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Toyota 4WD systems explained

2487 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM

You are in the Toyota Land Cruiser Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tacoma, Truck, SUV

Messages Page 249 of 250

#2476 of 2487 4WD or RWD Opinions by txpackersfan

Jan 15, 2012 (6:21 am)

Looking for some opinions here. I'll be buying a Toyota soon (Land Cruiser, Tundra, or Sequoia) and have been debating between RWD and 4WD. I pretty much decided I have no need for 4WD here in TX. When I lived in the upper midwest, it always made sense to have the 4WD for the inevitable winter storms. In fact it was hard to find trucks and SUVs that were only RWD. Now that I'm living in TX I don't really see the need for 4WD yet I often see these trucks and SUVs optioned out with 4WD. Why? What am I missing? You add $3 -$4 grand to the price, add more items that could wear out or fail, and reduce the gas mileage. I've only been in TX a few years so maybe I'm missing something. Can someone tell me why I might need 4WD when living in the South?
 
The only reason I can come up with is I may need it if I take winter trips to visit family in the UP or if I ever move back.

#2477 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [txpackersfan] by toyodave

Jan 15, 2012 (6:34 am)

Replying to: txpackersfan (Jan 15, 2012 6:21 am)
You might need 4WD to tow a future boat or travel trailer. If you ever decide to sell your vehicle, 4WD is like selling a house with a swimming pool. If the house is good, someone who must have a pool will buy your house over the one without. 4WD is great for off road, but if you have no desire.....not much point there. If you buy the vehicle without 4WD, you can never install it later, should your needs change. 4WD rarely goes wrong in Toyota's but, it does adversely affect the fuel mileage, by maybe 2 gpm's.

#2478 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [toyodave] by toyodave

Jan 15, 2012 (6:53 am)

Replying to: toyodave (Jan 15, 2012 6:34 am)
The thing you are missing, as you say, is this.......there is a huge community of "guys" out there who love to drive off road. If you want to drive in the bush, thru the muck, across streams, and generally cross country, then you have to have 4WD. I have a 4Runner, a serious off road vehicle. It has 4WD, with low and high and differential lock, it sits up high, and isn't too big, so I can get between trees in the woods. When I went to buy it, (used), there were a ton of 2WD's out there. I passed over all the 2WD's to find this 4WD. If your plan is to drive your vehicle to the office on the interstate, and you never plan to sell it, or move it back up north, then perhaps, your wasting your money on a 4WD.

#2479 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [toyodave] by txpackersfan

Jan 15, 2012 (10:18 am)

Replying to: toyodave (Jan 15, 2012 6:53 am)
Good points. I'm definitely not planning on moving north again, but of course never say never. I can see the need for 4WD for pulling a boat out of the water, but RWD for general towing on the highway should be fine. I'm leaning towards the Sequoia and I don't think too many people take them off-road since it's much bigger than your 4Runner. I also typically keep a vehicle for 10 years or more.

#2480 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [txpackersfan] by wwest

Jan 15, 2012 (11:45 am)

Replying to: txpackersfan (Jan 15, 2012 6:21 am)
"...what am I missing..."
 
How could you possibility miss the fact that you are now DEEP into Red-neck territory. Those 4WD/4X4 fully decked out trucks and SUVs, gun rack and gun included, are a societal requirement in your region. They may NEVER go off-road, off-road hunting, but they MUST look capable of same.
 
You don't "need" anything beyond RWD. Travel back north, take tire chains along.
 
My question would be why something as HUGE, weighty, and gas-guzzling as are your seeming choices. Wouldn't something in the 4runner class suffice?

#2481 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [wwest] by txpackersfan

Jan 15, 2012 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 15, 2012 11:45 am)
"My question would be why something as HUGE, weighty, and gas-guzzling as are your seeming choices. Wouldn't something in the 4runner class suffice?"
 
The answer is 3 teenage sons. The oldest is already 6'-4". The 4Runner doesn't get much better gas mileage and is much smaller. For basic trips, the 4Runner may be fine. For family vacations, it just won't cut it.

#2482 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [txpackersfan] by wwest

Jan 16, 2012 (10:38 am)

Replying to: txpackersfan (Jan 15, 2012 1:07 pm)
They why buy a huge gas-guzzler for the 96% of the time you're not on vacation...rent.
 
Is the HL still available with the I4..?

#2483 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [wwest] by txpackersfan

Jan 16, 2012 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 16, 2012 10:38 am)
"Then why buy a huge gas-guzzler for the 96% of the time you're not on vacation.."
 
Because I can .

#2484 of 2487 Toyota 4Runner '07 by tomy2

Feb 18, 2012 (6:43 pm)

I'm trying to put new front pads and I've tried everything using the C-clamp method to collapse the 4 piston caliper I have with no luck, the two on the outboard side I can collapsed, its the two on the inward side that will not budge, not matter how hard I try. I've opened up the fluid brake line, and opened the master brake fluid reservior, still no luck. I'm I missing something?

#2485 of 2487 Re: 4WD or RWD Opinions [wwest] by lsuz20

Mar 31, 2012 (7:06 am)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 16, 2012 10:38 am)
Because I'm 6'5" tall, and the Four Runner wouldn't pull my boat.....

Messages Page 249 of 250

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