From 1998 until 2015, Toyota sold a Tacoma variant they called the “PreRunner.” The Tacoma PreRunner was a two-wheel drive truck with a narrower track width and a somewhat higher suspension (thanks to wheel offset). Additionally, the truck had a locking rear differential.
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A Toyota PreRunner has four wheels, right?
Winter drivers likely had no idea such a car existed, but Toyota retailers in the southern United States quickly became overflowing with PreRunner pickups. Although it lacked running gear, the model nonetheless had the swagger of a 4-wheel-drive vehicle for around $2,000 less.
Prerunners have 2WD or 4WD.
The choice between two- and four-wheel drive is one of the most important considerations when choosing where to start. A true luxury is all-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive vehicles excel at navigating all kinds of terrain with little difficulty. Because you will be operating at faster speeds and putting more strain on the components, building a two-wheel-drive prerunner nearly forces you to create something heavily customized. In 2WD, you are constantly in danger of becoming stuck when you slow down or stop. You will make advantage of all the tire travel and traction you have available when speed is your sole ally. Therefore, your suspension and driveline components will need to be stronger.
2WD excels in weight reduction and having significantly fewer moving parts than 4WD. A 2WD suspension can typically accommodate far greater wheel travel than a 4WD suspension since 4WD articulation is based on the maximum angle that can be applied to the CVs or U-joints on the front axle shafts. Since you will be running at high speeds the majority of the time if your goal is to actually perform prerunning, 2WD will work just well. Almost anything may be driven through quickly, but if you intend to halt in the silt, mud, or sand, you’ll need a decent shovel.
How can I determine whether my Tacoma is a PreRunner?
Nissan started importing the 620 shortly after Toyota started selling pickup trucks in this country for the first time in 1966. In addition to the dependability and durability that their passenger vehicles were becoming known for, these new imported trucks were unlike anything that the domestic manufacturers were providing because they were much smaller and less expensive than the Chevy & GMC C/K or Ford F-Series. This meant that they may serve as a backup vehicle for homeowners and hobbyists to complete weekend tasks or as an improvement over the period’s simply dreadful selection of compact cars. We all adore the VW Beetle, but compared to the Ford Pinto or Chevy Vega, a Toyota pickup truck might be a more alluring option.
The big 3 of Detroit took notice of the popularity of these trucks throughout the 1970s and swiftly sourced their own imported trucks to keep customers in-house. The Mazda B2000 became the Ford Courier, the Isuzu Pup became the Chevy Luv, and Mopar actually had two entries in the classa front-wheel-drive car-based model derived from Lee Iacocca’s K-Car platform, which was amusingly dubbed the Dodge Rampageand a minitruck that was sourced from Mitsubishi and became the Dodge Ram 50 and Plymouth Arrow.
In this more competitive sector, four-wheel drive became a popular choice, which may be the origin of the “a lifestyle pickup. The fact that some of these vehicles were not only very capable but also stylish, entertaining, and reasonably priced caused them to proliferate in high school parking lots across the nation. Toyota has the reputation for being indestructible, but all of these trucks were fairly dependable and still had a pickup bed. They became more practical for day-to-day use as a result of extended cab options, automatic transmissions, and additional comfort features like air conditioning, and they’ve continued along that path today.
The Toyota Tacoma was introduced for the 1995 model year, taking the place of the Toyota Hilux, which was known here simply as the Toyota Pickup or Toyota Truck. For the first time, the vehicle was created with the US market and our truck-using habits in mind. The Hilux is a true workhorse in other parts of the world, but in the US, folks who require a truck for work tend to favor full-size models since they offer more space and V8 power for our freeways. Compact pickups are utilized by landscapers, exterminators, and other professions, although many of them are sold here primarily for commuting and supporting weekend hobbies.
For professionals in trades or anybody else looking for a compact, reasonably priced, and dependable pickup, the 1995 Tacoma was still offered as a value-leader 2WD truck. The 4WD variant received upgrades such a coil spring front suspension, rack & pinion steering, and a more potent base engine with the belief that the majority of owners would use it as a commuter car. The 1998 Tacoma PreRunner was the ultimate version of the Tacoma as a lifestyle accessory, offering all the advancements and styling of the 4WD truck without the 4WD system to offer a lower price and improved fuel efficiency to consumers who did not intend to take the car off-road.
The Tacoma PreRunner was given its name after the support vehicles used in off-road racing “Run the race course beforehand to check for dangers and to be more ready for the occasion. Rarely necessary for this purpose, 4WD might occasionally be a hindrance. Older 4WD vehicles had solid front axles, which were less suitable for sustained speeds over uneven terrain because of the additional unsprung weight. This was because 4WD through an independent front suspension was a relatively new concept at the time, and some people were skeptical of its durability, especially at higher speeds.
