I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner, with the TRD (rear locker) off-road package, 3" suspension lift and BFG Mud Terrains. I am very interested in making it an expedition worthy truck, but obviously it's not a 4wd. Do you think this truck is capable and worthy of further expedition truck modifications or am I just wasting time and money? I'm not looking to make it a rock crawler, just semi-capable on trails without getting stuck in ruts/mud all the time. I appreciate the feedback.
Prerunner Expediton Capable?
- Thread starter saltflyer
- Start date
Clutch
<---Pass
It is like anything else...do you really nead such and such? If you stick to mild dirt roads you shouldn't have a problem. I rarely use 4WD on mine, but, it sure has come in handy. You can do it a 2WD drive, you need more momentum to get over things. 4WD you crawl along. The nice thing about 4WD, you can take wash board roads faster, 50-60 mph seems ideal for me, don't have to worry as much for the rear end to swap out.
The list can go on and on 4WD vs. 2WD...
If it was me, I wouldn't waste my money on it.
The list can go on and on 4WD vs. 2WD...
If it was me, I wouldn't waste my money on it.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I'll disagree with Kermit insofar as it's no worse off than a VW bus or something, maybe a bit more capable with the locker and lift. The vehicle is an ends to a means. If you own it and it does the job, I'd just be happy and go camping. I would not set out to buy a 2WD Tacoma as a base, but I wouldn't stress over it if I already had it. I wouldn't spend much more money modifying the truck itself, but I'd personally not think twice about getting stuff that can be moved to a different truck easily (i.e. camper, fridge, Hi-Lift, radios, whatever).
mountainpete
Spamicus Eliminatus
Saltflyer,
For my circumstances, a 2wd simply doesn't work. With mud, rough trails, etc, in areas I like to travel though 4wd is essential. But my usage may be different from yours so my circumstance doesn't really matter right? Some people have done some amazing things in Prerunners.
Please describe for us in greater detail what type of trails YOU want to travel on... What do they look like? Do you have an example or location you want to travel to?
Thanks,
Pete
For my circumstances, a 2wd simply doesn't work. With mud, rough trails, etc, in areas I like to travel though 4wd is essential. But my usage may be different from yours so my circumstance doesn't really matter right? Some people have done some amazing things in Prerunners.
Please describe for us in greater detail what type of trails YOU want to travel on... What do they look like? Do you have an example or location you want to travel to?
Thanks,
Pete
Clutch
<---Pass
Yep, it comes down to what you need and will use it for. I grew up with 4WD's and we needed them. For me I couldn't live without 4WD, some can. Come to think of it, I have only owned two 2WD drive vehicles, one was a 1971 Chevelle. The things you do when you are 16. 
..and the other happens to be a VW bus...which I feel is "cooler" than my Tacoma.
Since moving out West, I don't use it as much, but, I do make winter runs up the mountains to go snowboarding. Nice to reach down and pull the lever and not worrying 'bout it. Piece 'O mind...
..and the other happens to be a VW bus...which I feel is "cooler" than my Tacoma.Since moving out West, I don't use it as much, but, I do make winter runs up the mountains to go snowboarding. Nice to reach down and pull the lever and not worrying 'bout it. Piece 'O mind...
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I live in GA and travel to FL, so the trails I normally encounter are clay, mud (I normally steer clear of the deep swamp - the thick black stuff) and sand. In the GA mountains if get pretty rocky and I have been several times without major problems. I have mastered driving in sand and have not had significant problems. I was concerned with adding all the gear/weight and then traveling too far of the beaten path. Thanks for all the input.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I traveled all over the West in a 2wd Ford Ranger pickup from 1999-2002. At the time I could only afford a 2wd so that's what I got. Didn't even have a locker, though I did put a limited slip diff in. After the original tires wore out at about 40k, I put some 235/75r 15s on and it seemed to do great.
The key is, as Dirty Harry said in one of his movies, "A man's got to know his limitations." As long as you know what your limitations are (no deep mud, no deep sand without a winch or a buddy, no heavy snow or ice, no deeply rutted trails, etc) you should be fine. I had a blast with my 2wd truck, took it on a lot of forest service roads, BLM roads, etc.
Just be realistic about where you can and can't go and have fun. Remember most folks got along fine in the past without 4wd. It's not a neccessity.
The key is, as Dirty Harry said in one of his movies, "A man's got to know his limitations." As long as you know what your limitations are (no deep mud, no deep sand without a winch or a buddy, no heavy snow or ice, no deeply rutted trails, etc) you should be fine. I had a blast with my 2wd truck, took it on a lot of forest service roads, BLM roads, etc.
