So ive narrowed down my search to these two Runners.

1. 1998 Toyota 4runner 4wd, black, 1 owner clean title. 143k miles.

2. 2000 Toyota 4runner 2wd, green, 1 owner, clean title, 133k miles.
(Transmission rebuilt this year.)

Both are in really good shape.

Is there a difference in the body of these two cars?
Or are they exactly the same aside from the 4wd and 2wd.

need help deciding FAST.
Im planning on purchasing within the next few hours.

 

What do you plan to do with the vehicle? That will be your deciding factor. Do you ski/snowboard? Camp in far out places on dirt barely maintained roads? If so the 4wd is a no brainer and is more sought after than the 2wd version should you decide to sell down the road.

 

I say go with the 4wd... easier to sell for more cash later... safer in all weather/road conditions... more robust suspension... and did I mention 4wd...
the mileage dif. is so small as to be a non-issue... on the 2wd how good ws the shop that did the tranny rebuild? you just don't know... I'd go with the black one myself... get a mech. you trust to give it a look before you finalize the sale which you should do in any case... plan on changing all the oil/fluids right away to "zero" the sched. maint. that way... maybe do a tune-up as well...

 

98 4wd

 

do you want/need 4wd? if the answer is NO, then get the 2WD model, there's less hardware to deal with. Otherwise they are essentially the same vehicle...

 

2WD is useless in 4runner's...unless your going back and fourth to the grocery store. Get the 4x4 its more practical.

 

I really dont need 4wd. I dont really do any off roading....
But its nice to know that I have the feature..
The 2000 has leather seats, and is in really good shape.

the 98 has cloth seats.
Damn I dont know what to do.....

 

Does it snow where you live?
Are there dirt roads where you live?
Do you need 4WD to get anywhere during the year?

If you answer no to those questions you don't need the 4WD.

You also don't need a 4runner? Think about it, the reason we pay the price we do for gas is so we can have 4WD, and get places off the pavement with room for people and gear. There's no possible reason in my head for having a 2WD runner......am I wrong?

 

Nope that's just simple logic

 

I will never buy another 2WD ride again. The one time you don't have to get out and put chains on is worth the extra cost/maintenance. 98 4WD for sure, and be prepared for anything.

 

4wd for sure

 

4wd runner. I will never go back to 2wd again!!!!!!!! I had the worst luck with them in the snow.

 

YEP....your wrong. Mine is 2WD. Tell me what's wrong with mine

Of course....It doesn't snow where I live. But, I did install 4:56 with locker, and never got stuck off-road (I don't rock crawl) or traveling in snow country.

 

no brainer man.....4wd, you never know when you'll need it.

 

Get the 4wd. I live in S. Florida (no hills, no anything to 4wheel on)... and I still regret getting the 2wd...

Trying to swap it out for 4wd as we speak. Would have been much easier to have 4wd originally.

 

4WD = peace of mind

 

In a sea of voices all shouting, "4WD!", my voice...



...joins them. Get the 4WD.

 

I"m wrong because you have a 2wd 4runner? I don't get it. The question would be, what is your reason for owning a 2wd SUV? I couldn't think of a reason, doesn't mean people don't do it. I mean, it's not really a cost savings, gas mileage increase is minimal, you paid for 4 tires and can only use two?

I guess there's one or two arguments, up front cost is less because resale of a 2wd is sometimes difficult driving prices down.

And less drive train to maintain.

And if you don't wheel it.

 

3 words.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

 

That's just ridiculous. How is it that you can only use 2 tires on a car that sits on 4 wheels? There are many reasons to go 2WD. Most ppl just don't need it and don't bother to get and have to maintain it. If it's not going to see an off-roading or rough terrain then it's not neccessary. I know a few ppl that wheel 2WD's and there pretty capable. A lot more so with a locker and a decent driver.

Sounds like you don't need 4WD so I wouldn't bother with it. If the 2WD is fully loaded leather roof etc. etc then you might prefer that over the 4WD, go for it. Are the price's the same? Personally though I would go 4WD but I would use it. If the 4WD is more and you have no use for it, it should be a no brainer.