Tire chains on 2k3 & 2k4 4Runner

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I think there was a lengthy thread on this subject on Yotatech.com or Edmunds town hall for 4Runners.
 
I would like to know what kind of terrain/weather conditions you would need them in? My 4runner caame with the Bridgestone HT840's stock and I haven't been hung on a snowy day climbing very steep grades yet. I have even stopped the vehicle on some of these monster unplowed hills, and still the truck can start and go again without a hiccup.
Do you intend to go offroad in deep snow, or maybe put a plow on the 4runner (NOOOOOO!!!!) ?
If you need to travel on ice, I think studded winter shoes are a much better option, no risk of throwing a chain and damaging the truck, and you can travel at higher speeds.
 
Personally, I have chains for every vehicle I have ever owned. Why? Because I've never needed them, even on ski trips. It's relatively cheap insurance in case you need them.

If the 4Runner came with Dunlops, it is entirely possible that you'll need chains.

I believe the owners manual says rear tires only, SCC says front and rear. It's up to you as to who you believe.
 
california driving conditions.

would like to know what kind of terrain/weather conditions you would need them in? My 4runner caame with the Bridgestone HT840's stock and I haven't been hung on a snowy day climbing very steep grades yet.
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Mountain roads where you are unable to proceed without chains because the guy standing in the middle of the road and wearing a gun tells you that without chains you cannot proceed.

If you need to travel on ice, I think studded winter shoes are a much better option, no risk of throwing a chain and damaging the truck, and you can travel at higher speeds.
Click to expand...
That is probably best for a locale like Conneticut where winter is one contiguous period. In Calfornia I will be driving in 100 degree heat one day and on ice glazed mountain roads the next.
 
SCC cable chains.

Anyone have SCC cable chains on their 4Runner? I was looking at the SCC Z-chain line. The SCC website says that the correct part number to fit a 265/70-16 tire is ZL679.
http://www.scc-chain.com/NewFiles/Seasonal Pages/app_guide.asp

The NAPA site agrees with the part number and wants $165.70/pair. Awfully expensive chains!
http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/n...t?prrfnbr=15635582&prmenbr=5806&usrcommgrpid=

Vulcan gives a different part number (Z579) and only wants $109/pair but the product is backordered till March.
http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-local/chainsearch.cgi
 
Re: california driving conditions.

dcampen said:
Mountain roads where you are unable to proceed without chains because the guy standing in the middle of the road and wearing a gun tells you that without chains you cannot proceed.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you don't have 4wd? Not sure what chains will fit but I'd say that the cables are your best bet in fitting as it's slightly smaller than the chains themselves. I would suspect w/ chains you will rub the mudflaps and/or the bumpers.

Just find the chains that fit your wheel/tire and drive slow. As long as you drive slow enough, you will be okay.

Personally, I prefer some chains but I've yet to encounter snow that I couldn't handle :) If it gets to the point where a 4x4 needs chains, then there is no reason why I should proceed. Safety first :)
 
Tire chains, legal requirement.

I'm guessing you don't have 4wd?
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No, I have 4WD and even if I didn't have 4WD, I have driven 2WD/RWD vehicles on icy mountain roads.

The requirement for chains is not so much that I feel that I would need them as that the California Highway Patrol takes the view, probably rightly so, that most drivers are total incompetents who can barely stay on a straight, dry, paved road and they therefore often require chains on all vehicles with NO EXCEPTIONS.

http://www.tirechain.com/california-chain-requirement.htm

I was driving up Angeles Crest Highway last weekend and looking at CHAINS REQUIRED signs that are always there ready to be deployed along with their sibling NO EXCEPTIONS signs.
 
Re: Tire chains, legal requirement.

dcampen said:
I was driving up Angeles Crest Highway last weekend and looking at CHAINS REQUIRED signs that are always there ready to be deployed along with their sibling NO EXCEPTIONS signs.
Click to expand...

Usually, when they say chains only it only applies to vehicles that are not 4x4. Since you drive a 4x4 and have snow tires (I believe stocks are snow rated) you should be able to drive thru w/o any incident. Since by the time you need chains on a 4x4 means the road conditions are VERY bad.

I've seen our 4runners drive thru 6" of snow on the road w/ no problems in 4x4 so I don't see why they would stop ya ;)

But then again, like I said, by the time you need chains on the 4wd vehicle, the conditions are pretty bad that it's prob not worth driving thru.
 
The law does not have to be rational.

I've seen our 4runners drive thru 6" of snow on the road w/ no problems in 4x4 so I don't see why they would stop ya ;)
Click to expand...

The capabilities of the vehicle and driver are not at issue, this is why they have those big "NO EXCEPTIONS" signs.

Read the link:
http://www.tirechain.com/california-chain-requirement.htm

let me copy from the link:

There are three requirements in California.

Requirement One (R1): Chains are required, snow tires are allowed.

Requirement Two (R2): Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles
with snow tires on all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas)

Requirement Three (R3): Chains are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
 
I have rarely seen conditions get to the point where it is R3 as you suggest. And watching the weather closely, I haven't see a R3 rating in years.

Actually I'd like to see conditions like that ;) That way we'll actually have some decent snow up here in the local mountains :50cal:

On a side note, how do I find chains that'll fit my wheels then?!?!? :confused:
 
R3 conditions.

I have rarely seen conditions get to the point where it is R3 as you suggest. And watching the weather closely, I haven't see a R3 rating in years.
Click to expand...

If you will look at the LA Times Travel Section for last Sunday a writer mentions recently trying to travel into Seqouia via 198 and being turned back even though the vehicle was 4WD.

In any event, I want a pair of chains. If anyone has information about specific chains for my 4Runner, please let me know.
 
One company I know that sells chains for large wheels.

http://www.rudchain.com/snow/grip4.htm

CA law requires that you carry chains regardless if you're 4x4 in conditions that are not good. Most people just carry some cheap chains to bypass the chp's and drive through.

Usually by the time the road conditions are that bad, the chp usually closes the roads.

Here's a bunch of searches on another yota site that goes into details on chains for the 4runner.

http://www.yotatech.com/search.php?...d=284040&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending
 
If you get a chance to use em this season, let us know how it works. Don't forget to tell us about how easy it is to install and remove as well.
 
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