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I currently have a 4.5inch all spring lift, 35x13 nitto a/t tires and ID extreme race tune on my 6.0
im going to be moving from Florida to the northernmost part of Maine in August where I'll stay for college. Am I going to have issues with this setup and are there better tires for the winter weather? Average temps in winter where I will be hover around 15 degrees F.
Depends on the condition (wear) of your tires. Very generally, you want deep lugs and alot of siping.
I'm in Central NY; about 140" on aversge.
I have a dedicated plow truck with studded Duratracs. My daily driver truck has studded Cooper M&S because they're a little better on icy paved roads. The studs aren't really necessary, just adds a little bit of grip.
Both trucks are 275/70R18 tires.
I also carry emergency strap on tire chains; fit under the seat and are a good peace of mind.
Narrow tires are better in the snow then wide tires......Wide tires tend to float on the snow making for interesting driving conditions....narrow tires cut through easier.
Chuck, I'm set on the staying warm front, been snowboarding since I was a kid. But I am aware it's different when you just go around town so I'm prepared to invest in good quality winter clothing. Hadn't considered a difference in antifreeze quality though.
Should I be planning to run stock tuning up there? I'm familiar with ice driving but it was done in a '14 Jeep Cherokee. How narrow should I go on tires? And should I invest in ways of weighing down my bed or just go with sandbags and snowfillup?
Chuck, I'm set on the staying warm front, been snowboarding since I was a kid. But I am aware it's different when you just go around town so I'm prepared to invest in good quality winter clothing. Hadn't considered a difference in antifreeze quality though.
Should I be planning to run stock tuning up there? I'm familiar with ice driving but it was done in a '14 Jeep Cherokee. How narrow should I go on tires? And should I invest in ways of weighing down my bed or just go with sandbags and snowfillup?
i put five 80 lb sand tubes in my daily driver and ten in my plow truck......weight is your friend on slippery roads
I'm in northern Michigan and yes weight over your rear axle is good..depending on the truck i have seen anything fro 6-12 80lb bags directly between the wheel wells.
Definitely need good antifreeze, good battery is a must for sure.
Also budget in lots of under carriage washes or watch your truck rust and quick. You might want to get a rubber undercoating put on if you dont already have it. Rust is currently what ate out the 99 f250 super duty i just bought...here is a picture and yes it did have undercoating from the factory.
Bottom 6 inches is rusted out, it actually looks not as bad in the pic as it actually is. Need new rockers, cab corners, lower door panels inside and outside, new thresholds on both sides, new bed, etc.
You should be able to take it it any shop in Maine and ask for winter tires and be setup fine.
In fact you might just want to buy a "junker" to drive during the winter.
You will be fine with you setup. I have almost 40 Canadian winters under my belt and have been driving lifted trucks for pretty much all of them. All that diesel power means you need to be careful and definitely buy winter tires, studded as well.
Should I drive in 4wd high when it's wet or icy out? I've noticed here in Florida during big rain storms my back end will sometimes break loose (probably my fault for having a heavy foot and a race tune)
For rust prevention keep fenders, inside of bumpers, door edges, etc clean of dirt/salt and apply something like Fluid film under entire truck before winter starts. I stay away from rubber undercoatings because they eventually peel and trap dirt/salt which accelerates rust.
For antifreeze just use a name brand (e.g. Motorcraft) and test it before winter time.
If you get rain/wet snow during the day and expect freezing temps over night might hit your door locks and door weather stripping with something like WD40 to prevent frozen locks/doors.
Should I drive in 4wd high when it's wet or icy out? I've noticed here in Florida during big rain storms my back end will sometimes break loose (probably my fault for having a heavy foot and a race tune)
Generally "no". If you add weight in the back as discussed above, it will be less likely to break loose. Have to just go easy on the throttle.
Don't drive in 4wd until you get stuck or close to stuck. Does it have limited slip?
Get your cooling system in order. Flush and at least 50%/50% mix.
Don't forget the window washer reservoir. Empty it out and fill with undiluted window washer fluid from walmart. Use it so all lines are filled w it.
Flush your brakes, they can get moisture in the lines if they have not been flushed for a long time.
In winter I'd use a synthetic oil in the engine, easier on very cold startups.
Battery needs to be strong, have it tested.
Ideally you should mount winter tires for winter.
Have some chains in the truck. Ideally a winch.
Do NOT think just because you have 4wd you are safe w driving. 4wd will get or prevent you from getting stuck, it does not prevent you from sliding off the road when going too fast.
In 2WD your truck can do some very weird things on ice or snow. Like others said, put some weight in the bed. Once it snows, I suggest taking it to a big open parking lot and try the truck out, see what it does in the snow when turning, braking, accelerating hard, etc. You will learn from this to keep the truck on the road. Never be in a hurry when it gets slippery out. Better go too slow than too fast.
Never really understood having a 4 wheel drive truck and then making sure you stay in 2 wheel drive in the snow until you're stuck.......you have 4 wheel drive...if roads are snowy, icy or slippery....personally I use 4x4. It greatly reduces any chance of your rear end going squirrelley on you. Now that being said...as others have stated you have to drive to the conditions.....4 wheel drive may help you accelerate quicker in the snow....but it will not help you stop any faster.
Never really understood having a 4 wheel drive truck and then making sure you stay in 2 wheel drive in the snow until you're stuck.......you have 4 wheel drive...if roads are snowy, icy or slippery....personally I use 4x4. It greatly reduces any chance of your rear end going squirrelley on you. Now that being said...as others have stated you have to drive to the conditions.....4 wheel drive may help you accelerate quicker in the snow....but it will not help you stop any faster.
Less wear. And fast acceleration is the last thing I would do in snow.
Really, I don't do anything 'fast' in the snow when it comes to a vehicle.
