Advice for winter??

[Dddaviso7]

I'm looking to get my 2wd ranger to perform well in the snow. I live in Detroit and we get hit pretty hard on occasion. What do you guys suggest??

I'll probably order Traction bars and load the bed down.... Besides that, I have a 7.5" Open diff as of now. I want to keep the same rear, just upgrade it.

I;ve been told to get posi from a few people and I also heard it's not good for winter. I'd just like a few good tips. Any and all advice will be much appreciated.

-Davis

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a limited slip is a good idea for the winter...its lockers you want to stay away from. get a good set of chains (cable chains with a diamond or diagnal pattern). studded tires if you can afford them.

dont neglect things like your coolant freeze protect level, battery health, washer fluid freeze protect, wiper blades, ect.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah I would say your truck would be ok for pretty level streets but nothing too steep until you upgrade. My freind has a 94 2wd with a 5spd and a really steep driveway, he has problems with it but then he runs pretty much summer tires with studs in them.

As long as you have a good set of winter tires (studded or not , I prefer un studded, toyo Observe, blizzak,ect) studded tires work great to until the studs wear.

I have never had any problems getting places in 2wd with my posi rear end in my truck I almost never have to go into 4x4 unless I get into like a couple feet of wet or heavy snow.

You need to carry around buckets or bags of sand so you can throw it under your tires if you need a little more help, and a good set of chains never hurts either, and also alway carry a strap some flares and a blanket or 2 if you get stuck( life savers trust me).

Oh I'm from A.K.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a 2wd with chains will get you anywhere in a city you need to go.

i dont know if your familiar with cordova, but i used to have an apartment on the "ski hill". i was literally less then 1/2 mile from the chairlifts. i zipped up and down that hill all the time with my 2wd '85 s-10 which had these anchient (but tough) ladder chains in the bed when i got it. i spent many a memorable night looking out my window and watching all manner of "manly 4x4" heading up the hill, only to hit the corner at the top, lose it, and slide all the way back to the bottom in the ditch.

when i got the ranger, i had trouble making it up that hill in 4wd...so i ended up buying cable chains for it. i dont recall the brand, but they were very well built (better be for $160 with my 10% over cost discount), and they rode so smooth that i often put them on the front tires rather than the rear (helps in braking and steering on the way DOWN the hill in the morning).

 

[srteach]

Too much gas makes ice with water on top. Get 200lbs of sand in the bed, and stay off the excessive throttle and you should be fine.
If you learn to drive in winter conditions, you don't get stuck. I had a 4 door, 71 IH 1100 with street slicks on it at one time. Didn't get stuck at all, even when it snowed 4 foot on a regular basis. I use to drive around 4x4 trucks that were stuck in the middle of the street.

I live in SE Idaho, so you can guess winter conditions here

 

[Dddaviso7]

Well, I drove the truck last winter and only got stuck twice, I know what to expect (expecting a pain in the NECK). I'm probably going to go with posi and 4.10 then. That rear end with Traction bars and a loaded bed should work out great, right?

Last year my sand froze to my bed, I couldn't even break it up...... Man, I miss my Subaru.

Chains and studs are illegal in Michigan. And I do have a set of 30x9.50 All-terrains. I work at a tire shop haha.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

[88ranger2.95sp]

Momentum is your friend.

So are sandbags.

A truck (how I learned) is to go do donuts in a vacant snow-covered parking lot. You'll learn when the ass-end kicks out, when it wants to, and how to compensate it.

All the above mentioned ideas are what's what. I think chains are a little overkill, and BFG Mall-Terrains work pretty well in the snow. I have 32 x 10.5 swamper radials on my ranger, puff them up to 50 psi, and they cut right down to it.

Tall and thin, or short and wide.

Rob

 

[Dddaviso7]

Tall and thin is definitely a great way to go. If not, it's like wearing snow shoes.... Driving on top of the snow.

I might get a set of the Bridgestone Dueler Revo's. Anyone familiar with them? They have a really aggressive tread. Since my shop got them in, we've sold quite a few. REVO'S! They're full depth cut, and have WIDE shoulder openings. I think they're around 150-160 in the size I run.

 

[Dddaviso7]

A truck (how I learned) is to go do donuts in a vacant snow-covered parking lot. You'll learn when the ass-end kicks out, when it wants to, and how to compensate it.

Oh, trust me, I do my homework!! haha

 

[triumphrider-1]

My old truck ('90 reg cab long bed 2wd) I just threw 3 bags of "Tube sand" and that worked fine for driving from here to Sterling Heights everyday.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Where did you get tube sand, I was told to buy that before, but the person didnt know where to get it.

 

[phatcap]

think i found mine at aco hardware. get three or four bags though. i only have two and found it hard to get out of my unplowed parking lot last winter with 5-6" of snow. that could be because of my lack of snow tires though.

 

[92ranger2wd]

Tires make a huge difference. I used to put on an "aggressive" AT tire for snow driving, but last winter switched to an actual snow tire (Cooper Weathermaster ST/2). Man what a difference. The softer rubber compound and "snow grooves" really help. I have around 250lbs of sand bags in the bed, which also helps. I'm from Petoskey, Michigan where we get a bit more snow(lots of lake effect) than you do in Southern Michigan. I manage just fine in the winter with my 2wd/open diff ranger.

 

[srteach]

Tube sand is available at Lowes, Home Depot, and most building supply places. Usually inexpensive per tube bag. Here, it is about $3 for a 60# bag.
You might consider putting one of the tubes in a bucket that has a lid. This keeps the moisture out (mostly) and allows easy use if you get stuck.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Thanks everyone!
This site is the best!