4Runner in snow?

I35it said:
Found some to play in. Back end like to come around in 2wd and some heavy footing. But that's the fun part though.
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You can get it to come around in 4 also, but you have to try harder. It can be handy when you don't have enough room to turn and don't want to back up. Hit the power to bring it around then drive nice after that.
 
This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone trying to take it out of 4WD in the turns and back into 4WD after the turn. If it is slick enough for 4WD, leave it in 4WD. If you are washing out in the turns, you are trying to carry too much speed into the turns. That isn't the drivetrain fighting you. That is Newton's law about things in motion staying in motion along that vector.
 
Conrad said:
I am a 4 runner newbie. I plan to purchase my 4 runner in the next couple of weeks. I live in New Hampshire where there is lots of ice and snow in the winter. I have always been a Subaru guy (which is awesome in the snow)but I am disapointed with some of the repair bills $430 at 36.5K.



I use to own a 4x4 Ranger which was ok in the snow but sometimes would get stuck in the snow/ice filled driveway. Just the other day I saw a 4x4 pilot having a lot of trouble going up on an snowy driveway.



My question to you guys is



Do you think the 4R 4x4 system does well in the snowwant to own SR5 or Trail?



How nice does the trail trim ride on the paved road?



Thanks



Conrad
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Have a 2013 trail. Live in MN. I am surgeon, "not making it to work" is not an option. Never been stuck (my '05 never got stuck either). Love my rig, wouldn't drive anything else!

00660d3fa10e038b24951fce070fe3c7.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Quentin said:
This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone trying to take it out of 4WD in the turns and back into 4WD after the turn. If it is slick enough for 4WD, leave it in 4WD. If you are washing out in the turns, you are trying to carry too much speed into the turns. That isn't the drivetrain fighting you. That is Newton's law about things in motion staying in motion along that vector.
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I wasn't shifting in and out of 4HI to go around corners, I was comparing the hugely different handling characteristics in 2 and 4 wheel drive. I drove it around in both to see how it handled. The amount of understeer you experience at low to moderate speeds in 4HI really surprised me. I have driven other part time systems, but this level of resistance to turning was dangerous.

I have to say, this thread was part of my original decision to buy a Trail instead of the Limited. I'll go with my gut and the bigger payment instead of saving a few grand and listening to the internet next time,
 
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this is hilarious. driving a 5th gen trail in 4hi IS NOT that difficult, no matter what part of the world you live in, no matter what the mix of snow/ice/wet conditions. If the surface is slippery or wet, you can keep that shit in 4hi all day just be careful around tight corners, if it gets dry or you start binding up throw it back in 2wd.
to the guy complaining about wasting 40,000 on a truck he cant drive for 5 months of the winter because you dont feel safe driving a 4runner in the snow.. wow dude,, grow a sack and man up. put some duratracs or dedicated winter tires on it and LEARN HOW TO DRIVE.:AK47:
 
[MENTION=151278]4Regrets[/MENTION], I just wrapped my wheels in 285/ 70/ 17 General Grabber AT2s for about $800 from tirebuyer.com using a discount code. Stock size woul have been about $600 if i recall. Driving in 4 to 6 inches of crap three weekends ago doing about 65 miles per hour in 4-wheel High comfortably.

I only lost traction one time on my driver side front wheel while changing lanes and hitting larger amount of snow. Get some new shoes and you'll be fine.
 
4Regrets said:
The tires definitely play a part, but the primary issue is that you have to compromise between handling and traction. If you want to be able to steer the vehicle without the front wheels skipping along, fighting your turn tooth and nail, you have to stick with RWD and pray there's adequate traction to keep you from coming to a standstill with your wheels spinning. And then you pop it into 4HI and the thing jumps sideways on you and damn near takes out a mailbox.

I should also make it clear I'm not blaming the car, I made the choice to buy the Trail instead of the Limited, but for the way I use the vehicle, where I drive, and the snow performance I expect, I made a mistake. I'm sure for deep snow off roading, the TEP is the superior vehicle, but I felt like it performed worse than my 2000 Nissan Xterra on snowpacked and slushy roads, and that only had the stock BFG Rugged Trails. I won't even bother comparing it to my Outback with Hakkapellittas.

I love the 4Runner, it's a great vehicle for my needs, but only with the full time 4WD drive train. As it is now I have a $40,000 truck that I don't feel safe driving 5 months a year. This will turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Anyone want to buy a Blue 2016 TEP with KDSS? It only has 74 miles on it. Haha.
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A TEP is BETTER in snow than a limited at the limit. And equal everywhere else. A locked center diff is superior to traction control and an open center diff in most situations other than tight turns. In a straight line - it's always superior. You need new tires or a new driver. And you can just leave it in 4x4. You can actually just leave it in 4x4 today for the next 30 years and you'd likely never have an issue. It's not a Jeep. It won't fall apart if you run in 4x4 on dry roads. I do 4wheel burnouts in moab on steep rocks. A parking lot is a non-issue other than heavy steering and some understeer.

Good luck.
 
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4Regrets said:
The tires definitely play a part, but the primary issue is that you have to compromise between handling and traction. If you want to be able to steer the vehicle without the front wheels skipping along, fighting your turn tooth and nail, you have to stick with RWD and pray there's adequate traction to keep you from coming to a standstill with your wheels spinning. And then you pop it into 4HI and the thing jumps sideways on you and damn near takes out a mailbox.

