LOL...i read your second question, and forgot about your first!!

Regarding the 2wd... you will be screwed without 4wd in snow...

One reason i know is.... once i was going up into the mountains with my ex-girlfriend's family in their nutty-lifted F-250 (which was locked into 4wd by the way ), and we got pretty far up the hill when we came across what i think was a ford bronco in a ditch...probably had 4wd, and that didn't even help them...

Later on, when following several other cars, and being followed by an awd subaru outback ( ) we stopped...

after a while of waiting, the traffic started to move again, up the practically single-laned mountain road, and i could see the blockage...

It was a 1st gen 4runner spinning the rear tires for all it was worth.... Must have been so embarrasing..i was wondering why it didnt lock into 4wd but my guess now is it was a 2wd version... which i didn't know existed at the time.

It made the trip quite a ways, and didn't have chains, but when the slope started to get a bit steeper they were dead in the water. GET 4WD you'll thank yourself!! Just because a front wheel drive civic with chains can do it dosent mean you can with rear wheel drive, just dosent work like that. Heck i DID see that....a honda oddessy passed the guy and made it all the way to where we were with a set of chains.... but i wouldnt even risk going in mountains without good grip on the steering wheels anyway..which means no 2wd trucks.

 

everyone agree sticking with a v6 is best regarding hp and gas millage?

 

wear sunglasses and use "Yo" at gas stations.

 

Gotta disagree boys and girls my 2wd always ran fine in the snow (Still does. On road for the most part sure but meh). A good pair of cable chains is a breeze to install. If you have a choice before go for 4wd...Having paid 1 thin dollar for my truck (I did too ) I'm most certainly a happy man

 

I have a 2 wheel drive truck and I can not run snow chains in the winter or studded tires because it is illegal here in Michigan.

If I had a choice, get the 4WD and do not look back.. Resale is always higher and if you have to use it, then there it is... No going back if you get a 2WD.

Always be over prepared.

 

Well I pulled the trigger tonight and bought a 2004 4wd sport edition 4runner in black. What a cool truck and without question the best vehicle I've ever own and the most fun truck I've ever had the pleasure to drive.I was a little concern that I might not enjoy the X-reas suspension feature but just the opposite is true. The truck handle like its on rails and with the v8 engine upgrade I can't imagine many trucks being quicker. Thanks guys for your advice when I get the chance I will post pictures of my new baby.

 

sweet man - good luck -

 

wow!! nice....i look forward to seeing the pics!!!