4WD vs 2WD

Each person has their own needs and needs to evaluate whether it makes sense. I work in the power line industry and most of our projects are off road. I rarely need to engage the 4WD, but when I need it, it’s been a lifesaver.

Having replaced the needle bearing recently in the Tundras front diff (design and manufacturing flaw), I can confirm that 4WD, especially on Tundras, brings extra head aches. It’s worth it to me to have that additional capability though.

 

Embarrassed to get stuck in a flat yard in a 2wd truck. A truck is about capability. Ability to haul. Ability to tow. 4wd adds additional capability. Not everyone needs it, but I wouldn’t have a truck without it. So many times pushing that button has saved the truck from getting stuck, or rutting up a yard, or slipping on a steep incline. Resale is real, but matters not to me. I keep ‘em forever.

 

Resale isn’t more if you paid more and it cost more to keep.

 

Look at first gens for sale in great condition. 4wd can pull as much as double the sale price over 2wd.

 

Its all relative. My ‘23 SR5 2wd was $2,500 off because it sat on the lot too long. Clearly people didn’t want 2wd. You pay more for 4wd but its resale value is relative to what you paid.

Very few vehicles are investments that are worth more over time.

Personally it would be a waste of money for me to get a 4wd because my work/life/hobbies don’t require it.

We’re getting a bit into Starbelly Sneetches territory with 2wd/4wd