4x4 snow driving

ford ranger · Sep 18, 2007

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 · Sep 18, 2007

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 · Sep 18, 2007

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 · Sep 18, 2007

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 · Sep 19, 2007

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 · Sep 19, 2007

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 · Sep 19, 2007

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 · Sep 19, 2007

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 · Sep 19, 2007

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

Hahnsb2 · Sep 19, 2007

Wicked_Sludge said:
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 · Sep 20, 2007

Citoriplus said:
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 · Sep 24, 2007

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 · Oct 9, 2007

Hahnsb2 said:
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 · Oct 9, 2007

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 · Oct 9, 2007

Hahnsb2 said:
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.

4x4 snow driving

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