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Toyota 4 Runner? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 10:01 AM

Do any of you have first hand experience with these vehicles?

I'm interested in knowing any of the issues you've had? I've driven 4WD and 2WD vehicles and sometimes the 2WD is more than capable for a little snow here and there, but the 2WD 4 Runner is also RWD? Should I worry about that? I don't want to fishtail in the winter?

The models from the early 2000's sell for quite a bit with well over 100K+ miles.. that seems to be a testament to the level of quality?. I've junked more Made in America cars and trucks with less age and fewer miles than I care to remember.

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#1

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 1:25 PM

If I lived up north again I would definitely get a 4 wheel drive...but tires are very important as well...

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=193

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 2:18 PM
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#3

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 3:33 PM

Living the northern suburbs of Detroit, I will tell you this about driving in the snow (as I am sure you already know)

Rear wheel drive with limited slip or posi, go but fishtail delight.

Rear wheel drive, open diff, no squirrely, but no go either.

Front wheel drive, not too bad, depending on depth of snow and ground clearance.

All wheel drive, now we are getting close.

4x4 is the way to go.

Point is, I would take a front wheel drive vehicle over any rear wheel drive vehicle for snow, if all wheel or 4 wheel were not available.

The fact you are looking at a rear wheel SUV as opposed to a truck helps, more weight in the rear end.

A few years ago I had a 94 sunbird and a 94 2 wheel F150, that little sunbird was better in the snow (under 10") then the truck. Now I have a 4th gen 4x4 Explorer so no worries this winter.

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#4

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 7:15 PM

The quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to get better performance in the snow is....

...let some air out of your tires.

It makes sense to run pressures at the low end of the recommend range when in a locale and season likely to see snow.

In severe conditions you can let more air out, just be sure to fill back up into the recommended range before getting up to highway speeds on dry pavement (you'll risk over pressure blowout from heat otherwise)....and don't let so much out that the tire unseats.

If you haven' t experienced the improvement in handling in the snow from reducing tire pressure, you will be impressed. It is remarkable. Letting a significant amount of air out can allow careful navitgation in some of the iciest of conditions to succeed.

Consider getting a vehicle that you like that is reliable and affordable. If you don't regularly go off road you probably don't need 4wd. As long as you don't mind getting out to let some air out on the rare occassion things get hairy, RWD than 4WD is usually a better choice for a vehicle that stays on pavement. (caveat: you may need to put a couple winter sand bags over the rear axle for RWD vehicles that don't otherwise have much weight back there).... Less weight, better ecomony, less complication, less wear, less expense, better braking....and you avoid being at risk of becoming one of those people that owns a polished offroad vehicle,that never goes off road.

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#5

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/27/2018 11:25 PM

I purchased a 4Runner limited 4x4 (Full time all wheel drive) with the v8 new back in 2007, in which I still drive as my mileage queen. Currently has 240k on the odometer, but it’s had 33” tires on it since before it had its first oil change.. so realistically, it has well over that. With air bags and trailer brakes, I regularly pull a trailer well over the rated towing capacity. No major repairs, no issues. Been a better vehicle than my 2017 ecoboost f150.

I live in the snow belt (northeastern ohio), and wouldn’t dream of driving anything but a 4 wheel drive in the winter.

I have a set of blizzaks on the stock wheels that I put on it when I am making a trip in the winter to the upper peninsula, port Allegheny, or upstate New York.

I would have bought a new one over a truck if they still made it with the v8.

In my personal opinion, not buying a 4 wheel drive in any vehicle with the option is a mistake.

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#6

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 5:41 AM

I had a Lincoln Towncar that was absolutely horrible in the snow. Had four Bridgestone Blizzak WS tires installed and everything about how it handled snow changed. The scarry part came two days later when I was driving into work oblivious to the black ice on the roads. Those tires made the RWD car capable of competing with my wife's 4WD Jeep Cherokee! This doesn't necessarily respond to the vehicles the OP asked about but covers the more important fact that if you have to drive in snow (not for) all season radials are not snow tires. A cheap set of extra wheels with the best snow tires will drastically impact traction, steering and braking. Come spring swap out the wheels/tires and drive on.

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#7

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 10:43 AM

My son who is with the Army bought a 4 WD, 2013 Toyota 4-Runner, and had driven it from Florida up to his post in Fairbanks, Alaska, via Canadian and the Yukon territory route.. It was an early January trip right after the New Year when he left Florida, as he was scheduled to report to Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.. I believe it took him 2-3 weeks trip before he reached this new post..

All he did I believe was have an engine heater installed with a power cord to plug into an AC source to keep the engine warm and ready..

After 3 years in Alaska, he drove back again using the same route via Canada down to the mainland.. Traveled from San Diego spending almost to months touring the country and camping in different states.. I'm not sure how many miles he had accumulated through all these years of daily usage..