Just be realistic about where you can and can't go and have fun. Remember most folks got along fine in the past without 4wd. It's not a neccessity.
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
I may be wrong but I believe converting it to 4wd would not be a huge issue. I think you are looking at the transfer-case, front diff, drive shafts and not much else. Now would it be worth the expense?....thats the hard call.
Find a crashed truck that is relatively complete and then sell off the rest that you don't need. Might be able to do it relatively cheap if you can handle the labor.
Find a crashed truck that is relatively complete and then sell off the rest that you don't need. Might be able to do it relatively cheap if you can handle the labor.
teotwaki
Excelsior!
At 17 years old, my very first truck was a broken down 1955 Dodge stepside pickup, 2WD. My dad and I dropped in a 318 motor and 3 speed, rewired and repainted it Screaming Yellow, set up dual gas tanks, fabricated our own lift kit, ran dual exhausts and added in a limited slip from an old LAPD freeway pursuit car. I roamed all of the hills' and mountains' fire roads and tried to avoid situations that were beyond safe limits.
Take that Prerunner out and go have some adventures (and just use good judgement)!
Take that Prerunner out and go have some adventures (and just use good judgement)!
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
I'll approach this from a different angle. You have a NEW truck and you have modified it with aftermarket parts. I'm guessing if you wanted a 4wd you could have afforded it, but realized afterwards you may want it.
I would not spend another dime on that truck, and I'd consider buying into a 4wd version if you really want one. Chances are you could get into a 4wd without taking too much of a hit financially. You can return your 2wd to stock and keep the lift and tires for the 4wd.
I've known several people who upgraded. They came to one TTORA event and realized they wanted a 4wd instead. If you do off roading, then yes, 4wd is an upgrade over 2wd, locker or not. Your prerunner would be fine for building a long travel 2wd desert racing truck, sure.
I've been on trips with prerunners that insist on doing 4wd trails. Sure, they usually made the obsticle then said "see, I can do it". Yea, you did it all right, but not without driving like a crazy maniac. RIsking damage to your truck in situations that would have been easy for a 4wd.
I believe that ultimately, you will enjoy the offroading hobby more with a 4wd. You just have to decide if it is worth it or not to upgrade to 4wd.
This is not to say that you couldn't have one hell of an expedition in a 2wd. Some of the greatest vehicle based expeditions of all time have probably been done with 2wd vehicles, back when 4wd was not as available. It's the DOING that defines the activity more so than the equipment.
I would not spend another dime on that truck, and I'd consider buying into a 4wd version if you really want one. Chances are you could get into a 4wd without taking too much of a hit financially. You can return your 2wd to stock and keep the lift and tires for the 4wd.
I've known several people who upgraded. They came to one TTORA event and realized they wanted a 4wd instead. If you do off roading, then yes, 4wd is an upgrade over 2wd, locker or not. Your prerunner would be fine for building a long travel 2wd desert racing truck, sure.
I've been on trips with prerunners that insist on doing 4wd trails. Sure, they usually made the obsticle then said "see, I can do it". Yea, you did it all right, but not without driving like a crazy maniac. RIsking damage to your truck in situations that would have been easy for a 4wd.
I believe that ultimately, you will enjoy the offroading hobby more with a 4wd. You just have to decide if it is worth it or not to upgrade to 4wd.
This is not to say that you couldn't have one hell of an expedition in a 2wd. Some of the greatest vehicle based expeditions of all time have probably been done with 2wd vehicles, back when 4wd was not as available. It's the DOING that defines the activity more so than the equipment.
7wt
Expedition Leader
I would say two wheel dirve is perfectly fine for about 90 percent of where I go but as the old saying goes, it's that last ten percent. You know the picture, you are on a trail that is long and narrow and you come up on something that you can't go around. You have to go through or over. I would say if you knew the limits and those limits were acceptible to you then go for it. My worries are when you brought up the mud. Two wheel drive and mud aren't my idea of a good time!
Brian894x4
Explorer
My first "expedition vehicle" was a 1990 Honda CRX. I'm not kidding. I used to load that thing to the gills and a buddy and I would head off to the dirt roads of Eastern ORegon for days at a time. I put a roof rack on it, with a basket and even had a fuel can strapped to the top and to the back. Sometimes carry one of those car top containers that was actually longer than the car itself. Wish I had pictures of that.
I even went so far as to put a metal plate under the front of it to keep rocks from taking out the oil pan. When I ventured to a point when the road sort of went away, I hit a big rock which destroy my metal pan, but not my oil pan.
