep inclines.

i think i made my choice then, 4wd



thanks for the input though!

2 reasons I bought a 4X4

1st is lots of snow in nw indiana.
Second is the off roading gets better with its age!
I plan on keeping this truck forever, the older it gets the more willing I am to some serious 4x4ing. :devil:

4 wheel drive means 4 wheels stuck!:devil:

If you have reasons to make a choice between 4WD and 2WD it really means (in my experience) that you will be better off with 4WD. The 4WD Tundra is plently fast on the road, and let's face it, there's no comparison off road. What is barely doable in the 2WD (even with LSD) is easy with the 4WD because of the traction and low range transfer case. I'm reasonably skilled at getting 2WD trucks through moderately rough stuff but I have no illusions about the ultimate capabilities of 2WD.

Last year I faced the same decision and rationalized myself into a 2WD - a decision I almost instantly regretted. This year I bit the bullet and fixed that mistake. Good luck on your search.

Originally posted by trddawg
Im looking foward to buy a used 2000 tundra and im interested a 4wd one. The problem is that i just cant find cheap one.

My purchase (in April 2002) was a Limited TRD 4x4 with 90K miles. Loaded and in Excellent condition then, now I have the brake problem but that's another thread. Paid $18K. Thought then and still think now that I got a deal. My wife and I switched to Toy's in 1995 and never looked back.

i saw some tundras for sale today, and to be honest i have barely any luck getting a 4wd unless i can convince my parents to change their mind. i had found one for $14,500 but its a 2wd, and thats what im probably getting. but there is a 4wd one for $16,500. The biggest problem is that my parents are saying is that the 4wd uses too much gas and they wont let me go off roading. in the long run, the 4wd is the perfect choice.
Another one is mileage, im looking for any where from 20 to 30k but a truck thats under $18,000. I also went to longo toyota 2day and they only had 2 used tundras, both over $22,000 with at least 50k. see my problem.

I had always heard that CA was a high cost state :-)

Young guy huh? Why not just skip to a 4WD Tacoma? It's a funner cooler truck really unless raw V8 power is what you live for. I too went looking for a used Tundra in Socal and was dismayed by the high asking prices. i did see a lot of used Taco's around in the price range you are looking in.

A couple of argument points on Tundra's. 1) MPG difference between the 2WD and 4WD Tundra will be 1 or 2 MPG - is that significant? that's maybe $2 a week at the gas pump. 2) You are going to go offroading even if you get the 2WD (let's face it) so you might as well have a truck suited for it.

I drove a 2000 4WD Tacoma Xtrcab, manual, V6. It's really the truck I wanted but I'm a 48 year old father and have other considerations when picking family cars. In the City you probably are better off with a V6/automatic.

Socal is simply stiff with Prerunners. A V6 TRD with the locker is interesting. Good looks, plenty of power, and probably pretty fun offroad considering the light weight, high clearence, suspension, and locking diff.

And then there are 4Runners....

be sure to talk to Sierra Toyota out in Lancaster/Palmdale. They beat Longo and the others every time on new cars. I don't know about used - that's a much harder deal to make. If you buy used you should study up on pricing and how to get a good deal - look around on the net for sites that explain.

i dont like the 2003's because of the front end, thats why im looking at the 00-02. Dont get me wrong, I love the interior of the 03, but i want to put an IS kit on the tundra and i dont know how the bumper cover is gonna look like on the 03 IS kit. If i could get a new one for $15K i would, but i cant afford a new one. today im seeing a 4wd and a 2wd both for $15K and im pretty excited about it, wish me luck!

It may be to late for my input but you should go for the 4WD if you can talk the parents into it. I have 2WD and I wish I had gotten a 4WD. I say this because I had an 85 Chevy Blazer skied and I loved it and went 4x all the time. If you want it now you should try to talk your parents into it.

Besides I think the gas mileage is the same on the streets and highways.

Good luck bro.... I wish my parents had bought me a nice truck like a Tundra when I was a kid.

If you an avid visitor to the snow, tell them that a 4WD will be safer than a 2WD. Better traction.

i live in LA county, the day that it snows here is the day that pigs fly! Even if i go some where with snow, i would take as far as big bear

So how did it go with the trucks you looked at?

Originally posted by dyogim
If you an avid visitor to the snow, tell them that a 4WD will be safer than a 2WD. Better traction.

How is that? Don't they both have four wheel brakes!

It doesn't matter anyway because even if you can get around in the snow just fine because you have 4WD some smuck in another vehicle who can't drive and is all over the road is probably going to hit you anyway.

I get around in deep snow just fine with my 2WD and its better than any front wheel drive vehicle I ever had.

So how did it go with the trucks you looked at?


not really good because most of the ones where high priced witha butload of mileage, were talking 80k +. Im rea excited about the one im seeing this weekend but its all the way out in Fontana, which is almost 60 miles from my house. thanks.

Well if you want a REAL Truck
you will get a 4x4:D

Don't hurt me guys LOL :p

Acually you really can't tell the difference (looks) between a 4x4 & a 2x4 Tundra.

Originally posted by skyman
Well if you want a REAL Truck
you will get a 4x4:D

Don't hurt me guys LOL :p

Acually you really can't tell the difference (looks) between a 4x4 & a 2x4 Tundra.

You hurt my feelings (joke) :cry:

im not having any progress on the 4x4 part, because its hard to find one under $20k thats certified from the dealership. My mom dosent want to spend $20k for a private party purchase because she wants to finance and we wnat to trade in our lincoln. We went to torrance toyota yesterday though, and looked at this red limited 2wd for $20,5k with 40k miles(its been on the lot for a long time) and we put an offer on it and as a down, we would trade in our 95 continental, but they would only accept $1500 for it because we never checked out the air suspension(nothing was wrong with it but they didnt know how the quality was). This is car with a $8,000 blue book trade value. So we are selling it to a friend's used car dealership for $12,000. Lets just see what happens.

I have a 2wd Tundra and a 4wd Silverado. I have never used the 4wd in a year. I had a 4x4 ram and used it twice in 3 years. I had an old 4x4 Toyota 4 runner and never used the 4wd.

2wd is superior until you really need 4wd, so it depends on how you plan to use it. 4x4's hold their value well, since as they get really old people still want them for offroading and work. But this is offset by higher operating costs.

As far as your purchase plans, my two cents would be:

Don't trade it in, sell it yourself privately. You'll net much more in almost EVERY case. $2000 at least. Maybe more, depending on the car. Dealers make their real money on trade-ins, not selling new cars.

Arrange your financing BEFORE you shop, get pre-approved. You will often find a better rate than a dealer will give you.

If you need an interim ride after selling your car yourself, don't worry. Long term rentals are cheap (under $20/day) and give you time to truck shop.

Dealers often don't respect young people or women and will try to rip you a new one. It's harder to get a good deal, in other words. Even if you are well-prepared, they assume you're an easy mark and can be difficult to deal with.

Don't go the dealer certified used route. "Certified" is more of a marketing tool than anything. Tundras are reliable. Get a private sale one checked out by a mechanic, and get a carfax report, and you should be safe. I can't speak for Toyotas in particular, but usually "certified" vehicles cost many thousands more. If you can't afford repairs on a reliable truck like a Tundra, you need to buy less vehicle. If you must have a warranty, there are also good/decent aftermarket warranties available that give you protection for less than a certified truck's price premium. (try warranty direct, warranty gold)

In many states private sale vehicles are not subject to sales tax. That is a $1200 difference here at 6%. Your state my vary.

Private sellers vary, but many are just happy to get more than trade-in value, so you may well pay less for an equal vehicle. They're also far less adapt at negotiating compared to a salesman at a dealership.

If you buy a more expensive certified Tundra at a dealer, be sure you're in it for the long haul. You will lose big if you have to sell it or trade quickly. With a properly executed private purchase, you can sell it immediately for virtually the same as you paid. Circumstance change. I personally like to be ready for anything that happens (job loss, illness, divorce, etc) rather than welded to a vehicle for many years.

The overall picture means you can save up to $4,000 or so buying a used Tundra from a private seller. That's more than enough to pay for any repairs over its life. So you CAN afford a nice 4x4 if you buy it right.

I've been able to drive much nicer vehicles than I deserve by buying used cars the right way. Our last "family" car was a '98 BMW 540i sport 6 speed, and we drove it for a year and sold it for only $2,000 less than we paid for it. Buying at a dealer would have cost us about $5,000 more. Dealers take risks and provide a service, and they have to be paid for it. I prefer to spend a little time shopping myself and pocket the money.

thanks alot on the input bruce, seriously.


Sorry for the long awaited update, but we are in fact selling our Lincoln through private, but no luck yet. Today we went to this used car dealer that we saw in auto trader and they have "THE TRUCK". Thats right folks the exact one i was look for with 27k miles for around $17k. Its a 2wd, and after your reply, i will just stick with the 2wd. I think buying a car from a used car dealer has no difference than buying from a Private seller as long as the price is right. Which in this case, it is.

Just one question for all you 2wd off roaders out there,

Do any of you guys have trouble on trails?, cause thats what i plan to do mostly.



P.S.- If anyone is intrested in a Lincoln Continental, talk to me!!!

Read what BirdDog0 has to say about the powertrax non slip locker in this thread. http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10417

I then PM him about how it would do in a 2WD and here is what was said.

I asked him “You seem very happy with your locker and I was just curious about your experience with the Powertrax locker. Could you answer these questions for me? Which powertrax locker unit did you install in the rear differential? Was it the lock right unit or the no slip unit? Does the locker make any clicking noises as you negotiate a turn? Does it wear your tires down more? Does it make the rear end want to swing out in the snow if you have it in 2WD?

Would you recommend this unit to someone with just a 2WD Tundra that is only driven on the streets, most of the time I can get around in the snow just fine but only if I baby the throttle? Even on dry pavement though traction can be a problem in a turn and sometimes it annoys me!”

