Best 2nd Gen Year(s)/Model for Snow?

Upgrading the Taco to a 4wd model and questions how everyone felt their rig handles snow. Stock or otherwise. I live in the mountains and in winter gotta ride black ice, inclines, fallen branches, rockfalls, the whole deal.

Getting an idea that Shortbeds are more my speed, but curious as to opinions on their Taco and benefit of year and model. TRD Offroad is the trim of preference, but I'm up for being swayed.

 

I'll be honest dude, I think appropriate tires, some extra weight in the bed, and driving skill have a lot more to do with handling in the snow than what particular model you choose.

My preference? DCLB of any variety, but that has nothing to do with snow.

 

The 4wd will be very similar between the different trims.

 

Longer wheel bases are less likely to hydroplane if that helps lol. All of the 4WD systems will be the same you just need to pick up some proper winter tires for winter uses. Here in northern BC most people buy a summer set of tires and a dedicated winter set of tires. I have Nokian Hakkapeliittas and I love them and we get some nasty ice and tons of snow from October-March.

 

I'm sort of partial to my 2013 TRD OR DC SB since I undercoated it from day 1 and live in Northeastern Vermont on NH/ Quebec border. I run a good set of snow tires & have a Leer 180 camper shell with a toolbox in the back. In 7 years of heavy travel towing in snow and black ice no issues. The frame is the biggest culprit imo. Go with one with a good frame. Most now are candidates for the frame treatment campaign.

 

Totally get what you guys are saying about tires and buildouts. I guess I was hearing that rear differential and traction control features vary from model to model, and I am hearing rumblings in CA that it will affect how chain checkpoints let you through. How true that is I dunno. So maybe not just on custom but is there any difference in stock in that regard?

More I go down the research pipeline frame is a top priority. Seeing many that mention the treatment as a sell point.

 

Good tires and pull the ABS 2 fuse is what I would do.
I will not recommend that to you, as it isn’t “safe”
I have an 07’ O/R.

I’m not going to comment on the subject any further.
As it tends to get a lot of controversy started.

 

First things first, make sure the frame you’re getting is in good shape or savable.. clean it up if needed or if it’s clean then hit it with fluid film on the whole frame.

Next

Get a 4WD and some good AT tires, take her slow and drive smart. Weigh down the bed if you feel it’s gonna be hairy, you should have no issues in anything that isn’t piling up.

My only experience with my Taco and snow was heading up to snowy mountain towns and enjoying 4Hi around cars drifting and sliding in chains.. not a single hitch for me. Smiles all the way around. And I don’t even have aggressive AT tires on. (Yet. They’re coming in a few weeks )

 

I'm in Alaska. Had my first winter last year and the Wildpeaks AT3 had me slipping on some turns when it was nothing but ice on the road. I just ordered some Blizzak DM V2s. Like others have said it's all about tires. BTW If you have access to a Costco, they are running a special for 110$ off. The deal ends on the 23rd.

 

Every answer here is mostly right except....

It's REALLY only tires. A 2wd with snow/winter performance tires will easily out-do a 4x4 or 4wd on all-seasons in every category or circumstance except initial take-off from a stop, and maybe up-hill....but that's an iffy too. If you are in a front wheel drive and cant make it up hill, turn around and back up the hill.

Tires. Tyres. I'm unsure about how TheMan works with regard to nanny-features on cars etc - but if you are asking about only performance, Not All-seasons. Not All-terrains. Not Mudders. Dedicated winter tires - Am partial to General, because for the money they did super well on my F150 4x4 through michigan winters.

 

I think understanding your trucks 4wd system will be much more important than slight differences between trims. The OR package gets you better traction control (A-TRAC) but it only works below 5 mph and a locking diff which might be helpful if stuck but so is a $10 shovel. The regular stability control system is VSC and will regulate engine power when it detects slipping. If you're at highway speeds on a travelled road with packed snow/ice that's a good thing and it may prevent a slide. If you're trying to power through deep fresh snow not so good so knowing how and when to turn it off is important.

 

Ten winters of deep snow in Wyoming and Idaho have taught me a few things about the Tacoma.

ABS in these trucks is dangerous. You’ll Get used to loosing brake control coming to stops on single digit icy days. It’s almost caused a few accidents And makes me drive extra cautious around town when it’s real cold and icy.

These trucks are extremely good in 4x4 in the snow and ice, but are extra bad in 2wd. This is most likely due to the lack of weight in the bed. I have 120lbs of sand in the bed all winter now and that seems to help out a lot.

This is on a 2006 OR. It’s been a Damn good truck. In 4x4 it will rally in snow running the various AT tires I’ve used

 

You are right about CA chain inspection points. If you have winter rated tires (I think they only have to have a snowflake on them) and 4wd they will let you through without requiring chains.

 

I think as long as they’re winter rated on all 4 tires.

I’m not sure if that means snowflake emblem or if it has to say M+S on them. My current Michelin’s are M+S but have no snowflake so idk. Haven’t hit any checkpoints with Em.

 

Oh no you are right. My tires only say M + S and I can go through without chains (at least from my experience).

 

If you're looking for ultra-long-lasting tires, Michelin Defender LTX M/S are a great choice. Consumer Reports has projected 85k mile tread life for them, which is pretty phenomenal. I'm planning on getting a full set of em when my stock tires wear out.

 

My parents have those on their 4runner and love them. I personally am partial to the Toyo ATII's which have a 55k warranty although my last set only got 45k.

 

70k mile warranty on the Michelins. Pretty tough to beat.

 

Don't overthink this. Get 4X4, add good tires, maybe some weight in the back and you're good to go. I have a cap on mine and that bit of weight is enough. In theory a longer wheelbase is better, but there isn't enough difference between a SB and LB to matter. The old 2 door Jeeps are hard to drive in snow due to the extremely short wheelbase. Even the newer 4 doors are much better, and any truck is better still.

I do like chains or cables for the rear even on a 4X4. I've driven quite a bit in deep snow in Colorado, but here in GA we tend to get a lot more ice than snow. Deep snow is actually pretty easy, ice is tough. Chains work well enough in deep snow and mud. It is the mud of melting snow on dirt roads that are the main reason I have chains.

What I'm more likely to see locally is a few inches of snow that will partially melt, then refreeze overnight into ice. They plow main roads, but folks like me are on our own until it melts for the 1st few miles until we hit a main road. Forget about going up or down even the slightest incline unless you have chains or cables. And since the snow/ice is usually not deep cables work very well here.

My Tacoma is old enough to not have traction control, but my F150 does. If you understand what it will do, and won't do it isn't a bad idea. But there are times when it is best to turn it off. It works great to get you moving if you have one tire on ice, and the other on dry pavement. But once you get moving it might be best to turn it off.

 

People who have no experience living in a half and half winter/summer climate keep saying buy AT tires but don't listen to that horseshit. Do not skimp on dedicated winter tires if you're living in a wintery climate. Driving to the mountains once a month in the winter by no means makes someone saying buy AT tires an expert, and it certainly doesn't make them anywhere near qualified. Buy Blizzaks, Hankook i-Pikes are supposed to be good, Michelin is and always will be an awesome winter brand and I have good experiences with their passenger vehicle X-Ice 3s. I love my Nokians but will buy LT3s instead of my current R3s soon as they're made much sturdier for a truck.

The bottom line is you and everyone else on the road is safer if you buy true winter tires, not ATs, not MTs, not all season Michelin Defenders. Proper snow and ice, 3 peak mountain, winter tires.