Awsome man, I'll have to do that. I'm soooo pumped for the season!

 

Umm.... how often do you drive on ice? Chains are absolutely neccessary "on road" if there is ice. I've seen people slide all over the road in 4WD because of ice. In fact... Monday morning I drove up the mountain to see the new snow, and I started sliding in 4WD.

 

This is and has been my main concern, and the reason I started this thread. Perhaps I should have been more clear. This is also the main reason the thread is in the "4Runner /Truck" forum and not "Off-Road."

Lots of talk here about snow off road... That is pretty much a piece of cake if you keep the speeds down. Over Haloween Weekend I drove about 90 miles of Fire Roads with from 1"-6" of snow on them. No Problems unless heavy braking was needed.

The scary thing is the Black Ice on plowed roads that melts off one day, then freeze over-night into unseen sheets that can send you spinning.

 

I drive on ice all the time. We've got a long, cold winter here. I don't think chains are "absolutely necessary", but they certainly have their advantages. I think 2WD's, on the other hand, should definitely have studded tires or some emergency chains on hand. I'm not saying that 4WD won't keep you from sliding, but I feel that skill and practice with the 4WD will keep you on the road and moving forward.

 

so from reading this thread i didnt understand if a person should go 4wd w/ rear diff engaged or with it off. could someone clarify this? or with chains added also.

 

If you have a RWD, but have the option of 4X4, put the chains on the rear tires. You don't want your rear tires breaking loose during the drive and causing you to spin. Just make sure before you take a trip with the chains make sure you test fit them first. Most tire chains are universal and fit a few sizes of tires. Test fit them at your house, make sure they are really tight, and then cut off the extra links of chain. That few extra links of chain will tear up your fenders. The bungee cords they give you with the chains will not prevent the extra from flopping around as you drive. I've had the excess destroy my running boards, bend my rear bumper, and tear holes in my rear fenderwell. Not cool.