Pre runner in the snow ?

Just purchased a 2007 Tacoma pre runner. How does the locking rear end work on snow or in bad weather ?

 

Don't do it, you are putting your life and everyone else on the road's life in danger.

3 bags of tube sand will correct that though.

 

Driving on road with the rear locked will keep one wheel spinning slightly on every curve - actually reducing traction compared to not having it locked. Sounds like you needed a 4x4.

 

Leave the diff open unless you are stuck. Locked diff in the snow can lead to unpredictable handling. Add a little weight to the bed and make sure you have some decent tires, no problems unless you are on ice and big hills.

 

Had 300 lbs of sand in my bed and new snow tires on my prerunner and it was ok on plowed roads. Fresh deep snow I wouldn'tve stood a chance. I went to 4x4 3 months after I bought my prerunner lol

 

Bad idea

 

Locked diff makes it easier to drift. It's fun when you want to and deadly when you don't and you are an incompetent driver.

 

I did 2 years in northeast Ohio with a 2wd 318 Ram 1500, didn't get stuck other than once when I parked in mud. Drove it to NW Pennsylvania in a few snow storms, did fine. It was annoying sometimes but momentum and a little bed weight goes a long way. Hell, I plowed with a 2wd 1 ton Chevy multiple times, we strapped a concrete slab to it and went to town. 4wd is very nice to have but it isn't a necessity if you are sticking to paved roads.

 

Weight in the bed, it helps, tires will help a lot, especially dedicated winter tires.

The rear end is just too light to help with traction on slippery/icy conditions.

 

this

and this.

 

4WD and snow tires?

 

@Plain Jane Taco get your ass in here

 

Yeah don't use your locker unless you're stuck. Like it's been said above, it will actually reduce your traction. Open diff is good because if you lose traction only one wheel slips. The other one coasts, maintaining its grip and traction and keeping you going in a straight line. With a locker, when you lose it - you really lose it. Save it for when you're stuck. Add weight to your bed (bags of sand. Think: things that won't come through the back window and decapitate you if you hit something head-on.) also proper winter tires are an amazing improvement over all seasons. Do those 2 things, then just drive slow and spend the next few years wishing you bought the 4wd like 95% of all prerunner owners.

 

Dedicated winter tires stop ALOT better than all-seasons/mudders etc.

 

Haha I spent 3 months wishing I bought a 4x4 till they wifey gave me the ok to get another taco. Very true about winter tires. With my blizzaks and 300 lbs of sand I drive through the first big storm here in the northeast to buy snacks of all things. Roads were plowed but completely covered in snow still. The next day though there were more than 2 feet unplowed in my development and I had to shovel and get pushed to move out of my parking space, where as my 4wd neighbor flipped a switch and drove off just time. So definitely a prerunner in the snow with or without a locker is capable. Just requires good judgement and sometimes more work if you do get stuck.

 

Yeah as already said ya don't want to drive with the 2 rear wheels locked up in slick conditions. Only use it when going slow for a moment or two when your stuck really. Otherwise just leave it open, good tires, weight in the bed, and patience behind the wheel and you should be fine most of the time.

 

Sorry.

Tuner's dead on. Personally I've never added weight in any of my 2wd Tacos, but it can certainly help. Tires really make all the difference when driving in snow...especially deeper snow.

Tires, LSD, and experience/common sense can get through a lot.

FJ steelies and Goodyear Duratracs mounted on the rear.












Got into some really deep stuff here. All the way up t the skid-plate and A-arms.