Do Tacomas Like the Cold?

Don't try to do Jeep things with your truck

 

Welcome to the world of ice fishing. Start shopping for a ice auger, fish finder, shelter. I would definitely get a 4x4 before leaving CA. More of a choice not getting a truck all rusty, if you buy used.

 

Just a thought about your 2x4. I grew up in Nome Alaska. We know snow. 2x4 is fine. We are taught as kids "you never drive in 4x4" you save your ass with 4x4 after you get stuck in 2x4.... seldom do you "unstuck" a truck from 4x4 without another truck or serious digging.

 

44 years in Alaska:

Get the 4x4, dedicated snow/ice tires, block heater...undercoating is a good preventative measure.

 

True that-the VW undercoating will keep it together long after the metal is gone...

 

What if he doesn't want to break down every other week?

 

Might want to install "tow hooks" on both ends for the times you do get stuck.

 

I moved to MN last year and brought my 2014 TRD OR. A few things that I've noticed during the winter; The truck simply runs best if given time to warm up on the really cold mornings. Its sucks to just let it run 20+ mins just to drive around a few miles at a time. I started to look into block heaters because it seem to be such a hassle to let it run so much in the driveway. On the really cold days, when the high is in the single digits or lower, driving it anywhere without being able to let it warm up really sucks. I have a 6 speed manual and the clutch will actually just stick when depressed and hardly move at all to get moving. I really didn't have the luxury to let my truck warm up right after work on those really cold days and trying to drive anywhere for a few miles while it warmed up was never ideal. I'm sure the rest of the drivers on the road are dealing with the same thing regardless of make and model.

 

Imo, it depends what you plan to do w/ the truck. If you're going to be in the twin cities and really only planning to stay on maintained roads, I don't see why rwd would be a problem. Some winter tires and undercoating would likely be cheaper than another truck.

However, If you think the truck has a soul and want it to live a care free life, then maybe sell it before you leave the dry, sunny south

 

I was born and raised in MN, first duty station was Travis...Stationed at Herbie...were like distant cousins. IF youre going to live in the cities, 2wd is fine. If not, and youre planning on staying in MN for the foreseeable future, a 4x4 will be a better fit for the long term. and you may want to consider swapping to the reserve unit in MN (ugh C-130s) unless you like the UTA weekends in sunny florida, but man what a PITA to do that every month. Maybe your unit will consolidate your UTAs into like a 2 week thing...but truck wise..a 2wd around the cities will work fine, they keep the roads almost clear. Good luck on your move and setting up a new life in MN!

 

As some have already said, sell your truck and get a 4WD version. I tried the whole 2WD truck with sand bags in the back and it did not work. The people who say you'll be fine with 2WD and sandbags are lying to themselves and others.

But, try and find a 4WD while you're still in California. Minnesota 2nd gens will be pretty damn rusty already. Had to get rid of my 2009 due to rust. Get a rust free example and coat the underside how you see fit.

 

Fluid Film, Woolwax, Blaster Surface Sheild, or Cosmoline on the underside. I even spray in the weep holes of the rocker panels and doors. Wash often, at least once a week.
I've been driving in Minnesota winters for over 50 years and only had a 4x4 for about 5 years. All my trucks were 2 wheel drive and I kept good tires on them, and I survived the winters with them, but the 4x4 sure is nice. Most of the time I went without sandbags. It is a little more complicated, you have to plan your starts better, have a light right foot, and hope you don't get stopped on an incline at a light or stop sign when the roads are iced or snow-covered. It will test your driving skills. The downside of a 4x4 or all-wheel drive is you can get overconfident on take-offs or starts when the roads are iced or snowcovered. You just can not stop any faster.
I haven't checked for a long time but I don't think Minnesota allows studded tires and I can't say I've seen chains used.
I'm not advocating this or advising anyone to perform this method, but one trick my brother used on snowy icy roads while he was driving a bread delivery truck with a Cummins in it was while applying the brakes for stop lights or stop signs he would shift it in to neutral. It seems some engines with rear-wheel drive can overpower brakes and icy roads. I've tried it in my 4x4 and it does seem to come to a stop sooner on snow/icy roads. I don't think it will save your bu@@ in an emergency though, just smarter driving habits.

 

I was stationed there 89-93

 

Sand bags are good but I use 11”x11” concrete pavers about 60 lbs a piece. I use six over the axle. My truck is 2WD and believe it or not we get ice mostly in north Texas…even snow on occasion. Good set of tires and don’t drive like a dick.

 

Do those not slide around and scratch the shit out of the bed?

 

That’s what my Grandpa taught me!

 

Yup I’ll be close to the cities. I have a feeling I’ll be getting some sort of 4x4 anyways it was just in reference to the truck for right now. Didn’t know they could do that… I’m possibly going to be working on a base change anyways so hopefully the once a month thing won’t be too much of an issue!

 

Thanks for the input! My dad was stationed in fairbanks in the early 80s and he said the most cars he saw spin out or crash, was overconfident 4wd vehicles!

 

I wasn’t even a twinkle in my parents eyes!

 

Your choices are simple: 1: Stay in California. 2: Get a Humvee: The real Army version