4x4 snow driving

[ford ranger]

Hi everyone, i just got 07 ranger 4x4 its a open diff 3.73 8.8 thought it had l/s owell my ? is this open vs l/s in the snow bought it for winter driven thanks

[Citoriplus]

Bottom line is that if you have decent tires and drive with a bit of common sense you'll never have to find out how well the 4WD option works in snow.
I got my first Ranger back in 02. It was an 01 XL 2.5L/ 5 speed w/2WD and after I stuck a Truetrac in back I never had a problem with snow. With a 4WD, even one with open diffs you shouldn't have a big problem with snow. If you can just keep decent tires on it you'll already be way ahead of the curve. Stick a good L/S in back and it will be able to handle nearly anything nature can throw in your way.

[michowski]

tires more then anything make the biggest difference in snow. And remember. 4wd only helps you accelerate faster then normal. It doesnt turn better, braking is the same. So be carefull and use caution. 4x4 doesnt mean you cant spin out or slide out of control.

[85_Ranger4x4]

Tires and the lack of excessive speed are the ticket in snow. I have found steering in 4wd to be a tad better at low speeds, it can pull the front end around a corner thru snow rather than try to use the front wheels as a rudder. I used to throw 2 sandbags in the back of my Ranger for a little extra balast when I drove it in snow, it was light enough in the rear it would float around on slush pretty bad. My F-150 has enough extra weight on the rear to keep things in line better. I have had my Ranger in drifts up to the bumper and I got thru them, with open diffs on both ends and car tires that were less than ideal for anything other than sunny summer driving at low speeds.

[PARKINGLOT]

for normal snow, it'll be fine. really, unless your challenging, like, 3 foot tall snowdrifts (which I have, btw, in my old BII, all stock, 31" MTR's, 3.45's, open both diffs) you'll be fine. Get a good set of AT's or MT's and you'll be good to go...

[Citoriplus]

Check around your area and see if you can find an offroad 4X4 shop. Most of them can put an L/S in the rear for under $300, depending on the local labor rates, and sometimes they just have a flat fee for it.
Then get a Truetrac LS in your axle size, 7.5 or 8.8 off evil bay for under $400 and your all set to go.
Even though a locker is a far better option for off road use. I would not recomend one for a truck that's normally only driven on the street, and especially one that's driven by a novice (sorry, but they can be a handful if your not well aquainted with them) and see's more snow covered pavement than dirt or mud.
The dealer is probably not trying to "rip you off" with that quote. I'll bet he's just quoting the cost of a full master install kit, bearings, seals, the Traction-Loc, gear oil, and the labor rate he has in the "big book" of jobs.

[seminaryranger]

You'll be fine with what you got.

I had my first experience/lesson driving in snow when I lived in northern Kansas. I made out with my 2wd all right, but it was never confidence inspiring. I had a hard time getting away from curbs in town when I wanted to leave somewhere. I had a hard time getting up some of the country roads to get where I was living. I even have an Auburn Limited Slip.

Your truck will do very well as it sits. When your tires get thin, get a good set of all terrain tires, and it'll be even better than it is now.

Throw a Detroit Tru-Trac in the rear if you want even more. They're the best limited slips you can buy if you ask me.

[Hahnsb2]

especially one that's driven by a novice (sorry, but they can be a handful if your not well aquainted with them)
Even though I agree that a locker is probably not being the best option for his needs, I disagree about them being a handfull, where does everyone get this notion (sp?) that a locker is so bad and that they should be left to only "serious wheelers". It is very simple to drive, if you put your foot in it, it locks, if you don't, it doesn't (unless you are doing some serious compression braking) and you use slight positive throttle on corners, it's so easy even a cave man could do it!

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive driven a vehicle with lockers in the snow. they are great for going in a straight line....but thats about it.

[Hahnsb2]

ive driven a vehicle with lockers in the snow. they are great for going in a straight line....but thats about it.
I personally think an LS would be just as bad since the traction is so limited that it wouldn't differentiate like on normal pavement and 'would spin both tires, but thats just me.

[85_Ranger4x4]

The dealer is probably not trying to "rip you off" with that quote. I'll bet he's just quoting the cost of a full master install kit, bearings, seals, the Traction-Loc, gear oil, and the labor rate he has in the "big book" of jobs.

