Deep snow consensus?

[Tone]

Hey - thanks for the great feedback/insight everyone!
I'm thinking it may again be down to a newer outback vs. T4R the two finalists from where I was 5 years ago and went with the OB. Similar tradeoffs to consider. Maybe I just take the performance analysis out and and get the T4R this time because it looks really cool and a change as opposed to the super ugly OB which are great for their purpose.

 

[Jetboy]

OP, be aware that KDSS system reduces ground clearance to 8.9 inches, not 9.6.

That's a myth. Not sure where it comes from. I remember a thread a while ago about someone complaining about it. They have exactly the same ground clearance. The one on the left has KDSS, the one on the right doesn't. They have the same skid plate. I'm pretty confident that the ground clearance is exactly the same. The TRD Pro skid is slightly lower than the steel skid my Trail came with. The steel one did it's job admirably, but I was starting to worry about the oil pan after my last trip, so I upgraded.

Edit: Looking back I think I might have even been under the same misunderstanding. (I thought the same thing too...) At any rate - there's no question, KDSS fits under the TRD Pro skid plate. It's just an optical illusion with the steel skids because it sticks out further forward.

 

[mvt4r]

OP, be aware that KDSS system reduces ground clearance to 8.9 inches, not 9.6.

How does it reduce ground clearance? On my KDSS 4runner, the diffs are still the lowest points. Where is ground clearance measured on the 4runner?

 

[Chrisinvermont]

Either of the 4Runners with dedicated snow tires (I swear by Nokians) will work great. The limited is nice if you don't want to worry about switching in and out of 4wd like you will on the other 4Runner models.

Agree with this 100%. Limited is nice as road conditions change substantially on the way to the hill. Hakka studless ice tires make the drive more fun. Never had an issue getting through the snow but our big storms are 3 feet, yours are 10 feet!!

 

[Jetboy]

There's something else you can do with a 4runner that you can't with any of the other vehicles except the MB....

OTOH if you get the right roof rack for the outback.... problem solved

 

[Bodie the Dog]

"Sierra Cement"

Much depends on the snow conditions. Is it packed into glacial ice cubes, been sitting there freezing and refreezing since last January? Is it fresh powder? Is it our infamous Sierra Cement?

Sounds like your biggest obstacle is getting out of the parking lot and down I80. Maybe 30 minutes of snowy roads, usually fresh? And the biggest worry on I80 is ice and other drivers.

(On a related note, do you ever take the frontage road from Soda Springs to Kingvale or even Cisco? Will save you much time and aggravation during ski season!)

Sorry I don't have a firm answer. Conditions change. As others have pointed out, when I get stuck in snow, it's usually because I've high-centered.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

I have a '16 TE w/ KDSS here in Montana. It's been fantastic in the snow with my Cooper Discoverer A/Tw tires (LT load E in factory size).

I have had numerous conversations via handsfree while on the interstate with it, and while you do notice it's a truck-based SUV, I think it's very comfortable (have had passengers that a non-truck people also comment that it rides very comfortably).

The KDSS is great on dry roads with keeping it planted during cornering.

I don't do boulder-bashing, so I'm not going to lift my TE; I just need good snow performance and mild off-road/mud/muck performance.

A TE or SR5 with Cooper Discoverer A/Tw tires (year-round A/T tire) would be my recommendation.

 

[wadle5]

Why not go with a small lift kit for the outback(2 inches)? While I only have a 4th gen and I do feel comfortable in the snow with the 4runner. My mother in laws new Outback and wives 2016 Forester make easy work in the snow with their awd system and good tires. It almost seems effortless which is why I'm glad they are both in those vehicles. As for me I like a little more visceral of an experience while drive.

All I'm saying is:
https://lpaventure.com/

 

[GottaSkiBC]

Nice ride and pic! Given the snow packed up in front, if I ever get a light bar I'll have to remember to mount it high! :thumb3:

 

[manganos]

The best vehicle I've owned for snow was a 2006 Subaru Forester. I've owned over 40 vehicles [emoji1303]


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[Tone]

Much depends on the snow conditions. Is it packed into glacial ice cubes, been sitting there freezing and refreezing since last January? Is it fresh powder? Is it our infamous Sierra Cement?

Sounds like your biggest obstacle is getting out of the parking lot and down I80. Maybe 30 minutes of snowy roads, usually fresh? And the biggest worry on I80 is ice and other drivers.

(On a related note, do you ever take the frontage road from Soda Springs to Kingvale or even Cisco? Will save you much time and aggravation during ski season!)

Sorry I don't have a firm answer. Conditions change. As others have pointed out, when I get stuck in snow, it's usually because I've high-centered.

