Okay, I need to prepare for this. I have all my tent and crap, so I am set there.
-Need to fill up with oil (getting little low)
-Need to replace U-Joints
-Check spare tire PSI
-Extra Gas
-Have my jumper cables
-Tire flat fix
-Maybe tranny fluid change (Its dark so I think ill wait on that one)

The thing I'm scared about is that my truck is 2wd. I have 31'' tires, and have no problem in the dirt and up hills. I have chains.

Do you think ill be okay?
What else should I bring/check?

Can my engine possibly "freeze" and not start up (sorry im from California, I have never delt with this stuff before) and what would I do if it did?

 

As long as you have a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and a good strong battery you should be ok. I have had my truck in near zero weather before with no problem.

 

Yep ensure you have a good battery. One of the first places I took my truck was up to a snow park. Had a cheapo walmart battery from 1994. Didn't crank strong when it was warm. At around 17°, it cranked so slow, I thought it wasn't going to run. But luckily it started up. First thing I did when I got back was drop in a Les Schwab XTreme Power (900CCA)

Oh and PS, with chains, IMO you'll have no problem. I go up snow-covered roads (some as many a 3" coverings) with nothing more than traction tires and 100lbs of sand in the back.

 

snow camping?????


and like other said, a good battery and youll have no problems...

it gets to like 10-15 below here and the vehicals handle it fine with no special treatment


just make sure if it is cold, give the truck a few minutes to heat up... it will love you for it

 

snow+2wd is a bit skechy

 

well, out here were not talking more than some inches plus chains i think i will be okay. im gonna stay on the roads, i just need to get down without slipping (im going up to about 8,000 feet) if i slip, were dead lol.

 

If you going into the bush to camp in snow i would bring a come along or hand winch whatever you like to call it. Make sure you have a shovel and good snow gear beause vehicle recovery is a ing bitch when your cold. Make sure your rad is topped up with 50/50 mix and have a good cranking battery as said above. I drive my truck up into the snow every weekend these days, i have stayed in a cabin and let my truck sit out over night in way below zero temps in over 3 feet of snow and its fine. Bring good scraper for you windows. Just be careful because hypothermia and frost bite are seriose, put as much weight in the rear as you can afford. i know with my 4popper too much weight can conflict with wheeling ability but us toyotas are light. Last weekend there was lots of forestry traffic and i was doing 4 wheel drifts around the corners

 

yeah, ill make sure to bring some 50/50 extra just in case.

good advice to weigh down the back. with all the stuff and 4 people going, i think we will be just fine

ive never heard of a hand winch or a come along ill check those out.

 

oh wow, now i got it, where do i hook the end on to?

also, is there a technique to getting chains on?

for the snow, would a couple 2x4's help?

 

those hand whinches have only like 15 ft of cabble if that so you may want a long strap or a very heavy chain(have to rember if that chain/cable/strap breaks your going to get owned your right in the middle cranking on those things with no protection)

the ends can be hooked to a tow hook up front(never the bumper or the axles) and the rear if you have a hitch one of the reciever types(they sell hooks and all kinds of shackles that fit in there) and the other side to a large tree or telephone poles usaully do the job. Other trucks really don't work because you just end up pulling them towards you (learned that the hard way)

and i believe they are called come-alongs (spelling?)


hope you have fun oh an a real good flashlight as always helpful

 

What kind of chains do you have?

 

Agreed.

Maybe bring hope and dreams?

 

If you wanna beat your rig, you'll have more fun in the snow. I put mine in 2 by just for the hell of it sometimes. Are you driving on dirt, or paved roads?

 

hhmm, i know you said you plan on sleeping in a tent since theres four of you, but if there were only 2 would the 4runner be warmer then a tent? I'm camping in big bear in a week and considering not bringing the tent

 

You probably already have this listed as a basic thing but just in case...

I think the most important thing is to let someone else know your itinerary. Include when you are getting back, the main route and the alternate routes you will take if the main one is unaccessible. You can pretty much have an engine blow up at that point and still have a good chance you won't be there for weeks before someone starts looking for you.

Might also want to gear your clothes and blankets to synthetic or wool. They don't have that natural cooling that cotton is so good at. At night, if you have cold feet try changing your socks. There's a good chance the perspiration is keeping them cold. It makes a significant difference.

Sounds like you have your vehicle well taken care of. Have fun! It sounds like it will be a great time. It almost makes me want to plan a trip. lol

 

X10 for a come-along. $30 at pep boys for a 4 ton

they are worth their weight in gold, when your stuck. straps& a choke chain too. air compressor.


don't mess around with snow wheeling in remote locations, and tell a couple people where you are going and when you plan to be back.

 

make sure you put windshield washer fluid in that wont freeze on you...

i have stuff in my truck from this summer and it wont work in the morning beucase its frozen

 

how many rigs are going? if there are 3 or more put you in the middle.... (assuming the rest are 4wd) make sure you have a shovel... it is the difference between 2hrs stuck and warm and 8hrs stuck and dripping cold wet. as dumb as you will fell at the time, practice putting the chains on in your drive way..... that way when your up there you dont look dumb when you dont know what your doing....

 

Your rig will be fine in the cold as long as your coolant is up to par. It was 0 degrees here this morning and my '88 fired up fine.

Rob

 

X2 make sure to get the good stuff too, i bought cheap stuff and it just turned to slush on my windshield