He replied and said” I have the No-slip in the rear. It makes no clicking noises, just the very rare clunk if there's not enough rotational force to cause a differentiation. I have the Lockrite ready for install in the front dif, but am waiting for a manual hub conversion...

If running 2WD, as you are, this unit will give you amazing performance off road. It's rare I even need 4wd on most trails these days; in fact, I've been able to negotiate some local trails in 2WD now that I had trouble in 4WD before....so.....

As far as the snow, and rain for that matter, YES applying too much gas will cause the rear end to want to swing out. This doesn't happen too much on straight acceleration, but accelerating around a sharp corner will give you some Duke's of Hazard action...just be careful and aware...

For everyday driving on normal streets, this unit rocks! Acceleration around a corner, when there is good traction is sweet. The truck literally wants to rocket forward and you don't get that annoying inside wheel spin.

I haven't notice any adverse tire wear because of this either...the system differentiates around turns so seamlessly now I don't even know its happening. Acts just like an open differential until you hit the gas!”

wow, sounds like the thing im looking for. Do you if it has a button to power it on or off? what about just running dual limited slips instead of a locker? is it better just to get a locker for the rear only?

No buttons it's all automatic. Go here www.powertrax.com

Just curious how many people out there have 2WD vs. 4WD Tundras. I live in Southern CA and rarely drive in the snow so I bought a 2WD. Plus, when I am in the dirt I am on my XR. But now, I am thinking that I should just have ponied up and got the 4WD. Your thoughts......

Moderators Note: The thread "4 Wd Vs. 2 Wd" has been merged with the thread "4WD vs. 2WD" as they are of the same title and topic.--- Possum

Unless you do some major off-roading you shouldn't need it.

Heck I live in South Dakota and only used it like 3 times last winter.

My thinking is why drag all those extra gears and weight around if you never use it?
Where I live in the north end of the state (Redding, CA) everybody buys 4WD and less than 10% of them every even engage it. I've seen a 2WD truck go where 4WDs couldn't only because the guy driving it knew some tricks and how to drive.
Don't get me wrong I think 4WDs are great. I just think that “most” people that have them buy them for peace of mind.

Why spend the extra bucks for 4X4 if you don’t need it? Myself, I use it quite often in the winter and occasionally during the rest of the year. For what I do it’s essential.

Originally posted by Lazy Ace
Why spend the extra bucks for 4X4 if you don’t need it? Myself, I use it quite often in the winter and occasionally during the rest of the year. For what I do it’s essential.

I like to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it. I live in Phoenix, AZ now and have only used it a couple times when venturing off-road to look at land I was considering buying. When I want to go "4-wheeling" I have my Jeep, so I didn't buy the Tundra for its off-road capabilities (which aren't bad, btw).

When I drive to the midwest (St. Louis) in the winter I have used it quite a bit. I also used it driving through a snow storm in Flagstaff, as well as a torrential rain and ensuing flash flood in east central TX. Having the 4wd was indespensible on those occasions, although that accounts for less than 2% of the mileage on my truck.

Another benefit to 4WD is resale is generally higher and they seem to be more "in-demand" at resale time than a 2WD.

I have a 2WD with an open differential and live in the Snow Belt. I think the benefits of the reduced weight and drag far outweigh the benefits of 4WD for the few times you actually need it during the winter. For a two wheel drive I have negotiated through some of the worst winter storms and it actually does quit well for a truck. Unless you are an avid off road driver or live on a huge hill I think 4WD is a waste of money!

I get better gas mileage on the street and better handling than any 4WD truck and I got more options for my money because I didn’t pay for 4WD. You need to decide whats important to you.

We can get some pretty nasty snow storms in Nebraska. I drive a Ford Crown Vic at work and have never had any problems getting around. Sure its a little slower getting around with 2wd, but driving skill goes alot farther than 4 wheel drive. As for my Tundra, the wife and I do alot of traveling. The 4wd is a peace of mind thing, as I've gotten caught in 2 bad snow storms while traveling. And I do agree that at least in some parts a 4wd vehicle sells better.
I don't know if anyone saw this, but awhile back there was a supercharged Tundra for sale on ebay. The truck was a 2001 white TRD 4X2 out of Georgia with low miles. The thing was hooked up with TRD s/c, headers, exhaust and had a buy it now price of about $21K. The truck was also for sale right around the time I was looking to buy a Tundra. Let's just say I lost quite a few nights sleep debating whether or not to go 4X4 or 4X2. I almost wish I would have just went with 2wd and bid on the truck. Oh well.

I have a 4WD and actually used it alot this winter. We had a very abnormal winter with record snow. I use the truck for work, and during one of the storms, I was 500 miles from home. It took me 18 hours to get home, but I never would have made it with 2WD. It took NC, VA and MD awhile to clean up from it. Instead of being hold up in a hotel, I was home playing in the snow with my kids.

Aside from this winter, the Limited slip will get you a long way. The limited slip in the Tundra seams to work well. My brother and brother inlaw both have Chevy's, and they both hate there Limited slips on their 1500 and 2500.

The other reason I bought it was resale. Nobody wants 2WD here.

Doug

Yo zebra1550,
both my old 1983 Toy 4WD truck and the 1991 Toy 4WD truck went to Omaha. The 1983 box rusted out with your roads there!, the 1991 is still in service there from 2000 when i got the 2000 Tundra Hornet. Both went to my nephew in Omaha, who is a county surveyor.

Can't get up the driveway here our place in San Diego County w/o 4WD! Otherwise, would opt for 2WD, cheaper, less maintenance, etc.

Would much prefer AWD w/limited slip, as the Missus RX has.

Cheers,
-RH

Originally posted by Mudog715
When I want to go "4-wheeling" I have my Jeep, so I didn't buy the Tundra for its off-road capabilities (which aren't bad, btw).

my centiments EXACTLY. that was also the condition when we got the tundra. the wife told me i couldn't modify the tundra but i could dump money into the wrangler. needless to say i got a lift on the tundra and the wrangler is hibernating on floor jacks! :D

boy i tell you that wife of mine sure is slick!

IMHO a 2wd with a locker and good tires will go where a 4wd can go.

I went with a 2WD because it would have been a waste of money since I don't take my truck off-roading.

I got it because I saw a 2wd tundra have to turn around and put chains on during a late spring dump. Also the fact that the truck at the time was just a little more than 2wd (1500 or so).

I bought 4WD for a couple of reasons.

A few times a winter it is nice to have. If the snow is really bad I take the wife's '00 Chrysler 300M and let her have the truck. I have never had a problem getting around in the Chrysler but it is peace of mind for her to have the truck.

The other more important place is on boat ramps. 4WD is almost required when you are trying to pull a 22' boat out of the water on a muddy dirt boat ramp. Sometimes the flat pavement ramps get pretty slick also. Last thing you want is to get stuck on a boat ramp when there is a line of people waiting to go after you.

I have a 2wd and it pulls my "toys" out of the water just fine as well as gets me around on the hunting lease and from stop light to stop light pretty quick now. I never do any major off-roading, it doesn't snow here, and I did not want the extra wieght so I opted for the 2wd. I had an 85 4wd Toyota and that little truck was a blast, I think if I ever get another 4wd that's what it will be. I love the solid front axels.

Seems there's no easy answer here for most of us. It's pretty obvious reading through the thread that the verdict on 4wd v 2wd is...it depends. What are your plans for use of the truck? If challenging traction conditions are a regular part of your plans, 4wd merits serious consideration. I know that I really appreciate 4wd when I hit the snow.

As for me, after many sleepless nights, I passed on 4wd and picked up 2wd with the LSD instead. My use plans consist of heavy commuting in SoCal plus a few hauling trips from Home Depot. I opted for the smoother ride and the lower maintenance. However, I gotta admit that having another 4wd truck in the house made this decision much easier. :D

--FMT--

"Life is a dogfight and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear."

I fretted over this very same topic for several months prior to buying the new truck. you are talking about 3 or 4K more money and more maintenance more weight and less gas milage.
I had a 4x4 T100, the 4wd was hardly ever used, maby twice a year, and even then I probably did not need to use it.
Then I went to Arkansas duck hunting last year in jan and stayed in 4wd for 8 days, I would have been in the river at least four times due to the ice on the ramp.


4wd is a rough ride and it requires some additional maintenance that most people will not do.

So I bought the 4X4 Tundra, but it is mostly for piece of mind, my brother has a 4x2 Toyota that he has had since highschool ( he is 39 ) and he takes it places that most would not go in a 4x4. I have seen the boat he was towing float acrossed a puddle he was driving through.

easy decision for this. we went 4wd, never had a truck without it and unless we move where it never snows or gets any mud we will always go 4wd. our truck needs to go anywhere we want or need to go. since buying it last fall I can't count the number of times the 4wd ran to work through the tons of snow we had here, not to mention the climb to the cabin on the big hill where we hunt. 4x4s for us!

ok here is the bottom line...
are you a man?
if yes, buy 4wd
if no, then dont

The extra $3K always comes down to preference. My last 3 trucks have been 4x4s, including my current Limited. Peace of mind, yes. More cost and weight, yes. I live in SOCAL and venture offroad frequently with horse trailers in tow. Just one incident where you get stuck in a mudbog with 2 hot (and impatient) horses in the trailer is all it takes to convince yourself that 4wd is worth the extra dinero. I've pulled 2WD F150s and Chebbies out of these same mudbogs. We also have property in the mountains at about 5Kft, so don't sweat the snow/chain alerts.

As to ride quality, at least with my Limited, it is excellent, not harse at all. I added the 1in Daystar front spacer and Helwig rear sway bar. The truck sits nearly perfectly level now (preferred) and ride quality did not change. And the auto dimming mirror is too cool!

