Snow chains?

taiko

New member
hey guys,

I'm going up to Tahoe for new years, and I'm wondering if i need snow chians? i have 4wd but im not sure if that is enough. I also have STOCK tires, nothing crazy. What do you guys suggest? What are the steps i need take to engage 4wd.
 
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tahoe for new years eh? ive done that one before :beer::repuke:

if you have stock tires, then, yes i would get them just in case even though you have 4wd. ooooor you could go out and get some sweet new tires
 
better safe than sorry plus if you get them from les schwab you can return the unused chains for your cash back in the spring. CHP can be very strict for chain control too depends on the officer, individual and your observed driving. the 4wd is easy simply push the button on the side of the 4wd lever, unlock your center diff for freeway slush and lock it for snow. then of course theres your 4lo for when and if you need it.
 
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You most likely won't need them (4WD should be plenty) but you are required to carry them with you.

:bluejump:Going snowboarding?
 
Yeah, depending on the conditions and if it's snowing, you could get all the way there and be turned around by the CHP if you're not carrying chains. And then you'll be forced to drive an hour + to buy chains at normal prices or pay 3x's as much if you buy them at a local gas station or something.

I live in the mtns and there is nothing more annoying than when an unprepared flatlander gets stuck w/o chains and now he's screwed and so is everyone else because he's blocking the road. Don't go to the mtns unprepared!
 
How do i unlock/lock the center diff? Is this unlocked or locked for normal driving? what is 4lo? haha im new to all this, i live in LA so i dont really use all this stuff. thanks guys bare with me!

Whipkiller: yes ill be snowboarding! too bad the gf is giong...
 
LOL! its all good man, To put it in 4lo make sure you aren't moving first of all... wait make sure you are stuck first!! THEN, put the transmission in neutral throw the little stick up into 4Lo then drive on out of that pile of snow mud or what ever mess your in. you wont be able to go fast so don't use that unless your really stuck. So for the snow and slush all you really need is to push the the side button on the little stick and you should be good just as long as your tires aren't bald or crappy. Other than that your center lock button is on your left side right by the dimmer switch. you don't really need that one either unless your stuck or in some really heavy stuff. push that in with your other one in and you'll see an orange light, light up along with the green lights on your dash. dont do this on a dry road or bad news will happen!
Gosh i miss Tahoe, i cant say the skiing is good as it is in Utah but i did grow up on Kirkwood, Heavenly, Mt Rose. it's definitely my stomping grounds! Its also pretty sweet place for New Years! Have fun! be safe!
 
LOL! its all good man, To put it in 4lo make sure you aren't moving first of all... wait make sure you are stuck first!! THEN, put the transmission in neutral throw the little stick up into 4Lo then drive on out of that pile of snow mud or what ever mess your in. you wont be able to go fast so don't use that unless your really stuck. So for the snow and slush all you really need is to push the the side button on the little stick and you should be good just as long as your tires aren't bald or crappy. Other than that your center lock button is on your left side right by the dimmer switch. you don't really need that one either unless your stuck or in some really heavy stuff. push that in with your other one in and you'll see an orange light, light up along with the green lights on your dash. dont do this on a dry road or bad news will happen!
Gosh i miss Tahoe, i cant say the skiing is good as it is in Utah but i did grow up on Kirkwood, Heavenly, Mt Rose. it's definitely my stomping grounds! Its also pretty sweet place for New Years! Have fun! be safe!

dude, that totally helped! thanks a lot man! i cant wait to go, now that i have a little more knowledge about my runner. Cant wait! thanks!
 
With 4wd, I would NEVER bother with chains. If the roads are that bad that you need chains AND 4wd, chances are they will be closed. I'm out in Colorado very often, and not once have I needed chains on my 4runner. In my opinion, chains would be a waste of money.

If money isnt an issue, then why not buy them?
 
I just came back from Tahoe this evening & it was storming like krazy.