I should also make it clear I'm not blaming the car, I made the choice to buy the Trail instead of the Limited, but for the way I use the vehicle, where I drive, and the snow performance I expect, I made a mistake. I'm sure for deep snow off roading, the TEP is the superior vehicle, but I felt like it performed worse than my 2000 Nissan Xterra on snowpacked and slushy roads, and that only had the stock BFG Rugged Trails. I won't even bother comparing it to my Outback with Hakkapellittas.

I love the 4Runner, it's a great vehicle for my needs, but only with the full time 4WD drive train. As it is now I have a $40,000 truck that I don't feel safe driving 5 months a year. This will turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Anyone want to buy a Blue 2016 TEP with KDSS? It only has 74 miles on it. Haha.
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How does everyone else possibly get by who doesn't drive an AWD limited 4runner?......seriously get snow tires or trade it in for what you want however nothing is wrong with a part time 4x4 in the snow/poor conditions. At least its a 4runner and not a jeep, won't cost you as much :thumb:
 
4 Runner in Snow

Hello Conrad,
I'm a newby to this Forum as well. I just got my new 2016 Trail Premium in the fall. I love it! I traded my 2008 Sequoia in for the 4 Runner. Best decision I have made. I regularly take it off road in the snow and go Goose hunting. Even with the stock tires it has been amazing. I love the creep feature. Runs beautiful on the Highway at 75-80 mph. Much better gas mileage than the Sequoia. Much more fun stuff you can do to this as well.
Take care, Kampfwagon 2016
 
Good thread everyone, I'm taking in all the points you are discussing as I plan to buy a new 4Runner this coming year. Learning a lot about the different types of 4WD and tires! I'm actually deciding between a 4Runner or Highlander. I've already owned two 4Runners but may want a little plushier interior, not sure yet.

I moved to the NC High Country last year with my 4th Gen 2WD but it wasn't the best weather experience! One snow I got stuck outside the neighborhood for 3 days (had to walk in) because I couldn't make it up the hill at the entrance to the neighborhood even with chains on. Another snow I tried to make it up my new driveway and at the top in a curve it was all ice! I started sliding sideways back down the driveway and honestly thought I was going to flip over, still not sure what stopped the 4Runner.

So, help me out, keep the info flowing!
 
4Regrets said:
I'll be taking the bus in the winter until I can afford to make the upgrade.
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Or you could learn to drive appropriately for the conditions.

If you are using sufficient throttle in a turn to induce 4wd understeer, you're going to crash when you encounter some actual ice that hasn't been treated, or the conditions didn't require 4wd in the first place.
 
Time2Ride said:
Good thread everyone, I'm taking in all the points you are discussing as I plan to buy a new 4Runner this coming year. Learning a lot about the different types of 4WD and tires! I'm actually deciding between a 4Runner or Highlander. I've already owned two 4Runners but may want a little plushier interior, not sure yet.

I moved to the NC High Country last year with my 4th Gen 2WD but it wasn't the best weather experience! One snow I got stuck outside the neighborhood for 3 days (had to walk in) because I couldn't make it up the hill at the entrance to the neighborhood even with chains on. Another snow I tried to make it up my new driveway and at the top in a curve it was all ice! I started sliding sideways back down the driveway and honestly thought I was going to flip over, still not sure what stopped the 4Runner.

So, help me out, keep the info flowing!
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Salt, sand, kitty litter. Lots of untreated secondary roads with steep grades around here have 55 gallon plastic barrels and scoopers that allow the locals with 2wd and all season tires to make it through.
 
Time2Ride said:
Good thread everyone, I'm taking in all the points you are discussing as I plan to buy a new 4Runner this coming year. Learning a lot about the different types of 4WD and tires! I'm actually deciding between a 4Runner or Highlander. I've already owned two 4Runners but may want a little plushier interior, not sure yet.

I moved to the NC High Country last year with my 4th Gen 2WD but it wasn't the best weather experience! One snow I got stuck outside the neighborhood for 3 days (had to walk in) because I couldn't make it up the hill at the entrance to the neighborhood even with chains on. Another snow I tried to make it up my new driveway and at the top in a curve it was all ice! I started sliding sideways back down the driveway and honestly thought I was going to flip over, still not sure what stopped the 4Runner.

So, help me out, keep the info flowing!
Click to expand...

I'm saying this because don't know for sure but wouldn't Tundra, Sequoia a little heavier & more plusher/plushier/more nicer be up your alley ? :hatsoff:
 
Jeremy556 said:
Salt, sand, kitty litter. Lots of untreated secondary roads with steep grades around here have 55 gallon plastic barrels and scoopers that allow the locals with 2wd and all season tires to make it through.
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That's great they provide all of that .....i'm going to pick up some sand this week.....more snow expected this coming Friday!
 
oljedi11950 said:
I'm saying this because don't know for sure but wouldn't Tundra, Sequoia a little heavier & more plusher/plushier/more nicer be up your alley ? :hatsoff:
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No worries, all suggestions welcome! The Sequoia would be awesome but too $$$ and no offense to truck people, i know they are nice inside....but I'm more of an SUV person. The reason i mentioned the Highlander is because a friend took me out in his Acura MDX and it was great in the snow so i was thinking the Highlander would be just as good.

The pic doesn't show how steep it is there.
 

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