From 1998 until 2015, Toyota sold the PreRunner aesthetic package. The PreRunner brand was dropped when the truck was updated for the 2016 model year, while technically every Tacoma 2WD from 2016 and beyond may be regarded as a PreRunner under the former criteria. 2WD and 4WD vehicles shared a largely comparable suspension structure.
There are numerous parts that are exclusive to either the basic 2WD Tacoma or the Tacoma PreRunner due to the significant differences between the two models. You may find out if your Tacoma is a PreRunner in a few different ways:
-The absence of a 4WD system
Some 19952000 PreRunner models lacked an interior transfer case selector, front CV axles, or locking front hubs.
-Badging – Normally, your truck would have a badge identifying it as a PreRunner or 4×4 on the tailgate, but it may have fallen off or been taken off by this point. Both of those would not be present in 2WD non-PreRunner trucks.
The wheel hubs
A 6-lug (6×139) bolt design is used by 4WD and PreRunner trucks to secure the wheels. The 5-lug (5×114.3) hubs are used on 2WD non-PreRunner versions. If you are unsure, it is probably easier to check this.
-Transmission
Models of the PreRunner were only offered with an automatic transmission. Both a manual and automatic transmission were offered for the base 4WD and 2WD models.
Suspension up front
1995-2004 Non-PreRunner (5-Lug) trucks have a steering gearbox and a torsion bar front suspension. Front coil springs and rack and pinion steering are features of 4WD and PreRunner trucks. 2005-2015 Despite adding rack and pinion steering, Non-PreRunner (5-Lug) trucks continue to employ torsion bar front suspension.
Does Toyota produce trucks with two wheels?
To accommodate diverse truck users’ needs, Toyota offers the Tundra in a wide range of configurations, including two- or four-wheel drive, three cab types (standard, Double Cab, and CrewMax), three bed lengths, three wheelbases, and two different V8 engines.
Each of the three beds is designed to accommodate 2×8-foot lumber dividers and measures around 22 inches deep. A Deck Rail system is also available for more customized cargo arrangements, and the steel tailgate is made to be opened and closed with just two fingers.
Models with regular cabs come with the typical 2-door configuration and one row of seating. While the large CrewMax has full-size rear doors and seating similar to that found in large SUVs, the Double Cab provides smaller rear doors for sporadic backseat passengers. The back seat on CrewMax models additionally reclines and slides, while Double Cabs include a seat bottom that folds down to create a flat storage space when the seat is not in use.
A 4.6L V8 with 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque serves as the standard powerplant. All variants come with a 5.7L “iForce” V8 that produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The option to operate the engine on an E85 ethanol/gasoline blend is available in select areas. Both engines are paired with 6-speed automatic transmissions, run on standard grade gas, and meet the strict ULEVII emissions certification requirements.
All Tundras have a rear suspension system that keeps the vehicle level even when it is fully loaded; the truck is supported by fully boxed frame rails and rolled C-channel members. The tow rating of the Tundra is close to 11,000 pounds when properly equipped, and tow hitch receivers are standard on all models.
Compared to the majority of its rivals, the Tundra offers more basic safety features. All versions come standard with roll-sensing side-curtain airbags, front seat knee airbags, and front-seat side airbags. All Tundras come equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and vehicle stability control as standard. Brake override technology and standard trailer sway control programming are also included in the Tundra. To identify unexpected side-to-side movement at the rear wheels, it makes use of the truck’s stability control system. The truck’s anti-lock brake system is activated to counteract yaw and prevent jackknifing if the system detects movement. The amount of brake boost supplied to the trailer’s electronic brakes when the driver applies the brakes to the car can be adjusted with a trailer brake controller.
The Tundra’s interior varies depending on the trim level, starting with the bare-bones base model and moving all the way up to the very well-equipped Limited, although the safety features are standard throughout the board.
There are other Tundra variants available, like as the “SR” no-frills trim level, which comes in standard cab and double cab versions. It has rubber floor mats, cloth seats, basic black bumpers, and heated power-adjustable mirrors. In addition to an available Off Road package, tow hitch aluminum wheels, and integrated navigation, SR5 grades receive an improved audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio and Bluetooth.
Upgraded equipment for the Limited Double Cab and CrewMax includes 20-inch aluminum wheels, chrome door handles, and chrome mirrors. Additionally offered are navigation and heated leather bucket seats.
