When the Toyota Tacoma PreRunner debuted in 1998, it had a lot in common with the truck’s four-wheel drive model. In particular, the PreRunner used the four-suspension wheeler’s and most of its exterior design. It also had knobby tires and the option of a 2.7L four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower or a 3.4L V6 with 190 horsepower.
The PreRunner’s rear-wheel drive setup set it apart. This version of the Tacoma expanded on the numerous two-wheel drive pre-runner trucks used by racing teams and amateur competitors alike, relying more on a driver’s skill to keep it out of circumstances where it might be stuck when combined with its available locking rear differential. Additionally, compared to four-wheel drive vehicles, all of this was more reasonably priced.
The option to choose the TRD Off-Road package with two-wheel drive PreRunners further blurred the lines. This included a set of Bilstein shocks, a locking differential, a thicker front sway bar, higher lift springs, larger brakes, and fender flares as standard equipment (as long as you ordered the V6).
In This Article...
Do 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.
What does the word PreRunner imply on a Toyota Tacoma?
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).
Which Tacoma models come with 4WD?
This week, we talk about two new 2022 Toyota Tacoma models that are about to be delivered to Toyota dealers all throughout the country. We want to alert our truck readers before these models arrive at dealers in November, despite the fact that current new vehicle inventories are low by historical standards (even the media pool vehicles are hard to get by). Toyota is specifically making some significant improvements to its selection of midsize trucks, particularly the 4×4 models.
As the Tacoma TRD Pro ups the ante with a new off-road feature that offers a higher suspension lift that gives more clearance on harsher off-road terrains, two new Tacomas will be the focus of Toyota’s mid-size truck range for 2022.
The Tacoma Trail Special Edition, meanwhile, is back in the lineup and is constructed around the Tacoma 44 Double Cab chassis with an emphasis on practicality, style, and off-road performance.
In 2001, Toyota made its entry into the mid-size truck market with the Tacoma, which became the model with the fastest sales. Toyota’s popularity, which is now in its third generation, and particularly its owner reliability track record make it one of the most well-liked trucks worldwide. Even today, Tacoma still fights successfully against Ford, RAM, and Chevy/GMC rivals in both international and domestic markets.
But by no means is the mid-size Tacoma Toyota’s first push into the truck industry. Toyota pickup trucks have existed since the Toyota Stout, the company’s first small truck to set foot on American soil, in 1967.
Furthermore, the “midsize” trucks of today are very different from the “lightweight midsize trucks” that were popular in the late 1970s. Today’s dual-cab Tacoma 4x4s, in particular, have wheelbases that are close to 130 inches and curb weights that exceed two tons. These measurements may be considered “midsize” by the owner of a full-size pickup, but when you get behind the wheel of a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, you feel “high and mighty” rather than “little and “midsize.” Similar to the rivals, with the Chevrolet Colorado Z71 4×4 crew-cab pickup serving as a useful benchmark.
Seven Tacoma pickups will be available for purchase in 2022, starting with the entry-level Tacoma SR Access Cab with rear jump seats for $26,500 and rising to the SR5 for $28,290, the TRD Sport for $33,410, the TRD Off-Road for $34,690, the Limited for $39,255, and the new models Summit Trail for $35,000 and TRD Pro for $46,000. Only 4×4 Double Cab versions are available for the TRD Pro and Trail Special Edition. All things considered, Tacoma models in both two-door Access Cab and four-door Double Cab designs will undoubtedly meet the needs of pickup truck buyers of all ages.
In the SR and SR5 trims, which come in 2WD and 4×4 versions, four-cylinder models are available. However, once you reach the Sport and above trim levels, power is provided by V6 engines that produce 278 horsepower and 265 lb. ft. of torque. The four-cylinder vehicles, which produce 159 horsepower and 158 lb. ft. of torque, are exclusively available with six-speed automatic transmissions, in contrast to the V6, which gives buyers the option of either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission.
