I felt bad for the 3rd gen 4runner

[Gecko123]

It was a snowy this morning and after work the snow started to melt but some of the roads had compact snow which turned into ice.

On the way home after work I noticed someone spinning their wheels on a slightly inclined road. I looked over and it was a 3rd gen 4runner. The road was mainly clear except there was a strip of ice on the driver-side rear wheel. This wheel was spinning while the other wheels moved slowly. He kept at it but could not climb uphill. I moved along upwards without any major issues.

Eventually he had to put on his hazards as he was stuck as other cars passed him. I felt really bad for him especially driving a 4runner

My question, would this be a 2 wheel drive 4runner? Why would it not gain traction on the other wheels.

 

[Lineman]

I would venture to say he needed Tires. A good quality snowflake rated Tire will do wonders. Love my Kumho Road Venture's with snowflake.

 

[madeinhb]

Do you live in Denver?

 

[2big4arunner]

I know a lot of people think that because the road is clear that they cant use 4wd without causing damage even though they are slipping. The other thing to think about is the type of tires the person was running.
I just got the goodyear duratrac and it is EPIC

The grade of this hill is around 60% and I had the 4runner in 2wd. when I started slipping I stopped to see how far up the hill I could get. These tires have impressed me beyond belief considering I could barely stand or get back into the truck after taking the picture.

 

[ebg18t]

I know a lot of people think that because the road is clear that they cant use 4wd without causing damage even though they are slipping. The other thing to think about is the type of tires the person was running.
I just got the goodyear duratrac and it is EPIC

The grade of this hill is around 60% and I had the 4runner in 2wd. when I started slipping I stopped to see how far up the hill I could get. These tires have impressed me beyond belief considering I could barely stand or get back into the truck after taking the picture.

Are you sure that grade is 60%?

The friction requirements to overcome gravity and the reduced coefficient from the snow would be enormous at a 60% grade (ie land rises 60 vertical feet over 100 horizontal feet). I agree duratrac tires are pretty impressive, but the reality of a 60% grade is insanely impressive. I can't tell how far up the hill you made it; But if a 4runner in 2wd can climb a 60% grade hill, even any distance I highly suggest you contact goodyear and have them create a marketing campaign around this situation. I bet you could get free tires for life.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I can think of at least 3 reasons the 3rd gen might have been slipping:

1. It was a 2wd (surprisingly I've even seen some 2wd 4runners for sale here in CO. Why anybody would want one I have no idea but I've seen them for sale.)

2. It was 4wd but had poor quality (or badly worn) tires.

3. It was 4wd but the owner didn't know how or when to use the 4wd.

 

[Gecko123]

I can think of at least 3 reasons the 3rd gen might have been slipping:

1. It was a 2wd (surprisingly I've even seen some 2wd 4runners for sale here in CO. Why anybody would want one I have no idea but I've seen them for sale.)

2. It was 4wd but had poor quality (or badly worn) tires.

3. It was 4wd but the owner didn't know how or when to use the 4wd.

His tires actually looked like snow tires from what i can see. I saw a lot of sipes

As 2wd, yeah, not sure why anyone would want one. kinda defeats the purpose.

 

[Gecko123]

I would venture to say he needed Tires. A good quality snowflake rated Tire will do wonders. Love my Kumho Road Venture's with snowflake.

Those tires look like they will handle deep snow well, but not sure how well on icy roads as there are not a lot of sipes to open and grab onto the icy surface.

 

[JB.]

Are you sure that grade is 60%?

but the reality of a 60% grade is insanely impressive.

Not a chance it was that steep. 60% is hard to walk down without slipping on compacted dirt. If it's gravely at all, it's time to turn sideways and be ready to skid. On snow you're going body sledding.

 

[T4R2014]

The majority of people who have 4wd don't know how to engage it. It could've been 2wd as well.

 

[mikebontoft]

Don't forget the e locker... that would have helped too if they had it.

 

[TRDCal]

Ohh Gecko...the threads you start make me LOL

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I would venture to say he needed Tires. A good quality snowflake rated Tire will do wonders. Love my Kumho Road Venture's with snowflake.

That has to be the ugliest tire sidewall I have ever seen. Maybe they use those lugs on the sidewall for deep snow traction!

 

[Gecko123]

Ohh Gecko...the threads you start make me LOL

:banana:

 

[KidVermicious]

Oh, those silly 3rd gens. I feel bad for them too.

Because of course it's the truck's fault. No possible way that could be driver error or bad tires, it's because the 3rd gen is inferior. I mean, it's older than the 4th gen, right? That's why the 4th gen made it up the hill and the 3rd gen didn't, because it's newer and better and stuff. Right?

Too bad you don't have a 5th gen, Gecko, think of all the snowy hills you could climb then.

 

[NJshadow93]

I don't think Gecko's purpose of the thread was to bash the 3rd gen 4Runner. I'm sure everyone here can agree the driver didn't know what he/she was doing.

 

[Lineman]

Might be an ugly sidewall but awesome tire for snow and ice of North Dakota. Tried and tested. They are rated higher for light snow, deep snow and ice than the BFG A/T's.

That has to be the ugliest tire sidewall I have ever seen. Maybe they use those lugs on the sidewall for deep snow traction!

 

[Gecko123]

I don't think Gecko's purpose of the thread was to bash the 3rd gen 4Runner. I'm sure everyone here can agree the driver didn't know what he/she was doing.

That's correct. I actually like the 3rd gens too
I just felt bad for the guy not being to make it up the hill with 4runner and just wanted to understand why. Was there features on the 4th gen that my climb easier. I am definitely not an expert in this area and just wanted feed back. And I am definitely not an offload expert so I don't know all the tricks of the trade

 

[TRDCal]

Was there features on the 4th gen that my climb easier. I am definitely not an expert in this area and just wanted feed back. And I am definitely not an offload expert so I don't know all the tricks of the trade

We'll if you have a 4x4 V8 then the fulltime 4x4 would definitely give you the edge until the 3rd gen shifted into 4x4. 2wd side by side with identical tires, a 3rd gen with optional locking rear diff would have the advantage over a 4th gen with atrac anyday. And a 3rd gen with locking diff, atrac and more ground clearance stock would trump any stock 4th gen.

But even then, 99% of issues people have in the winter is from being inexperienced or using inproper equipment. So i'm sure thats why the poor bas**** in the 3rd gen was having trouble, god bless his troubled soul