General Ford Ranger Discussion General discussion of the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

getting traction in the winter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #26  
Old 10-01-2008
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brooklyn NY and Deposit NY
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i use three or four sand bags
 
  #27  
Old 10-01-2008
ColdNapalm's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Florida ftw... snowed the year i was born and that was it... [1990]
 
  #28  
Old 10-01-2008
whippersnapper02's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posts: 7,415
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by BlutoBodine
I was under the impression that my 2008 XLT 4cyl could not be purchased with a limited slip axle, but when I burned out yesterday (just to see if it could) it left two tire tracks. That makes me feel better about the bad weather coming.
Just spinning both tires doesn't mean you have l/s. Both tired could have had no traction and that's why the both spun. I can spin all four tires when in 4wd but I have an open front diff and a weak l/s in the back. Check the axle code on the sticker in the door jamb.
 
  #30  
Old 10-01-2008
SMUDGE05XLT's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ringwood,NJ
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
All good ideas, and a FULL (expensive) tank of gas .....also have been in the Ranger much longer than expected due to other peoples driving and traffic....
 
  #31  
Old 10-01-2008
Grizzly's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Newcastle, ME
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Start dating fat chicks.
 
  #32  
Old 10-01-2008
WowMike2001's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Stevenson, WA
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
As mentioned above, the safest thing is to have an open differential during snow; that way one tire may spin, but you wont veer out and fishtail side to side; so unlock em' if you got em';

Weight helps, but skinny tires help better; you have to offset wide tires with more weigh tto get them to cut down; unless your running mud tires in slushy conditions, each lug has more room to get down and stick to the road if you have siping to give you the stick.


Then watch your driving habits; sticking some long tube sandbags helps; but when your approaching a stop and you think weight helps in stopping.. youd be wrong; act early, very early.. and you'll be alright :-)
 
  #33  
Old 10-01-2008
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cedar Rapids, Ia
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What are your guys opinions and experiences with MTs in the winter snow and ice?
 
  #34  
Old 10-01-2008
bucky919's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minot, ND
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I dont add any weight to my truck for the winter, what is bad here after it snows its really cold out so after people drive on it for awhile it turns into ice. I usually just put it in 4WD when it snow cause im lazy and just stomp on the gas peddle and dont want to just sit there spinning all day
 
  #35  
Old 10-01-2008
seed60's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Grizzly
Start dating fat chicks.
Best answer yet!!
 
  #36  
Old 10-01-2008
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cedar Rapids, Ia
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nobody?
 
  #37  
Old 10-01-2008
leadfoot's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by "Monster Truck"
What are your guys opinions and experiences with MTs in the winter snow and ice?
Mud Terrains wont do good in compact snow or ice but they will work fine in deeper snow. If you ever looked at winter tires they are a soft coumpound and have a fine tread design, the snow that is stuck in the tread actually provides traction to the snow on the ground. Sipping really helps on snow and ice, something most mud terrains lack.

Edit: I don't put any wheight in the bed because I find 4wd is good enough with all terrain tires. If the roads are slippery I keep it in 4wd because it doesnt seem to want to spin out as easily, and if you cant stop in time on a slippery road it gives you a chance to manuver around that obstacle.
 

Last edited by leadfoot; 10-01-2008 at 05:57 PM.
  #38  
Old 10-01-2008
rdoebel's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Clyde, Ohio
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by leadfoot
Mud Terrains wont do good in compact snow or ice but they will work fine in deeper snow. If you ever looked at winter tires they are a soft coumpound and have a fine tread design, the snow that is stuck in the tread actually provides traction to the snow on the ground. Sipping really helps on snow and ice, something most mud terrains lack.

Edit: I don't put any wheight in the bed because I find 4wd is good enough with all terrain tires. If the roads are slippery I keep it in 4wd because it doesnt seem to want to spin out as easily, and if you cant stop in time on a slippery road it gives you a chance to manuver around that obstacle.
I should have purchased bfg a/ts instead of rugged trails
 
  #39  
Old 10-01-2008
karrbass4life's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Redneckstone
I have been waiting for years to say this!!!!!!!
Feels good to say it now doesn't it?

I don't use 4x4 until I have to, usually when I spin at stop lights/signs. Then I just throw her in 4x4.
 
