T4R 4WD = Awesome

[RPC]

I bought my 4Runner in '09 in California and moved to Minnesota two months ago. I hadn't done much (any?) snow driving in her since the purchase and we just got the first big snow of the year. Holy hell this thing is badass in slippery conditions.

I saw all types of vehicles having trouble navigating the streets today, from entry level front wheel drive compacts to big Tahoes and Grand Cherokees, and I found myself turning Stability Control off to have some fun.

I had no idea I was missing such a big part of the capability-picture with this thing...

 

[mike_da]

What tires do you have?

 

[CNJ Runner]

heckyeah man!! I live in jersey and previously had a 2001 solara and a 2005 acura mdx, which has the worst , most fake 4wd system ever).my 2006 sr5 is a beast in the snow tho even with the dunlop stock tires!!! have fun with the t4r

 

[joeveto]

Oh Yeah!

I saw on the news that you guys got slammed. I live in Northern IL and I work in Milwaukee. I was hoping we'd get a good dose of snow, as this is my first year with the 4Runner, and I just put a new set of Firestone Destination AT's on it. I can't wait to go playing!

 

[Bossman]

I bought my 4Runner in '09 in California and moved to Minnesota two months ago. I hadn't done much (any?) snow driving in her since the purchase and we just got the first big snow of the year. Holy hell this thing is badass in slippery conditions.

I saw all types of vehicles having trouble navigating the streets today, from entry level front wheel drive compacts to big Tahoes and Grand Cherokees, and I found myself turning Stability Control off to have some fun.

I had no idea I was missing such a big part of the capability-picture with this thing...

Even with a big V8 in this thing, the full-time 4WD provides excellent traction in the snow. Nobody beats me off a stop light in the snow up here My T4R finds its way through the snow covered streets and parking lots with ease.

 

[DC Dude]

When did Toyota add the VSC shut off control?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

When did Toyota add the VSC shut off control?

'08... Check the link in my sig for a less than perfect but very good "work-around".

 

[Maritimer]

Can't wait for snow myself. My new city has lots of hills--great big long ones that require 3500 rpms just to maintain 30mph. Maybe I'll stay away from them, though, just because they'll probably salt the hell out of them just to let all the crappy Cavaliers and Sunfires I see around here get up them.

 

[HouseCat]

I bought my 4Runner in '09 in California and moved to Minnesota two months ago. I hadn't done much (any?) snow driving in her since the purchase and we just got the first big snow of the year. Holy hell this thing is badass in slippery conditions.

I saw all types of vehicles having trouble navigating the streets today, from entry level front wheel drive compacts to big Tahoes and Grand Cherokees, and I found myself turning Stability Control off to have some fun.

I had no idea I was missing such a big part of the capability-picture with this thing...

I couldn't believe how well mine performed in last year's Maryland blizzards. It's fun as hell to snow bog in too. I hope we get lots of snow this year again just for that reason.

 

[eskimochaos]

I have driven through 20" of fresh snow without issue. CDL locked.

The type of snow has a huge impact on how EVERY car drives.

 

[RPC]

What tires do you have?

Mike, I've got the stock Michelin's AT still. Did fantastic but I think this new kind of weather will be exactly the excuse I was looking for to buy her a new set of shoes.

And Joe, yeah we got hammered. Some parts of MPLS got 11" but the average was 5-6". I haven't seen snow like that since I lived in Colorado 10 years ago.

You know the b*tch of it though? The day I picked her up from the dealership I bought a set of Toyota all-weather mats but returned them because they were harsh on my feet. Now I hear that Toyota isn't making the all-weather mats anymore because of this floor mat brewhaha. If nothing else I think I've at least got reason enough to order a set of WeatherTech's Digital Fit floor liners. :wink2:

Biggest thing I'm worried about though isn't the snow, it's the B.S. they insist on putting on it to make us all "even" (Geo Metro and H1 alike). She hasn't seen more road chemicals than the occasional drive 'round Tahoe and it is incredible the percentage of vehicles you see here with rust. Has to be 30%.

 

[Burt]

Yeah, those WeatherTech's are pricey, but well worth it. I do not regret it.
May want to look into some undercoating for that road crud. I think it adds some weight, but if you want to preserve the 4Runner longevity, it may be worth it.

 

[mike_da]

Yeah, those WeatherTech's are pricey, but well worth it. I do not regret it.
May want to look into some undercoating for that road crud. I think it adds some weight, but if you want to preserve the 4Runner longevity, it may be worth it.

Is the mag chloride they use in Colorado as bad as the rock salt they use elsewhere?

 

[034RUNNER]

Wow snow already?!!!

Yes, these trucks are awesome in the snow. Just be careful with how confident you get when it comes to playing around in seriously deep/iced over snow when you have bad tires, LOL.

 

[DC Dude]

'08... Check the link in my sig for a less than perfect but very good "work-around".

Wouldn't this be like begging for damage? Why would someone want to lose control by shutting off VSC?

In fact, I have this VSC shut off for my Honda Odyssey minivan. I wonder why anyone would shut it off for a minivan.

 

[DC Dude]

Is the mag chloride they use in Colorado as bad as the rock salt they use elsewhere?

Rock salt is the worse ever. With sand, it's easier to get trapped in crevices.

 

[DC Dude]

Can't wait for snow myself. My new city has lots of hills--great big long ones that require 3500 rpms just to maintain 30mph. Maybe I'll stay away from them, though, just because they'll probably salt the hell out of them just to let all the crappy Cavaliers and Sunfires I see around here get up them.

Might have to consider chains.

 

[DC Dude]

I have driven through 20" of fresh snow without issue. CDL locked.

The type of snow has a huge impact on how EVERY car drives.

What tires do you have?

It's interesting to hear about all the accidents they had up in Minn. these past few days after 10" of snow. People usually make fun of those in the mid atlantic, and now who's got trouble?

 

[Maritimer]

Might have to consider chains.

I could get studded winters, but I don't think they allow chains in New Brunswick.

 

[scottm]

Wouldn't this be like begging for damage? Why would someone want to lose control by shutting off VSC?

In fact, I have this VSC shut off for my Honda Odyssey minivan. I wonder why anyone would shut it off for a minivan.

Every morning I cross a highway from a stop. In the Winter if I slip even a little the brakes start cycling, the throttle closes, and I creep across the highway. When semis and cement trucks are coming at me at high speed on snow, I'd really like to have that traction control and VSC not quite so aggressive. On my Land Cruiser I can floor it and all four tires get with it, spinning and grabbing and going. That's a feature for clearing mud when offroading. I'm not sure why my 4R doesn't do that.