He is still using the 4 Runner in Va. where is now stationed.. It is a very good reliable vehicle especially in the way he drives!

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#8

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 11:34 AM

I've had a Toyota Landcruiser for ten years and never been anywhere that it couldn't get out of come snow, water, mud or ice, & never been unable to get out, I also have a ford van with a auto change box and I have never been caught out with that either, but give me 4wd every time.

Bazzer

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#9

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 8:09 PM

SE thanks.. I wasn't aware the Blizzaks were the ... well. you know. Good link.

And thanks Wm...ll for the testimonial. Real life experience is priceless! I'd like to take a few sets back in time to try them out.

Jpool- I'm not looking at a 2WD vehicle.. But have driven some that were quite capable. cough (front wheel drive)

It seems the 4th gen 4Runners allow you to switch between 2 and 4wd so I'd say the choice is clear.

I had the same thing on my old "capable" 99 durango, but milage was single digit.. and rust was probably the heaviest component. Sensors and dash lights a plenty.

Mat..4u.. Thanks and welcome.. I keep reading stories like yours. I just looked at a curriously priced 07 with nearly 200K I took just one picture which I'll share below. Maybe you can tell me what it looks like in your cap?

VSAR-- If somebody would have told me about trips like that being part of military life ?? I may have joined the armed forces.. That sounds like the kind of trip I look forward too doing any or all parts of. You can't do that confidently with too many vehicles. I think I may be on to something.

This dark chocolate looking paste was thin inside the cap and around the filler neck of a 2007 4Runner SR5 V6 with nearly 200K miles.

I could see the timing chain and it wasn't gunked, but I didn't use a scope to look to the side.

I watched the tailpipe during a cold start and there was no blue or white smoke.

The engine was clean, but not "cleaned"

I've read the brown gunk is from condensation caused by short warm ups. (short version)

What do you make of it? It doesn't seem like a head gasket issue, but I'm a novice with this stuff. Do any of you do a block test or any other odd hints when looking at a used car?

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#10
In reply to #9

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 9:12 PM

Actually my son and his girl plus 2-dogs spent almost two months touring the country just a couple prior to reporting to his new post!

Anyhow, The brownish thing may be traces of some burnt oil or oil additive? Check the smell...

At the minimum I would do a compression test on all cylinder.. To have some idea of piston and piston ring condition..

You may also elect to open the crankcase and take a good look at the condition of bearings, crankshaft, pistons, etc.. The cost of the replacement gasket and 5 quarts of oil should be a well spent money to verify the innards of the engine..

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#11
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Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 10:15 PM

I did a low tech test. I put the palm of my hand over the filler hole and it was almost dead still. No pulsing nor vacuum or blowing. Does that count?

If the coating is an additive.. what's the subtractacent?

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Toyota 4 Runner ? Snow or Yes?

10/28/2018 10:23 PM

It may tell you the PCV Valve is working okay.

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#13

Re: Toyota 4 Runner? Snow or Yes?

10/29/2018 5:58 AM

I'll take rear wheel drive over front. If you lose traction in your drive wheels fishtailing with steering still available is preferable to the sled with no steering a fwd car becomes especially if you are headed down a hill.

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#14
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Re: Toyota 4 Runner? Snow or Yes?

10/29/2018 7:52 AM

I know what you mean, however, I'll will take my old Saturn snow plow over any rwd I've ever driven in any snowy condition.

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#15

Re: Toyota 4 Runner? Snow or Yes?

11/15/2018 9:07 AM

I've owned and driven a multitude of vehicles here on the snowy roads of New Hampshire. Yes, the 2WD 4 Runner is RWD. Any RWD vehicle can be driven in snow as long as you've got snow tires mounted (rear only snow tires enhance traction, adding snow tires to the front enhances steering). On many vehicles that are don't have much weight over the rear tires, you may want to add a few safely-secured sandbags to the rear of the vehicle to add traction. That, and judicious use of the throttle to prevent tire spin, should get you where you need to go without much fishtailing.

Of course, 4WD is always better than 2WD in the snow. It gives you driven front tires to help pull the vehicle forward, in addition to the rear tires that push it.

But the real thing to consider is this... How many days will you actually drive on snow-covered roads? Even here in New Hampshire, I drive almost every day and we might see 10 days maximum where the roads are icy or snow covered. Our snowplows and salt trucks keep the roads in pretty good shape, except for times when the snow is really coming down and it covers the roads soon after they are plowed.

If you can use alternate transportation or just stay home until the roads are clear, you might not need snow tires or 4WD. However, if you truly need to drive in bad weather, it all depends on how comfortable you are driving on slick surfaces, how far you need to drive, how hilly the roads are, etc.

The 4 Runner is a great vehicle. Reliable, well built, and as you mentioned - they hold their value. Best of luck, let us know how you do!

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