Eh, an argueable statement when discussing front wheel drive cars. Though I agree with the general idea that the same amount of traction should be available from all 4 corners of the car.

 

I fully understand the concept. However, unless you're really hot-dogging, it's quite driveable w/no rear breakaway. I've been driving setups like that (snows on front of FWD vehicles) and contend that, as long as your rear tires have decent wet/snow capability (which both my wife and son's cars have...), you can go suprisingly well. I live in very hilly terrain and the concern has been getting up steep grades. This setup works fine not only going up, but also coming down some pretty slippery stuff.

Ideally, I'd put snows on all 4 wheels. But I ain't rollin' in the $$.

 

It is true that putting higher traction tires or snow chains on the front of a vehicle only is a very, very bad idea. I live in steep terrain of western NC where we get quit a bit of snow. What happens is, when you go down a hill and brake the front gets better traction than the rear. The rear end then swings around. I saw this happen twice last winter right in front of me. One truck must have spun 3 times around and the car only once. Neither was damaged but had a vehicle been coming up the road it could have been serious. Most car manufacturers also say in there owners manual never put higher traction in the front only.

 

It's also a bad idea to put snow tires only on the rear axle. Uncontrollable understeer or uncontrollable oversteer. One is no more dangerous than the other.

I would tend to believe its the driver that failed and not the equipment. Like that dumb*** that I saw a few years ago driving 60 in 8" of snow on the interstate, a mile later was upside down in the median. Not the result of poor tire choice.

 

some weight in the back would probably help. I would also rather drive in 6" than 1/4".

 

I save myself about $1/minute then I guess because I do it myself and they only need to be balanced once in a while, if you get the tires at a reputable place, they will give you lifetime rotate and balance for about $10 when you buy them and then you can have them balanced each season for free. just my oopinion.

 

for the reasons you mentioned and the terrain you spec'd I would swap all 4. I don't know anybody that has a 4runner that does this because it wouldn't make 4wheeling very fun in the winter if they did. 4wheeling in the snow is fun, almost as fun as in the mud!