2WD for Offroad?

[TuffTrigger]

Do you think that you can offroad with a 2WD Tacoma?

I was looking at a Prerunner Tacoma V6 with the TRD package and the 4x4 suspension, but 2WD. They're more common and less expensive that a 4x4 without the TRD. It seems to me that with the clearance and locking differential of the 2WD I would be able to deal with the light offroading I would encounter while hunting and fishing in Oregon. Does anyone disagree?

thanks!

[ElmerFudd]

I'd say it would take the same abuse, but I wouldn't test my limits.. I know my 4X4 is quite useless in 2WD and it's hard to go slow even in first gear without low range. Takes a lot of clutch work.

[texas12]

TRD is no substitute for 4x4! A friend of mine has a Taco with the TRD and I spend a lot of time pulling him out every situation. You need pull on both ends. The a$$ end is just too light.

[80toy]

i go hunting with my dad and we have definetly needed 4x4. not only to get us past mud and stream crossings, but also for the gear reduction of low range when on steep descents and climbs. it also helps if you can bring the truck up to the buck you just nailed instead of the other way around. two wheel drive really doesn't cut it in some situations, sorry.

[Toy Sport 4x4]

It depends on what you are trying to go through. Muddy dirt roads are different than muddy rutted dirt roads. Driver ability makes a big difference. A rig don't make a driver the driver makes the rig.

[Rycam]

2x4 in the dirt is ok if you have two things: momentum (speed) and flattish surfaces. Most of us cannot control these two factors unless we live on a hog farm. You have two choices if you see a common a washout on a dirt road. Either balls through, or just turn around and feel kinda weenie ("That rut wasn't near as huge last time I saw it! Damn rain storms!) .

4x4 Inspires confidence!
Descending hills is easier in a 4x4, espescially if you have a drop-off ledge on one side.
Taking a trail till it ends is easier because the 4x4 feature lets you get turned around in tight dead ends. 4x4, especially Toyota, can fit where the larger Detroit trucks cannot. As 80toy says, the low gear range is awesome, and can be the difference between walking/waiting for help. I have seen trail drops closed by the forestry service because these trails were snagging too many people with 2x4. My 4x4 would take these trail no problem, even though I have only 96hp.

Another benefit: 4x4 allows trucks to "tread lightly". The same trail obstacle that forces a 2x4 truck to balls it through and tear up the earth, can be accomplished with zero wheelspin in LOW range at walking speed in a 4x4.

[rogerman]

do u feel safer walkin down the ghetto with a knife or a 357? lol sure u can do light stuff with 2wd but where i live theres a ton of sand and beaches so 2wd trucks arent so hot. and as one of the guys said you have confidence in a oh shit moment with the 357 in the glovebox or 4wd