My first time driving in a Snow Storm...better yet, my first time seeing a snow storm .

Good thing I'm a patient drive, I just had it on 4Hi the entire way. Slow & steady speed & keep the throttle steady.

I was traveling no more than 30mph...I just went what was right. I originally went 40mph but it felt too fast. 35mph was okay, but still didn't felt safe. When I felt like I was going too fast...I did all the braking when I was traveling straight.

Just slow & steady.


I too am planning to go up this coming weekend & New Years Weekend. I would suggest...no, I mean, be sure you have GOOD tires & at least 50% tread...because if you don't, get them!!
 
Thanks a lot guys, i think i might need some new tires, but the problem with buying them now is that i want to lift my ride and get bigger tires. So getting new tires now would force me to wait until my tires are wore down. Maybe i should buy two used ones (other two are pretty new) that have at least 50% on them, just to get me through this trip. what do you guys suggest?
 
what kind of tires are they? cause i was gonna say i had some Mesa A/P that had maybe 10k left on them and they were fine in the snow. it all really depends on how you drive it K.C. gave the best advise, just take it easy try not to use your brakes if you slipping and give yourself enough room to stop if you have to. The 4runner's 4wheel drive is absolutely amazing and better then most SUV's out there but it all really depends on how the driver uses it. another thing, i don't know if it helps... but don't be nervous or scared cause the 4runner can smell that and just may run ya into a ditch. :roadkill:
 
what kind of tires are they? cause i was gonna say i had some Mesa A/P that had maybe 10k left on them and they were fine in the snow. it all really depends on how you drive it K.C. gave the best advise, just take it easy try not to use your brakes if you slipping and give yourself enough room to stop if you have to. The 4runner's 4wheel drive is absolutely amazing and better then most SUV's out there but it all really depends on how the driver uses it. another thing, i don't know if it helps... but don't be nervous or scared cause the 4runner can smell that and just may run ya into a ditch. :roadkill:

i dont have my car with me at the time, but my tires are BFG.. just not sure which one..
 
arrived reno this afternoon and will be here for a couple of days. just bought a pair of snow cables from autozone and was wondering if i should put them in the front or rear? what do you guys think? don't really want to spend another $150 to get another pair.
 
arrived reno this afternoon and will be here for a couple of days. just bought a pair of snow cables from autozone and was wondering if i should put them in the front or rear? what do you guys think? don't really want to spend another $150 to get another pair.


Ive always been taught to put chains, if you dont have four of them, on your drive axle. And i carry out that practice and works for me in all types of snow. If its dry pow chains arnt needed but lately in CA weve been getting hit with the sloppy stuff so different driving.
 
Ive always been taught to put chains, if you dont have four of them, on your drive axle.

In 4wd, both axles are drive axles so it doesn't matter. Like I posted earlier, because the weight of the engine, you'll get more traction w/ the chains on the front on a 4x4.
 
In 4wd, both axles are drive axles so it doesn't matter. Like I posted earlier, because the weight of the engine, you'll get more traction w/ the chains on the front on a 4x4.

yeah true. well i have 4 of them for my rig but rarely need them as 4wd is all you mostly need when doin regular snowy road travel.
 
I just went to Tahoe yesterday. There were "Chain Control" signs along the way to Tahoe. Good thing I bought some chains at Autozone. But there was no CHP to enforce the Chain Control, I only saw 1 check stop for large freight trucks.

I carried them because just in case there's a check, I would have them. Autozone has a 30day return policy if its unused. And even though there was a snow storm, all I needed was the 4WD. Plus, all cars were going under 40 mph. So really, you just need 4WD. At the beginning, when i was on 2WD, my car slip 2 times at the slightest turns, but once I switched to 4WD, it felt great.

I advise u to get them, just in case there is a check. But you dont need them, so you can return it and get a full refund. In fact, im going to return mines tomorrow.
 

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