What exactly IS a prerunner? Ive seen the term multiple times, and I even searched for it, but i couldn't find the answer. So, What exactly is it? (other then a Toyota for you smarck alecks)

 

The prerunner I believe is a Tacoma with 4wd suspension. I don't think there are any other difference's though I may be wrong since I'm new to Toyota

BTW its also a Toyota truck

 

Just as described above, Tacoma with 4wd suspension, only its 2wd.

 

If I remember correctly for offroad races, the race teams would have (usually) a 2wd truck to prerunner the track before the race.

For toyota the Tacoma PreRunner is a 2wd Taco built on a 4wd frame.

 

So are there any advantages to having a Prerunner for an offroader? or would it be better to just get any 4x4 (like im mostly looking at 1st gen 4runners)

 

if you want to have 4 wheel drive, get a 4 wheel drive model. if your more concerned with doing high speed desert running a prerunner would be just fine, but if you want rocks and mud and what not, 4 wheel drive is definetly going to be the better route to take. Better to get 4x4 first then wish you did afterwards

 

I would say go with the 4wd for offroading. The most prerunners came with the E-Locker, but I would still want the 4wd.

 

The 2wd prerunner is just putting more power to the back wheels and balancing the weight out by doing so, so al in all its better if you are going over jumps and going fast while doing so. Its really your choice on what you want but i personally like 4wd cause when you get them stock they arnt lowered like the tacos can be!

 

It doesn't really have much to do with balancing out the weight, as much. The front diff doesn't weigh that much. I've always understood it that it's easier to get more front suspension travel from the 2wd instead of the 4wd. I'm not sure why, but that's what I think

 

i thought there were no 2wd 1st gen 84-88 4runners......

 

whered you get 2wd 1st gen from Jima?

 

i think i read it too fast... but hes talkign about a first gen and prerunners.....
and i was thinking they never had any 4x2 4runners in that era

 

haha, i read your post then re-read everything thinking to myself, "did i miss something here?".

 

Yeah i was talking about two different trucks, either a PreRunner or a 1st gen 4Runner, lol not the combination

 

I had the big "Ivan Dan" Fabtech lift on my 2WD '89. Unfortunately, they don't make it anymore (Supposedly it was named that because that's what Ivan Stewart used on his 2WD trucks)

With 2WD, a locker, and some driving skill, you can go almost anywhere a 4WD will go except hardcore rock climbing. Definitely a more momentum-based driving style though!

The biggest advantage (and why they use 2WD to prerun) is WAY more ground clearance up front - much greater margin of error when running along unknown conditions at reasonably high speed. We're talking HUMVEE ground clearance (hard to see, but check out the pic in my "newbie" post)

 

long travel and CV joints dont go hand in hand. straight axle up front isnt run because of all the unsprung weight. It cant "respond" fast enough to the terran.

most long front travel 4x4's are VERY wide in order to reduce the angle swept by the CV joint.