This might get a bit lengthy, but should be interesting. I have to honestly say after 4 years of ownership my 98 sucks at snow/ice. I've been lifted for all 4 years, and I'm wondering if one of my many mods hasn't compromised it. You can see in my sig I've got the front Tundra coils and rear OME 891 with OME shocks all around. I've got the Sonoran Steel adjustable panhard bar. I run 235/85/16 Nokian Hakka and 285/75/16 Firestone Destination MT.

This thing seems to WANT to slide out beneath me and roll. I honestly had it sideways on 2 wheels on the interstate with my previous Dueler Revos after hitting a patch of ice on a clear road from an overpass bridge dripping and freezing on the interstate. That lead me to get the Nokians. Today with the Destination MT there was a patch of packed/frozen snow that I saw, so I let off the gas and while going over it I fishtailed and almost rolled it. I had no throttle, the thing just wants to slide out. Being lifted and on 33's, I don't think any trip to the ditch will be without rolling. Farther down I had it clicked into 4wd and it still wants to get loosey goosey on anything slick. I can't figure it out. I've spent a lot of money trying to make this thing a safe and effective winter machine but I'm about ready to park it and get a Subaru.

Anybody else had similar experiences? Any ideas? In deep snow(1-2ft) this thing is okay, but I'd still say my previous 85 Chevy truck with Cooper Discoverer AT's would outdo the 4Runner with any of the tire combinations I've had.

 

YES
Right after I lifted my 94 ext cab (2") and put new RC Wheels, Pro Comp all around and Super Swamper 32 TSL's I head up the mountian. I was headed to a long dirt road I take from time to time and to get to it there is a paved county road. At around 3000ft there was a very light dust of snow on the road. I took a corner at no more than 20mph and my rear end slid out so fast and I was in the mud on the side of the road. Less than 60 yards up the road was a 300ft drop off. I was lucky.
I am really careful in ice and snow.

 

It looks like the Desination MT does not have siping therefore would not be a great choice for hard packed snow or ice. Are the Nokian Hakka a designated snow tire? I would expect a higher center of gravity to not handle as well in the winter, but I think you can mitigate the effect by getting a true winter studded snow tire.

 

maybe drive a little slower ? dont matter how fancy the tires are if you hit a patch of ice at 55 its gonna be bad

 

Wow, well 235's are quite the pizza cutters and may be fine for cutting through the snow but maybe has less grab due to amount on the ground. And the m/t's are going to blow goats on ice, but that should have been expected. Also, not sure if you have a custom bumper or not, but with the TJM up front and an empty rear with stiff coils you have no weight in the rear.
Also, whats you tire pressure at?

 

Chains...

 

Being lifted I would have gone with atleast a 265 snow tire. Your pretty high up and on the skinnies isn't gonna help a lot. My truck is on 265/75 cooper atr's and its decent in the snow/ice. in 2wd it does like to swing out a little if your not careful though.