Hey all,
I just found this site and it's just what I've been looking for for a while. I love to modify and mess with my 4runner and a place to discuss different things with or yota owners is awesome. Anyway, I picked up my 2000 SR5 2wd runner a little over a year ago and i absolutely love it. The one thing I wish it had (besides of course a TRD supercharger) is 4 wheel drive. Granted I don't go off roading at all (partly because I'm scared of my limitations), I REALLY want to, but I'm worried about the limits of a 2wd. I scrapped the street tires and got some Dunlop Mud Terrain so I at least have SOME traction off road but I was just wondering exactly how far a 2wd can go in the off road scene? Thanks!

 

welcome to the forum.. your wallet will never be the same again.. lol j/k. a stock 2wd will only get you so far. if you put a locker in the rear it will get you ALOT further. search around and look at your options. ARB air-locker, Toyota E-locker, as well as Lunch-box lockers. do you have any pics of your rig? you will find we tend to be pic whores and will always want more.

 

Ah yes I've heard a lot about these lockers. What will a good elocker or air locker run me? I'm a poor college kid right now which is why I haven't even CONSIDERED selling this and buying a 4wd or even getting my hands filthy with a conversion. Also, I have some pics but theyre somewhat old. I put the Hella lights on just aobut 12 hours ago so no pics of that yet. I'll see what I can dig up and all that to show you my rig. Thanks!

 

i am not sure if the 2wd had the option for the factory elocker, do you ahve a button that says RR LOCK on the left side of the steering wheel? if so you already ahve a locker. otherwise, and ARB is $$$ about $800 and e-locker i believe can be had for about 300-400 (someone correct me if i am wrong)

 

2WD with a locker, hefty skidplates, and some practice and you'll be able to get through all but the hairiest scenarios. Just have to keep at least one rear wheel on the ground all the time. Momentum is key - you will find you have to hit obstacles faster/harder to kinda slide across them until you can get a rear wheel down. Skidplates are key.

Since you don't have CV axles up front, there's A LOT more you can do with the suspension to get massive travel. All the Baja trucks are 2WD because of this.

 

make the fat girls ride in back for a little more traction

 

I have a 2wd also and believe me, you can do more than you ever imagined possible. I didn't think that I would be doing ANY off-roading... but one day off the road to get around something and I was hooked. Since then, I've dumped $7k into my rig modifying it to what I want it to be. The only that stopped me from doing more is having kids (they tend to grab your wallet even before they are born!).

Here are some photos of my rig...

 

$7000 and no locker? With a locker it would actually be a 4x2... not a 4x1... It probably wouldn't be too much trouble to find a wrecked runner and snag the dif and front axle


like this one that I found.. I already have dibs on the eLocker though

 

On the subject of lockers, will something from a 2002 taco fit mine or does it need to be t4r spcific?

 

4runners and TRD Elocker Tacos are 8", regular Tacos are 8.4"

 

i had a 2wd with some lift, good shocks, good tires....

i now have a 4wd, with some lift, good shocks, and good tires....

honestly, no matter what anyone says....because TRUST ME, i wheeled the crap outa my 2wd and got it stuck many many many a time....it really makes a HUGE difference.

this is all my opinion though...but if it means anything, the reason i sold my 2wd was for a 4wd. i was in your position. i wouldnt mod any more IF you plan on taking it off road. just yank all the stuff you got on it now, sell it, and get a 4wd; then start the never ending 3rd gen mods.

 

I had a guy with a Prerunner Tacoma wheel with us on a few trips......people where laughing at him in the begining,but they werent laughing later........he did everything we did and never got stuck.Of coarse having the rear locker is what got him through everything,and his driving skills

pics

 

oh i know locked 2wds can go through a lot...i had one!

but the one situation that i constantly look at that a 2wd will never be able to catch ground against the 4wd....is simply going up a steep hill....its not easy in a 2wd...add slippery mud to the equation....2wd doesnt have much of a shot, while the 4wd will most likely be going straight up

 

I concur....if it had been muddy he wouldnt have made it far especially on the steep inclines.....however I am still amazed on well he did in the Sierras and Hollister Hills