Prepping your Tacoma for Snow

It was actually mentioned earlier that increasing your mass away from the center pivot point of the vehicle will decrease your chance of fish tailing because it's takes more to get it moving. The problem there would be once it goes it will be harder to correct though. Due to heavier mass having more momentum.

 

I've always put the weight directly over the axle - you want the "force" directly above your wheels. The idea is to help keep the rear wheels on the ground to increase traction. If you move the weight away from the axle toward the tailgate, you'll actually reduce the overall force being applied downward and you could actually lighten the load at the front as it will create a "teeter" effect.

And yes, I am an Engineer.

 

Two things for snow/ice:
1. Put it in 4WD when not parking.
2. Remind myself the ABS is set to kill mode.

 

I'll bite on this last part, but I wouldn't think 100-300lbs would be enough to make much of a difference.

 

Heh. Yeah, it would have to be a significant load I'd think...

 

anyone disable the ABS in the winter?

 

How would one go about doing that? You have Linkage?

 

Well done sir, well done.

 

snow brush in the back for those 2 or 3 times i get stuck outside. (garage at home and office)

snow tires will go on when we are expecting the first snowfall.

will toss a couple of sand bags in the bed as well. not that it is really needed, but it does help keep the back end planted better.

will be putting a new battery in over thanksgiving. 9 years seems like a good time to swap

 

we got 69 inches total snowfall in ottawa last year. A friend of mine bought a set of GY duratracs for his chevy colorado and said he never needed 4wd.

A good set of tires and some first aid equipment, shovels, flashlights, batteries to help keep your family or yourself safe.

Also! driving carefully helps tremendously! lol

 

Has been found to work on the VSC equipped trucks too

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...locking-diff-write-up-pics-8.html#post5324525

 

thanks for the link. i find most of my "scary" situations are caused by ABS kicking in for too long/unexpectedly.

 

I agree , I hate the ABS system on these trucks in snow

 

I thought the same thing and that's what I did all the way in the back. Big mistake... it takes weight off the front end and steering is not as good. ..definitely our the axle at the wheel wells

 

Two bags of sand, shovel, and scraper in the back. I also keep heavy layers, gloves, water, and snacks in the cab. I try to use the 4x4 as little as possible for fear it will get me in trouble. 2 sand bags keep me from slipping and I only need the 4x4 when it is coming down so fast the plows can't keep up.

 

Going to:

Wax my truck
Do a full detail on the interior
Wash my frame and underbody
Fluid film my frame
Aquapel my windshield

 

Winter prep:

Make sure windshield washer stuff is the winter kind - it sucks when that stuff freezes up.

Give the whole truck a good wash, especially the frame.

Undercoat the shitoutta everything.

Put winter tires/rims on.

Snow brush.

 

But if you forget, some vodka will fix it.

 

Hey, that's Alcohol abuse! Don't even think about it!