The interior of Platinum Tundras has a metal appearance and features a memory-enabled driver’s seat, a power sunroof, turn signals built into the mirrors, an improved JBL sound, heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a navigation system.
All variants come equipped with a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, large glove-operable door handles, and control knobs. The center console is big enough to store files or a laptop, while the glovebox is intended to be large enough to accommodate a Thermos. After the ignition is turned off, inside electrical outlets remain operational for two hours.
The Toyota Tundra comes with an optional TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road Package that includes an off-road suspension with Bilstein shocks, off-road tires, skid plates, fog lamps, and more.
How is a 2WD truck converted to 4WD?
Once you have a donor vehicle, you will have all the extra parts needed for this job, making the procedure of stripping and fitting smaller items easier. Large manufacturers are known for doing this, such as Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Therefore, you are in a slightly better position to convert your current 2WD to a 4WD with the fewest troubles if you drive a Ford, Chevy, VW, or a Toyota.
Particularly if it’s a really well-liked truck and the bolt-on conversion is straightforward enough, some aftermarket businesses actually provide these manufactured packages or kits to enable you to perform a DIY conversion.
What parts will you need to convert your 2WD to 4-Wheel Drive, then? Let’s look at it. You will need the items listed below, but not exclusively:
- Invest in a new output or tail shaft for your transmission.
- Unless it’s a rear-wheel-driven 2WD, in which case only the front driveshaft is used
- front axle assembly in its entirety
- gearshifter for a transfer case
- If the present wiring does not have the 4WD wire connections blanked off, install a wiring harness.
- Transmission upgrade or new 44 suitable
- upgraded suspension to handle the added weight and components
I’m beginning to realize what a silly exercise this is as I think about it more, but let’s go forward nevertheless. The major distinctions between a 2WD and a 4WD are listed in the parts list above, but I’m sure I missed a ton of other components. that we’ll gradually come to identify with.
Next, since the transfer case is the main component of the alteration, let’s examine it. If you can get this to work properly, we’ll look nice.
What distinguishes the SR5 from the TRD?
Unlike the 278-hp V6 of the TRD Sport, the SR5’s basic engine is a 159-hp four-cylinder (but if you want that level of power on the SR5, you just need to upgrade the engine). You need this strength to navigate challenging terrain in challenging circumstances, both on and off-road.
Trophy trucks are either 2WD or 4WD.
Trophy trucks have typically been two-wheel-drive vehicles, although recent advancements have led to the use of all-wheel drive technology by multiple truck manufacturers. The best teams have recently shifted toward AWD designs. Most come with a 4130 chromoly steel tube-frame chassis wrapped in a composite body with aerodynamic engineering. A roll cage made of steel tubes is standard on all trucks. The requirements for prize trucks are defined and detailed in the SCORE International Rule Book.
Naturally aspirated gasoline engines, usually Ford or Chevrolet V8 engines, can produce more than 1100 BHP and 950lb-ft of torque. Diesel engines with up to two turbochargers and a displacement range of 5.0 liters to 6.6 liters are permitted. Air restrictors must be installed on turbo engines.
Although this may change depending on the chassis design, suspension travel is roughly 24 inches (61 cm) for the front and 36 inches (91 cm) for the back. The majority of prize trucks have independent A-arm front suspensions. Most trucks have a three- or four-link configuration with a solid rear axle in the back, however some use different kinds of independent suspension. One or two shock absorbers per wheel, typically comprising one coil-over and one by-pass shock, are responsible for the suspension and damping. Competitors frequently use King Shocks, Bilstein, and Fox Racing Shox.
Typically, tires on 17-inch (43 cm) lightweight alloy wheels are 39 inches (99 cm) or longer. In the event of a puncture, trophy trucks often include two spare tires. A minimum total wet weight of 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) is required to withstand the tougher terrain in desert racing.
You can choose between a six-speed sequential gearbox or a three-speed automatic transmission. Despite being older than the Baja 1000, the three-speed TH400 gearbox is nevertheless well-liked by rivals because of its long gear ratios and capacity to withstand the torque surges brought on by off-road racing. Competitors prefer the six-speed sequential gearbox because it is simple to quickly change gear ratios.
What is the price to construct a PreRunner?
When considering purchasing or making a prerunner, the first thing to consider is your budget and how much you want to spend. Have you set a spending cap? While simply adding some aftermarket components to a truck you may already own will likely cost no more than a few thousand dollars, a completely built “luxury prerunner” can cost up to half a million dollars. Price varies according to the type of vehicle you choose. There are a ton of parts available, and their prices vary. Will you do your own installation using parts you purchase? Will you hire a shop to complete the installation? Building your prerunner begins with having answers to those queries.