If you're not sure you need it - you don't. I bought a 2wd after having a 4wd truck a few years ago. We even had some substatial snows last year here in NC, and my 2wd with the LSD was fine. Bottom line is if you need it, you need it. But if you don't you can look forward to fewer driveline problems, better mileage, better speed, and best of all lower purchase price. Yeah the resale is a little lower but people tend to forget that the inital cost is less too.

Isn't the insurance less too for a 2wd?

A 4WD around Atlanta, GA? Not hardly. My 2WD w/LSD pulled through some ice and (what a joke) snow we had last winter. My '86 Buick GN with LSD does well, also.

taipan

Originally posted by v8Toilet
Isn't the insurance less too for a 2wd?

Good point, I believe it is.

I bought a 4WD because it was my first truck purchase and I thought it would be the ultimate way to enjoy a truck. I've used 4WD maybe 4 times and now have slight regrets due to the fact that I have purchased 20 inch wheels and would like to lower the rear to level off the look. Any suggestions??? Nobody seems to know how I can level the rear without affecting the suspension or ride. ANY Help would be appreciated.

I agree with everybodies argument. But I will add this a 4wd sells for more both ways; i.e. when the dealership sells it to you and when you sell it to the next guy. Also 4wds, are usually replaced by the original owner less often than two wheel drives (that’s statistics not hearsay), which means that the 4wd owner keeps his 4X4 longer (probably because he paid more, Ehh?). But the plain simple fact is this:




ok here is the bottom line...are you a man?if yes, buy 4wd, If no, then dont
LOL.

:devil:

ok here is the bottom line...are you a man?if yes, buy 4wd, If no, then dont

It's funny that you need to see "4x4" on your rear tailgate to define yourself as "a man" when must of us can just look down.

I've owned both and been stuck in both. Usually with the 2wd though I wasn't as far off road when I became stuck (I was stuck one time 6-hours walk away from help; before cell phones of course) . If you are carefull with a 2wd you can get places most people wouldn't dream of (especially with a lsd or locking rear).

its more like, if you show up with 2wd, they pull your man card.

oh yeah, pulled the 4wd badge off already. But you can eat some snow when I drive by you while you are chaining up.

Originally posted by punisher
oh yeah, pulled the 4wd badge off already. But you can eat some snow when I drive by you while you are chaining up.

You can eat my dust when I drive by you on a dry street because you are slower and I'll wave at you while you have to stop at the gas station more often too. :D :D

Just having fun man!!! :cool: :D :p

all in good gest mon frere! I see that there may be as many good arguments for 2wd as there are for 4wd. I think that I went for it because I use it often enought to justify it. Otherwise, save your money for other things. I think it paid for itself the first time I went snowboarding and didnt have to stop and chain up.

Last 3 trucks were 4WD, but this time I went 2WD. I still have a couple 4WD and if we go to tahoe we would take the Landcruiser anyway.

I almost went with 4x but realized that I only used 4wd when it was snowing on the way to tahoe and have probably lost more money than I care to calculate on gas and other costs on my suburban and landcruiser.


The only reason I see to get the 4wd is if you are planning on using it. Most people buy it for insurance but it's expensive insurance. You could hire someone to put chains on and pay for a nice weekend vacation skiing with the money you would save over the life of the vehicle.

how about you just buy some good ol bfg mud terrains, mt classic II's and a team west sway away suspension lift. Add a lsd or locking diff, and the 4wd stocky boyz can eat some mud, cuz i know i can woop on them, especially if they are running 265 tires ha :0

you will get stuck in mud with 2wd. And driving with chains on Sucks!!!!! Plus the cuts and frostbitten hands, forget about it. I have nothing against 2wd, but think those lifted ones with mudders on em are a joke. Never any 2wds at azusa in the mud.

Really.........

Someone must have forgotten to tell this guy:

http://www.baja.com/bajatym/ivan981k03.jpg

it's pretty funny to me when people argue about spending money on 4wd or saving money on gas, then they suggest that people lift their trucks, buy LSD's, then buy lockers, and beafy tires..All that stuff costs a lot more than 4wd...and you still end up getting stuck in the mud/snow/dirt/sand...I've had a couple 4wd's and a couple 2wd's and let me say that in my opinion there is no point in buying a 2wd truck for anything more than towing a boat or moving things from place to place. If you want to off road/drive in the snow/or do whatever your 4wd's want to do then do it...and the 2wd's can stay on their own turf.

Originally posted by Hook's Toy
I bought a 4WD because it was my first truck purchase and I thought it would be the ultimate way to enjoy a truck. I've used 4WD maybe 4 times and now have slight regrets due to the fact that I have purchased 20 inch wheels and would like to lower the rear to level off the look. Any suggestions??? Nobody seems to know how I can level the rear without affecting the suspension or ride. ANY Help would be appreciated. 4WD with 20's, lowered 2.5" (don't bash me too hard :p ). You should be able to lower your ride 2" with no problem. Some people are using a belltech kit for a Chevy (I think).
I got 4WD because I only live 20 minutes from the pass and I can just put her in 4WD when it says "Chain Up Required".

I could probably get through just about anything with an LSD equipped 2WD.
But, it's nice to have those little buttons in the dash just in case...

The fact that 4WD trucks are heavier and slower (vs. 2wd) did factor into my Tundra buying decision...
I opted for the lighter weight V8 regular cab 4WD.
This puts me on par with 2WD Tundra's when power to weight ratio's are a factor.
I am happy to demonstrate this anytime :)

Bottom line - my driving conditions require added traction, I engage the front wheels daily just to get in and out of my driveway. Anything less than 4WD could co$t me.

Originally posted by M1A SCOUT
I could probably get through just about anything with an LSD equipped 2WD.
But, it's nice to have those little buttons in the dash just in case...

The fact that 4WD trucks are heavier and slower (vs. 2wd) did factor into my Tundra buying decision...
I opted for the lighter weight V8 regular cab 4WD.
This puts me on par with 2WD Tundra's when power to weight ratio's are a factor.
I am happy to demonstrate this anytime :)

Bottom line - my driving conditions require added traction, I engage the front wheels daily just to get in and out of my driveway. Anything less than 4WD could co$t me.

Yeah but you still have to turn those extra drive shafts and differential.

For those who said they don't need 4wd do you need a v8?

Just asking.:cool:

Originally posted by psmith21
For those who said they don't need 4wd do you need a v8?

Just asking.:cool:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid60/p13d011d1d14cac89ab47ba95cd09faa8/fc4d42ff.gif

Are you a littlehttp://mywebpages.comcast.net/00gmc/images/fsc/smilies/cookoo.gif

What I meant was that for me I probably don't need 4wd. I use it maybe 6 times a year. Do I need a V8? Probably not but it's nice to have when I pass an 18 wheeler on the highway etc.

And yes I might just be a little crazy.

I can understand not wanting/needing 4WD.
I can understand being a little crazy ;)
But, I can't understand picking the V6 over the V8.

I currently have both.
My V6 T100 is great but my V8 TUNDRA is refined.

"I coulda' had a V8!" < don't be that guy.

M1A SCOUT

I'll race anybody up my drive way who has a 2WD Tundra. Then I'll attach a tow rope and help you up. :)

If you live in the back country with average 4% grades and pulling a trailer loaded down with hay, lumber, your mother in law, etc., it's nice to have the extra torque of the V8.

Otherwise any Toy will do.

Cheers,
-RH

The V8 i'd think would be useful especially if you live in hilly terrain, tow and/or have 4WD. It's hardly like the V6 is underpowered or crude though. It's every bit as smooth as the 8 and gets slightly better fuel economy.

For me the fuel economy and low purchase price are more important, if anything I wish they still had the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder base model they had with the T100. I don't tow anything and I don't need to go 0-60 in under 8 seconds, I mean this is a utility vehicle, not a sports car. I would trade 30-40 hp to be able to get +5-7 mpg highway honestly. If there were a diesel option I wouldn't have to compromise between power and MPG.

Anyway, it's not like the V6 is weak, it charges up hills and will out accelerate pretty much any base V6 motor in any domestic pickup and it was good enough to be the top engine for a while. Some of you may remember the first gen T100 that shipped with the 3.0 150 hp V6, my friend had one of those and with the short gearing in the rear end (4.30 I think) it did JUST FINE towing a small boat uphill on the the highway.

I do not think the V6 is underpowered or crude. It is a great, smooth running engine!
The 3.4L in my T100 makes about 215 hp before the flywheel.
However, now that I also have a V8 Tundra the choice is simple.
I pick the V8.
Sure there is a weight trade off and this additional weight has a direct effect on fuel economy (not as much as you think) but, IMHO it is well worth it :)

My experience with Toy trucks 1976-2003 [bought new] & towing heavy loads...
the engine is stronger than the transmission at *X* number of miles, etc.

1976 Toy truck 2WD 4cyl 5-speed manual...
throw out bearing replaced,
engine fine even though temp guage run into the "red" on occasion in Aridzona,
cab temps ~117 degrees, road temps ???
traded at ~140K miles

1983 Toy truck 4WD 4cyl, 5-speed manual...
tranny main bearings replaced 2 times,
always only one bearing seized, but replaced them all each time.
engine OK at 400,000 miles.

1991 Toy truck 4WD 6cyl, auto tranny...
transmission overhaul at 200,000 miles
engine OK

1991 Toy 4-Runner 6cyl, auto tranny...
tranny clunks at 130,000 miles
engine OK

1999 Lexus V6 AWD, limited slip low, auto tranny...
60K miles, too early to tell.

2000 Tundra truck 4WD V8 auto tranny...
80,000 miles, too early to tell.

Cheers,
-RH

I got a V6 4x2, it looks just like the one in the little pic to the left of this post. Why did I get 4x2? I cant afford a 4x4. Plain and simple. My truck was in the mid-teens when 4x4s typically come with many other options and cost $5000-10000 more. I dont need 4x4 for the 10 days a year it snows. I have my '94 tercel manual for the snow, it can whoop a 4x4 anyday ;) All I have to do is upshift to keep the tires from spinning!

