Considering A Change From a 2WD DRive Tacoma

[Mister Pig]

So we were stuck for 4 days at the house due to snow. Our driveway is steep and our culde sac has a grade too. We could not get out even with front wheel drive on the wife's car because the ruts were too deep. My Tacoma had no chance with 2WD drive even with good tires and weight in the back.

Thinking of trading it in for 4WD, and perhaps jump seats to haul others out. I have found the 4 cy manual Tacoma as reliable as can be. Can I expect similar reliability from a full or mid sized Ford, Chevy, or Dodge? I have thought about a 4WD Tacoma but the prices are brutal on them. I owned my truck from 89k to 151k and its been mechanically flawless.

Thoughts or experiences?

Cheers
Mister Pig

 

[cwh]

2005-2010? generation 4runner 6cyl. Made in Japan, hill descent, about the same MPG as 4cyl Taco. (At least the same as my 2006 man 2WD)

Manual Audi A4 Quattros are surprisingly incredible in the snow. Lacks the ground clearance and not a Toyota but pleasurable to drive year round.

American 4WD truck-Jeep Commanche/Cherokee 6cyl. Absolutely wonderful vehicle.

 

[4-2-7]

So we were stuck for 4 days at the house due to snow. Our driveway is steep and our culde sac has a grade too. We could not get out even with front wheel drive on the wife's car because the ruts were too deep. My Tacoma had no chance with 2WD drive even with good tires and weight in the back.

Thinking of trading it in for 4WD, and perhaps jump seats to haul others out. I have found the 4 cy manual Tacoma as reliable as can be. Can I expect similar reliability from a full or mid sized Ford, Chevy, or Dodge? I have thought about a 4WD Tacoma but the prices are brutal on them. I owned my truck from 89k to 151k and its been mechanically flawless.

Thoughts or experiences?

Cheers
Mister Pig

Yeah no sense letting some two wheel keeping you in your house, not when a 4 wheel drive can get you out with everyone else.

 

[Mister Pig]

2005-2010? generation 4runner 6cyl. Made in Japan, hill descent, about the same MPG as 4cyl Taco. (At least the same as my 2006 man 2WD)

Manual Audi A4 Quattros are surprisingly incredible in the snow. Lacks the ground clearance and not a Toyota but pleasurable to drive year round.

American 4WD truck-Jeep Commanche/Cherokee 6cyl. Absolutely wonderful vehicle.

Oh need a bed...for yard work

 

[4-2-7]

 

[cwh]

Oh need a bed...for yard work

If you're not hauling crazy weight and just using truck for occasional driving I'd definitely consider a Commanche 4WD. Hard to find but a babied example isn't going to be $$$.

Yeah sure a Tacoma would be a no brainer but 200k miles and maybe 20% less than original retail price. I can't stomach that.

 

[Mister Pig]

There are those who can drive and those who cannot. The guy in the white Toyota at the end knew how to drive.

And I dont live in Seattle. Those are brutal hills.

Cheers
Mister Pig

 

[cwh]

I'm getting a little too into this but I just gotta say....The American Motors inline 6 is a tank. The MJ, WJ Jeeps are easy as hell to work on. Crappiest part on them was the Renault manual that made it's way into the 2WDs. Oh and the brake release, cable always snaps.

 

[eiraved]

I owned a Comanche 2WD for many years. Weak 4 banger, but it was durable for almost 300,000 miles. That Jeep had foul weather grip you wouldn't believe! I had absolutely no slipping/sliding issues in rain or snow.

I currently own a Tundra 4x4 Crew Cab and love it, it is huge inside! I would recommend either truck.

 

[cwh]

Had to gather the family to watch. That was awesome! That Ford diesel, sorry pal/gal torque and weight ain't your friend here.

 

[Mister Pig]

I'm getting a little too into this but I just gotta say....The American Motors inline 6 is a tank. The MJ, WJ Jeeps are easy as hell to work on. Crappiest part on them was the Renault manual that made it's way into the 2WDs. Oh and the brake release, cable always snaps.

Dont want one made earlier than 2005 and prefer closer to 100k on it. Tough to find trucks meeting those requirements and affordable.

Cheers
Mister Pig

 

[cwh]

Dont want one made earlier than 2005 and prefer closer to 100k on it. Tiugh to find trucks meeting those requirements and affordable.

Cheers
Mister Pig

Yeah that's a tough one. I ended up buying my 120k mile Tacoma 4cyl manual work truck because it was $7000 and I was worn down from searching. I hate it and wish I could've bankrolled a 6cyl 4wd.

But as you're aware you'll spend more than you'd like on a nice Toyota but that should be the last of your pain.

