This may be a stupid question but here goes. I'm interested in hitting some trails (not rock-climbing) but I don't have a 4wd or 2wd. It's a 96 4runner v6 180k. I know from a majority of the pics I've seen on yotatech that 4wd is required but how often is 4wd necessary on the trails? I would like to try out trailriding before I dump my 2wd for a 4wd but don't know if it's even possible. I'd hate to dump my 2wd for a 4wd and then not like hittin the trails. I know it may be a crazy question but thought I'd ask. Thanks for any feedback!

 

Im kinda new a off roading but this is what i have found. it depends entirely on the terrain. If its hard pack you should be fine in two wheel drive as long as your not climbing extremely steep inclines.

 

get a locker and a 2wd will go amazingly far.

 

what he said

 

what they said... plus wheel with someone who has a 4WD to help you get out or through obstacles that turn out to be a bit to much for your current vehicle.

 

2WD can get you many places, as long as you have some knowledge of how traction in different situations will affect you... I think you should go drive with a buddy that has a 4wd 4Runner, half so you can get pulled out if you get stuck, and half to see what you think (possibly ride with him in some harder stuff).

All that being said; once you have 4WD, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it Of course, it ain't a cheap hobby :pat: Why-o-why didn't I take up knitting?! (don't answer that)

 

2wd's are great. well.. half as great as 4wd's anyway.
Lots of good advice so far, so just a quick note. If you do go out with somone who has a 4x4 Runner (or other 4x4)... remember that you'll have a lot less clearance than the 4wd. Also, you didn't mention if you have a manual or automatic... If it's a manual, you can do a lot to influence how the vehicle responds to the trail, with an automatic you have less control so just keep that in mind. Go hit the trail and it shouldn't take long to figure out that your having a heck of a lot'a fun! good luck-Hiriden

 

Thanks for all the advice! I'm at work so can't do an extensive search on yotatech---is there anyone in Dallas/Flower Mound/Lewisville area that I could tag along with or find out about nearby trails? I'll look more tonight and see if there are any clubs in this area.

I have an automatic---kind of wish I had a manuel though..

What's the cost of a locker? Also, I would hate to start dumping money into tricking out my 2wd and eventually have to dump it for a 4wd....

 

I remember there was a time a few years ago, when I still had the AUTO hubs on my 4runner. At first I didn't know they weren't working, so I know it's possible to wheel with an open diff in 2wd....I still had a t-case though...so I guess that's kinda different. I wouldn't spend any money modding yours until you get out there and see how you like it.

 

Couple things...

You might prefer an auto with 2WD as lacking a transfer case, manual 1st gear just wouldn't be low enough to take obstacles slow enough.

Also, you'd need to research this a bit as I may not know what I am talking about, but it is probable that a Toyota 2WD rear diff is the same as a 4WD rear diff, meaning you could take your locker with you if you move on to a 4WD Toyota later on.

This idea may or may not work, but worth investigating.

 

Just do it. Be careful not to try anything too hard until you have a good feel for your runner. Some of the trails you take to get to the hard trails are just as fun. Besides, being out in the boonies is really what it's all about.

 

Cool-I'm definitly going to try it out. Does anyone know if I can swap a rear oem locker from a 4wd runner into my 2wd? I don't know anything about it but wasn't a factory rear locker available on 4wd models? What would this cost if possible?

 

thanks for all the help by the way--!! :bigclap:

 

You should have no problems trail riding in 2wd. If you decide on a locker I suggest the ARB, or find an elocker. Since it is 2wd you will see mostly pavement time, and you dont want a locker on the pavment, manners arent as nice, and IMO a LSD is a waste of money in the rear. And you dont have a front to worry about

If you do swap an elocker from a 4wd just do the whole axle, the housings are a little different, but the swap should be easy, for the cost of the axle and 3rd from a junk yard. Save your axle then when you go to sell the 2wd put it back it and keep the locker

Put some good tires on it and go play.

 

since you've already said you want to try wheelin to determine if you want to sell the 2wd and get a 4wd, i would suggest just getting an aussi locker.. 250 bucks and an weekend in the driveway. yes its a lunch box locker so that its will make a little clicking noise when turning, but its alot cheaper and easier then doing an e-locker swap or ARB. if you decided that wheelin is your thing and you want to get a 4wd the aussi will swap in an out no problem, or, get one with a e-locker and sell the aussi. this will be the cheap and easy.

 

How hard is the aussi locker to install? I'm going to try and hook up with toyotatrailriders here in dfw area and see how I like wheelin. Apparently there's some trails I can hit with my 2wd. Need to get some new tires first. Will start there and see how things progress. I got a feeling I'm going to love it. I grew up in the country and have now lived in city for over a year. I'm itching to be off the pavement and away from the BS!

 

Should be fairly simple.. remember an aussie is an auto locker, so your street manners will change drastically... clicking around corners, chirping..etc..

 

If you think about it a 4wd and a locked 2wd are the same thing, 2 wheels are recieving the power...you would be surprised the places you can get a 2wd vehicle....they are really capable...look at the toyota tacoma prerunner, toyota even developed a 2wd meant for the trails!

 

i dont know about THAT, there are still a lot of cases when all 4 wheels have traction, locked or not. now a locked x3 4wd cant be compared to but thats an extreme case.

also, in the case where a 4wd really has 2 getting the drive...those 2 arent always the rear it could be a combo which helps in a lot of situations but yes, a locked 2wd can get you very far. ive wheeled with 2wd vehicles before and they keep up, just more skinny pedal and good maneuvering

 

Yes, a 2WD will get you pretty far on the trails, amazingly far if it's locked. The only downside (and it's big) is that since you don't have the low gears of 4LOW, you're gonna have to use a lot more momentum/speed to make obstacles, and that often leads to body damage. Take it out on some easy trails (more like rough dirt roads) first and get a feel for it and go from there.

check out www.ttora.com for the TX chapter and people to ride with.