I have always had a 4wd drive vehicle, 2 Jeep Wranglers, a '97 Dodge Ram, and now a new '03 Tundra. The Toyota is by far the best vehicle out of all of them. I like the ride better than my wife's 300M, and the build quality is certainly better. I guess it doesn't matter if it is 2wd or 4wd, as long as it is a Tundra, who cares? The only thing with having a nice truck, is I doubt I will be able to bring myself to take the Tundra some of the places I took my $1000 Wrangler. :cool:

-Dave

I think its good to have when you need it. Also a 4x4 will hold its value better than a similar 2wd. :cool: Mine has kinda paid for itself. I go to the beach a lot, and charge 15-20 bux to pull stuck cars and trucks out of the soft sand. :p And BTW while you guys are spinnin on your launch, I'll be launchin hard in 4 hi. :cool: :p J/K I know its not a speed demon, and I'm glad cause anymore tickets for me and I'm gonna pass out when I see my insurance bill. :eek::( :p :cool:

If you know how to drive a truck right, then a 2WD will get you through almost anything you want. If your inexperienced and don't know what your doing like alot of people, then I can see why you need a 4x4. I go rutting, offroading, hauling and lots of stuff and only have a 2WD. Yes I do have LSD and TRD offroad pkg, but they came with the truck. I do go and get BfGoodrich All Terrain T/As, but it was time for new tires anyways, and go with my friend who has a 4x4 Ranger, just in case i get carried away with the gas pedal. Ive never been stuck tho. In the post below I attached a pic of what you say a wimpy 2wd truck cant do.

---------------------------
2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 Access Cab V8 2WD
TRD Offroad Pkg w/LSD
BfGoodrich All Terrain T/As
Flowmaster dual exhaust
K&N Performance Air Filter
Altezza taillamps
Performance Headlights
CB w/ under hood mounted PA system

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/pf59f7655fe0fb6444ad6bdb558f36b73/fbb9c268.jpg

I don't think 2wd would cut it here. :devil:

yea Y2kn1Tun...

did you like totally miss the pic or somethin?

Where I go the holes alot deeper than any of that looks (hence the entire truck covered in mud...showing how deep it is)

That pic is a little deceiving. I was in a lifted 4x4 on 35's with a locker that got stuck. Hit a hole and sunk down to the doors. :eek: Took an F-350 with a winch to get us out. :D

i'll see your mud-covered truck...

...and raise you an even muddier truck :devil: (http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4156&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1). i'd raise you three muddier trucks, but i never posted pics of the taco that came with, and didnt have a camera when amado jumped his truck in to that very same mudhole where i got that dirty :D. incidentally, after wheeling in the mudwest and in colorado, midwest wheeling (ie the muddy kind) is best accomplished with a locker and flotation tires. articulation and 4wd isnt required for mud-filled ruts in the woods, but dont leave home without a locker :eek:. bogging? try a d60 and spools :devil:, unless you want the loch ness monster to eat both diffs, a half shaft, an axle housing, or attempt to swallow your truck whole :devil:.

never confuse forward momentum for good driving skills :rolleyes:...remember, 80% driver and 20% vehicle. open-diff 4wd = 2wd in loose conditions. open-diff 2wd = 1wd in loose terrain, and a 2wd with limited slip or a locker and a decent driver will do better than a 4wd with open diffs and an inexperienced driver. also, the advantage to the 4wd package isn't just the front diff, it's the low range.

of course, if youre never gonna take your truck places like that, a 2wd with a limited slip or an electric locker will suit just fine, even in the snow...the only reason i have to hit the button in the snow is because my open-diff 2hi quickly becomes 1hi and spinning.

dave...you can take your 4wd tundra plenty of places you took your wrangler :D. the only hard part is overcoming the fear of taking a 30k$ truck offroad :devil:. it works great bone stock, as a matter of fact :D

-sean

y2kn1tun, that pic is currently unavailable :p

I have a 4wd ltd.but would rather have a 2wd flareside ltd.with a locker like tacomas or the very least L.slip. If you put 300 lbs of weight in the ass end you can pretty much go anywhere that is if you're not a kid and can drive. I just hate hauling all that extra weight around that gets used maybe 5 times a year. Rule of thumb is that 2wd are about 0.5 to 1.0sec quicker in the 1/4. I can also dig on that. V6 ? Not really an option...once you've driven the 8 well you know what I mean.

Originally posted by DeepStealth
y2kn1tun, that pic is currently unavailable :p

Doh! imagestation is being gay again. :mad:

Imagine a 350 yard long, 40-50 yard wide mud pit with ruts all over. :devil:

Originally posted by Y2kn1Tun
Doh! imagestation is being gay again. :mad:

Imagine a 350 yard long, 40-50 yard wide mud pit with ruts all over. :devil:

and a tundra in the middle? :devil:

LOL

Hehe... Tundra was on the side... I was in the old GMC... I was gonna cross so I could get an action shot of my dad crossing in the tun :D... we had been out there plenty of times before in both the GMC and the Tundra without any probs... little did I know that someone with a huge truck prolly went through there and dug out all the ruts. (prolly some 39.5's to 44's :cool: ) So we got a stuck GMC with two guys in it and no where to go... my dad said that it looked like a boat cause the water was all the way up to the rockers. :eek: Lets just say we didn't get the action shot and he didn't cross it... Once the lift goes on the we'll see tho. :devil: :devil: :devil:

sas and ras (i did not just say "roadmaster active suspension", btw :devil: ) with rockwells, throw some 44" boggers on there, and give it the skinny pedal :devil:...who cares whatcha hit, youll make it over and thru :D

Originally posted by flyfish
I have a 4wd ltd.but would rather have a 2wd flareside ltd.with a locker like tacomas or the very least L.slip. If you put 300 lbs of weight in the ass end you can pretty much go anywhere that is if you're not a kid and can drive. I just hate hauling all that extra weight around that gets used maybe 5 times a year. Rule of thumb is that 2wd are about 0.5 to 1.0sec quicker in the 1/4. I can also dig on that. V6 ? Not really an option...once you've driven the 8 well you know what I mean.

*******************************

BTW... My Kazuma LSD equiped, V8, SR5, Reg-cab 4X4 has a 14 pound weight advantage over the Acc-cab V8 2WD. And a wopping 140 pound weight advantage over a V8 2WD Limited.

:D Quicker in the quarter and 4WD-Sweet. :D

Originally posted by DeepStealth
sas and ras (i did not just say "roadmaster active suspension", btw :devil: ) with rockwells, throw some 44" boggers on there, and give it the skinny pedal :devil:...who cares whatcha hit, youll make it over and thru :D

Hell Yeah!! 2.5 ton axles, Beer and 44's... We'll make it :devil: :devil: :devil:

glad they gave the tundra four cupholders in the front, i'd hate to slop my pabst when i bouce a diff casing off a lurking boulder in the bottom of a mud pit at 40 mph LOL...*WANG*...

(if anyone takes offense at this, well...ya shoulda guessed i was just funnin' :D...i like dark beer :p)

time to put the lift necessary for 44" boggers in the offroad faq :clown:

ok, i'll bring the pabst, you bring the rockwells :D. all we need is fishing poles, a can of worms, and something to shoot stuff with, and we're set :D. oh, and some country music :devil:.

-sean

*pic's up...ugh. that looks nasty...how tall are those bushes??*

Those shrubs aren't very big. Not too much will grow very big down here. ;) I took that pic the day the hurricane was comin through here. We couldn't resist. :devil:

Mud Pit (http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/pf59f7655fe0fb6444ad6bdb558f36b73/fbb9c268.jpg)

BTW I got the beer and the country music :cool: ;)

so you've heard of rodney carrington :clown:...

i fall outta my chair lmao listening to that guy...

So far everyone has pointed out that a 2wd with a LSD (and/or a good driver) is as good or better than a 4wd. I've seen pictures of muddy trucks, fast desert prerunners, and mud pits (my 4wd always got coated with mud much better when in 2wd, btw.) But only 1 post has touched on one of the most important features of 4wd and that is low range gearing. I understand that not everyone will need 4-lo, maybe just the added traction of the front wheels. But there are times when speed is the enemy. Most of the "2wd is almost as good as 4wd" arguments seem to suggest that wheel speed is necessary to achieve the desired results, but I have seen so many more parts broken by a heavy pedal than by slow going.

Just my $0.02. Yes I'm a newbie to this forum, but not to others.

I don't think "everyone" agrees that a 2wd with LSD is as good or better than a 4wd, regardless of the driver. No offense folks:D , but this is fantasy. A rear wheel drive Tundra on a hilly, twisty, snow covered back road is nothing but a white knuckle experience. And if it's not it's because you're going 2 mph. Stop on a steep snow-covered hill and you're done....you're just going to spin trying to push the powerless front tires. In a 4wd just goose it and you're moving. I've seen PLENTY of hot doggers....no, make that PASSED plenty of hot-doggers going up the (what-we-call) mountains of Pennsylvania. They get 3/4 of the way then sit and spin when it's gets steep. And I've pulled'em out of ditches, too, when they lost control going around a snow covered curve. Nope, nobody is ever gonna convince me that a 2wd is the same class as a 4wd, i've seen too much evidence to the contrary. Before you tell me a good driver could do it, nah, don't buy that either...put him in a 4wd and he'll do even better.

I bought the 2wd to save on insurance and gas mileage. Also, there wont be any issues with the front axles when I lift the truck. I had an 02 Tacoma 4x4, used it offroad infrequently, and was limited to 2.5 inches lift in front without damaging the cv joints. As for the snow, pickups usually aren't all that great anyways, weight distribution is too uneven with an empty bed. My Tacoma did awesome with 400 pounds of sandbags in it (I live in an area just outside of Los Angeles where it snows regularly in the winter, but melts in two days or so) but you pay in gas mileage and loss of power. So get the 2wd, get some chains. If you go in the snow, do what I do, drive the wifes car (saab) with the front wheel drive, which seems to handle better than a 4x4 anyway (with some exceptions of course!)

