Steep/Wet Road Advice?

[adsm08]

That guarantees that at least one wheel is going to break loose in wet corners. With enough speed, both wheels break loose and you get to do donuts.

Mmmmm....donuts.

 

[RegularGuy]

Would a limited slip or different size/ratio help?

Limited slip could help but will not be addressing the real issue, traction. In order to increase traction you need to either increase the coefficient of friction (better tires) or increase the downward force (weight over the rear axle)

Unfortunately, no one makes a good 225/70r15 and it's even more difficult to find 14's. The Michelin LTX is pretty fantastic but you'd need to figure out what size will be best for your truck (they don't come in a 225/70r15)

All things considered, short term fix is going to be additional weight, long term being tires. Adding an lsd won't fix tire related handling issues, and swapping axle ratios won't gain you any more traction

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Unfortunately, no one makes a good 225/70r15 and it's even more difficult to find 14's. The Michelin LTX is pretty fantastic but you'd need to figure out what size will be best for your truck (they don't come in a 225/70r15)

That tire size is a little more common now so there are some options but I abandoned that size long ago. My first Ranger had them and I ended up calling Ford (not a local dealer) and talking with a tech who assured me that going to 235/75-15 would not only be acceptable but virtually recommended because it wouldn’t affect the vehicle at all and would open up a whole world of tire options. I was also told that most 30x9.50-15 tires are nothing more than rebadged 235/75-15.

My red 92 has 30” tires, my green 00 has 31” tires and my 88 has the 235s for now. That all may change some the next time the 92 or 88 gets tires, but that’s because I’m looking towards simplicity. The fewer sizes the more interchangeable.

 

[Rick W]

My 97 came with 235/75-15s (wranglers) about 50% tread, and I rode them for about 1000 miles, and they were absolutely fine. I’m actually swapping them onto the steelies on the 87 four-wheel-drive. I put 235/75–15‘s back on the 97. The front are on 15 x 7 outlaws/bullet holes, and the rear are on 15 x 8 outlaw/bullet holes, but they have an offset that makes them look a lot wider. They are highway tread tires, and I think they’re absolutely great. The front ones were used, I can’t remember the brand, and the rear were milestar which I love because of the square Profile of the cross-section. Not an expert, but these seem to be doing great.

And I jinxed myself bragging about the south, it’s supposed to snow on Monday. The world comes to an end…

 

[ericbphoto]

And I jinxed myself bragging about the south, it’s supposed to snow on Monday. The world comes to an end…

Weird. Sunny and 51 degrees. Is my Monday forecast. Similar, but cooler than today.

 

[Rick W]

I know you’re close, but where are you? I’m in Dunwoody, N Atlanta. Rotten weather is why I’m doing so much painting!

 

[ericbphoto]

I'm about 2hrs, 45 mins away. Near Greer, SC. Used to take my ex to Dr appointments down there. I think the office was somewhere around Buckhead or Sandy Springs.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Its rained here exactly one day since last spring.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Talked to my brother a couple days ago, according to his rain gauge it rained 33" since early November, and it's rained a few inches since then...

 

[JohnnyO]

I'd suggest BFG Radial T/A's which I know come in a 225/70-15 or at least for the winter Firestone Winterforce.

 

[gaz]

Sleaux_meaux,

I live here too...your 3:73's will do well with 235x75R15 and The Walmart has them on ROLLBACK sale:

Cooper Descoverer AT's a special tire made by Goodyear for sale only @ The Walmart. These tires grip well in our unique climate; cool, wet...all-the-time. They are 65kmi rated, good load rating.

I would put 300lbs over your axle 1st. I drive very cautiously here, the roads are slick, people drive like they just escaped an asylum.

Use more weight if that doesn't get it, consider those tires

 

[8thTon]

Sleaux_meaux,

I live here too...your 3:73's will do well with 235x75R15 and The Walmart has them on ROLLBACK sale:

Cooper Descoverer AT's a special tire made by Goodyear for sale only @ The Walmart. These tires grip well in our unique climate; cool, wet...all-the-time. They are 65kmi rated, good load rating.

I would put 300lbs over your axle 1st. I drive very cautiously here, the roads are slick, people drive like they just escaped an asylum.

Use more weight if that doesn't get it, consider those tires

Cooper is a different company than Goodyear.

 

[gaz]

Cooper is a different company than Goodyear.

Cooper is made by Goodyear.

 

[8thTon]

Cooper is made by Goodyear.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a separate company, not a Goodyear brand.

 

[Roert42]

Nobody. It is it's own independent company.