4Runner in snow?

[LandCruiser]

I think my plan at this point is to keep the truck through the summer. I plan to use if a fair amount for backcountry driving in the summer months, and I want to see if I utilize some of the off-road oriented features of the TE. If I end up using the locker or crawl control on a regular basis, I may decide to keep it, but if those are features I don't use, or use once in 6 months, I will get rid of it for a Limited.

In the long run, I don't think I will be satisfied with a part-time 4wd system for winter driving, but I do want to put the TE to good use this summer before I decide what to do next.

And no, that isn't a crown, I'm standing on a sidestep track.

Problem is that you get screwed every time you trade a vehicle.

Mine is paid off and essentially free at this point minus wear and tear.

I don't really feel like gifting a slightly beaten up, but lifted and modded mechanically sound truck with at least another 100-120k trouble-free miles on it.

I think living with some of the shortcomings is better in the long run than getting into the business of ANOTHER car note and the frustration of dealing with dealers and trades and pulling off mods.

 

[RJF00]

I am new to this forum and have a 4wd question / issue. We had a snowstorm last week and I put the vehicle into 4wd, drove and shifted fine. Shifted out when 4wd was no longer needed and parked the truck.
The next morning the following lights were flashing, and still are, 4wd icon and Lo icon. ABS and brake lights are on steady.
Other than that it drives and responds fine. Will not shift into 4wd.

What do I need to due to fix this? Oh, and it is well over for an oil change! Not sure if that matters.

Thank you folks!
Russell

 

[4Regrets]

I know I''ll take a financial hit to trade it, but I also know myself well enough to know that if it really bugs me, I won't ever be happy with the car, and at the end of the day, I'm willing to spend a few thousand dollars to have a truck I'm truly happy with.

Like I said, I do think it is worth it for me to drive the thing through the summer to see if I put some of the features unique to the TE to good use.

 

[Pencil]

Another Portlander here: my stock 2016 TEP w/ stock tires had no problems going anywhere in town these last several weeks. While I'm sure more snow-focused tires would have been even better, the stock ones aren't too shabby - at least in our mixed snow / ice conditions.

AWD would be nice, though, for those places where the roads are dry, but with intermittent piles of ice / snow. Making a turn across that stuff can be fun - either the drivetrain (in 4WD) is winding up because of the dry pavement, or the truck is sliding around in 2WD....

 

[8borerifle]

My 2011 SR5 is my 3rd 4Runner. For the first time I just had installed Blizzaks. Traction on snow and ice is way way better than all season tires. Could not believe the difference! They also ride very well and very quiet. Will switch to all seasons for the spring summer and fall. Highly recommend them! I had a Suburu Outback, feel much safer in the 4Runner! Hated the CVT transmission!

 

[jordanrb81]

Level 2 French Toast Emergency

well it's happened, we have a level two French Toast Emergency here in New Hampshire, so naturally I'm going snowboarding tomorrow!! Excited to see how the new 4Runner responds in the snow, looking like it'll be about 3" so not too big. It's the first real snow of the season though so I am also counting on people acting like fools, should be an entertaining experience.:fro:

 

[Ripper238]

I will hopefully be purchasing a T4R TRD and requesting the TRD black rims so i assume whatever they put on standard will be so so in the snow?

I get some snow up here in the NE and was wondering if the stock tires are adequate? It looks like i can only use 4H in combination with Multi-terrain Select (sand/mud)? 4L can be used with A-trac, crawl control and the higher Multi-terrain settings.

 

[Toffees]

This is my opinion, your opinion and mileage may vary, void where prohibited.

I miss 4HI with an unlocked center diff and I don't like drivetrain bind.

If I had to do things over again, I'd get a Limited as a starting point for a Colorado truck.

My next vehicle will either be a full time 4WD with a locking center diff and two speed transfer case, or a one that's selectable but has a locking center diff.

This seems an entirely reasonable view, since it confirms my bias, but have you ever noticed your username is LandCruiser but you're in a 4Runner forum?

 

[LandCruiser]

This seems an entirely reasonable view, since it confirms my bias, but have you ever noticed your username is LandCruiser but you're in a 4Runner forum?

And your name’s Toffees but this isn’t a candy forum...

 

[Toffees]

And your name’s Toffees but this isn’t a candy forum...

Says who, sugar?

 

[pointman]

I will hopefully be purchasing a T4R TRD and requesting the TRD black rims so i assume whatever they put on standard will be so so in the snow?

