I need a 4x4!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
However, I am currently stuck inside the car port because of the ice. Not happy. If I had four wheel drive, I'd be able to pull out of it no problem. The Escape? Well, it pulled out of the car port without any issue. It goes anywhere, does anything. That ront wheel drive is crazy capable!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
Not to be a jerk but I have a solution for this =
Got pelted with a huge storm the other day here and at the end of the driveway the snow was easily 3-4 feet high. I had to shovel off the top 12 inch layer but the snowblower chugged through the rest. That stuff is even more of a bitch to clear out after you drive on it and pack it down even harder.
With a little ease and care I made it out of my driveway with 2wd and some not so great 31's. Yeah I could have been Joe Cool and driven the dodge 4x4 out and packed down all the snow in my driveway since its parked out back but I didn't feel the need to do that nor the time to clear out the whole driveway.
Did have to pull my friend in his 2wd blazer out of a snowbank tho.. glad he didn't care about his rear bumper.. oops. I'll definitely be taking a look at the tires mentioned in here, my cooper's are almost spent.
Got pelted with a huge storm the other day here and at the end of the driveway the snow was easily 3-4 feet high. I had to shovel off the top 12 inch layer but the snowblower chugged through the rest. That stuff is even more of a bitch to clear out after you drive on it and pack it down even harder.
With a little ease and care I made it out of my driveway with 2wd and some not so great 31's. Yeah I could have been Joe Cool and driven the dodge 4x4 out and packed down all the snow in my driveway since its parked out back but I didn't feel the need to do that nor the time to clear out the whole driveway.
Did have to pull my friend in his 2wd blazer out of a snowbank tho.. glad he didn't care about his rear bumper.. oops. I'll definitely be taking a look at the tires mentioned in here, my cooper's are almost spent.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Bill. i only read to page 3 so bear with me if this was covered.
Your wide tires are more of a hinderance than help.
Your mud tires are more hinderance than help.
For winter traction , nothing beat chains. But for something a lil more subtle, try studded snows.
I had a 96 ford Probe GT. It was terrible in the snow(tires too wide to cut through and not the right tire). I put 4 studded snows on it, and i would be able to out perform 4wd trucks as long as the snow was 6" or less. It would actually plow snow with its airdam, and just keep going. I had complete faith in that car doing 65+mph on a snow covered highway. Excelent braking, cornering and acceleration.
It is unbelievable the amount of bite snow tires have, no less studded snows. The rubber compound is designed to stay pliable in 30 and below temps, while regular tires are NOT. Also snows have sipes in the tread to give "bite" your mudders have NONE. And the studs dig right through the hardest packed snow and ice while regular tires just slide right along.
I would reccomend 4 studded snows. And keep em skinny so they cut though. Alot cheaper than 4wd.
Weight also plays a big part too. But make sure you keep it forward and low in the bed, Your front tires need weight to steer
Your wide tires are more of a hinderance than help.
Your mud tires are more hinderance than help.
For winter traction , nothing beat chains. But for something a lil more subtle, try studded snows.
I had a 96 ford Probe GT. It was terrible in the snow(tires too wide to cut through and not the right tire). I put 4 studded snows on it, and i would be able to out perform 4wd trucks as long as the snow was 6" or less. It would actually plow snow with its airdam, and just keep going. I had complete faith in that car doing 65+mph on a snow covered highway. Excelent braking, cornering and acceleration.
It is unbelievable the amount of bite snow tires have, no less studded snows. The rubber compound is designed to stay pliable in 30 and below temps, while regular tires are NOT. Also snows have sipes in the tread to give "bite" your mudders have NONE. And the studs dig right through the hardest packed snow and ice while regular tires just slide right along.
I would reccomend 4 studded snows. And keep em skinny so they cut though. Alot cheaper than 4wd.
Weight also plays a big part too. But make sure you keep it forward and low in the bed, Your front tires need weight to steer
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Morrill, Me
I LOVE 4x4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just saying.. its all in preference though.... its whatever you like. i can drive either, howevever living in the wonderful state of maine presents many challenges that 4wd helps. we have a MUD season up here and no matter how good the 2wd u have, you dont get far. 4wd is a must have in my state. people with 2wd have a hard time getting up there driveways. ill see if i can find some pics o some driveways i grew up around. just my .02
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Bill. i only read to page 3 so bear with me if this was covered.
Your wide tires are more of a hinderance than help.
Your mud tires are more hinderance than help.
For winter traction , nothing beat chains. But for something a lil more subtle, try studded snows.
I had a 96 ford Probe GT. It was terrible in the snow(tires too wide to cut through and not the right tire). I put 4 studded snows on it, and i would be able to out perform 4wd trucks as long as the snow was 6" or less. It would actually plow snow with its airdam, and just keep going. I had complete faith in that car doing 65+mph on a snow covered highway. Excelent braking, cornering and acceleration.
It is unbelievable the amount of bite snow tires have, no less studded snows. The rubber compound is designed to stay pliable in 30 and below temps, while regular tires are NOT. Also snows have sipes in the tread to give "bite" your mudders have NONE. And the studs dig right through the hardest packed snow and ice while regular tires just slide right along.
I would reccomend 4 studded snows. And keep em skinny so they cut though. Alot cheaper than 4wd.
Weight also plays a big part too. But make sure you keep it forward and low in the bed, Your front tires need weight to steer
Your wide tires are more of a hinderance than help.
