2006 V6 6 speed manual in snow

Ok, a little late to ask this question, I suppose, as I have had the truck for a while now. Anyhow, I have a 2006, Double Cab, 6 speed manual with 4 liter engine, 4 wheel drive.
It has ABS, but no other traction options like VSC.
Truck is completely stock, OEM size tires, no lift.
I live in Minnesota, lots of snow.
Am I going to be sorry that I didn't buy a newer model with VSC or other traction aids? I know I can put it in 4wd, but one can't drive with that engaged all the time.

 

You should be okay as long as your driving safe And slow and then if your ever in a sticky situation put it in 4x4

 

WildlandTaco,
I see you live in CA.
You have driven yours in snow in the mountains?

 

I had a 98 taco and I hardly ever put it in 4X4. And Syracuse is in the top ten big city's for snow fall. If ur that worried about it buy a set of snow tires and U'll do fine.

 

I've done tons of winter / ice / snow driving. The Tacoma is not as good as an AWD type vehicle, but mine has always done fine. Having proper tires is important. I run narrow tires that are center siped. My truck also has weight in the back. In fact, I am almost 50/50 on weight distribution. If you don't have some weight in the back, you'll have to add it. I have my ABS disabled. That is something you can search up here and read for yourself. Lot's of problems with the Tacoma ABS and ice. I'm not going to try and sway you either way on that. You can read and decide for yourself.

 

Did you go from 265 tires to 245?
What brand are you running?
Thanks for relaying your experiences.

 

Just put it in 4Hi when the roads get wet. You'll be fine. With 2009+ trucks, the only electronic aid that's active in 4Hi is auto-LSD (brake-based limited slip), and I haven't seen it activate in two winters with snow and icy roads. VSC is disabled in 4WD. 4WD largely eliminates the oversteer tendency seen in 2WD in our trucks.

 

I have 5 speed manual 4x4 4cyl, I only used 4x4 a couple of times last winter and I used my gears to slow me down rather then the brakes to avoid sliding in slush etc. great truck in the winter.

I'm a shift worker too so I'm up at 4 40 to go to work in unplowed conditions aswell and never had problem.

 

SR5, Sport or Off-Road?

The limited slip diff that was in the Sport makes things sketchy on ice. The open diffs that are in the other two models would be preferable IMO.

 

You can drive around with 4x4 engaged all the time when there is snow on the road

You are fortunate NOT to have the VSC system in snow , it sucks

 

I have been running 235/85-16s on stock wheels. They are a Dean Mud Terrain, made by Cooper. The tread is actually more of an A/T design. They have been excellent tires. I have 25K on them now and I should get around 45K. I didn't expect that because they seem pretty soft. My truck weighs 5300 and I rotate every 5K. I have logged thousands of bad weather miles on them and used them extensively offroad in bentonite mud, and snow. For a LR-E rated tire they have somewhat soft sidewalls. Good for the soft stuff, perhaps not the best for heavy rock use. I don't do heavy rock work. Offroad I run 18psi, on road 36 to 40 depending on load. I'll be buying the same tire next time.

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop....7522&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1&pk_campaign=Bing

 

Sorry, just the TRD Off Road. Not the sport.

Your comments on limited slip brought back memories of a '67 Chev PU I had many years ago. It was a 2wd with limited slip differential. Boy was that interesting on ice or packed snow. The rear end would breakaway in a heart beat. Always carried underwear in the glove box.

 

What does it mean if both your ABS and VSC lights are on in your dash?

 

Never thought about 235/85.
For snow and ice, that makes a lot of sense.

 

I think you'll be fine. I've driven base-level 2008 and 2011 4x4 tacos in the MN winters and haven't had issues. I'm confident enough in it that I'll take unplowed back roads to/from work on snowy days because it's often a hell of a lot faster, even at reduced speeds, than the clogged-up main roads which everyone piles on at the first snowflake...

To echo what many have said, just slow down like you normally would in bad conditions, and use the 4wd if it gets really bad.

 

My first second gen was a 2005. I grew up in Northern MN, and I live in WI now.

You'll do fine. Some people like to add some weight to the rear - I never needed it. The truck is balanced pretty well empty and if you aren't a moron with the clutch, you'll have no trouble.

 

Lipster, I have the same truck as you, but am running 235/85R16s as well, Duratracs to be exact. It handles 14+" of fresh snow without issue, and 12+" accumulated without chains, unless you add serious grades. Tires are one of the biggest factors in how a vehicle performs in snow, but the 4wd tacoma is very capable. If you don't run an A/T tire with lots of siping, I would consider dedicated winters. I have a pair of heavy duty twist link chains for getting out hunting on unmaintained logging roads, but if I ever have to use them on-road, I will be on a very lonely road.

The key in winter driving is to not overdrive your ability or road conditions, maintain lots of space between other vehicles, and drive smoothly, rather than any sudden actions. Learning how to recover control in a skid is valuable as well, spend some time practicing in a wide open area with no obstacles, such as a deserted parking lot without lamp posts littered through it. I am glad I do not have VSC. I also added a disable switch for my ABS for off road use, mainly for snowy / icey conditions. I find it oversensitive at low speeds, especially combined with rough roads.

 

^^Living in the mountains of BC and driving back and fourth over the Rogers Pass/Rockies for the past 10 years these guys are right. You can drive the biggest truck with the best tires, electronics possible but what it comes down to is how you drive. Keep your speed low, keep your distance, don't brake too quickly, or turn. if the road conditions are less then fair, put it into 4x4. That flick of the switch could keep you out of the ditch. Drive like a b*itch you will end up in the ditch.

 

They've had snow much longer than electronic aids. Like others have said, tires and smart driving are key to driving in the snow, even in Minesotta. I'm from NJ and I can tell you that some winters have been worse here in NC because of ICE. None the less, you should be fine. Just remember, we all have 4wheel brakes, use them early and often, not late and hard.

 

I had the same tires on my Wrangler. I was very impressed with their on- and off-road capability, but they didn't wear well at all here in the desert. I put about 25K on them before I sold it and I wasn't expecting much more than 30 by the way they were looking. Good to know they do better in a colder climate.