Tomorrow's Snow

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exokomp

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When we got 18 inches of snow in December, I failed miserably with engaging 4LO and the center diff. Honestly, never tried it before, never thought I would need it here but I got stuck halfway down the driveway (gravel) and do not want a repeat. So what should I do this time?

I'll be parked in the garage overnight and will wake up to 18 inches of snow.
-Should I put it in 4LO before parking tonight? What about the center diff?
-Or should I wait to get into the snow before engaging the LO and diff?

I think I'll back into the garage so I can get a forward running start. Last time I tried backing out.
 
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yeah, back it in.
when your backing it in, drop into 4LO, engage the locker, and back up 20 feet and park it.

Then you will be all ready for your 18" of fresh POWDER!! :D

Once you hit the steets and determine if you need the locker any more, you can disengage it. Just remember, if you think your going to be traveling on the roads much past 30mph, you will need to shift it back into 4HI.

Have FUN, I'm jealous!! ;)
 
Toyteclifts thanks. I'll remember that info, to do 4lo & loc diff the night prior. In Dec in Long Isl NY we had over 24" of snow and its was awesome pushing the 4runner thru it. MAN LOADS OF FUN. I posted video on here. I did learn that it has its limits and am dam glad I had bought a tow rope years ago. But it was awesome to do and learnd about being pulled/pulling someone out whose stuck.
 
Thanks ToyTec. If all else fails, I'll just have to get the farmer across the street to plow me out with his tractor again.
 
Are you sure you want 4lo? I'd probably use 4hi. I'd lock the center diff only if I planned on plowing through a snow bank (or down an unplowed gravel driveway) and needing uninterrupted power to get out... Is it a super-steep downhill? If it's a super-steep downhill then 4lo unlocked IMHO. I'd put it in 2 and push the DAC button.

Snow driving question and some good advice here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/60749-i-need-some-snow-driving-advice.html This thread is a bit different but has some good snow advice.
:cheers:
 
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Put in 4lo, lock the center diff, and back it in. Of course, if the snow is very wet and compact, you won't be moving out through 18" of snow, particularly if you have stock tires.
 
You don't need 4LO to go through snow. In fact, you're probably better off in 4HI because the torque multiplication in 4LO will make it harder for your tires to get traction in the snow.
 
putting it in 4lo really does that much for you in snow? in my experience it has been worse in snow than 4HI, just lock the center diff so the traction control isnt trying to bog down the motor. I lived 20 miles north of Steamboat Springs, CO and we got pounded quite a few nights. Just Hammer it!! haha
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Are you sure you want 4lo? I'd probably use 4hi. I'd lock the center diff only if I planned on plowing through a snow bank (or down an unplowed gravel driveway) and needing uninterrupted power to get out... Is it a super-steep downhill? If it's a super-steep downhill then 4lo unlocked IMHO. I'd put it in 2 and push the DAC button.

Snow driving question and some good advice here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/60749-i-need-some-snow-driving-advice.html This thread is a bit different but has some good snow advice.
:cheers:
Click to expand...
Why would you hit the DAC you dont want to be slowed down. Also, def lock the center diff cause that cuts off some of the traction control
 
Autbond said:
Why would you hit the DAC you dont want to be slowed down. Also, def lock the center diff cause that cuts off some of the traction control
Click to expand...

I was/am a bit confused by exocomps scenario. If he got stuck, going down a very steep driveway due to sliding off, then I stand by my suggestion. If that wasn't his scenario the I agree with you.

In my head I have him living on a steep driveway, maybe:confused: "Stuck halfway down the driveway" could mean a few different things...
:cheers:
 
Philly Snow

exokomp- Hope you faired well. I'm also in Philly. This stuff was powdery, not compacted at all. No need for 4lo. I kept my '07' V8 in in 4HI all day and had a ball. I did turn off VSC. Last snowfall I got stuck with VSC on due to the system shutting down tire spin.

Let me iterate: When you were advised to back it in the driveway and turn on 4LO so you would be ready in the morning... You need to turn on 4LO first, then back it up approx 20 feet so that 4LO will be already engaged the next morning. Not sure if that was clear from your response.
 
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I generally prefer hi-range in snow. It is nice to have the ability to really spin the tires if needed. Even you are not not trying to spin them, hi should still be ok. I save lo-range for really slow things like rock crawling or climbing very steep hills or obstacles.
 
I was in South Jersey all weekend where the snow was a little heavier and wet. I successfully engaged LO had a blast. No problems whatsoever. What I didn't realize the first time was that if the LO indicator is flashing and beeping, it's not engaged.

It was great coming home to Philly and parking right in front of my house in the 2 feet of snow while my neighbors struggled to dig out. I love the look of envy on their faces. ha ha.

In other news... my snowblower started acting up, luckily when I was just about done. It would start but would shut down after going about 3 - 4 feet into the snow. I'm hoping the spark plug was just wet and needed to dry out. Looks like we're getting another 1 - 2 feet tomorrow into Wednesday.
 
Based on my experiences, and what I've seen in this forum, I think people recommend using 4LO far too often. IMO, the only time you need 4LO is when you have traction and you're traveling at very low speeds or when you really do need the torque multiplication- i.e. rock crawling, other extreme off road situations, or pulling out a stump or something.

In my opinion, if you're in a low traction scenario and trying not to get stuck, 4LO will only get you in trouble.
 
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