Hey Everyone, I just purchased my first 4Runner, and I absolutely love it. This forum has been very helpful and I'm glad to see so many other 4Runner enthusiasts out there. I have a 2006 V8 SR5. It has the Full time 4wd system. I know that I am not invincible in 4wd, but I feel like I am slipping more than I should be on snowy roads. Seeing as though I am always in 4WD HI, (no option for 2wd HI) I'm not sure if I should be using the center locking differential. Some have told me that I should only be using this feature on off-roading, uneven terrain etc. not for everyday driving on snowy roads. I'm also wondering if the 4wd is not working? So many people have told me that their 4Runners plow through anything in 4HI, and I'm just not seeing that kind of performance. Thanks everyone.
V8 Full Time 4WD
- Thread starter pete81284
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
First thing to check is your tires. Tires are everything in snow! What kind do you have? How much tread depth is left? I briefly had some crappy tires on when it began to snow and i couldn't go anywhere. I swear little hunched over old ladies were passing me! So, check those tires out first.
Actually i just got rid of my geolander h/t's with under 30k on them worked good for two winters now they cant handle a dusting of snow here in WI. They have plenty of tred left on them but i ended up buying toyo open country at2's. 2WD with the toyo's still drives safer then 4wd in the yokohamas. No need to use the center diff option on paved roads.
what PSI do you have them set at? If they are a P-Metric tire you should run around 32 in the winter. If they are over-inflated they can't flex enough to get a grip. I have no experience with those tires, so I don't have the slightest clue what they are like in snow. Look up reviews on them for snow weather and see what you come up with.
If the tires just aren't good in snow you won't have any luck there. Hate to say that especially for newer tires, but you can't beat good winter tires or tires with siping at the least. You may need to find a set for winter.
JEL
New member
Yeah Geolanders suck in sloppy snow, hell they suck in any snow as far as I am concerned. My dad had them on his Tundra 4x4 and they were AWFUL compared to the BFG tires he had before. His truck as the factory LSD and I swear it would do better in 2wd with the BFG tires than it did in 4wd with the Geolanders, no joke. Since winter is almost over and they are relatively new, I would think about trying to ride them through the winter and replace them in November or something next year, try and get more money's worth out of them. Of course if safety is compromised it certainly isn't worth a few hundred bucks on tires.
Since you're in a snowy climate, how about getting another set of wheels in craiglist and throwing some dedicated winter tires on for now, and use up the Geolanders for spring, summer, and fall? That's what I would probably do in winter. I had a chance to drive on winter tires once, they really are worth the coin IMO.
Since you're in a snowy climate, how about getting another set of wheels in craiglist and throwing some dedicated winter tires on for now, and use up the Geolanders for spring, summer, and fall? That's what I would probably do in winter. I had a chance to drive on winter tires once, they really are worth the coin IMO.
JB.
New member
4wd only helps you get going so I presume you're not talking about cornering or stopping.
As far as the center diff lock, just use it when you need it. It should be exercised often anyway and it will operate more quickly if that is done (wheels straight when engaging/disengaging). If you're approaching an extremely slick intersection where you have to stop an an uphill slope, you might want to engage the diff lock before hand. Afterwards, turn it off. Lather, rinse, repeat but you shouldn't have to use it very often. One of the nice things about FT4wd is that you can be quickly in and out of locked 4wd whether it be for a situation like the above or just to exercise the diff lock actuator on a whim.
Don't be afraid to use it when needed, though.
Here's a thread about that:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...pavement-center-diff-lock-vsc-off-switch.html
Last edited:
wnelax04sr5
New member
i second these responses. i had geolanders with good tread on them and it would break loose at the touch of the throttle. they were awful.
Thank you everyone. JB, you def. cleared up the center locking differential for me. I was hearing all sorts of different do's and don't's on when to use it. As far as the tires, Im going to go with a nice set of BFG's for the winter, and use the Geolanders for summer. They do have a decent ride on dry roads. Thank you again everyone. Have fun, and be safe out there!
Sporin
New member
Agreed, tires are everything.
I put on a set of General Grabber at2's at the start of winter because the Uniroyal Laredos the dealers sold the truck with were useless in the snow. Only about 5k miles on them, I hated to spend money on new tires when I already had new tires but they just weren't cutting it.
The Grabbers are EXCELLENT so far this winter. We've had a lot of snow, slop, slush and ice here in mid-Vermont and these tires are great.
On dry pavement they are solid as well, not too loud, good ride. Price is right, too. I can't recommend them highly enough.
What Truck Tires Are Best in Snow? - Alex's Automotive Performance guide | Tire Rack
Martinjmpr
New member
There are (at least) two different kinds of Geolander tire. There's a Geolander A/T-S which is a snow tire, and the Geolander HT, which is most definitely NOT a snow tire. There are also other Geolanders like MTs, G-series, etc etc.
So without knowing what kind of Geolander the OP has, it's not really possible to "rule out" tires.
FWIW I had the A/T-S on my Tacoma and I thought they did great in the snow.
So without knowing what kind of Geolander the OP has, it's not really possible to "rule out" tires.
FWIW I had the A/T-S on my Tacoma and I thought they did great in the snow.
I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to start a tire war. I drive in the mountains almost every weekend and was happy with the Geolandar A/T-S when I was using them. I have my dedicated snow tires on for the winter now, but I felt the Yokohamas were good in the early season snows.
Sporin
New member
Yeah, I know a lot of guys up here who swear by the Geolander A/T-S.
awdjunkies
New member
[MENTION=45208]Sporin[/MENTION] Glad you mentioned the Grabbers, as I have had them for a little over a year and boy are they great in any kind of snow and even ice. I ran into some black ice a few times going over the pass(On my way to the bay area in the winter)..
