How to Offroad and Snow Driving Land Cruiser

[Marinna]

Apologize if this is too basic for you. I am coming from a 2nd gen Xterra, which comes with 4WD and rear differential lock. LC is a big leap to me that I am honestly not quite sure how to really drive it with all the MTS, two lockers, and sway bar detach on the car. I only have some basic knowledge about the system but to be honest havn't been able to actually drive offroad and deep snow with it.

I have been checking on YouTube about all the 4Runner videos but feel many of them are just exaggerating the conditions and showing settings and skills I wasn't sure it's accurate. Could you guys recommend some tutorials that I can learn driving LC in a more challenging situations like offroading and deep snow on slope, trail, mountains... etc? Thanks

 

[NoMe cruiser]

I’m a hands on type of learner. My suggestion would be to take your owners manual and the better part of a day and head out into snow to practice. Snow is good to experiment with all these bells and whistles cause it provides slip which is more forgiving on drivetrain components. It is suggested to not use the SDM in temperatures below -22F so keep that in mind. I’ve had several generations of 4Runners so I’ve been able to “evolve “ with these 4wd systems. It must be intimidating for someone who has to learn all this tech in one big leap. It really sucks to get stuck in snow, I usually bring a shovel, coal ash, and a tow rope when I’m out in it.

 

[mountainbound17]

Is there a general order of features to use for driving offroad and in the snow?

I finally took my LC250 offroad with some snow and ice and generally went in this order:

1. 4-Hi, Center Diff Unlocked, MTS Auto
2. 4-Hi, Center Diff Locked, MTS Auto
3. 4-Lo, Center Diff Locked, MTS Auto, SDM released

Should I have MTS on with the center diff unlocked in easy sections? I figured it would help with finding traction, but I wasn't sure if it interfered with the normal traction/stability control if I hit an ice patch at speed.

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

I've taken mine through creeks, mud, and deep snow, and used all of the systems. Would recommend looking at some videos by Ronny Dahl or GX460 Off-Road, both of whom have good videos on using 4 hi vs 4 low, ATRAC, sway bar disconnect, lockers, tire placement, etc. I would review a bunch of that stuff, think through how it all works and why, and experiment based on that information.

 

[brianz]

I went down a super icy hill. While driving up a long steep FSR came across a truck in the ditch ahead and another one pulling it out. They asked me to turn around and go back down. I backed up a bit and turned the steering wheel and braked slightly and slid down about 40 feet - essentially doing a perfect unintentinal rockford (J-turn) and almost landing in the ditch myself. I wasn't really sure if I would make it down to the bottom at that point. KO3s, but no chains. So, I put the car in DAC. No lockers - not in 4L. It was amazing. Practically drove itself down. You could hear clicking noises as the traction control took over on icy corners. It took some of the fun out, but I was driving on my own and out of cell reception, so wasn't really up for getting stuck - I only have a highlift with ORK - can't wait to get a winch this year! Make sure to give DAC a go as part of your snow driving tactics.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Is there a general order of features to use for driving offroad and in the snow?

I finally took my LC250 offroad with some snow and ice and generally went in this order:

1. 4-Hi, Center Diff Unlocked, MTS Auto
2. 4-Hi, Center Diff Locked, MTS Auto
3. 4-Lo, Center Diff Locked, MTS Auto, SDM released

Should I have MTS on with the center diff unlocked in easy sections? I figured it would help with finding traction, but I wasn't sure if it interfered with the normal traction/stability control if I hit an ice patch at speed.

As I have mentioned before snow and ice are great for engaging and exercising the many functions of the lc. You may not always need them however. I personally don’t lock the center differential that often in the snow, occasionally I will when crossing a washout, brook, or a section of road that looks a little hairy. When the snow is deep and you need center differential locked. It will often tend to hop, looking for traction which I assume is hard on the driveshafts. This is when I’ll use the MTS, which doesn’t have a “snow “ option so I use “sand”. Myself I tend to not wheel at “speed “. I like to be able to back out of what I have gotten into.

