2WD for traveling, including snow?

How many of you guys have (or have had) experience with 2WD 4runners ? Curious how they are for traveling (road manners). I've moved to the deep south a few years back and really only need a 2WD here and recently sold my FJ. But once in a blue moon the 4runner may travel back up north and could encounter some snowfall. Anybody with snow/2WD 4runner experience ? Thx in advance ...

 

They don't even sell 2WD 4Runners in Canada. I had no idea this configuration even existed until I realized US market sells them. I mean it literally has "4" in the name. I thought it was like how Subaru and Jeeps are AWD/4WD, so are 4Runners.

If you're going to skimp out on 4WD, why are you even buying a 4Runner? I don't understand.

 

Not sure about your area but my area of the Deep South has one thing for sure. Red Clay..a/k/a orange dirt. It clings to everything, stains clothes, and is generally a PIA if you get stuck in it. Alot of people tote claws for this reason. Last 2wd truck I owned was late 80s..I think. However, a 2wd 4Runner sounds interesting if it's only going to be in town or the highways.

 

I bet a 2WD 4Runner might be a sweet ride if you don't need 4WD (and if you can find one). The 4WD's have fine highway manners and the lighter 2WD should ride better and accelerate a little better and get better fuel economy. If you get one you might check to see if you can trade/sell the original tires and upgrade immediately because some stock 4Runner tires suck in the winter while a top rated Michelin Defender or something similar would handle some snow pretty easily (and improve wet and dry traction too).

 

Tote claws?? What are you referring to?

 

Yes I have a 2WD and live in the south. I do not need 4WD as in my opinion most do not either. I get 20.5 MPG using 87 octane no ethanol. I have always had small toyota pick-ups (2WD, 4 banger, 5 speed manual) and to my dismay in 2019 they no longer exsist....got a 2019 Tacoma AC 2wd V-6 auto.......hated it. Did some research and traded for new 2021 4R 2WD, removed 2nd row seats, built a platform to match cargo slider, love it.
I grew up in northern Ohio snow belt and never had a 4WD, put some weight in the rear and go.

 

Thx guys for the great input. Once upon a time I could not imagine not having a 4x4. I used to live in WNY State next to Lake Erie (famous area for lake effect snow storms). After 50 years of buying every sort of 4x4 (all the big 3 brands plus Toyotas and Mistsu's, etc.) I now reside way down south and am looking for a decent brawny vehicle for traveling. Just for poops and giggles I still have an '04 TJ I thrash around in. But I really like the looks of the 4runner plus it has a sort of presence on the highway that is hard to deny. For some reason the dealers around here seem to have gobs of '21 4runners in 2WD and they seem ready to move them quickly. They also have a good amount of 4WD versions as well. So maybe you guys can understand my on-the-fence-post attitude about what to buy and I genuinely appreciate your input.

 

To answer your question, the 4R is pretty good in small amounts of snow at low speed. A lot of times I don't need to engage 4H or 4L. If snow is your only concern, and small amounts at that, 2WD should serve you fine. Anything more than a few inches its no bueno though. If 2WD is all you need, enjoy! I am sure you'll love the 4R. Really nice vehicle for what it is.

 

Truck Claws. Sold on the interwebs but most folks in my area make their own and are usually better built. The ones on the net are stupid expensive for something that costs maybe $20 bucks to put together. Slap one on each tire to gain traction in slippery mud holes. Heck, I saw a guy once use a length of 2x4 strapped to one his rear tires to get out of the mud. Same concept.

 

Since I have really good tires (285 Nitto RG), I have found that I really don't need to engage 4wd on most of the off-roading I do. I mainly use 4wd to exercise it.

Probably as long as you avoid mud and loose rock/gravel you'd be fine with 2wd.

 

If you're going to want to drive in snow in 2wd, I would recommend a good all terrain with a 3 peak mountain snowflake on the sidewall. This indicates a severe snow service rating. However, even tires with this rating are not all equal in snow. Definitely research whichever tires you choose.

The tires my '19 came with were not great in snow (Dunlop GrandTrek AT20). I would not travel into snowy areas on those tires without 4wd.

 

Tires with a good snow rating would be good for sure.

Another advantage is that I believe the 2wd version has the electronic LSD, which would greatly help in winter driving conditions.

 

Ditto on the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake on the side. There are only a handful of tires that have this rating.

