How to 2WD in winter?!

Take it out of 4WD. You will be in 2WD. Problem solved.

Err, just saw you have a Prerunner, so NM.

 

This ^ have driven my crown vic (v8 rwd) with no issues for many years with sand in the trunk and winter tires. Have driven through 12 inches of snow.

I also notice most vehicles that end up in ditches in the snow are awd/4x4 since they get cocky, while rwd are forced to be humble or they slide easily.

 

Move down here to FL... same tires work fine all year, put it in drive, and....well.... just drive.

 

The ultimate answer is to get a 4x4. Over the last 40 years all my many trucks have been 4x4. Prior I had a 2wd Ford. I got stuck in mud, snow, gravel, everywhere. Since I actually use 4wd and have a need for it I never bought another 2WD truck again. Tires will help you, weight in the back and chains will help but the ultimate solution is a 4wd. You may still get stuck but less likely.

 

I respectfully disagree. Chains are great for deep stuff but not for daily driving on plowed roads. They make studded snow tires for a reason. This is the reason.

 

for what you mentioned, I agree 100%

there are a ton of two wheel drive trucks and cars that do just fine in the snow. Mud/Sand is a different animal.

Can it be done?? Absolutely, but a 4WD is very convenient then (and tires obviously)

 

Studded snow tires on a 4x4 will get you much better traction than a 2WD with stud tires. Same applies to chains. You can greatly improve traction on 2WD with proper equipment but it just won’t match 4wd with proper tires, chains or whatever. And if your 4wd has front and rear limited slip you’ve way more traction than 2WD. I’m not sure if the pi has auto limited slip which means open differential and one wheel drive unless you lock the rear end. In California going over the Sierras when chains are required, 2WD must chain up. 4WD as long as you have m/s tires , no chains, you are good to go.

 

Maybe the shocks are toast

 

Def should have went with 4wd if you planned on going in snow frequently. I got 4wd and just drove through ~7inch of snow no issues at all....

but, other than that, winter tires and weigh in the bed.... like 500lbs of sandbags are pretty cheap from home depot... but otherwise, yea sell that thing and get 4wd

 

Weight in bed, good tires, less skinny pedal, that's about it for 2WD. I drove 2WD as a kid in high school as that was all I could afford-never again.

That whole "pre runner" shit needs to stay in the south west.

 

Better tires, 25psi, more weight in rear, always make sure tank is 1/2 or higher.

 

I agree but a 2wd is what he’s got to work with. I mean tracks will work better then a 4x4 but he doesn’t have those either so it’s kinda pointless. With the right set up and a bit of common sense a 2wd can do pretty good in most conditions.

 

Perhaps that's part of it, I have a 10 so mine has the Auto LSD

 

open diffs are quite literally useless. My lexus was better than my truck in the winter just for the fact that it had an lsd. If i didn't have 4wd ide be taking the bus to work.

 

eh, maybe not useless, but then I have never driven a vehicle with LSD. They do leave a lot to be desired though. I live down a dirt road, and if it wasn't for 4WD, I wouldn't be able to make it to the house easily in the winter.

 

For about 15 years now I've had 3 pickups here in NH, and they've all been 2WD (I have never owned a 4wd/awd vehicle in my life - never needed them in my prior life in Hawaii). I've even had 2 rwd bmws in the past too. The only thing I've ever done is put weight as needed until about 6 years ago when I also started also using winter tires.

For my pickups, I make a simple bracket out of treated lumber that keeps the weight centered over the rear axle. I used to use sand, but for the last 4 years have switched to 4x8x16 concrete blocks from the big box store. They're about 30 lbs each, MUCH easier to handle (because they're not floppy), and can be arranged neatly in the bed.

I am able to arrange 7 blocks nicely in one layer (about 210 lbs), and for occasions when I feel the need for more weight, I throw an all season tire/wheel in there too.

Weight is absolutely necessary because pickups have no weight over the axle otherwise. Winter tires (along with the weight) makes a huge difference and is an absolute necessity to me now that I've used them.

 

I had dedicated winter tires on cheap rims. Made all the difference in the world.

 

FWIW, 2WD is not crippled in the winter.

Many people live in the prairie states with bad road conditions from Nov-March as a normal circumstance. Everyone does not have a 4WD or AWD vehicle.

Studded tires and chains will be subject to your state laws. Many states do not allow studded tires or chains on the roads. So, check your state laws before you open your wallet for these aids.

Take your truck to a snow covered, snow pack, iced over empty parking lot. Learn how to start, stop, corner, slide, recover, power slide ........ do donuts...play with the truck. You will be learning how to handle the truck in less than ideal conditions without placing others in jeopardy.

IMHO, 4wd is a help in snow. Not so good on snow pack. No better than 2wd on ice. Frankly, I prefer 2wd on snow pack and ice. I have better control. When in 4wd, the truck will tend to crab sideways, not really going where its pointed.

 

I moved to an area years back that got lots of snow. I had seen bad roads before but not the hilly ups and downs. I started working with a guy that drove a chevy suburban work truck with only weight in the back and studded tires. That thing would go anywhere. Needless to say I never shut my eyes on the way to work. We never had a problem though. If i had a 2wd tacoma i would try studded tires and weight in the bed.

 

Any chance it has a unicorn sticker on the tailgate?