2WD 4CYL in snow? Really need help. Tacoma SR

Just made an account after browsing here. Looks like a great community.

Here’s the deal. I live in Southern California. 2016 Tacoma SR Utility Package. 2WD, 4 cylinder.


Moving to Colorado Springs in January.

anyway I can make this truck work in the snow/ice out there?

trying to avoid upgrading just yet due to financial situation. Would rather not have to spend a bunch of money on a 4x4 just yet. I definitely will
Be in the future.


Any advice helps very much! Thank you!!

 

Thanks for your input!

I’ve heard this suggestion before. I forgot to mention I have a camper shell as well, does that help?


Also- does my vehicle have an LSD? I don’t think it does…

 

Winter tires and weight in the back are the best you’ll do without buying a new truck. Luckily it doesn’t snow much and it usually melts off the roads within a day or two.

 

Thanks for replying!

I’ve heard that the snow Colorado Springs melts quickly but I’m super worried about getting stuck on my way to work!!

 

One issue is if you don't like it, tacomas don't sell as easily in snow states with 2WD.

I personally wouldn't live in CO without 4x4, its not a necessity, but it makes life so much easier on the bad days. Get stuck once and its just frustrating. I've owned a couple of RWD trucks and its no fun.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695

I'll also opine that good tires are paramount. More important than number of powered wheels even.

 

thanks man!
Would you suggest this truck? Do you think it’s a good deal?

https://www.crowndodgechryslerjeep.com/all-inventory/index.htm

 

Appreciate your input!

if I bought the best snow tires out there and had my camper shell with maybe 300 pounds of sand bags over the rear axle would that be ok?

 

You’re more likely to lose traction and crash than to get stuck. We don’t get deep snow falls often, usually just a few inches to a foot and then it melts again before the next storm.

 

Sell your Rwd in CA and buy your 4wd in CO.

 

For Co Springs/ east of the Front Range? Absolutely. You should have no problems running around town or up and down the 25 corridor. For off highway or high elevations? Questionable. The further away from plowed roads you get, the more traction tools you want.

I'm jealous. I'd love to move to that area. It's a fun town.

 

This is good advice as a 2wd will be easier to sell in CA

 

Some roads are closed there at times if you do not have 4x4 or chains I believe.
Know Before You Go
CDOT urges travelers to be aware of chain and traction law codes before heading out on the roadway, specifically:

• Commercial Vehicle Chain Law: Commercial vehicles and trucks must have chains. Vehicles without chains can often lose traction, causing traffic delays and sometimes road closures. For the safety of the traveling public, it's critical to use chains to be in compliance with Colorado's chain law.
  
  
• Passenger Vehicle Traction Law: All motorists are required to either have an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle, or (for two-wheel drive vehicles) snow tires or all-weather tires with a mud/snow designation. Tread depth on all tires must be at least 3/16" regardless of vehicle type. Vehicles that do not meet these criteria must carry chain devices or alternative traction devices. The law focuses on passenger vehicles, as commercial vehicles have their own restrictions. It is unlawful to proceed when a state highway is closed or to proceed when a restriction is in effect without the required traction equipment. Violators will be given a citation, which comes with a $100 fine and $32 surcharge. That jumps to a $500 fine with a $156 surcharge if a violation results in the closure of one or more traffic lanes.
  
  
• Passenger Vehicle Chain Law: All passenger vehicles weighing less than 16,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must have tire chains or alternate traction devices (ATD) installed on two or more drive tires. It is unlawful to proceed when a state highway is closed or to proceed when a restriction is in effect without the required chain/ATD equipment installed. Violators will be given a citation, which comes with a $100 fine and $32 surcharge. That jumps to a $500 fine with a $156 surcharge if a violation results in the closure of one or more traffic lanes.
  

 

+1

 

Because one has the right gear for a 2wd or 4wd vehicle doesn't mean they won't have problems.

Like many other driving 'events', much depends on the skill of the driver.

Folks drove 2wd RWD cars with bias tires in snow for decades, because they learned how to.

Keep in mind all the pics you see of massive pile ups and in the ditch during various snow events include many 4wd / AWD vehicles. Because you can go doesn't mean you can stop. Driver skill is needed.

 

Where do you live in Colorado?

So what I need to know is can I get away with Rwd ?

 

Colorado Springs. You’ll get by ok with snow tires and weight in the bed. There will be days when it will be unsafe for you to drive but that will be rare. AWD or 4x4 is better but not 100% necessary.

 

Beware of the Black Ice, it only has to be a few millionths of an inch thick to slip slide away.
Here’s the CDOT site link, watch it when Colorado gets weather. Keep an eye local news online there also when they get weather.
https://maps.cotrip.org/event/CDOT-...show=roadReports,trafficSpeeds,mountainPasses

 

Snow tires, chains, sand bags and drive slowly. You’ll be just fine. For your first winter, go to a completely empty parking lot with snow/ice and learn how to power slide and recover in a controlled environment. You don’t need 4wd, but you do need to understand the limitations of your vehicle and your skill when deciding when to go out in certain conditions. Most pile ups I see are Audi Q5 awd assholes racing to the resort at 70 miles an hour thinking they’re invincible.

A nice addition for you would be a hidden front winch to get out of a ditch, for that worst case scenario. An electric rear locker from Eaton would also be great.

 

I want to be the devils advocate here and say do a 4x4 conversion.

You’ll need:
FJ cruiser J shifter transfer case
FJ front axle assembly without ADD
Front 4x4 hubs
Cv joints
Front drive shaft
4x4 Tacoma rear drive shaft

On the plus side it will be purely mechanical/old school and you can skip all the electronics BS. Long term it will be more reliable than the electronic system all ours Tacomas come with.

if your 2016 is a 5 spd manual the FJ transfer case will bolt up. If it’s an auto you’ll have to modify it by putting in a automatic input gear. This part might be the most difficult part, but atleast you can do it on your free time until it’s done and then the rest will be bolt on. You’ll also need to do some cutting to fit the shifter. Also you have the option of converting it to twin stick(hi/lo being separate from 2wd/4wd)

If you do decide to switch trucks don’t do it in Colorado. Tacomas out there go for a pretty penny.


But to actually answer your question it would be worth it to get an actual LSD for the rear end. Get good tires and have chains on hand. I’d saw the shell on the back should provide enough weight.