 

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Oh hey, I was really wondering about the LSD. I was hoping Toyo offered something like this. I had been scanning all the Toyo factory literature I could find and it was very sketchy about the rear axle/differential. Do you know if an electronic LSD would be standard equipment ?

 

Tube Sand is a good option to carry over the rear axles if you have a 2WD.

Tube Sand is sold at Lowes and is a long 3' tube of 50 lbs course sand. You just put two tubes in the back, over the rear axles for extra weight. The course sand can also be used if you are stuck on the ice.

 

This year , ice and snow storm in texas . I was able to drive my 2 wd tundra, about 45 miles everyday to work. I added some weight in the back and took it slow. I have nitto terra grappler g-2 tires.

Country side roads were a mess. Was also able to give rides to few of my employees from their home. Auto LSD helped in few situations.

 

I have a friend who owns a 2wd 4runner who moved to CO from NV. He is disappointed not selling it before coming to CO. Absolutely worst in snow and pretty much no value in CO because of 2wd.

Highly suggest not to buy 2wd.

 

I'm fairly certain electronic LSD is standard with 2wd, but confirm through your own research.

All 4wd models have TRAC and ATRAC which is standard.

 

I live in the South too. About the only "Deep" part is the depth of the snow on mountain driveway.

As you can see, I'm a big believer in Severe Rated Snow Tires and owning a 4x4 Toyota Truck with a lot of ground clearance.

I was watching the Miami Boat Ramp show on YouTube and all these guys with 2WD Pickup Trucks getting stuck on the slippery boat ramp, trying to pull out their big boats out of the water. It was funny to watch.

I would never buy a 2WD Truck.

 

There is not much of a price difference , in 2wd and 4wd. If you are willing to wait I think you can get a 4wd in a month or so.

This forum will make you go place and explore , you will regret not having a 4 wd later.

I bought a 2011 4wd limited 4Runner, that I am building up to explore the scenic places.

 

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I can appreciate the deep snow. For almost 50+ years I lived in the southern-tier of WNY State (famous for brutal lake effect snowstorms). This pic shows my old FJ . The night before there was a dusting of snow, the next morning I had this. These kind of snowstorms would occur several times a season.

 

That looks like Watertown, NY.

 

Yeah, it sort of does. This was Ellicottville, NY which is down close to the PA border on the western side of NY. It was a big ski town and had been nicknamed the Aspen of the Northeast.

 

Had a 2WD RAV4 when we moved to eastern Washington twenty years ago. Had a set of studded snow tires on it each winter and it handled our winters quite well. It does without saying, you will need chains and good tires for the snow. My wife has a RAV4 AWD for driving around town in light to moderate snow. I have my 4Runner 4WD for heavier snows and trips to visit family in Flagstaff and Denver areas.

Most people here have AWD or 4WD but a high percentage do not. Just follow Greg's Rule of Two: drive 1/2 as slow, twice the distance, brake twice as far! Weight in the back is a good idea.

 

FWD (2wd) vs RWD (2wd) would be night and day difference. FWD have much better control vs RWD.

 

I had a Taco Prerunner once and almost got stuck in a gravel parking lot. That plus the lousy gas mileage it got is why I got rid of it. Only time I miss it is when I need to haul yard debris to the dump. I would never buy a 2wd again.

 

Someone has to say it...

It's a 4Runner not a 2Runner.

1st time you get stuck somewhere simple, you'll regret owning a 2Runner.

 

A LOT of old folks in eastern Washington get by quite well with RWD in all kinds of cars (We usually have some snow from Halloween or Thanksgiving until after New Years with a prett good last snowfall around Easter=3" or so). Winter is followed by "Mud Season".

It is true that it is easier to pull a string than to push one!

 

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BTW, I like your tag line: “Those who have nothing better to do than to criticize other people’s posts, need to get out of their mom’s basement more often!”

 

My Aunt has a 2 wd 4 runner. She lives in Florida. As long as it has Air conditioning,...( thats all you need in FLA. )
Her 4 runner has over 300k miles on it and she takes it on ski trips up to virginia and Pennsylvania a couple times per year.
She has never had an issue,with traction ( just like every other 2wd car, van, pickup on the road.)
My 1st 15 years of driving in New England, I always had a 2wd car and you just learn to drive in the snow.
The 2021 2wd 4 runner has automatic Limited slip differntial, and VSC (Vehicle stabilty control?)
Starting MSRP is $36K.