 

[grey]

I loved my 94 Toyota 4x4. Reliable and capable. I actually used the 4x4 on the coastal and trail areas quite often. One problem that was a constant annoyance was the lack of lock up in the rear differential. I've had it stuck on absolutely nothing difficult. The front diff. didn't seem to lock up very well either. This was fixed with an added EZ locker in the rear, but I had to take it easy around tight turns. If I do another one, it will have an air or electric locker for the rear at the least. Had a set of BFG all terrains and mud terrains for it.

I've seen plenty of older Toyota trucks tied together with other vehicles in a road train. They were all going to Mexico and that helped drive the used prices up.

 

[cratz2]

I mentioned trying to help a non internet savvy coworker look for a truck. He was set on a Tacoma, roughly 2010 to 2012. Hopefully under 100,000 miles and hopefully under $10,000.



I politely told him that he was way off.

He ended up getting a manual, 4WD, 4-cylinder Ford Ranger with about 35,000 for $8,000.

I wouldn't expect Toyota-like reliability overall but the drivetrain if you get the 4-cylinder and the manual is pretty reliable.

 

[Mister Pig]

I mentioned trying to help a non internet savvy coworker look for a truck. He was set on a Tacoma, roughly 2010 to 2012. Hopefully under 100,000 miles and hopefully under $10,000.



I politely told him that he was way off.

He ended up getting a manual, 4WD, 4-cylinder Ford Ranger with about 35,000 for $8,000.

I wouldn't expect Toyota-like reliability overall but the drivetrain if you get the 4-cylinder and the manual is pretty reliable.

Uh yeah, thats 16 to 18K. And thats probably a "good deal".

Cheers
Mistwr Pig

 

[gadget73]

How often do you get enough snow there to get you stuck in the driveway? Might be worth paying a dude with a plow if its only a couple times a year.

The Taco is reliable but they do have rot problems. Inspect the frame closely if it hasn't been replaced under recall. Since many of them went away, the supply of those trucks is a bit limited so the prices are kind of stupid.

As for reliability with other brands, it will depend on the specific year and model.

 

[freQ(*)Oddio]

Price determines this. .....a unknown history $10,000 4x4 chevy/ ford /dodge will be a headache. $15k you may get one that is ok. You will want a mechanic to give some advice and go with you, unless you are knowledgeable in checking transmission / rearend/transfer case/ engine/ . Frame Rust is the Plague of a 10-15K Toyota . so the toyota mechanical parts should be good if its not rusted and has a current inspection sticker. This is not "Gospel" but a direction. I retired from 25 years in auto sales with 4,000 customers.

 

[tanker 200]

What about trading the wife's FWD for a Subaru? I've had my 4WD Toyota pick up since '83 and it has no problem with any amount of snow, but I also have a Subaru Legacy wagon that is actually better driving and has never been stuck (and I've tried), I did need chains once on a steep icy hill once. With a good set of studded snow tires it's a comfortable ride that will go anywhere.

 

[nedseg]

Check into 1st Gen Honda Ridgelines (2005-09?). Built like tanks, super good in snow/traction, etc. Mine has had zero issues since new (2005). Lots of insider background on it at Ridgeline Owners Club (ROC).
I only bought it b/c a full sized ford or Toyota wouldn't fit in my garage...and now see those vintage trucks are smeared w with rust - none on mine at all, so think I made the right decision. (Taco dealer was rude to the point of absurdity, too).
I'd give a slight nod to the ones made in Canada - looks like they had a few iffy years when they moved to the US plant.
I noticed that with all the recent snow, these things are popping up all over the place on the roads suddenly.
My drive is 1" of solid ice now - I can't (or dare) walk it, but the RL trundles up it as if it were dry asphalt.
Talked with a construction worker in a parking lot about his - bought used for about $5k, has 180k on it now, zero problems in 3 years...a huge fan and going to buy another one.
Happy snow-wheelin'!

 

[Mister Pig]

How often do you get enough snow there to get you stuck in the driveway? Might be worth paying a dude with a plow if its only a couple times a year.

The Taco is reliable but they do have rot problems. Inspect the frame closely if it hasn't been replaced under recall. Since many of them went away, the supply of those trucks is a bit limited so the prices are kind of stupid.

As for reliability with other brands, it will depend on the specific year and model.

Problem is there are very few people who plow here and they are full up of work when this happens. Also not being able to get out is a real problem. Mom is 20 miles away and I am the only one who helps her. Mom turned 93 last year. Not being able to get there is a problem.

Clearing the driveway isnt too bad. Its the road up to the main road thats an issue. Here is what it looked like after day 3. Only the AWD rigs or 4x4 could get out.

Also a pic of the driveway which is steeper than the pic shows.