Can someone explain what a Prerunner is? I’ve heard it’s a truck, but why doesn’t it come with 4WD? Shouldn’t all trucks be 4WD?
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Well, not everyone needs 4WD. If you’re mainly driving in the city and don’t really use it, why pay for it? Just look around at all the Overlander-style builds that never leave the pavement. At your local store, you’ll see plenty of 4WD trucks with street tires on them. A good example of a 2WD truck would be the ones delivering parts to mechanics.
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I get where you’re coming from, but the Prerunner isn’t really the right choice if you’re looking for a status symbol. A lot of people buy trucks just to look tough, like those jacked-up crew cabs that are barely off the ground. For them, anything but a crew cab doesn’t make sense because they don’t actually use the bed for hauling. The Prerunner is for folks who know a good truck doesn’t need a big V8 to be effective. It’s more about function than flash, aimed at people who work blue-collar jobs and spend most of their time on dirt roads. It’s a basic model for a reason, those buyers want something straightforward that won’t break down from unnecessary features.
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That makes sense. I live in Minnesota, so I definitely need 4WD with all the snow we get for most of the year.
That’s cool, but keep in mind that over a third of the U.S. doesn’t really need 4WD. I’ve been driving 2WD trucks for 30 years and never once thought, “I wish I had 4WD.” It just hasn’t been necessary for me.
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Actual Prerunners are designed for higher speeds, and you typically wouldn’t want to go that fast in 4WD. Even trophy trucks are usually 2WD for that reason.
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So does that mean 4WD is actually slower? I know that sports cars are usually more fun in RWD. Is that the case with Prerunners too?
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Exactly, they tend to be slower because 4WD adds more weight and complexity, which can lead to more breakdowns. In racing, keeping it lightweight and avoiding issues is crucial, so 4WD is often unnecessary for Prerunners.
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What if you want to take it off-road, like for rock crawling or climbing steep hills?
For activities like rock crawling or mudding, 4WD is definitely important. At slower speeds, 4WD gives you much better traction.
I think I really need 4X4 for what I have in mind. I want to push my Tacoma to its limits.
If you’re looking to do rock crawling, mudding, or trail riding, 4X4 is definitely a must. I have a Prerunner myself, and I treat it like a trophy truck. There are some gravel roads near me, and I love to push the limits and catch some air over the little jumps. Maybe it’s a bit reckless, but I’m just having a blast and using the truck the way it’s meant to be used.
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I want to join in on that fun too.
I also plan on traveling across the U.S. multiple times to explore every nook and cranny, and eventually, I want to do the same in Canada.