Snow Chains - 2 or 4? (1 Viewer)

[SugarPines]

Hey All,

Did a search about this and didn't come up with any answers. Will I do damage to my GX470 drivetrain if I only run a set of 2 snow chains? And if not, is there a preference front or rear?

I'm looking at these and would rather buy 2 then 4.
Amazon product ASIN B003TDIL5G
Thanks in advance.

 

[rommelrommel]

If you need chains you probably need 4. 2 are better than none tho. Also, if you don’t have the clearance on the front from the UCA you may not be able to fit chains up front anyways.

 

[corbs]

According to the 460 manual, rear tires only. I assume it would be the same for 470 but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

 

[Mountaintrails]

I have had chains on mine. Growing up in the northwest and having to travel mountain passes, chains have always been a part of my life. I would install them on the rear of the GX. Although I have a set of socks for a work rig and thought they were a joke until I actually used them. They work very well and are designed for vehicles with low clearance.

 

[CO_Hunter]

A lot of opinions on chains out there, especially running 2, front vs back that I wont’ go into, except to say, assess your main need and drive for the conditions. 2 vs 4, with 2 you‘ll be happy with what 2 will give you and amazed at what 4 will do, assuming you don’t high center, been there done that. Chains can also get you into trouble, I mean deeper into snow and farther off the main roads making for harder recoveries.

I specifically wanted to run 4 chains on the GX so I got 4Runner wheels to increae spacing off UCA. It is that lack of spacing for the rear only “restriction”. I have run 4 chains hard on the GX, just to see what it was capable of. In front I went with RUD after a lot of research. I found a like new set for a good price On CL. In the rear I run standard semi-chains (285 width) and cut them down. They have the cam tightners and much cheaper to get them from a truck stop, cut, and reweld as compared to buying light truck tire chains of a particular size. I ran those semi chains hard on my LX450, lots wheel spins at times. Only problem I had is I did throw a chain once and took out my right front ABS wire.

Anyhow, no problem to run 4 if you have the clearance and I am happy with the RUD chains. Here is a link to my build thread showing front chains and clearance with a bit more detail.

Builds - CO_Hunter’s GX470 build

Wow. Great detail, quick and proper build. Thanks for sharing and for more great ideas and tips. RE: wire routing for 12V access, I was going to add (per my HAM antenna post) there's a nipple in a driver side firewall grommet that clips off into a perfect, firewall through-port. Nice 2nd row...

forum.ih8mud.com

Also, here is another link with pics and video of finding the limit in snow.

What Did You Do With Your 120 Today?

Ok thanks, I'll try that next time. The c-clips on the NAPA CVs have a round profile and little "wings" while the OEM c-clips have a square profile and are more circular. I wonder if the NAPA c-clips are harder to seat?

forum.ih8mud.com

Have fun out there!

 

[SteveH]

If 2, then put on the rear. If you are going up and down steep hills, you don't want them on the front only, because the rig will try to swap ends on the downhill sections. If you are towing a trailer (such as going elk hunting in the Rockies) you will want 4 just for pure traction.

You might be able to run high-clearance 'Class S' chains (like cable chains) on the front, if there is enough clearance. These are not real tire chains, but would be better than nothing.

 

[SugarPines]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

I do have a 3" lift and SPC upper control arms so I think I should have clearance, at least in the rear. Good to know that running 1 set won't cause damage.

I also found in the GX manual where it mentions chains also says to put them on the rear tires.

 

[rommelrommel]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

I do have a 3" lift and SPC upper control arms so I think I should have clearance, at least in the rear. Good to know that running 1 set won't cause damage.

I also found in the GX manual where it mentions chains also says to put them on the rear tires.

It’s the wheel offset that will determine if you have room on the front. How close is the wheel to the UCA?

 

[SugarPines]

It’s the wheel offset that will determine if you have room on the front. How close is the wheel to the UCA?

Oh good point - I'm running TRD Pro 4 Runner wheels that have a +4 offset. I will take a measurement when I get a chance.

 

[rommelrommel]

Oh good point - I'm running TRD Pro 4 Runner wheels that have a +4 offset. I will take a measurement when I get a chance.

Those are probably pretty safe. Some wheels tho are like a 1/2 inch off and that’s too tight for chains imo.