Your mud tires are more hinderance than help.
For winter traction , nothing beat chains. But for something a lil more subtle, try studded snows.
I had a 96 ford Probe GT. It was terrible in the snow(tires too wide to cut through and not the right tire). I put 4 studded snows on it, and i would be able to out perform 4wd trucks as long as the snow was 6" or less. It would actually plow snow with its airdam, and just keep going. I had complete faith in that car doing 65+mph on a snow covered highway. Excelent braking, cornering and acceleration.
It is unbelievable the amount of bite snow tires have, no less studded snows. The rubber compound is designed to stay pliable in 30 and below temps, while regular tires are NOT. Also snows have sipes in the tread to give "bite" your mudders have NONE. And the studs dig right through the hardest packed snow and ice while regular tires just slide right along.
I would reccomend 4 studded snows. And keep em skinny so they cut though. Alot cheaper than 4wd.
Weight also plays a big part too. But make sure you keep it forward and low in the bed, Your front tires need weight to steer
I just got a set of Guard dogs from Treadwright, and they are studdable. Haven't gotten them mounted yet, so I'm wondering how they will do, with of without studs.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
I made the swap from 2wd to 4wd......Seems obvious for me....I've been stuck approx. 6-7 times in the past year.....4x4 and some Goodyear Wranglers should do the trick.....F*&^ YOU MUD/SNOW/WINTER.....If I hadn't hit the bridge (Covered and frozen in snow) I wouldn't have had to buy another truck.....Just my 0.2
-Wes
-Wes
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 1
Most people don't "need" 4x4... they also don't "need" air conditioning, cruise control, and power everything. If you feel like spending more and getting more, go for it. It applies just as well to 4x4 as it does to any other option...
I used to consider I needed a 4x4, but so far it appears I can live with 2wd. (I still have my 4x4 Chevy in the driveway, since I am not 100% sure I'll adopt the 2wd Ford as its replacement.)
FWIW, I realized I actually needed an extended cab way more than I needed 4x4... yet I've managed to live with reg cab trucks in the past as well.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Reread the part about sipes and the cold weather compound. Neither of which the mud tires offer
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Mass.
I don't think anyone said anything like that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Not to be a jerk but I have a solution for this =
Got pelted with a huge storm the other day here and at the end of the driveway the snow was easily 3-4 feet high. I had to shovel off the top 12 inch layer but the snowblower chugged through the rest. That stuff is even more of a bitch to clear out after you drive on it and pack it down even harder.
With a little ease and care I made it out of my driveway with 2wd and some not so great 31's. Yeah I could have been Joe Cool and driven the dodge 4x4 out and packed down all the snow in my driveway since its parked out back but I didn't feel the need to do that nor the time to clear out the whole driveway.
Did have to pull my friend in his 2wd blazer out of a snowbank tho.. glad he didn't care about his rear bumper.. oops. I'll definitely be taking a look at the tires mentioned in here, my cooper's are almost spent.
Got pelted with a huge storm the other day here and at the end of the driveway the snow was easily 3-4 feet high. I had to shovel off the top 12 inch layer but the snowblower chugged through the rest. That stuff is even more of a bitch to clear out after you drive on it and pack it down even harder.
With a little ease and care I made it out of my driveway with 2wd and some not so great 31's. Yeah I could have been Joe Cool and driven the dodge 4x4 out and packed down all the snow in my driveway since its parked out back but I didn't feel the need to do that nor the time to clear out the whole driveway.
Did have to pull my friend in his 2wd blazer out of a snowbank tho.. glad he didn't care about his rear bumper.. oops. I'll definitely be taking a look at the tires mentioned in here, my cooper's are almost spent.
I have a different solution....
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: North Reading Mass
My 4x2 F150 has dedicated old school snow tires, and with a manual transmission its fine in the snow. I keep my rear tank filled and have about 400lbs of tool box ballast. It is not as good as a 4x4 but for me its enough.
When i had my old Scout 4x4 with a manual transmission and locking hubs, engine braking was very effective.
Yesterday I had to take the wife's Caprice wagon into Boston during the height of the blizzard and I was shocked at how well it did. Good tires and common sense make all the difference. Fortunately there was no traffic and most roads were packed snow and not ice.
On some of my 2wds I have used a bungee to disable the ratchet lock on the emergency brake to allow rear wheel braking. Very helpful on GM vans with an auto trans.
X2 on adjusting the rear brakes tighter for the winter.
Chains are a PITA but are the ultimate for traction. In a pinch I used some large tie wraps to get me going when my 2wd van couldn't make a hill.
X2 on VW Beetles. With snow tires it was fabulous and a blast to drive.
regards
rikard
When i had my old Scout 4x4 with a manual transmission and locking hubs, engine braking was very effective.
Yesterday I had to take the wife's Caprice wagon into Boston during the height of the blizzard and I was shocked at how well it did. Good tires and common sense make all the difference. Fortunately there was no traffic and most roads were packed snow and not ice.
On some of my 2wds I have used a bungee to disable the ratchet lock on the emergency brake to allow rear wheel braking. Very helpful on GM vans with an auto trans.
X2 on adjusting the rear brakes tighter for the winter.
Chains are a PITA but are the ultimate for traction. In a pinch I used some large tie wraps to get me going when my 2wd van couldn't make a hill.
X2 on VW Beetles. With snow tires it was fabulous and a blast to drive.
regards
rikard