For what 4WD cost in initial purchase price, insurance, excise tax, gas mileage, more parts to break, and so on it wasn’t worth it to me. New England had one of the worst winters last year I can remember and I didn’t get stuck on any hills or spin my tires excessively. I was able to pass Domestic 4WD trucks on the highway! At the time I didn’t have an LSD but I did have awesome tires, which makes a big difference. I don’t go off road and the roads are cleared by the plows in a few hours. When I drive our company 4WD Chevy trucks I use 2WD mode 98% of the time.

With 4WD you take a performance hit in acceleration and the added weight that hurts road handling. The highway mileage is 2 MPG better for the 2WD Tundra! With 4WD the truck weighs almost 300 lbs. more than a comparable 2WD truck and the front axles are always turning even when the truck isn’t in 4WD. Whether you have 4WD or 2WD you still have 4- wheel braking so braking performance is either the same of slightly in favor of the lighter 2WD truck. The front to rear weight distribution is better for the 2WD truck. The payload capacity for the 2WD truck is higher than it is for the 4WD truck.

The only time I think 4WD would be a necessity is if you lived on a long private road and it snows allot, you plow, or you are an avid off road enthusiast and like to traverse through mud holes.

... no rack and pinion steering (2WD has it),...The 4WD Tundra has rack and pinion steering also.

The 4WD Tundra has rack and pinion steering also.
Yeah you’re right!

I use my 4x4 all the time and I live in so cal. I use it to launch my jetskis on fiesta island. no 4x2 can do that, at least that i've seen. i take my alba 500 banshee out to Oldsmobile hill at Glamis. with that loose sand I NEED 4x4.
I drive to Utah, big bear and mammoth every winter to snowboard, no chains needed here in big mountain storms.
I love 4x4.

After reading all of the posts, I'm still lingering in a dilema whether to get a 2WD or 4WD :)

I live in Souther CA and own a boat and would love to go offroading as well.

Am I good with a 2WD with Mud tires and a trak loc?

Thanks

Nathan

I use my 4x4 all the time and I live in so cal. I use it to launch my jetskis on fiesta island. no 4x2 can do that, at least that i've seen. i take my alba 500 banshee out to Oldsmobile hill at Glamis. with that loose sand I NEED 4x4.
I drive to Utah, big bear and mammoth every winter to snowboard, no chains needed here in big mountain storms.
I love 4x4.

my experience with 4wd is that you get stuck further from the road where it is harder to get out and even harder for wreckers to get in to pull you out. just my 2 cents worth

Cool. Powertrax + 2WD = off-roadding-able ? :)


Read what BirdDog0 has to say about the powertrax non slip locker in this thread. http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10417

I then PM him about how it would do in a 2WD and here is what was said.

I asked him “You seem very happy with your locker and I was just curious about your experience with the Powertrax locker. Could you answer these questions for me? Which powertrax locker unit did you install in the rear differential? Was it the lock right unit or the no slip unit? Does the locker make any clicking noises as you negotiate a turn? Does it wear your tires down more? Does it make the rear end want to swing out in the snow if you have it in 2WD?

Would you recommend this unit to someone with just a 2WD Tundra that is only driven on the streets, most of the time I can get around in the snow just fine but only if I baby the throttle? Even on dry pavement though traction can be a problem in a turn and sometimes it annoys me!”

He replied and said” I have the No-slip in the rear. It makes no clicking noises, just the very rare clunk if there's not enough rotational force to cause a differentiation. I have the Lockrite ready for install in the front dif, but am waiting for a manual hub conversion...

If running 2WD, as you are, this unit will give you amazing performance off road. It's rare I even need 4wd on most trails these days; in fact, I've been able to negotiate some local trails in 2WD now that I had trouble in 4WD before....so.....

As far as the snow, and rain for that matter, YES applying too much gas will cause the rear end to want to swing out. This doesn't happen too much on straight acceleration, but accelerating around a sharp corner will give you some Duke's of Hazard action...just be careful and aware...

For everyday driving on normal streets, this unit rocks! Acceleration around a corner, when there is good traction is sweet. The truck literally wants to rocket forward and you don't get that annoying inside wheel spin.

I haven't notice any adverse tire wear because of this either...the system differentiates around turns so seamlessly now I don't even know its happening. Acts just like an open differential until you hit the gas!”

Good luck on the boat launch with a decent size boat with a 4x2. Where I live the launches are not that great. In So Cal I'm sure the launches are better than the western Canadian Prairies. Sometimes I have to back way out to find deep enough water to get the boat off. Other times I have to back up with some speed and hammer the brakes. If river launching( I have a jetboat) 4x4 is mandatory.

mike

After reading all of the posts, I'm still lingering in a dilema whether to get a 2WD or 4WD :)

I live in Souther CA and own a boat and would love to go offroading as well.

Am I good with a 2WD with Mud tires and a trak loc?

Thanks

Nathan

If you own a boat than you must have a vehicle that you tow it with now! Next time you are launching the boat try it in 2WD instead of 4WD and see if it is doable.

Compairing stock Tundra 4 X 4's and 4 X 2's...do both trucks have the same stance or do the 4 X 4's sit higher?

The 00 4x4 only sat 1" higher than the 4x2. Not sure about the 04's

Compairing stock Tundra 4 X 4's and 4 X 2's...do both trucks have the same stance or do the 4 X 4's sit higher?

The difference between a regular 4x4 and a regular 4x2 is minimal if any... a 2wd TRD will sit higher than an non TRD4x4

If you live in So Cal and you own a boat. try to launch it off of fiesta island. its very soft, wet sand and hard to get out of without momentum and especially if you are pulling 2 skis out of the water. I've seen more than enough people get stuck out there. Check it out on the weekends, there is always someone out there who gets stuck. Owning a 4x4 may cost a lil more money, but to me its well worth it.

My buddy has 02 Tundra 4x2 with the limited slip and he has almost all the same suspension mods I do. But he cannot make it to the top of Oldsmobile Hill or Comp Hill at Glamis, and his truck wears a nice set of goodyear mudders.
I've seen some 4x2's make it up these hill dont get me wrong, but they are not exactly street legal.

If you live in So Cal and you own a boat. try to launch it off of fiesta island. its very soft, wet sand and hard to get out of without momentum and especially if you are pulling 2 skis out of the water. I've seen more than enough people get stuck out there. Check it out on the weekends, there is always someone out there who gets stuck. Owning a 4x4 is more money to to me its well worth it.


1) You never know what future tasks your truck might have ahead of it
2) Sure better to have the option to get unstuck vs. not have it
3) Best yet; You will definitely have a higher resale value on your truck if it has 4WD than if it doesn't have it. When I sold my 4wd 4 banger Toyota, I got approx. $2500 more for it simply because it was a 4 x 4 than had it not been a 4 x 4. And I didn't pay more than that for it being a 4 x 4 over a 2 x 4 when I purchased it

I'm With Most Of You, It's A Personel Thing If You Want It Buy It, Me I Don't Care About How Much I Use It Or If It's Really Needed Or Gas Mileage, Weight, Any Of That I Wanted It And I Was Willing To Pay For It, There I Said It. And Besides After Letting My Wife Drive My 4runner In A Snow Storm I Have Never Been Able To Buy Any Other Type Of Auto, Her Last Three Have Been 4x4's Also. It's Handy, It Makes Life On Snow And Ice Feel Safer And I Want It.
My 3 Cts.
Kevin

I tow a 4600 lb travel trailer with a 2wd 2002 xtracab with the TRD and LSD. Occasionally I need to pull it up a steep gravel patch to get into a camping sight. It is amazing what the 2wd with LSD will do. I have yet to experience a problem towing or in snow. We live up north, but I can't imagine a situation where the 4wd would be worth the extra money and maintenance.

I tow a 4600 lb travel trailer with a 2wd 2002 xtracab with the TRD and LSD. Occasionally I need to pull it up a steep gravel patch to get into a camping sight. It is amazing what the 2wd with LSD will do. I have yet to experience a problem towing or in snow. We live up north, but I can't imagine a situation where the 4wd would be worth the extra money and maintenance.

Noah........Imagine this situation....you're on a dirt road 2 miles back in (or more) deer hunting in Colorado, and it starts raining. You don't know it, but the dirt there turns to CLAY when wet, and is slippery as eel snot.......2 WD isn't going to get you out, but LSD might help keep the vehicle straighter than without it. Anyway, that, sir, is the EXACT situation we ended up in waiting for one guy to come out of the field a few years ago out of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. And the road out was just like clay. Had I NOT had 4WD in my 1991 4 banger Toyota extra cab, we would've had to spend the night there in it. I barely made it out and had to use 4WD low gear to inch our way out of there. The 4wd was crucial. And since that very high pucker factor experience, I also now carry mud chains with me, just in case.........

And extra maintainence? A couple extra zert fittings to grease and one more differential to add a few qts. of gear oil to every 50,000 miles? Hardly a cost or labor problem, especially for do it yourselfers.

Extra cost? Nope. Go check out previous posts I and others have made....this "extra cost" would be more aptly identified as AN INVESTMENT.....you WILL get your money back when you sell a 4WD, absolutely. Every penny you paid extra for it (which is only a few K more than a 2WD anyway).

To me, there's no way I'd have a truck without the 4wd in it. It's there if you need it. The only exception would be if I was one of those fellas who bought a truck and lowered it, put on those big 21" street rims, all that....those trucks will never see dirt under there tires, so I understand. But for the average truck owner or anyone who takes their truck off highway, I see it no different than having a first aid kit or a fire estinguisher in a vehicle.