Would the diffs of a 2007 truck need a complete rebuild? They are probably not even broken in from the factory yet.

I think the big thing with a limited slip or a locker is when you are in 2wd and come across something you don't expect. With 4x4 engaged on a limited slip equipped truck you would have more directional control than being in 4x2 in the same truck to keep the rear from trying to pass the front.

[Forcus]

Regarding the warranty, the only thing it would "void" are broken parts or wear as the result of the part or the installation. If your trans goes out, it's not because of the locker and they cannot void your warranty on the trans (abuse is another issue). If your rear brakes go out (leaks, etc), they cannot void your warranty. But if the gears start making noise, or you break an axle, it's always possible they will give you a hassle (and possibly rightly so), because Ford didn't screw up the installation, your shop did, and lockers can be hard on axles. They will still probably give you a hassle if for instance your trans went out but it would be hard to prove. Chances are, they would not even know about the aftermarket LS unless you told them about it.

Anyways, I'd give it a try this winter and see what happens. I've never had a problem with 2WD and street tires in snow / ice. Just careful driving. I'd fully believe that with 4WD and good factory tires, you will be fine. But then again, there are people who have trouble staying out of the ditch on sunny days.......

[McDerry]

I personally think an LS would be just as bad since the traction is so limited that it wouldn't differentiate like on normal pavement and 'would spin both tires, but thats just me.


The L/S works worlds better in the snow then a locker.

With the locker you give it gas and the truck slides downhill, then your in the ditch or resting on a guardrail, etc.

With the limited slip it starts spinning a tire and the other one starts getting pressure, and once your rolling theres very little resistance to keep the truck moving.

[Hahnsb2]

I still disagree. I had a worn LS, it would easily spin both tires in situations that had MORE traction than packed snow. When in a low tration situation I still think an LS will spin both tires just as easily as a locker, the tires just dont have enough traction to overcome the clutchs in the diff.

[Stumpy]

I still disagree. I had a worn LS, it would easily spin both tires in situations that had MORE traction than packed snow. When in a low tration situation I still think an LS will spin both tires just as easily as a locker, the tires just dont have enough traction to overcome the clutchs in the diff.

x1


Locker & L/S are just about the same in low torque/low traction situations in my experience...

Just drive with your head and not your foot. You'll be fine.

[94redranger]

Heres a locker question. With a no slip in the rear and say you take a ninety degree corner and give it full throttle the locker should lock up, however is there a chance you could break axle shafts or the diff itself? Or does that not happen with a no slip?

[Wicked_Sludge]

it can happen, but unless your running racing slicks, your more likely to spin the tires and 180 the truck.

[Ranger5.0]

i've always thought an open diff was best in snow, if you lose traction, you still have the "other" wheel that helping with lateral stability.. if both tires break lose, then your fishtailing....i run with open diff's in the worst on highway conditions and have yet to have issues. i also tent to come into corners slow and then power my way through, that way the front tires are pawing in the direction they are pointed, with pratice you can get the ass end to folow them without any issue. thats my 2 cents

[AllanD]

Just remember that 4x4 in the snow doesn't mean you'll be able to STOP any better
and that turning while possible requires a slightly different approach....

In snow you'll find that the front tires start to "plow" (understeer) more easily.
So what you NEED to do is enter turns more slowly and "power through".

Basically as long as you stay on the gas you have control.
so the trick is keep the speed slow so you can stay on the
power through any manuevers you have to do.

That's the basic.

what is not so basic is how to drive FAST in the snow
and that's something that I'm not even going to try to
explain because in all likelihood it'll get you killed or atleast
up close and personal with some roadside objects.

I can drive fast in the snow, but I've had 28years of practice
doing it...

Some memories of driving rediculously fast in the snow are fixed in
my mind as firmly as some really memorable experiences with some
ladies I have fond memories of... Like driving in 6" of virgin snow
at 115mph:)

I'm not sure if it's luck, Skill or talent that has kept me alive
but I strongly suspect that luck would have run out long ago...

AD

[Wicked_Sludge]

I strongly suspect that luck would have run out long ago...

and so modest :attention_whore:

[ford ranger]

Thanks for all the good info!