But it was at that moment that I decided I needed a truck. Back then, a 2WD Prerunner would have sufficed just fine as I mainly needed clearance more than anything. But I would have eventually upgrade to 4WD, because no matter how well set up a 2WD is, eventually you'll need 4WD. For me, I use it most climbing steep and sometimes hairy roads to lookouts and other sites or driving in the snow or muddy desert roads.
I'm not sure if any of that applies to you or not.
My take on it is this. If I had the Prerunner and there wasn't money in the budget to upgrade to a 4WD, I could definatley make the best of it as 90% of where I go a high clearance 2WD vehicle will do just fine. As mentioned investing in gear that is easily transferable to another rig makes the most sense.
But in the end, it's hard to argue that 4WD wouldn't be nicer to have.
So, in my opinion, it really depends on how money you have in the budget to spend on a vehicle AND gear. If funds are limited, since you already got the Prerunner, I'd probably stick with it. No sense going broke buying a new rig, when the one you have seems to be working out for you most of the time. But otherwise, I'd upgrade.
If you were to keep the Prerunner, I would probably invest in a winch, even a mechanical one, if funds are tight. Something to nudge you out of trouble, if needed.
You're Prerunner might also be a good candidate for an solid axle swap and you could install 4WD....if you dare.
Good luck.
I even went so far as to put a metal plate under the front of it to keep rocks from taking out the oil pan. When I ventured to a point when the road sort of went away, I hit a big rock which destroy my metal pan, but not my oil pan.
But it was at that moment that I decided I needed a truck. Back then, a 2WD Prerunner would have sufficed just fine as I mainly needed clearance more than anything. But I would have eventually upgrade to 4WD, because no matter how well set up a 2WD is, eventually you'll need 4WD. For me, I use it most climbing steep and sometimes hairy roads to lookouts and other sites or driving in the snow or muddy desert roads.
I'm not sure if any of that applies to you or not.
My take on it is this. If I had the Prerunner and there wasn't money in the budget to upgrade to a 4WD, I could definatley make the best of it as 90% of where I go a high clearance 2WD vehicle will do just fine. As mentioned investing in gear that is easily transferable to another rig makes the most sense.
But in the end, it's hard to argue that 4WD wouldn't be nicer to have.
So, in my opinion, it really depends on how money you have in the budget to spend on a vehicle AND gear. If funds are limited, since you already got the Prerunner, I'd probably stick with it. No sense going broke buying a new rig, when the one you have seems to be working out for you most of the time. But otherwise, I'd upgrade.
If you were to keep the Prerunner, I would probably invest in a winch, even a mechanical one, if funds are tight. Something to nudge you out of trouble, if needed.
You're Prerunner might also be a good candidate for an solid axle swap and you could install 4WD....if you dare.
Good luck.
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ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
Not my first off road driven vehicle, but one of them was a turbo diesel VW Rabbit Pick-up. 2wd AND FWD! Same thing, I added a thin skid plate to keep rocks & what-not from hole-ing the oil pan.
I think it's doable in a 2wd, but consider what happened to me about a month & a half ago. This is So CA, not often we get a lot of snow in the 7000 foot elevation range, certainly not in May. It was extremely lightly snowing when I went to sleep. In the morning there was ~3.5 inches of snow on the hood of my Suburban. The campground is in a slight bowl on a ridgeline at just over 7k'. The other group there had a pair of 2wd trucks. They couldn't get out, I had to tow them up the small hill.
When I'm by myself my rule of thumb is to use 2wd until/if I get stuck. 4wd is only to be used to get unstuck & turned around.
It sounds to me like you're at the best point to decide if 2wd is enough. Grim's suggestion of transplanting 4wd stuff from a similar wreck has merit if you can do the work. If you can't, it's likely less outlay to sell off the 2wd & buy a 4wd.
Oh yeah, buy first. Then if what you find doesn't have that locking rear axle you can swap them!
I think it's doable in a 2wd, but consider what happened to me about a month & a half ago. This is So CA, not often we get a lot of snow in the 7000 foot elevation range, certainly not in May. It was extremely lightly snowing when I went to sleep. In the morning there was ~3.5 inches of snow on the hood of my Suburban. The campground is in a slight bowl on a ridgeline at just over 7k'. The other group there had a pair of 2wd trucks. They couldn't get out, I had to tow them up the small hill.
When I'm by myself my rule of thumb is to use 2wd until/if I get stuck. 4wd is only to be used to get unstuck & turned around.
It sounds to me like you're at the best point to decide if 2wd is enough. Grim's suggestion of transplanting 4wd stuff from a similar wreck has merit if you can do the work. If you can't, it's likely less outlay to sell off the 2wd & buy a 4wd.
Oh yeah, buy first. Then if what you find doesn't have that locking rear axle you can swap them!