I get some snow up here in the NE and was wondering if the stock tires are adequate? It looks like i can only use 4H in combination with Multi-terrain Select (sand/mud)? 4L can be used with A-trac, crawl control and the higher Multi-terrain settings.

Why would you need to change the multi terrain select because you shift to 4h?

 

[MaddoxPics]

I will hopefully be purchasing a T4R TRD and requesting the TRD black rims so i assume whatever they put on standard will be so so in the snow?

I get some snow up here in the NE and was wondering if the stock tires are adequate? It looks like i can only use 4H in combination with Multi-terrain Select (sand/mud)? 4L can be used with A-trac, crawl control and the higher Multi-terrain settings.

I've never used the multi-terrain for anything. Just 4H it until it's deep enough where you actually need 4Lo.

Stock tires obviously are stock tires. If you are getting big snow I'm sure you'll want something else. For instance I'm in California and go to the mountains a lot. We get hammered.

I run the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, which has a true snow rating, and they've killed it. I know BFG KO2's have the snow rating. I would assume their new tire does as well? Not sure if anyone else has a true snow rating or not. I think I'm forgetting one.

Here is mine in the snow.

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[BobsTrail]

Multi-Terrain works in both 4H and 4L. In 4H it will only select Sand mode. In 4L it will select any of the 4 or you can select ATRAC. I think of Multi-Terrain as a variable ATRAC adjusting the amount of wheel spin.

I have done OK with the stock tires in snow, but ATs will be better or even a second set of winter tires if you live in snow country. A lot of members use Duratacks for good off road and snow.

 

[BobsTrail]

Here is mine in the snow.

Great video, I would like to find powder like that. On a recent trip I got out of the two track and was high centered front to back. Had to be recovered by a 1984 4Runner.

 

[Mudballz]

Want to laugh the best fun I had in a car in the snow was my 1986 Porsche 944 turbo with blizzacks mounted on all 4s that car was like a snow leopard the only way to stop it was 3 inches or more snowfall then it acted like a sled lol
Mike

 

[SnowYeti]

Want to laugh the best fun I had in a car in the snow was my 1986 Porsche 944 turbo with blizzacks mounted on all 4s that car was like a snow leopard the only way to stop it was 3 inches or more snowfall then it acted like a sled lol
Mike

That’s funny, my aunt who was literally a “rocket scientist” in Denver drove to Aspen every weekend to ski and she said the same thing about her 944 with studded snows. God knows how many miles she put on it

My best snow/ski car was a Audi 4000 with diff locks and studded snows. It killed in crazy bad winter conditions.

 

[Mudballz]

Had an 82 also a snow beast

 

[cb1111]

The bottom line is that the tires make or break winter driving. The number of driven wheels is secondary and I'd much rather have an 2WD vehicle with proper snow tires than a 4WD or AWD with all season (no season?) tires.

During Snowmageddon in 2010, I was driving a 335xi (AWD) with Michelin IceX tires. I shut down our office at noon and we all left. It took me about a hour longer than usual to get home because of the other people on the road and the fact that one of my coworkers in an Expedition got stuck (All season tires, AWD/4WD) driving behind me and we had to find him a different route. In 2016 (Snowzilla), I was driving my TSX with Conti WinterExtreme tires. Since it was a FWD it didn't inspire quite the same confidence on uphill stretches, but still worked well.

4WD/AWD won't help you steer or stop - winter tires can.

 

[jmanderson]

Multi-Terrain works in both 4H and 4L. In 4H it will only select Sand mode. In 4L it will select any of the 4 or you can select ATRAC. I think of Multi-Terrain as a variable ATRAC adjusting the amount of wheel spin.

I have done OK with the stock tires in snow, but ATs will be better or even a second set of winter tires if you live in snow country. A lot of members use Duratacks for good off road and snow.

Duratracs are garbage tires...used them for two of my 4Rnrs. Switched to KO2s for 3 4Rnrs and a 200 series. Might switch to Toyos or Falkens...

 

[K9 HAULR]

As many have said - 4Runners love the snow. Purchased my 2017 TRD Pro specifically because I bought a home in Tahoe, and good years we get A LOT of snow (buddy living a little higher elevation than I do had 14' snow walls at his driveway). My truck had ZERO issues during the storms when other cross-SUV types were slippiing and sliding all over the place.

That said, I might be selling my truck for a similarly capable vehicle with a few more luxury options (rear AC is a big one I screwed up not realizing the TRDP didn't have for my dogs) and a bit more powerful engine for the mountain driving I do. Otherwise, fantastic vehicles - especially for the money when you start pricing/shopping alternatives.