Despite the V6’s somewhat lower fuel efficiency (18 city/22 highway vs. 19 and 22 for 4×4 Tacomas), I still advise getting one. With a 2WD Tacoma, the V6 offers 19 city/24 highway mpg, while the four-cylinder is rated at 20 city/23 highway mpg.
With the Tacoma Trail Special Edition, Toyota combines the finest of both on-road and off-road requirements, focusing on the two new models for ’22. To help drivers through more difficult terrain both on and off the trail, this 4×4 pickup comes standard with an electronically locking rear differential and suspension lift. Your trips will also be safe and secure thanks to a lockable bed storage that “keeps cargo in place,” insulation on the driver’s side, and an optional 120V bed outlet. This new Tacoma Route Special Edition is now available to order at your local Toyota dealer and is prepared to take on either a mountain trail or a highway.
Regarding the new TRD Pro, its robust front skid plate underpinnings and generous 9.4-inch ground clearance make weekend off-road adventures unproblematic. New TRD-tuned shocks, LED fog lights, TRD alloy wheels, and all-terrain tires are also available, all of which are designed to give exceptional off-road performance.
In addition, compared to the previous model, the Tacoma TRD Pro receives a 1.5-inch elevation at the front axle and a 0.5-inch lift at the rear. Numbers that important to off-roaders are increased by the new arrangement, such as the approach angle, which rises by 1.4 degrees, and the breakover and departure angles, which rise by 2.7 and 0.8 degrees, respectively. Additionally, Trail Special Editions are 1.1 inches higher up front and 0.5 inches higher up back. The new 4×4 system allows for a 2.0-degree gain in approach angles thanks to the elimination of the front air dam. For serious Tacoma off-road enthusiasts, this is all welcome news.
What then is old news? How about those drum brakes on the back? Time for TRD Pro and Trail Special Edition to abandon drum brakes in favor of 4-wheel disc braking systems.
Note should be taken of Toyota’s tried-and-true 4×4 technology, known as 4WDemand. With an electronically controlled transfer case and an automated limited-slip differential, it has a part-time switchable 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD Low. Toyota Safety Sense and Star Safety System, which combines all of today’s high-tech safety features and the increasingly more typical upgrades like lane departure alert, pre-collision system with pedestrian warning, and even automatic high beams, will come standard on all Tacoma models in 2022. You’re travelling in one secure pickup if you also get electronic braking force distribution, smart stop assist, a rear safety camera, all of the traction controls, and a full complement of front and side airbags for the driver and passenger.
Additionally, starting with the TRD 4×4 Sport grades and higher, all Class IV towing improvements come standard. A 130 amp alternator, four and seven pin connectors with converters, and a tow kit with a hitch and trailer sway control are just a few of the essential extras that come with the tow package. With no issues, you can tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Thanks to a TRD livery, projector beam headlights, and an aggressive front grille, the Toyota Tacoma further establishes its position as a prominent contender in the midsize pickup segment with impressive exterior style. An 8-inch touch screen, three USB connections, including a media connector and two USB charging ports, as well as plenty of space, great sound systems with SiriusXM, smart phone compatibility, and all the latest technology are notable inside features.
Important A 5- or 6-foot cargo bed, a 21.1 gallon fuel tank, a 127.4-inch wheelbase, and a 40.6-foot turning radius are some of the specifications for the 4×4 Off Road TRD Pro.
The Toyota Tacoma pickups have excellent handling and provide more highway comfort than what is typical of full-chassis pickup trucks. Of course, you can feel the bumps in the road, but that is to be expected from pickup trucks with sturdier suspensions like the 4×4 Tacoma.
For information on ordering the new 4×4 TRD Pro and Summit Trail variants, speak with your local Toyota dealer. When they arrive on the lot, they won’t last long, and the same is true of the other “regular Tacoma pickups.”
Rear drum brakes, a delayed release date (not Toyota’s responsibility), and pricey options are drawbacks.
What are the signs that 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.
Why is a truck designated as a PreRunner?
A core group of fans who drive 44 pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles through the harshest terrain, including mud, sand, and shallow water, consider off-road adventuring to be their favorite pastime. The routes they take are risky as well as challenging, necessitating the use of one or more experienced drivers to scout the region before others join in.