Yep, taken all those roads! & yes, you're right about the conditions, see it all, ice, deep, slush heavy/light...
I'm at the back edge of Serene Lakes. So most of my clearance issues are pre-plow in mornings or late evenings from old 40 to my garage

 

[Tone]

Why not go with a small lift kit for the outback(2 inches)? While I only have a 4th gen and I do feel comfortable in the snow with the 4runner. My mother in laws new Outback and wives 2016 Forester make easy work in the snow with their awd system and good tires. It almost seems effortless which is why I'm glad they are both in those vehicles. As for me I like a little more visceral of an experience while drive.

All I'm saying is:
https://lpaventure.com/

I actually looked at the lift (only online) for the OB. I've modified jeeps in the past for the Rubicon etc., which works well and 4Runner with right mods looks/functions great as well. Not sure I'd want to start modding an OB wagon..they look beefy enough but at that point, I'd just go T4R or similar truck route.

 

[SacStateHornets]

Our Forester did great in the snow. I'd say get AWD in a Subaru again.

I've pulled a Jeep out stuck in the snow with a Subaru.

My 3rd Gen Runner almost killed me in snow, albeit it was mostly the sucky Dunflop's that came stock. Never felt grounded driving in snow with the Runner. Even with Revo's and Nitto.

My manual FJ, full time 4WD, was the best snow vehicle I have ever had.

This was outside Foresthill, Ca.

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[slide531]

Hey, I am also in Tahoe every other weekend in the winter. I drove a Forester for 6 years and a 2016 SR5 last year. Both are great in the snow. No issues getting out of Donner Lake before the plows came through on the worst days last year. With snow tires, the Forester also got through some deep days but wasn't tested as much as the 4runner last season.

The one thing that was better about the Forester for Tahoe ski season was having AWD and not having to worry about 4WD. There were plenty of days this year going down Donner Pass road where the road was dry for a mile then snow/ice covered for a mile. Not wanting to have the 4runner in 4wd through all those dry turns, I was switching from 2wd to 4wd more than I liked. Nothing to think about with the Forester, always in AWD. Still, would never go back to the Forester or AWD, but something to consider.

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[SacStateHornets]

Hey, I am also in Tahoe every other weekend in the winter. I drove a Forester for 6 years and a 2016 SR5 last year. Both are great in the snow. No issues getting out of Donner Lake before the plows came through on the worst days last year. With snow tires, the Forester also got through some deep days but wasn't tested as much as the 4runner last season.

The one thing that was better about the Forester for Tahoe ski season was having AWD and not having to worry about 4WD. There were plenty of days this year going down Donner Pass road where the road was dry for a mile then snow/ice covered for a mile. Not wanting to have the 4runner in 4wd through all those dry turns, I was switching from 2wd to 4wd more than I liked. Nothing to think about with the Forester, always in AWD. Still, would never go back to the Forester or AWD, but something to consider.

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Ditto, what he said.


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[Hellaflushfj60]

One benefit of the LE is the full-time AWD, love mine and it handles like a champ in snow/ice. You can always throw a locker in the rear but A-TRAC is sufficient for most things.

 

[zcruiser]

I got both my girls Subarus (one Forester one Impreza) after they both went through high school in 3rd gens. They just couldn't get the hang of the j-shifter so I said the heck with it and got them AWDs.

 

[Bodie the Dog]

Serene Lakes

Yep, taken all those roads! & yes, you're right about the conditions, see it all, ice, deep, slush heavy/light...
I'm at the back edge of Serene Lakes. So most of my clearance issues are pre-plow in mornings or late evenings from old 40 to my garage

I was in your neighborhood the other day, walking around Summit Valley. I see the Truckee Donner Land Trust was successful in their efforts to drain Lake Van Norden, bummer.

 

[wfo9]

The best really deep snow vehicle you could buy would be a JK Rubicon. Then add a lift and 37" tires.

I've not done much wheeling in the snow, but I would assume the front axle helps plow a path in the fresh stuff.

I also say this because it is pretty much the only thing out there that is easy to run 37s on. The 4runner takes a lot of work just to run 35s and 37s are almost non existent.

Every JK I see around here is on 37 or 40s and it just takes some flat fenders and a small lift to run them. They will break the driveshafts and inner axle shafts under heavy offroad use though. But those can be upgraded.

The other option would be the 4runner with a small lift and some 33s. Seems like that would work for most situations, but nothing beats bigger tires and lower ground pressure.. The bigger tires obviously hurt on road manners and MPG. But you can still roll a JK at 85MPH and 37s with the right gearing...

 

[Grug556]

I have a 16 Limited 4WD with Bridgestone Deuler AT tires. It's great in the Michigan winters. I'm a sales rep for medical trauma products so I'm on the road when needed regardless of time or conditions. The full time 4WD feels more like an AWD system in many vehicles. It works well when I'm driving along and hit a snow storm. If I'm heading out when there is already a significant amount of snow on the ground, I just put it in 4WD High. I can tell the difference when it's in 4H, but the normal driving mode (full time 4WD) works well for most conditions I've encountered.

Hope this helps.

locked 4 hi is good for traction but I think it turns of the VSC which might be an issue for some.