  #40  
Old 10-01-2008
kyledm18's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Thornton N.H.
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Redneckstone
I have been waiting for years to say this!!!!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
i got u beat...no electric whodankus..lol

Name:  09-22-08_1535.jpg
Views: 246
Size:  109.0 KB

but usually i got my sled in the back, an extra almost 500lbs never hurts lol
 
  #41  
Old 10-02-2008
Crunchy's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hull, Quebec
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sand sucks. I use 4 x 50lb bags of 1/2" gravel. When your stuck, the gravel gets you better traction that sand when you sprinkle it over the ice/snow.

I got new bfg's t/a's, but when your stuck, the gravel does help. I had to go back and buy more bags more than once last winter cause I used them when stuck.
 
  #42  
Old 10-02-2008
freddie's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: OH
Posts: 2,463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by kyledm18
i got u beat...no electric whodankus..lol



but usually i got my sled in the back, an extra almost 500lbs never hurts lol
You *****... showin it off huh!? lol

Originally Posted by Crunchy
Sand sucks. I use 4 x 50lb bags of 1/2" gravel. When your stuck, the gravel gets you better traction that sand when you sprinkle it over the ice/snow.

I got new bfg's t/a's, but when your stuck, the gravel does help. I had to go back and buy more bags more than once last winter cause I used them when stuck.
Depends what you're stuck in/on. Snow.. yeah gravel is your best bet. WHen you're stuck on ice though... the sand is perfect. One time I slid off my driveway before work, and I had one wheel in the snow and one wheel on the icy driveway. I dug and dug the snow out from the truck, but my Passenger's side was still spinning on the icy driveway. Finally I sliced open one of them sandbags, threw 2 shovel fulls onto the ice and drove away.
 
  #43  
Old 10-02-2008
seed60's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You *****... showin it off huh!? lol
I was thinking the same thing. I cry a little inside everytime I see it, cause I didn't get one.
 
  #44  
Old 10-02-2008
freddie's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: OH
Posts: 2,463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Same here. Every now and then I'm tempted to go talk about trading my 01 for the 02 fx4 or 03 lvl 2, but I'd only do it if they'd let me swap my mods over too (DOUBT IT haha)
 
  #45  
Old 10-02-2008
kyledm18's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Thornton N.H.
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i like my man. transfer case...
 
  #46  
Old 10-02-2008
robert99ranger's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Indiana/Mississippi
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I put about 300 lbs of concrete blocks in the back of mine. Works good until your wheels lock up even when you are pumping them because you don't have 4 wheel ABS.
 
  #47  
Old 10-02-2008
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by kyledm18
i got u beat...no electric whodankus..lol



but usually i got my sled in the back, an extra almost 500lbs never hurts lol
glad my interior is cleaner then that lol
 
  #48  
Old 10-03-2008
WowMike2001's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Stevenson, WA
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by cghstrojan08
I put about 300 lbs of concrete blocks in the back of mine. Works good until your wheels lock up even when you are pumping them because you don't have 4 wheel ABS.
Yea.h. you should -always- disable ABS for winter.. it has nearly killed me time and tiem again.. nothing like trying to slow down before asharp corner.. only to "jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk" feeling the ABS lock up because your "losing traction".. doesnt feel all too pretty at all.
 
  #49  
Old 10-03-2008
BlutoBodine's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by fddriver02
Just spinning both tires doesn't mean you have l/s. Both tired could have had no traction and that's why the both spun. I can spin all four tires when in 4wd but I have an open front diff and a weak l/s in the back. Check the axle code on the sticker in the door jamb.
Axle code is 87 and I'm assuming that it will mean that I probably got what I ordered, 4.10 without limited slip. I'm just not used to seeing both rear tires spin without limited slip - I know that the 2002 Ranger that I drove until my truck came in had slick rear tires and it only spun the right rear tire when I gave it too much throttle.
 
  #50  
Old 10-03-2008
5speedin2.3's Avatar
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Livonia, Mi
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 08XLT4x4
The best thing for snow though is an open differential.
So true, I got stuck last year because of my Lock-Right.

Not to mention it was scary trying to drive straight down the main roads haha, the rearend always wanted to kick out.


Just go out and get some sandbags, I really like the idea that malydeen posted, I'm going to be building something like that soon.
 


Quick Reply: getting traction in the winter



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:26 AM.