The name of that selected scout is Prerunner. Describe a prerunner. It broadly refers to a vehicle that completes a course before the start of an off-road racing or another event. The driver presents the results to everyone after the site has been “pre-run.”
What Is a Prerunner?
Pickup trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles, and even cars are all examples of prerunners. Like the cars that will compete in an off-road race, these are frequently highly modified. It is still possible to navigate the course ahead of time as long as you can record every bump, turn, and obstacle and use GPS position to communicate these details to other participants.
A prerunner must complete the course unharmed in order to complete their task. This indicates that the ideal car has a strong suspension system, high-quality shock absorbers, and substantial off-road tires. Most cars are excluded because of the prerunner’s need to imitate speed.
The key to success is articulation, so only vehicles with the best approach, breakover, and departure angles should be used. A high ground clearance is also necessary to cross shallow streams if there is water. In light of this, a pickup truck or SUV is typically required.
The Ideal Prerunners
A compact pickup truck with a lift kit, fiberglass fenders, and a light frame is arguably the greatest prerunner. The Ford Ranger and other vintage pickups from the 1990s are excellent choices due to their affordability and robustness. Other vehicles in that segment include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, and Dodge Dakota.
Toyota Tacoma PreRunner
The Toyota Tacoma PreRunner, a two-wheel-drive (rear) pickup vehicle launched in 1998 and manufactured until 2014, adds excitement to the mix. This one has more structural bracing underneath in addition to the four-wheel-drive model’s higher suspension and lug pattern.
The PreRunner was also available with a Toyota Racing Development off-road package, which is typically only available with four-wheel-drive versions. It has a locking rear differential that, when engaged, compels the movement of both the rear wheels at the same time. As a result, in some off-road racecourses, a Tacoma PreRunner with the right equipment might be the best prerunner.
Current Prerunners
Despite the Tacoma PreRunner being discontinued, there are still a few stock versions that are compatible, such as the Ford F-150 Raptor. The Raptor is manufactured with big tires, large shocks, numerous skid plates, and substantial fenders. The Silverado Z71 Trail Boss and Colorado ZR2 Bison from Chevrolet are two further models that are appropriate for prerunning.
Although a prerunner can be any kind of vehicle, the ideal option might be an ancient truck that can withstand damage, like some of those listed here. Once you have a proper vehicle, it’s crucial that the driver is capable of navigating difficult terrain and informing the crew of their discoveries.
For routine maintenance and repairs, you can rely on one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities or browse all the steering and suspension parts offered on NAPA Online. Consult a qualified professional at your nearby NAPA AUTO PARTS store for further details about prerunners.
A Toyota PreRunner pickup is what?
The Hilux, which was previously marketed in the US as the Toyota Pickup, was replaced by the Tacoma in the US in February 1995 (market launch: March 1995). When compared to the Hilux, the Tacoma’s design places more emphasis on ride comfort, handling, and safety than it does on toughness and payload capacity. In the US and Canada, where pickup trucks, especially compact and midsized variants, are frequently utilized as personal vehicles and less frequently only for commercial, agricultural, and off-road use, the design is meant to better meet market demands.
After the fifth-generation Toyota Pickup was introduced in late 1988, development got under way in 1989 and was finished in 1994. Kevin Hunter’s exterior design proposal was selected in the fall of 1991 and in its final version, frozen for production in 1992. The design work was completed at Calty Design Research in California between 1990 and 1992. The production design was the subject of patent applications in Japan in April 1993 and the United States on October 28, 1993.
The Toyota Tacoma had three engine options:
- 140 horsepower (106 kW) and 160 lb-ft (217 Nm) of torque are produced by a 2.4 L four-cylinder engine.
- 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque are produced by a 2.7 L four-cylinder engine.
- 190 horsepower (142 kW) and 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) of torque are produced by a 3.4 L V6.