 

[batchelor22]

Tires are still a huge part of the equation but I suggest going to a field or hill area and playing with the different settings. Best to know how they work and when to use them Before you need them.

 

[ferrari1898]

Apologize if this is too basic for you. I am coming from a 2nd gen Xterra, which comes with 4WD and rear differential lock. LC is a big leap to me that I am honestly not quite sure how to really drive it with all the MTS, two lockers, and sway bar detach on the car. I only have some basic knowledge about the system but to be honest havn't been able to actually drive offroad and deep snow with it.

I have been checking on YouTube about all the 4Runner videos but feel many of them are just exaggerating the conditions and showing settings and skills I wasn't sure it's accurate. Could you guys recommend some tutorials that I can learn driving LC in a more challenging situations like offroading and deep snow on slope, trail, mountains... etc? Thanks

Keeping in mind that "snow" can cover a wide variety of conditions (1 inch or 1 foot / dry or wet / snow or ice / etc ... ) but for the average person driving in normal snowfall (say 6 inches or less) there is not much that you need to do. Since the Land Cruiser has Full Time 4WD (essentially AWD that transfers power based on wheel spin) and you should be just fine. Seeing the traction control light blink on occasion is fine.

IF the traction control is constantly blinking (and/or you are stuck), enabling deep snow mode disables the traction control and make some adjustments to the throttle response and transmission (hence why it is called deep snow and not just snow mode). At this point most people are going to stay home.

IF conditions are so bad that deep snow mode is insufficient, you lock the center differential. At this point you have 4WD and not AWD. This splits power front and rear 50/50 regardless of conditions (do not use on dry pavement). Here we are less concerned with having all 4 wheels maintaining traction and instead hope momentum and having at least one wheel with traction will get you home.

Low range 4WD is really intended for serious off roading and if you are in snow and do not know how to use it, you should reevaluate some life choices. Locking the rear differential will be a signal to passengers that in a few days they may be on the menu for dinner. The sway bar disconnect should NOT be used in snow. It is meant for off roading when you are leaning at an angle side to side. If you need to disable the sway bar disconnect it is likely time to reevaluate how you got in that situation.

 

[Lenny33]

Keeping in mind that "snow" can cover a wide variety of conditions (1 inch or 1 foot / dry or wet / snow or ice / etc ... ) but for the average person driving in normal snowfall (say 6 inches or less) there is not much that you need to do. Since the Land Cruiser has Full Time 4WD (essentially AWD that transfers power based on wheel spin) and you should be just fine. Seeing the traction control light blink on occasion is fine.

IF the traction control is constantly blinking (and/or you are stuck), enabling deep snow mode disables the traction control and make some adjustments to the throttle response and transmission (hence why it is called deep snow and not just snow mode). At this point most people are going to stay home.

IF conditions are so bad that deep snow mode is insufficient, you lock the center differential. At this point you have 4WD and not AWD. This splits power front and rear 50/50 regardless of conditions (do not use on dry pavement). Here we are less concerned with having all 4 wheels maintaining traction and instead hope momentum and having at least one wheel with traction will get you home.

Low range 4WD is really intended for serious off roading and if you are in snow and do not know how to use it, you should reevaluate some life choices. Locking the rear differential will be a signal to passengers that in a few days they may be on the menu for dinner. The sway bar disconnect should NOT be used in snow. It is meant for off roading when you are leaning at an angle side to side. If you need to disable the sway bar disconnect it is likely time to reevaluate how you got in that situation.

Nice beginner tutorial - well written!

 

[mkg]

I would still say the single biggest thing you can do is equip your vehicle with the proper tires. If you live in an area that sees a good amount of snow, no vehicle software/programming will be as useful as a set of winter tires. Not just snowflake rated etc.