Fire extinguishers and first aid kits don't cost 3000$. I have a TRD sport, I choose it because I knew that 99% of my driving would be on paved roads. I enjoy the tighter suspension and limited slip without the increased ride height. In the 8500 miles I have driven it, I went offroad once, hauling 16 bags of concrete and towing a 4000# trailer (not at the same time) over loose dirt roads. 4wheel drive does have undeniable off road advantages but IMO those who do not live in the snow, do not like to take 30k vehicles wheeling (in awe of 7.62 and all those that thrast thier pretty tuns), or spend small percentages of thier time off road, should be more then happy with 2wheel drive's off road abilities and on road advantages.

It's simple. If you don't need the advantages that a 4wd provides then don't buy it. Monthly payments on an extra $3000 plus at least 5% interest over a typical 60 month loan is significant enough for a lot of people to think twice about a feature that they may never use. Just like if you don't need a truck bed, don't buy a Pick-Up Truck :D

$3000 can get you a pair of these instead....


http://www.e-z-ride.com/Newbikes.jpg

And they both can be lifted right in the short cab w/ no problemo!


.... Monthly payments on an extra $3000 plus at least 5% interest over a typical 60 month loan is significant enough .... :D


Moderator's Note: Imbedded image changed to link, due to size - nhparrot

Volvoguy.............

You're absolutely right. If you know you're not going to go offroad at all, then don't bother with a 4wd if you don't want. I will say that the resale value of your truck will in fact be a lot lower a few years down the road than if it were a 4wd. This comes from my own personal experience of owning 4wd trucks and selling them....they always are worth a few K more than 2wds. So to me, it's certainly an investment that I will get a return on AND it's a nice thing to have if I need it. And as much as I get out and go hunting in the backcountry, it's important to me that I have it to use when necessary (and it has been necessary more than a couple times). Like I said, to each his own......

Chris, are you some finance guru? Your funny. BTW I was a finance major.

I have to admit, I am a couple weeks from being a Tundra owner. I am currently leaning to 4x2. There are a couple places that I will be going that the 4x4 would be nice but I don't want to pay the extra up front and gas and insurance later. Does anyone have any experiance with installing a locker on your 2wd?

I don't go off road unless I have to.
I made sure both of my trucks have 4WD.
I like the fact that I have it available...
And I know the two owners of the 2WD
4runners I have rescued from stuck positions
recently were happy I had 4WD.

I have had 2002 4X2 for 2 years and have never required the 4x4 option. I visit our cottage 200 klm north of Toronto every week-end and all I have ever required is to have a good load of sand bags over the back wheels during our winter conditions here in Canada, important to be right over the axel for max traction... of course having the BF Goodrich All Terain tires helps...Fred

I belive that those with 4wheel drive have been underestimating the capabilities of 2wheel drive tundras. We must remeber that, while only two wheel drive, they are still trucks designed for off road use. They are not Camrys. IMO 4wheel drive is being used more as a statement of machismo then in a practical sense. I ask those with 4wheel drive to consider this when trying to convince someone of buying 4x4 over 2x4 based on practicality. Then again, machismo is cool, but just remeber that that's why many of you have a 4x4. Those who do use 4x4 practicaly should remeber that you are a minority of truck owners who tend to speak very loudly.

My opinion,
I love my 83' volvo more then my 03' tundra.

I agree with volvoguy on everything except his volvo, although I do like my car slightly better than my Tundra.

fshrmn

When I bought my '89 Toyota 4x4 p/u I liked the stance. I didn't need 4WD but the truck was higher than the 2WD p/u. Now w/ the pre-runners and the 4WD & 2WD Tundras having the same stance (maybe an inch difference) that is a non-issue.

the bottom line is this. If you have a need for it then there wouldnt even be a question about getting the 4x4 option. If you do light trails and mostly asphalt a two wheel with limited slip or the electric locker will be more than enough. If you do go off road or travel on roads where traction is a problem then get 4 wheel. I spend 90 percent of my time on asphalt but when i do go off road two wheel will not cut it. I have had quite a few trucks and i have had 2 wheel where i wished for 4 wheel but never the other way around. again the bottom line is do YOU have a need for it. :clown: :clown:

I don't think 2WD has much capability at all. Especially since most Toyotas don't even have a LSD. When my wife ran into the ditch in her Jeep Liberty 4WD in a snow storm the Tundra came to the rescue. I put my tow strap on her tow hook in and 2WD and despite having a LSD I just spun even with the Jeeps spinning all four tires (full time and 4WD with LSD). I switched to 4WD and effortlessly--pop--she was in the clear. There simply is no comparison. A truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD. J

There simply is no comparison

I agree. Last night I was coming home in the country with unplowed road with 1 foot on new snow and 4Wd was engaged the whole way. I went through the snow this morning at the end of the driveway where the plow piles it up without a problem. The last three days it has been snowing constantly and I have used 4WD consistently to the point were I think it will wear out (kidding). There is no comparison between 2WD and 4WD.


. A truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD. J

A truck ain't truck unless it is 4WD is true... I must add that 4WD also completes a truck.

I belive that those with 4wheel drive have been underestimating the capabilities of 2wheel drive tundras. We must remeber that, while only two wheel drive, they are still trucks designed for off road use. They are not Camrys. IMO 4wheel drive is being used more as a statement of machismo then in a practical sense. I ask those with 4wheel drive to consider this when trying to convince someone of buying 4x4 over 2x4 based on practicality. Then again, machismo is cool, but just remeber that that's why many of you have a 4x4. Those who do use 4x4 practicaly should remeber that you are a minority of truck owners who tend to speak very loudly.

My opinion,
I love my 83' volvo more then my 03' tundra.

This is nonsense, not too mention insulting. "Machismo" and "macho statements" have nothing to do with it. Who are you to psychoanalyze me or anyone else driving a 4wd? Contrary to your assinine generalizations, I would wager that practicality is the driving factor in the vast majority of Tundra 4wd purchases. The case here isn't 4wd owners underestimating the capabilities of 2wd vehicles--it's more about you overestimating the capability of a 2wd pickup. That's your prerogative, wrong though you are. Enjoy your volvo, you deserve each other.

I was driving to work today and thought before hitting the freeway that i'd take it out of 4 wheel drive...no problem,until I reached the next set of lights. I tried to take off from the lights and the truck would barely move. It was a typical icy Edmonton traffic light...all polished ice from 2 wheel vehicles spinning their tires.I hit the 4 wheel button and it was so night and day improved...I walked away from traffic like they had all stalled.I have the LSD in the rear end, so from my point of view, having a 2 wheel drive is a waste of gas and tires in Canada.

my 2 cents

That little button can make all the difference in the world.

I belive that those with 4wheel drive have been underestimating the capabilities of 2wheel drive tundras. We must remeber that, while only two wheel drive, they are still trucks designed for off road use. They are not Camrys. IMO 4wheel drive is being used more as a statement of machismo then in a practical sense. I ask those with 4wheel drive to consider this when trying to convince someone of buying 4x4 over 2x4 based on practicality. Then again, machismo is cool, but just remeber that that's why many of you have a 4x4. Those who do use 4x4 practicaly should remeber that you are a minority of truck owners who tend to speak very loudly.

My opinion,
I love my 83' volvo more then my 03' tundra.
When I read such statements, I always quote Mark Twain: "Well, now who found that out?"

I am always amazed by statements such as this. At least you had the decency to state that it is your "humble opinion" instead of simply pronouncing it as a fact.

If you consider people who live in southern California, I would agree that owning a 4WD is a statement of "machismo". If you live where you might use it one day in ten years, I don't see much reason for buying it. It leads to the OPINION, "What else could be the reason for buying it?"

But, I live high in the mountains of northern New Mexico. We get snow from, usually, late October to late April. I have seen a 14" snowfall in mid May. There are may times I need 4WD just to get out of my driveway.

I don't underestimate the capabilities of 2WD. Instead, I test it almost daily during the winter and thus know its limits quite intimately. There have been numerous times I have backed out of a parking spot at the post office, which has a flat, asphalt lot, only to find that 2WD WILL NOT get me going, no matter how "properly" I try to use it. After driving 37 years, I'm pretty experienced at this. I push the little button on the dash and the truck goes as if I'm on dry pavement. The difference is astonishing.

Here, we use it because IT WORKS when 2WD doesn't. When you get a foot of snow at a crack, that happens all winter.

Tell me how you know how loudly I speak. Tell me how you know WHY I write what I write. Where does such a silly statement come from? What do you hope to accomplish by writing such a thing? Do you expect to convince us that we're all wrong, and that we really don't need 4WD? You have a perfect right to your own opinion, but you've impugned OUR rationality, and I, for one, would like to know why.

As to your Volvo, my Mother had an '83 240 for 13 years and LOVED it. It's one damned fine vehicle. A friend now owns it UP HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS. It drives and runs great and he loves it. But when it snows and the roads are bad, he drives his Jeep because the Volvo is only 2WD. The Volvo does quite well in the snow, but when it's a foot deep, forget it.

I was driving to work today and thought before hitting the freeway that i'd take it out of 4 wheel drive...no problem,until I reached the next set of lights. I tried to take off from the lights and the truck would barely move. It was a typical icy Edmonton traffic light...all polished ice from 2 wheel vehicles spinning their tires.I hit the 4 wheel button and it was so night and day improved...I walked away from traffic like they had all stalled.I have the LSD in the rear end, so from my point of view, having a 2 wheel drive is a waste of gas and tires in Canada.

my 2 cents


HEAR, HEAR FROM MINNESOTA

Larry

Same here, I was like what...we don't need 4WD????

Same here from High River, Alberta (Southern Alberta). I use 4WD a lot on the highway where they often leave a nice slick of packed snow and ice after plowing the side of highway where I enter to go to High River or to Calgary.

Sanosuke!
Return to Japan - Spring 2004 (Bonus: Singapore)

HEAR, HEAR FROM MINNESOTA

Larry

Try driving down a rain slicked red clay road in 2wd. It just doesn't happen.