With a highway cycle, 2WD, the 2.4 L achieved 26 miles per US gallon (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpgimp), the 2.7 L achieved 20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpgimp), and the 3.4 L produced 21 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 25 mpgimp) (highway cycle, 2WD).
Non-PreRunner two-wheel drive (2WD) Tacomas had five-stud wheel lug designs and were available with either the 2.4-L or 3.4-L automatic or manual transmission. The 2.7-L and 3.4-L engines were available with four-wheel drive and PreRunner Tacomas, both of which had six-stud wheel lug patterns. For the first generation, the normal cab and Xtracab four-wheel drive were only offered with automatic transmissions, while the PreRunner and Double Cab vehicles were only offered with automatic transmissions.
The truck’s frame is entirely boxed up until just after the bracket for mounting the rear leaf spring, at which point it becomes a part of c-frame. The 3.4 V6’s automatic transmission was an A340F for 4WD (Aisin code: 30-40LE), while the manual transmission was an R150F for 2WD. The custom TRD 3.4-L V6 supercharger generated 254 bhp (189 kW) and 270 lbft of torque (366 Nm). Regular cabs were only offered with 2.4-L or 2.7-L four-cylinder engines starting in 1997. In 1998, the TRD Off-Road package was released. This upgrade, which was only offered on PreRunner and four-wheel drive vehicles with a V6, increased the locking rear differential.
The Tacoma sold well in the first few years of manufacture and attracted a lot of young purchasers. On 2WD variants, the first-generation Tacoma had a small headlight change in October 1996 from recessed to flush headlights, as well as two cosmetic updates, the first in July 1997 and the second in October 2000. The grilles (model years 1998 and 2001) and tailgate badging and emblems were the key features of the facelifts (MY1998). Coil-on-plug ignitions were adopted as a mechanical upgrade in 1996, and longer rear leaf springs followed in 1997. The driver’s side air bag, which had been standard from the 1995 launch, was “depowered” in July 1997. After the 2000 model year, the majority of 4×4 vehicles were equipped with Toyota’s Automatic Differential Disconnect feature.
For the 1998 model year, the PreRunner model debuted. The higher suspension and lug pattern of the four-wheel drive are also shared by the PreRunner, a two-wheel drive. In addition to the four-wheel drive model, it was also offered with the TRD Off-Road Package, which was released in 1998 and had a locking rear differential.
A new crew cab (four-door) model was added to the lineup in October 2000 and was designed during 1998 (by Yusuke Fukushima) as part of the MY2001 makeover (patented on September 22, 1998, at the Japan Patent Office under #0890798). The extended cabs still opened with two doors and had Bilstein shocks, but the crew cab, formally known as the Double Cab type, had four doors and Tokico gas shocks. A 6-foot (1.8 m) bed was available in the extended cab, while a 5-foot-5-inch (1.65 m) bed was available in the crew cab. Although several competitors shared this flaw, undersized crew cab beds infuriated many customers.
Along with the front redesign, Toyota also released an S-Runner grade package with the 3.4-liter V6 engine in October 2000. It came with five-speed manual transmission, Tokico gas shocks, and alloy wheels measuring 16 inches (410 mm). In the period from September 2000 to August 2004, just 800 were made each month. Sales of the Tacoma had increased by 16.5 percent by 2003 compared to the prior years. The following several years saw a steady rise in the Tacoma’s popularity. In 2004, it outsold the Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota but lagged the Ford Ranger in sales by 2.2 percent.
A 15-year, unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty for the 19952000 model years was proactively announced by Toyota in 2008 due to difficulties with frame corrosion and insufficient rustproofing that affected over 800,000 Tacomas. Toyota will either fix the frame or pay 1.5 times the truck’s KBB retail value to buy it back. Later, this was expanded to cover the model years 20012004; however, in these instances, if a frame was discovered to be severely rusted to the point of perforation, a new frame was installed instead of a buyback.
On November 21, 2012, Toyota issued a recall for around 150,000 mid-sized pickup trucks from the Tacoma brand from the model years 2001 to 2004 that were largely sold in 20 states with severe winters. The spare tire is being recalled due to the possibility of it coming undone.