It's 10 below zero, and we've gotten about 60 inches of snow since I got my new 4Runner on December 11.
After 3 months of research this past Fall, I decided to get a 4Runner. In September and October, I really was looking hard at the Volvo XC70. They're fun to drive, but they've got lots of electronics and other flaws. And now when I see an XC70 on the road around town, I say to myself, "what were you thinking?"

I am absolutely happy with my Toyota. I love the visibility and the solid, secure driving of the 4Runner. It's been great on deep snow and on slick ice. It's comfortable and easy to drive. And it looks so cool too!
A colleague of mine bought a new GX470 two weeks before I got my truck. He says he likes my rig better than his.

What a great truck! It really pays off to do the research and shop around.
JP

JP,
I agree. The more I drive, the more I appreciate its dynamics. For me, the biggest change is having a center diff, and that took a little getting used to. Rather than being in a constant controlled skid in 4WD, the truck actually steers controlably in the snow. I could do without the VSC beeping, that is a real PITA.

Hey Rook,
I agree too.
I've only used the center diff lock once. One morning last week we had 17 inches of new snow. My driveway goes uphill, and backing out of the garage, the 4Runner's wheels started spinning. I went back into the garage, read the owner's manual, then put it in 4lo and locked the diff. Then it backed straight up the driveway into the street, no problem. Very impressive.

Actually, almost as impressive as the Henderson-Hasselbach equation!

JP

Damn, now I have to give the gold doubloon back Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Time to change it to the Michaeils-Menten or the weak anthropic principle!

Hey Rook,
The doubloon is yours to keep.
Those are OK, but how about one of my favorites, the Krebs cycle? Let's see you put that as your signature on this site.


JP

60 inches of S-N-O-W!!

I'd need a big ole hair dryer to live up there. Talking about a seasonal job; I'd hibernate until the spring climate returned. The Grizzly bear and I would be best friends during the hibernation season.

60 inches of SNOW........... gosh dang!

jpalaska,
What tires are you running?

I am pretty sure he runs the stock Dunlops on his truck. I recall seeing a couple pretty cool pictures of his truck in front of an ice cascade.

Yes, that's right, I have the stock Dunlops. So far they've been fine in the snow, but on very slick ice they'll skid some if you're carrying too much speed into a sudden stop.

I'm thinking the Dunlops will get me through this winter and next summer, but I'll need better winter tread for next winter. That's when I'll probably replace the Dunlops with Nokian WR SUVs.

JP