Hello…Don’t buy a 4x2

I’m new to TacomaWorld and here’s my story: traded a 2x4 for a 4x4. Moral of the story; if you even wonder about having 4x4, don’t buy a 4x2. You’ll either be haunted by the decision the rest of your life or you’ll trade up and lose $ like me. Stupid. Anyway, love my new Taco.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Do you off road a lot or live in the snow belt? I don’t off road but we do get some snow in central VA. I just got a 2wd and at the end of the year I’m gonna get a set of Firestone weathergrips mounted and I’ll be fine in winter weather with some weight in the bed. But yea if your gonna go off road you need 4wd or at least a locker.

 

I hear ya we also have a new 4Runner I can drive if need be. You did the trade at the right time used truck prices are thru the roof. I’m glad I got the 4Runner when I did (last January). There are zero new Tacomas within like 60 miles of where I live. Dealers can’t get them in

 

Up here in VT 4x2 is very rare! I'm glad to hear you are in the truck you are happy with and your dealer was good to you!

 

I did the same thing. Only difference was from 2nd gen to 3rd gen which im not sure was so much of an upgrade.

 

There are a lot worse things. There are people living and walking the earth who think their FWD "SUV" is AWD. At least you made a conscious decision. I am an old enough geezer that 4x4 pickups were the exception.

 

You happy now??? That is all that matters. I live in Ma. I would only own 4-wheel drives here. Winters suck. lol

 

Ya...Looking forward to seeing it. Definitely keep me in the loop.

 

I did the same. But I waited a long time to trade for a 4x4. Trade my 17 for a 21 4x4. I rarely off-road but if you even had some thoughts about off-road, I say get a 4x4. I never thought of needing 4x4 until one day I got stuck going to snow just for fun.

 

Welcome!

 

I had a prerunner 1st gen in VA for years and had only one instance that I absolutely needed 4wd. Like you said, good tires and you'll be golden.

 

Ironically, if you grew up up here you already are a better driver than the others on the road down there, and could probably get by without.

but yeah, I get ya, I don’t use it often in the snow, but it’s worth its weight in gold when you NEED it.

nice truck, gosh that cement color has grown on me…
They don’t make these trucks in boring colors, lots of great ones to choose from.

 

Do most folks there have a dedicated set of winter tires?

 

4x2 has its place. I have a 4x4 dclb for camping and hunting and a 4x2 access cab for commuting and weekend chores. 4x2 has 500 pounds more payload rating than my dclb, gets better gas mileage, and is cheaper to maintain. No significant snow to contend with in GA. Traction control has come a long way. With a good set of tires the 4x2 is very capable.

 

Welcome to TW and congrats on alienating everyone with a 2WD that loves their truck right off the bat.

Mine stays on the road, 150-200 miles a month. Didn’t need the extra cost or parts to maintain. Not trading it in, was actually a lease I am buying since I like it so much. Plus no one can tell mine is not 4WD without looking closely.

 

No downside to owning a 4X4 even if you never actually NEED it. And if you do ever need it only a few times it will be well worth it.

Cost is relative. Yes a 4X4 costs more initially, but is worth more down the road too. Even if you drive it until the wheels fall off the scrap yard will pay more for a 4X4. A fellow can spend a lifetime buying/selling/trading 4X4 trucks and not spend any more money than the guy who does the same with 4X2 trucks.

If you drive a 4X4 truck 200,000 miles it would be rare to be used 5000 miles in 4X4. Even if you had 20,000 miles in 4X4 it's not used nearly enough to wear out unless the truck has been abused. And if you do any type of off road driving in 4X2 you're going to do far more damage to the truck than a 4X4. OK, so you do need to change the oil in the front diff and transfer case every 100,000 miles. That is the only additional expense.

On paper a 4X2 is going to be rated about 1 mpg better than a 4X4. In the real world you'll never see the difference as long as both are set up the same. The guys who lift trucks and add oversize aggressive tires will hurt fuel mileage. And I see just as many guys doing that to 4X2's as 4X4's.

 

So the real moral of the story is to buy what you want in the first place.

 

Like many have said it, a 4x2 with a good set of tires and lockers should be fine for most situation. But if you have extra money for a 4x4, do it. It will come in handy when you need it. It's almost impossible for a 3rd gen to add 4x4 later on.