Try driving down a rain slicked red clay road in 2wd. It just doesn't happen.
I would rather drive on black ice than drive on rain slicked Georgia red clay.
This stuff is slicker than snake sh!t. 4WD is a must!

Today my friend with his 4WD had it in 2WD and tried to take off from a light. He spun his tires until he put it into 4WD. I took off from that light with just my 2WD, LSD, and Michelin tires and didn't have a traction problem yet he did. :D :D :devil:

:clown:

So you had the better lane and feathered the gas. You probably have a few hundred pounds of sand in the box as well. When I had a 2 wheel drive truck I used to put 4 x 50lb sand bags in the back. It makes a big diff. I have nothing in the box for weight. Was your friends truck a Tundra? ;)
Today my friend with his 4WD had it in 2WD and tried to take off from a light. He spun his tires until he put it into 4WD. I took off from that light with just my 2WD, LSD, and Michelin tires and didn't have a traction problem yet he did. :D :D :devil:

:clown:

All right; I deserve flax for my inflammatory statements, but hear me out. I am completely guilty of being both California centric and raised with the idea that driver skill is a huge part of driving off road.

I have always lived near or on the California coast and only once or twice a year drive up into the mountains. Out here there are a large number of 4wheel drive vehicles that never see the dirt. I hate seeing Land Rovers, G class Mercedes, and other 4wheel drive trucks, with incredible off road capabilities, have their existences squandered on pavement. Its almost like seeing caged animals. For those who do not see this on a day to day basis please forgive the bias I showed in my last post. I will make sure to know my audience better from now on.

As for driving skill vs. equipment; when I was little my dad used to take his Saab 9000 over dirt roads that my cousins in their Chevy Luv used 4wheel on. I remember ski trips up to Yosemite where he would blow by the rangers at chaining stops saying only, “it’s a Saab” then zipping off. I realize now that that was rather stupid, but these experiences along with pages full of others have formed my opinion that 2wheel drive vehicles, especially trucks, do have off road competence in the right hands.

Larry, I was not trying to analyze those who use 4wheel drive practically, if I have offended you, I am sorry. However, I never once denounced the capabilities of a 4x4 vehicle, I would buy one if my needs ever dictate it.

DJ, when I talk about “Those who speak very loudly” I am responding to posts like this:
Originally Posted by Two4X4
. A truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD. J
and this one:
Originally Posted by punisher
ok here is the bottom line...are you a man?if yes, buy 4wd, If no, then dont

Maybe in light of these arguments I seem a little more rational? I was only trying to state my opinion, which I made clear 3 separate times in my previous post. As I am now aware, my opinion is California centric, ill make sure to work on that before posting again.

By the way,
Its about 70degrees and sunny here, hows everyone elses winters going? ;)
I love my volvo.

Maybe in light of these arguments I seem a little more rational? I was only trying to state my opinion, which I made clear 3 separate times in my previous post. As I am now aware, my opinion is California centric, ill make sure to work on that before posting again.

By the way,
Its about 70degrees and sunny here, hows everyone elses winters going? ;)
I love my volvo.
That's what opinions are for. To get debated.

Anyways, we had a high of -4 today, but the sun shining through the window was warm.

We had a blizzard today, 20cm snow, high-26 with a -40's windchill.......god I love 4 wheel LSD.:D

Honestly,though....I love the TUN in weather like this!!!

56 and sunny today, put 200 miles on the PreTundra :D

All right; I deserve flax for my inflammatory statements, but hear me out. I am completely guilty of being both California centric and raised with the idea that driver skill is a huge part of driving off road.

I have always lived near or on the California coast and only once or twice a year drive up into the mountains. Out here there are a large number of 4wheel drive vehicles that never see the dirt. I hate seeing Land Rovers, G class Mercedes, and other 4wheel drive trucks, with incredible off road capabilities, have their existences squandered on pavement. Its almost like seeing caged animals. For those who do not see this on a day to day basis please forgive the bias I showed in my last post. I will make sure to know my audience better from now on.

As for driving skill vs. equipment; when I was little my dad used to take his Saab 9000 over dirt roads that my cousins in their Chevy Luv used 4wheel on. I remember ski trips up to Yosemite where he would blow by the rangers at chaining stops saying only, “it’s a Saab” then zipping off. I realize now that that was rather stupid, but these experiences along with pages full of others have formed my opinion that 2wheel drive vehicles, especially trucks, do have off road competence in the right hands.

Larry, I was not trying to analyze those who use 4wheel drive practically, if I have offended you, I am sorry. However, I never once denounced the capabilities of a 4x4 vehicle, I would buy one if my needs ever dictate it.

DJ, when I talk about “Those who speak very loudly” I am responding to posts like this:
Originally Posted by Two4X4
. A truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD. J
and this one:
Originally Posted by punisher
ok here is the bottom line...are you a man?if yes, buy 4wd, If no, then dont

Maybe in light of these arguments I seem a little more rational? I was only trying to state my opinion, which I made clear 3 separate times in my previous post. As I am now aware, my opinion is California centric, ill make sure to work on that before posting again.

By the way,
Its about 70degrees and sunny here, hows everyone elses winters going? ;)
I love my volvo.
Well done. My hat's off to you.

It amazes me that people buy four wheel drive, and I know some who have done so, who have no clue what it is or how to use it. It reminds me of people who bought Windows 95 but didn't own a computer. Yup, such people exist, and it buggers what mind I have left.

But, when you need it, and some places that happens A LOT, you can't beat it. It is dynamite when used for what it's intended. I bought it when I moved where I needed it. Back in St. Louis, I didn't have it and never needed it.

That's why we have a choice. And, as a friend keeps telling me, it's only money -- this is America, where you can go out and earn some more.

""DJ, when I talk about “Those who speak very loudly” I am responding to posts like this:
Originally Posted by Two4X4
. A truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD. J
and this one:
Originally Posted by punisher
ok here is the bottom line...are you a man?if yes, buy 4wd, If no, then dont ""


Volvo Dude, is that proper California speak or is it "dudder"?

Think what you want to and rationalize all you like but a 2WD truck cannot do what a 4WD truck can do offroad, in snow, pulling, nada--zip--nothing. I don't care how many "Volvos" you got or how fast your "dad's" Saab was it is simply rationalization on your part because some of us actually use our trucks under conditions each day that brings them to a stop in 2WD despite having LSD or Lockers. Going into 4WD is a night and day comparison. You forget that a 4WD truck is also a 2WD so it is not like we never experience 2WD shortcomings. So I will repeat to you, a truck ain't a truck unless it is 4WD, it is just a car with a bed on it. Sorry, it is my opinion, macho or otherwise, dude, and unlikely to change. J

Oh, on the subject I would like to say something else. We came here to this place from northern Arizona. We have had four 4WD vehicles. One Ford Explorer, one Toyota PU (91, 22RE), one Tundra Limited, one Jeep Liberty.The only one that is gone is the Explorer because we wore it out. The Jeep has 2WD, 4WD part time and 4WD full time. It also has exceptional ABS. It will drive circles around the Tundra on glare ice. It manuvers and handles in snow, mud or offroad with applomb. It is an exceptionaly capable machine. I have run desert ralleys with my 91 Toy and used it for offroad support in bike races as well. It has climbed up scree slopes and bounded over boulders. The Explorer may have saved my life once when I was injured and it's 4WD capability knocked miles off the trip to the hospital in Wyoming, while I bled all over the place. I have never gotten so stuck that I could not get out, sometimes with a little digging.
I have owned several performance cars and a number of fine Europeon cars and like Volvos and Saab. I especially like Peugot and Renault. Nonetheless, none of them were very capable offroad or on rough dirt roads as are common out west. The little Toy is amazingly capable offroad, the Tundra is to large to heavy for serious offroading but off highway exploring of old mining towns, getting to out of the way places, it is a great vehicle made greater by it's good ground clearence and 4WD capability. Make mine 4WD, love that Peugot 307, with all wheel drive, wish those could be had here in the states. My father in law, deceased, was once a Caddy, Renault, Peugot dealership owner. French cars got the best seats. J

There is so much for me to respond to here I don’t know where to begin. How about some questions for two4x4.

Why would Toyota make a 2x4 TRD off-road version for both the Tacoma and the Tundra?
Why does my owner’s manual have tips for off road driving in it?
Why is it a negative thing for me to rationalize my personal bias to putting driver skill over equipment?
Are you lumping all 2wheel drive trucks together with El Caminos, Rancheros, Subaru Brats and Bajas?
Could you please tell me how your Peugeot in any way compares to Swedish engineered and build Saabs and Volvos, other then that they are all European?

I have done some really stupid things with my Volvos and my brother's Saab (San Jose is a boring place for a kid), have you ever tried to see how big a pile of dirt you can drive over with your Peugeot? How about seeing how much water you could ford? The pre-ford and gm models are some of the sturdiest build vehicles in the world, in fact, the Volvo 240, of which I have owned three is affectionately know as the “Brick.”

Back to Tundras, a 4wheel drive isn't a 2wheel drive when you want it to be simply because you have the option of the button. It’s the option that makes a world of difference. That option gives a clear and wide equipment advantage to 4x4s in off road situations. I don’t have the button; I have to think harder, drive better and know my limitations. If that means stopping the car, getting out and walking the line I want to drive, or jumping up and down on the bed to get an iota of traction, so be it, I still can get to places that you, two4x4, would say that I cant. I have only begun to explore the capabilities of my truck and compared to my Volvo, it makes one hell of a better off road vehicle.
I have never had anything bad to say about 4wheel drive trucks, only their owners. My first car was a 4x4 3/4ton GMC Suburban, after that it was all Volvos till the Tundra.

By the way, one more question two4x4, what do you call those Mack Trucks that haul Timber up logging roads without power to their front wheels? Toothpick wagons?

All IMHO,
I love California weather almost as much as my volvo. ;)

...I have to think harder, drive better and know my limitations...

