i got stuck!!!!????

loyd

loyd

New member
i got stuck the other day, in an area where there was quite a bit of snow and ice. it wasnt really that deep, but i just couldnt seem to get it moving. (i'd say about a foot of snow). i had to call for a tow, but in the meantime tried to get myself out of it. i found it to be a pain in the a$$, bcuz the traction control kept coming on, and even after locking the differential it would still kick in. i eventually got out by flooring it to move and inch or so ahead, and then hitting the brake before putting it in to reverse and doing the same thing, until i got a little bit of room to get some forward momentum. i dont know if was the crappy stock tires or what, but i tell you i was stuck pretty good for atleast 1/2 hour. im willing to bet that my 2000 4runner with bfg's wouldnt have had any trouble at all. anyways, just wanted to pass on the experience, and if anyone can offer the best way to get out of a similar situation with a 4th gen id love to hear it. i know ill be replacing the tires in the next couple weeks - i tell you it was quite embarassing!!!!:mad:
 
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hmm thats odd. i thought when you locked the diff in the 4th gen, it turned off the TRAC/VSC?
 
I thought Traction control goes off when you lock the center differntial? Hmmm, wierd.

Did you try putting it in 4L and also going into a lower gear to power out of there?
 
VSC/TRAC

VSC is turned off when you lock the center diff. TRAC remains active. You want TRAC to remain active since it is needed to makeup for the non-locking, non-limited slip front and rear diffs.
 
how much do you think it would cost to get a limited slip and have it installed in the rear? It should have come from the factory like that!
 
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well, i tried everything and im telling you guys this truck performed very poorly - i was surprised and disappointed...like i said there was only about a foot of snow, but it was packed pretty good due to recent mild temps. i tried the low gears, vsc off by locking differential, rocking etc...it wouldnt move. and all 4 wheels had room to go - id say snow was up just a couple inches over the rim/tire line. when the differential was locked, i thought all 4 wheels are supposed to spin at once....or am i wrong? anyways i bet if all 4 wheels would go at the same time (being able to disable trac and vsc), i wouldnt have had a problem.
 
center diff lock splits power 50/50. You need a rear locker to get both rear wheels going

You had no traction- that's why you couldn't get out. No traction is no traction. Doesn't matter if it's a car or suv.
That is why you see 4wd suvs crashed on roads in the snow. They don't quite understand the principle of 4wd.

True 4wd is locked front and rear diffs.

Do you have stock tires? That might be the problem right there.
 
Hmm, does anyone read my explanation on ATRAC or VSC??:(

Locking center diff turns OFF VSC ONLY. ATRAC remains on ALL THE TIME.

VSC is the part of the system that dethrottles...not ATRAC.

Locking center diff will allow you to spin your tires...BUT, you have to be a bit heavy on the gas pedal. Just do it...and don't worry about all the strange noise from ATRAC.

ATRAC is EQUALLY effective as ANY limited-slip device. ONLY a locker is superior...but a locker is of limited use. Therefore, installing a LSD on the 4runner is useless. A locker would make more sense.

Loyd, with your situation, you have NO TRACTION. Regardless if you have locker or not, you would be equally screwed. Get better tires (BFG AT KO is a good place to start). Also, like above, be more aggressive with the gas pedal next time.

The rocking back and forth that you did is what off-roaders use all the time to get unstuck. It is not a bad thing...it's a very effective method at getting out of trouble.
 
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ya you guys are right - i didnt have any traction...but i pulled into a snowy lot, and had momentum, and went to turn around and as i cornered it just stopped. i think i may have been a little easy on the pedal when i tried to get out - i just didnt want to do any damage. im definately getting rid of the stock dunlops they suck! if you could see where i was, you would never think a 4runner would get stuck there! this atrac and vsc and locking differential stuff is confusing!!! i know there are posts for it, but i forgot what does what while i was out there! anyways thats an end to my offroading adventures!
 
Re: .

loyd said:
ya you guys are right - i didnt have any traction...but i pulled into a snowy lot, and had momentum, and went to turn around and as i cornered it just stopped. i think i may have been a little easy on the pedal when i tried to get out - i just didnt want to do any damage. im definately getting rid of the stock dunlops they suck! if you could see where i was, you would never think a 4runner would get stuck there! this atrac and vsc and locking differential stuff is confusing!!! i know there are posts for it, but i forgot what does what while i was out there! anyways thats an end to my offroading adventures!
Click to expand...

Loyd, don't worry...same with me. Before off-roading, i always stop for a minute or two to go over the whole system...making sure i am turning on (or turning off) the right things...and then go over quickly what i need to do if i get stuck. I am sure other people don't have to do this, but i am slow that way!:D

It's pretty hard to break anything in your situation...you may just wear out your brake pad a bit quicker. Now, crawling on rocky terrain, you should be more careful about how much gas pedal you apply. But, on rocks, you won't be slipping like you're on snow.

Don't give up...your 4runner is built for off-roading.
 
Recently, my dad got his X5 stuck in a large snow drift while in the middle turning into our driveway. He got it out after 20 minutes by puching the gas down and rocking back and forth. The X5 does not have the locker or Low 4. You just have to be patient and not be scared of using the gas pedal! :cool:
 
thanks

thanks for the tips - ill go back when i get the new tires...i really think that was the main problem
 
lloyd, the only way you will get better snow tires is if you upgrade a tire size.

There are no 265/65 17 tires with a heavier lug, for snow or mud.

I am looking at Michelin LTX M/S, great tire, but it only comes in a 265/70 17 size, meaning I will have to get 5 tires.
 
Sac State said:
lloyd, the only way you will get better snow tires is if you upgrade a tire size.

There are no 265/65 17 tires with a heavier lug, for snow or mud.

I am looking at Michelin LTX M/S, great tire, but it only comes in a 265/70 17 size, meaning I will have to get 5 tires.
Click to expand...


Now I'm confused. He says that he has Dunlops. My Limited came with 265/65 17 Bridgestones. Is this normal?

Thanks
 
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mine came stock with dunlop grandtreks - nice riding tire but after this experience they suck in heavy snow - im switchin to bfg a/t ko's - had them on my old 4runner and nothin could stop it!
 
Get Winter Tires

I too have a 4Runner with the Dunlop tires. I had read on this Board and others that they were not the best in snow. I purchased some Toyo winter tires in size P265/70-16 on dedicated rims. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!! I deliberately went into some hard packed snow about a foot or 1 1/2 feet deep. As I entered I thought OH OH maybe too much. I locked the Torsen and the vehicle walked out with no problem. There was a lot of "noise" from under the vehicle as the power was shifted around. Get some decent winter tires and you will have no problems.
 
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yes thats what i thought...im gonna just get the bfg a/t's as they are good in all situations, and ive had them before and loved them. i dont want to have 2 sets of tires, bcuz switching them all the time is going to ding the rims up....i would love a 2nd set of rims, but they are too expensive!
 
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