Tire Chain Question

[macewan]

I got tired of getting my Ranger stuck in the snow and sometimes ice on the way to my cabin so I bought some chains for it. I only bought one pair for now so am I better off putting them on the back or front? My Ranger is 4 wheel drive but not posi. I might buy another pair if one pair doesnt do the trick. I wish lockers were not so freaking expensive. Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I always have seen them run on the rear.... on the front there is a good risk of them snagging something important....like a rubber brake hose....

 

[metalmacguyver]

definately on the back. if you had them on the front, when you turn the steering wheel you start putting sideways forces on the chains and they can very easily be pushed off. it happened to me lucky it was just a very short test drive up and down the street.

 

[macewan]

Ok, 2 votes for the back. I'll try them out tomorrow. BTW, I just won another set on eBay for $70 so if they are as good as the ones I just bought, I might just try the front as well. Of course I won't go crazy when I have them on the front. I can see how they could really bust some stuff up if they come off.

 

[dirtsquirt]

I run both front and back chains when the going really gets tough, If your chain fit correctly they will not come off the front. (make sure they come up the side wall enough) 2.5 inches min and add some extra bungies.

The real plus with chains on the front is steering control. We just got back from a fishing trip up north, I had my 87 B2 my fishing buddy had his 97 jeep cheer. He has always given me a ruff time about my little bronco. Well i had to hook on to hime 5 times to get him out of the snow. we were both chained up. After a while he left his and got in with me. We made it to the lake. Fished. got back to his unit. pulled him back to the main turn off.

At the end of the day He say!!! Mike i am truly impressed with your little MULE!! I would of gone home with mine!!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I never had a problem with steering running aggressive AT tires (NOT BFGs) in the front and V-bar chains over muds in the back. I could push snow with the front bumper of my 2wd Ranger with the open rear.

Good tires help a ton in snow. Chains are just icing. I went to college in an area that measured snow by the foot. Muds help in deep snow, but on ice or hardpack, they suck. My last winter up there I ran Sport King Steel Radial AT tires and they worked better than the muds did. I had grip on the ice and hardpack and they did ok in deeper snow because they were aggressive.

 

[BLOODBANE]

On a 4x4 you put the tire chains on the FRONT!!!! Steering, stopping, and increased traction(engine weight over drive axles)is better. On the back they just push. I know some will disagree with me, but do a little test and find out for yourself. You also need to use chain tighteners to keep the tire chain tight on the tire(rubber snubbers or the tighteners they sell at auto parts stores)They will keep the chains tight on the tire and they won't (or shouldn't) catch anything vital(brake lines, fenders, etc.). I have ran tire chains for a long time(my father also worked for Road and Bridge for 30 yrs. and thats they always did it)...........

 

[dirtsquirt]

I run with A/t's never had mudders on any or my trucks. Most times in snow i run just the rear chained if a cannot make with out chains. But in real tuff going i chain all four up. And with all 4 chained my little B2 goes from truck to tank.

We have pushed snow so deep it has broken fan blades