Question: Lift kit + Winter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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Question: Lift kit + Winter
Hi,
I've been planning on adding a 4.5' lift with 35' tires...
However, how does this drive in winter compared to being stock?
Snow, ice, hail, no traction, etc...?
Since the center of gravity obviously goes up..
Let me know about your experiences and thoughts on this before I buy.
Thanks
I've been planning on adding a 4.5' lift with 35' tires...
However, how does this drive in winter compared to being stock?
Snow, ice, hail, no traction, etc...?
Since the center of gravity obviously goes up..
Let me know about your experiences and thoughts on this before I buy.
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 564
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I know that standard size BF Goodrich All Terrain KOs (265/70 17) are real winter rated tires (snowflake/mountain symbol). Can you get real winter tires in 35" sizes? KOs will be my next tires because they are winter rated. My OEMs are BFG All Terrains (not KO).
I believe narrower tires are better for winter conditions, so going bigger/wider certainly won't help.
I don't like raising the center of gravity on any vehicle regardless of the season. In Wyoming, we call jacked up pickups "tip over trucks." High school kids drive tip over trucks and their sole goal seems to be covering them completely with an even coat of mud.
Here's an F250 tip over truck in Orange County, California. it doesn't even snow in orange County, California!
This guy tipped his truck over on flat dry asphalt. Good thing he wasn't driving across a 30 percent slope.
I believe narrower tires are better for winter conditions, so going bigger/wider certainly won't help.
I don't like raising the center of gravity on any vehicle regardless of the season. In Wyoming, we call jacked up pickups "tip over trucks." High school kids drive tip over trucks and their sole goal seems to be covering them completely with an even coat of mud.
Here's an F250 tip over truck in Orange County, California. it doesn't even snow in orange County, California!
This guy tipped his truck over on flat dry asphalt. Good thing he wasn't driving across a 30 percent slope.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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Any truck I've ever lifted hasn't been nearly as good in the snow. I prefer large tires with less lift myself....otherwise you end up cruisin around a corner like you would in a stock height pickup and gliding out into a field. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
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From: Northern Indiana
I had a lifted ranger once, the wider tires totally sucked in the snow, you want to cut through the snow, not plow it with your tires. And the lift was bad because I got sucked into a snow drift once with it and hit a corn field, the ridges in the corn field was just close to rolling the truck. I would love a lift on my Superduty, but I am scared because of that. Plus even if you go with skinny tires in the winter with the lift, the truck is not as stable, as with the wider tires, especially with these heavy trucks.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Clearwater Fl.
Sure you can. Move somewhere that doesn't get any snow. I don't have any snow problems with my truck, and I had it lifted 4 inches. Good luck.
Elder User
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I've seen them tip over in Southern California with the engine turned off just sitting in parking lots! The poor trucks just want to commit suicide.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
But I have seen trucks that are scary high. Expeditions are the worst. when those are lifted its asking for trouble
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: shawnee, KS
that "tip over truck" in CA doesnt even have a lift as far as i can tell, unless its in the springs, but even then, its no much. AND that is driver error if ive ever seen it, or the knuckle failed and caused it. Ive had 3 lifted broncos, and i will admit its not like driving a stock truck in the snow when cornering, BUT you dont have to push you entire truck through the snow drifts either. I don't think it is as bad as some people make it out to be. the friend has an '02 Regency f.250 that we take hunting every winter and it does just fine with its 4" lift and 35s. THAT BEING SAID, it is not a diesel, so it is lighter and therefor, not as top heavy just as my broncos where. I think a 44" lift with a somewhat aggressive 35x12.50 or a bfg A/T tire would be everything you could want, without making it dangerous. personally, id go with 35x11.50 or 12.50 super swamper TSL in the snow if you are worried about traction
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
that "tip over truck" in CA doesnt even have a lift as far as i can tell, unless its in the springs, but even then, its no much. AND that is driver error if ive ever seen it, or the knuckle failed and caused it. Ive had 3 lifted broncos, and i will admit its not like driving a stock truck in the snow when cornering, BUT you dont have to push you entire truck through the snow drifts either. I don't think it is as bad as some people make it out to be. the friend has an '02 Regency f.250 that we take hunting every winter and it does just fine with its 4" lift and 35s. THAT BEING SAID, it is not a diesel, so it is lighter and therefor, not as top heavy just as my broncos where. I think a 44" lift with a somewhat aggressive 35x12.50 or a bfg A/T tire would be everything you could want, without making it dangerous. personally, id go with 35x11.50 or 12.50 super swamper TSL in the snow if you are worried about traction
You obviously done live near any idiots. When youre in the EMS field you see plenty of people do stupid things. With a stupid enough driver you could roll a stock height F250. The higher it is, the less stupid you have to be.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: shawnee, KS
fair enough, i see alot of stupid people as well! and ur right on the pic... i didnt notice how many there were. but back to the main question... 4 inches with 35s arent all that bad or dangerous if you are smart and super careful until you get a feel for how it handles in the snow and in my opinion, it doesnt realy cripple your truck any when driving in snow, you just have to know how to drive it