...I have never had anything bad to say about 4wheel drive trucks, only their owners...
Pushing the optional button does not change the fact that we all have to think harder,
drive better and know our limitations. You don't have an exclusive in this area.

No kidding.

OK everybody here may drive better than me or smarter than me but that does not negate the fact that it snows a lot where I live and we have these beautiful hills and that always makes for a bad combination. I have to drive my truck to work every day and use it every weekend for various projects. Having that little button on the dash means a little more peace of mind if things get ugly. I do like to drive in 2wd as much as possible but when I run up to erie to the nearest Lowes I don't have room for 200 pounds of sand and really don't want to off load it to haul stuff. It really comes down to what makes us personally happy and with that button and good tires, when the snow flies I have one less worry in the world and that makes me happy.

and know our limitations.


Dirty Harry right? "A man's got to know his limitations" That was right before he blew Hal Holbrook all to hell. :cool:

What I was trying to get as is 2wheel drive users have to get more ingenuitive because they lack the tools 4wheel drive users have. I do not claim that I can go nearly as many places as a 4wheel drive can, only many more then two4x4 would allot me.

What I was trying to get as is 2wheel drive users have to get more ingenuitive because they lack the tools 4wheel drive users have.


Whatever. Ingenuitive ideas. Whatever.

I still put sand bags in the back on the truck to add a little weight in the rear. I don't always need the 4WD for light snow or sometimes even heavy snow. But when I need it, it is always there just in case.

I still drive my truck as a 2WD truck and when I absolutely need 4X4 I will use it.


As for 2WD users being ingenuitive with ideas that is BS because I still do they same unless I absolutely need 4WD which does occur quite often.

"Could you please tell me how your Peugeot in any way compares to Swedish engineered and build Saabs and Volvos, other then that they are all European?'"

and the rest of all that, holy mad cow :rolleyes: . Swedish engineered, yippee, :rolleyes:
Enough about Saabs and Volvos and I don't have a Peugot 307 but I would like to have one. Currently a top ralley contender with it's all wheels drive, you can keep the Volvo bread box with wheels :devil: . Oh, the Peugot has better seats :D .

I am glad that I have had the opportunity to live in many places so I can appreciate our countries varied climate. I appreciate it much better with 4WD. I must say, for on road snow and ice driving the Tundra is not the best. It needs all wheel drive or at least an inter axle differential and it needs Traction Control like the new Nissan Titan. Still, the roads are icy today, 14 inches on it's way tonight and tommorow and we live way out down an unplowed farm road on hobby farm. Despite many years of autocross, desert ralleys and even some track time I admit that Volvoperson (do those come with bagels) must be a far better driver than me if his ingenuity can make up for 4WD. I am not a good driver, always got beat but had fun trying :cry: .
When the road comes to an end, 4WD rules, why Toyota says whatever about whatever, beats me, they may be deluding themselves just as they are now thinking the Tundra is a match for the Titan regardless of those "lifesize" commercials. The Titan with traction control is a beast. J

Damn, that was such a good football game.
I wholly understand that there are places a 4x4 can go that a 4x2 can't. I do not think driving skills can overcome the advantages to having 4wheel drive. IMO a 4x2 tundra with a good driver, limited slip, and weight over the rear axel; can do so much more then simply "a car with a bed". I have a really hard time when people tell me that I cannot go off road unless I have a 4x4 when I already have with my 4x2.

the 2002 has Limited Slip rear end , good weight distribution , its has very good traction



Ok, so I lied in my profile, I don't have a Tundra. I have a Taco and I want a Tundra. :)But I am having a hard time deciding between 4x4 and 4x2. I don't know why. I usually have no problem making decisions like this. The difference in price is about $3,000 which isn't a huge difference. Anyway, what do you guys think about the whole 4x4 versus 4x2 debate? If I were in CA I would for sure get 4x4 for skiing (etc), but in TX I'm not so sure how often it will be useful.
Sean
(I figured it wouldn't hurt to bring up this topic once again since we don't have it in the archives anymore. )

2 wheel vs 4 wheel. bottom line is this there are advantages that a 2 wheel drive has on a 4 wheel on paved roads. Yes a good driver does make a differance on the terrain you can overcome, and for normal everday driving a 2 wheel is an excellent choice, but there are some of us who do go off road wether it be for fun or neccessesity but lets face the facts it doesnt matter how good of a driver you are there are places a 2 wheel cant go nomatter how its equipped. try some trails at moab or telico or t-rex in colorado, and the same goes for 4 wheel no matter how its equipped there are places it cant go also. Oh yeah for you guys who keep posting your track times that your 2 wheel is a .5 seconds faster well good for you but when was the last time you actually had a need to go that fast. the arguement for 2 or 4 wheel is a personal choice we make when we purchase or vehicles and there are reasons we make that choice so buy what is best suited for you and enjoy it doesnt make a diffrience what it is as long as you are happy with your choice

I live in Upstate NY, and this winter a 4x4 came in real handy, we've had about 145" of snow already. go with the 4x4, you won't be sorry

I bought my 03 Tundra Limited back in July mainly for commuting, and until last month never needed to push the 4WD button. When I woke-up to see 1" of ice covering my uphill driveway and road out of my neighborhood I knew I was finally going to get my chance. It worked great, and I my Tundra was one of very few trucks out on the road that day. I was able to go anywhere I wanted. Someday when the pearl grey finish is all scratched up and the body has enough door and shopping car dings in it, I will try-out off-roading. Until then, my $34,000 rig is staying on the road.

"I will try-out off-roading. Until then, my $34,000 rig is staying on the road."

Yeah, I know what you mean. However both of my rigs have been off road, 91PU and 00Tundra and my wifes Liberty has been off road. Which one is better off road. Welllllllllll. The little 91 is quite the handy critter off road with excllent ground clearence, the Tundra is a bit fat with tires to small soon to be rectified by a small lift and 265-75 tires. Now--OK-----here it is---the Jeep Liberty will kick both of their butt's off road. This is the stock Liberty with the factory off road option and tow package. Yep, that little Jeep is tough and on road when it is icy it is the far superior vehicle. It actual steers on ice with it's superb ABS and AWD. The kinda offroading we do is like when we go on vacation we go rock hounding or exploring overland routes or old mining towns and ghost towns and that sorta thing. All three vehicles are excellent for that. When I get the 265-75s and the Daystar 2.5 lift on the Tundra it will do much better. Could the Toyotas run the Rubicon, well the Liberty absolutely can, I am positive the 91PU could, the Tundra--well---no. Not meant as an insult to the Tundy, neither could a Titan or an F150 in stock trim.
Oh, despite quite a bit of offroad use none of my cars has a single scratch or dent save for the little 91. It has a small dent on the rear fender when we got out of wack crawling down a boulder field and it slipped sideways into a boulder. We had gotten lost and were off the trail I think, heck, never did find that darn trail again. The average adventure to Walmart is frought with greater danger, those wild shopping carts and demonic soccer moms and those "used" baby diapers and illegal cleaning crews fleeing the Homeland Defense Gestapo and those huge curbs that sneek up on you and jump under your wheels. Just Ghastly. That is the real advantage of 4WD and high clearence. Dang the shopping carts and curbs--full speed ahead right over them. I pity those plebes in their bitsy low to the ground FWD econoboxes.

Hi. I just bought a 4WD Limited DC in CA and am waiting the car to arrive here in Japan.

I was wonderling if anybody know why Toyota makes so many 2WD, but so few 4WD? Or I should say why there are so few 4WD DC avairable, since there are quite a few AC. I know a lot of people preffer 2WD, but still.

It took me 3 month to get mine, and just wondered why.....

Thanks in advance.

enzo

Hi. I just bought a 4WD Limited DC in CA and am waiting the car to arrive here in Japan.

I was wonderling if anybody know why Toyota makes so many 2WD, but so few 4WD? Or I should say why there are so few 4WD DC avairable, since there are quite a few AC. I know a lot of people preffer 2WD, but still.

It took me 3 month to get mine, and just wondered why.....

Thanks in advance.

enzo
I noticed on Carsons site its like you describe, mostly 2WD's. Here in Connecticut and and surrounding states I see 90% 4WD's for sale. With the crummy winters here 4WD is a desirable option guess where you are customers would prefer the lower cost and faster 2WD trucks.

well this is a great question.Im assuming Toyota dealers order direct from japan on what they have. If I live In the northeast I want many 4wd where they are in demand for the weather. You wouldnt see as many 4wd's in Texas as in lets like Minnesota.You shoulda ordered direct

Tundra's and Sequoia's are built in Princeton, Indiana USA

I would say that it all depends on the region. Here in Los Angeles (and alot of CA), 4wd would not be practical for everyday use. The initial cost is more, the insurance is a bit higher, gas mileage can be a tad bit lower, and some maintence can cost more. So it pretty much comes down to supply and demand. You'll usually find more 4x4 Chevys or Fords over Tundras.

I'm gunna spoil this thread and toss in the crazy thought that maybe Toyota should offer an AWD Tundra! Not such a silly idea, really. 2WD is good for most stuff, especially with a LSD. 4WD is good for the same as 2WD stuff, plus some more, with a few sacrifices. AWD is good for all 2WD stuff and most 4WD stuff except hillclimbing and the real offroad. And, AWD technology is everywhere and cheap. For just snowy road driving, AWD is a good thing. Of course, what I really what is Torsen center diff...

I'm gunna spoil this thread and toss in the crazy thought that maybe Toyota should offer an AWD Tundra! Not such a silly idea, really. 2WD is good for most stuff, especially with a LSD. 4WD is good for the same as 2WD stuff, plus some more, with a few sacrifices. AWD is good for all 2WD stuff and most 4WD stuff except hillclimbing and the real offroad. And, AWD technology is everywhere and cheap. For just snowy road driving, AWD is a good thing. Of course, what I really what is Torsen center diff...

AWD will make gas mileage even worse. Look at the land cruisers