Keep 4x2 or get 4x4?

Gents, I'm new to this forum. I've seriously been debating whether or not to stick with my 4x2 TRD Sport 2015 or getting a new 4x4 Offroad. Going to be going off to Missouri next summer BOLC, and wanted to make a road trip out of it. Not sure if my 4x2 would be able to handle terrain in the middle of the country as compared to my typical climate in southern California.
I have also debated just getting a locking rear differential and a lift kit on my trd sport, and just really add some good modifications to help my 4x2 in more difficult terrain better suited for a 4x4. I would rather not get a new truck due to trying to buy a house soon and not really wanting a car payment. Although I have always wanted a 4x4, and feel like I am missing out with a 4x2. Would love to hear some feedback and opinions on this. I feel like keeping the 4x2 and just adding modifications would be a better move financially but I would like to hear other opinions.

 

It depend on what you intend to do. 4x2 is fine on hard pack. You get into rock crawling or soft sand 4x4 is the way to go. Right now is a bad time to be buying a pickup new or used. You will get a good trade in but will also pay list price.

 

I went the opposite route. I ditched the 4x4 and got a 4x2. Never once did I have an actual need for a 4x4, with exception of the times I went looking to abuse the truck just to justify owning a 4x4. A good set of tires and a decent amount of common sense will get you amazingly far on the trails. I can say that there have been maybe 2 trails that I skipped, but would have liked to have driven, in the last 5 years of owning a 2wd.

For me, that's not missing out on much.

Oh, and welcome to TW

 

It’s not clear why exactly you think you’ll need a 4x4. Doesn’t sound to me like you need 4x4. If you won’t be using it don’t get it.

 

It’d be cheaper to get the locker or a mechanical limited slip like a Detroit Trutrac. I’ve got one and it’s a game changer in 2wd but I got the cheater selector if I need it.
I can cruise on the beach even thru the dunes in 2wd, some speed, and aired down.

 

I may be bias but i drive a 2wd tacoma 99% of the time and Love it. But the few times i have needed to, I turn this little dial on the dash and i got 4x4. 4x4 is Worth it IMO.

 

It’s usually cheaper to keep what you have. Most hard pack and USFS type roads will be fine with 2WD.

It’s not clear what you will be using the truck for. If you REALLY want to go on trails etc, then you already know you’ll need the 4WD. Since you are waffling then you probably don’t.

 

Hard to say without knowing really how you'll use the truck. Is off road capability important or just preferred? Is the truck an adventure mobile or a daily that you sometimes take camping? Personally, I knew I wanted 4x4. No way I was downgrading from an AWD Subaru to a 2wd Tacoma when my goal was to have even better off road performance. But, my truck is purely a fun vehicle + hauler. I don't use it to commute, only use it for camping, exploring...

Personally, the 4x4 is the only way to go.

What about a compromise option? Why does it have to be keep what you have or buy brand new? Why not look for another 2nd gen but in 4x4 this time? That way all you're doing is paying the extra amount for a 4x4 version and not paying for something new. Plus, if you do a private party sale you're more likely to be able to keep your sales tax down whereas with a new truck you're gonna pay full taxes + fees on top of fees at the dealer.

 

If I need a Truck it is going to be a 4X4 or else I just need to stay home on all but dry Sunny Days

It all comes down to what your needs are OP

 

This might not be the right time but I'd strongly advise moving up to a 4X4 when you're ready to make the next purchase. There are no downsides to owning a 4X4 vs a 4X2. They will cost a bit more initially, but are also worth more down the road when the time comes to sell/trade. A fellow could spend a lifetime owning/selling/trading only 4X4 trucks and not spend any more money than the guy who did the same with 4X2 trucks.

I bought my 1st 4x4 in 1976 and made the mistake of moving to a 4x2 truck in 1983. I hated that truck every minute of the year and a half I owned it until I was in a position financially to get back in a 4X4. I've owned nothing else since.

Even if you only NEED 4X4 once in a while it is well worth the extra expense. And not just for off road driving and snow. My wife and I have traveled and camped all over the country. Even on pretty decent gravel roads you can get into trouble meeting another vehicle in a narrow spot and slide into a ditch. BTDT. In the Rocky Mt's it snows year round. I've had to use 4X4 to get through snow drifts in June in Colorado. I've used my 4X4 Tacoma to pull a couple of cowboys in Utah up a steep gravel hill when their 4X2 truck pulling a stock trailer couldn't get enough traction in the loose gravel. I can't recall going to Florida and not having to pull someone out of the sand who tried to drive on the beach in their 4X2.

 

Keep what you have.The 4x4 guys that need a 4x4 for going too the malls will be along shortly.

 

In my opinion I would never in my life own a 2 wheel drive truck.

 

I say keep your truck unless you find you need it. But you won’t know until you’re there. Give your truck a shot, I bet it handles much more abuse than you give it credit for.

 

@Ivanl5 Sounds like you should see what you need. I added an ARB air locker and it got me 90% of the places I wanted to go. Was able to do a bunch of sedona and Moab trails no problem. The other 10% I couldn’t do were technical offroad trails meant to be hard and even then I was able to do it with a winch in some places. Got more into rock crawling and ended up converting my truck to 4wd, not too hard. And with tacoma prices what they are now, you’ll save a TON of money going this route. But honestly a locker would have been enough if I didn’t get into technical off-roading

 

I need it to get out of the driveway many times a year, so definitely if I wanted to go to the mall.

 

Pretty sure they pave roads in Missouri.

 

If you plan on encountering snow or mud get a 4x4. If not, just throw a locker in your current truck and keep it

You mentioned buying a house soon and not wanting a car payment? I would hold off on buying a new vehicle right now

 

The only reason I wanted a 4X4 is that I live in the snow belt. Do I really need it, no, I've driven many years in winter conditions with only a two-wheel drive pick-up or a front-wheel-drive car. The 4X4 makes me feel more comfortable when driving on snow-covered or icy roads, but you have to remember you just can't stop any faster in those conditions. There is much more planning when you drive a two-wheel-drive pick-up in the snow. You either add sand tubes in the box for traction or anticipate traffic light changes for acceleration purposes or both. We have a steep driveway and my wife who has a front-wheel-drive vehicle has had more problems getting up that driveway than I have had with the two-wheel-drive pick-ups I've had. She doesn't like driving in the snow and I just adjust to it and I do all the driving in the winter. She plays solitaire on her phone to keep her eyes off the road conditions when we're out, it helps eliminate the back seat driving.

 

OP, even though I just made this switch, it sounds like you'd be fine with the truck you have for now. I would wait on the locker and lift (lift does nothing for traction anyway), and see how far some good tires get you.

I drove a similar Prerunner Sport for 9 years & 145k, and couldn't get to where I needed to go exactly one time. (This was in some snow / ice in hilly North Carolina, and chains/cables would have resolved that situation. Since you're going in the summer, that wouldn't even be an issue for you.) All of the other driving, forest service roads, hunting, camping, etc. it was fine.

If you want to get more into it past where 2wd works, then you can plan that into your future vehicle purchase.

Agree with others that the 4wd trucks are insanely prices right now, too.

 

If you can afford a lift, rear locker, tires and your down payment/closing costs, that route gets my vote. Prioritize a house over a trip and/or vehicle.