Winter upgrades
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
Winter upgrades
So with the big C taking away my year of traveling to car shows and no winter vacation I'm setting up the truck so she tows/hauls even better next year. I already have the Hellwig Big Wig swaybar installed and just put new 20x10 rims with 295/65/20 Ridge Grapplers (4080lb rating) on to widen the footprint a little. Today I ordered a set of Timbrins to engage the overloads a little sooner and not be harsh like airbags or bigger snubbers. Now I'm looking at shocks and a steering stabilizer with my thoughts leaning towards the Bilstein 5100's for both. Any other suggestions?
Attachment 280657
Attachment 280657
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,211
Likes: 2,170
I dont see any of the items you list as value for "winter condition" driving.....the wider tires might make things worse.
unless you mean winter as in calendar.
you dont need to change shocks , bump stops, etc for the winter
some examples of "winter climate" things folks do....
put heavy things in their truck bed to improve traction
put a bed cover to avoid accumulating snow which can turn to ice eventually.
change front steer tires to drive tires
put steel rims on instead of aluminum
spray their truck with salt prevention ideas
change washer fluid from regular to deice type
change oil from 15W40 to 5W40
put a scraper inside their cab
carry a bag of crushed stone to improve traction if stuck on ice or snow
carry straps to pull folks out
carry rope and winch to pull you out
carry a shovel
unless you mean winter as in calendar.
you dont need to change shocks , bump stops, etc for the winter
some examples of "winter climate" things folks do....
put heavy things in their truck bed to improve traction
put a bed cover to avoid accumulating snow which can turn to ice eventually.
change front steer tires to drive tires
put steel rims on instead of aluminum
spray their truck with salt prevention ideas
change washer fluid from regular to deice type
change oil from 15W40 to 5W40
put a scraper inside their cab
carry a bag of crushed stone to improve traction if stuck on ice or snow
carry straps to pull folks out
carry rope and winch to pull you out
carry a shovel
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 863
Likes: 35
From: MA
I dont see any of the items you list as value for "winter condition" driving.....the wider tires might make things worse.
unless you mean winter as in calendar.
you dont need to change shocks , bump stops, etc for the winter
some examples of "winter climate" things folks do....
put heavy things in their truck bed to improve traction
put a bed cover to avoid accumulating snow which can turn to ice eventually.
change front steer tires to drive tires
put steel rims on instead of aluminum
spray their truck with salt prevention ideas
change washer fluid from regular to deice type
change oil from 15W40 to 5W40
put a scraper inside their cab
carry a bag of crushed stone to improve traction if stuck on ice or snow
carry straps to pull folks out
carry rope and winch to pull you out
carry a shovel
unless you mean winter as in calendar.
you dont need to change shocks , bump stops, etc for the winter
some examples of "winter climate" things folks do....
put heavy things in their truck bed to improve traction
put a bed cover to avoid accumulating snow which can turn to ice eventually.
change front steer tires to drive tires
put steel rims on instead of aluminum
spray their truck with salt prevention ideas
change washer fluid from regular to deice type
change oil from 15W40 to 5W40
put a scraper inside their cab
carry a bag of crushed stone to improve traction if stuck on ice or snow
carry straps to pull folks out
carry rope and winch to pull you out
carry a shovel
Tow straps are definitely better than the rusty 3/8" chains (2) I use to carry. My strap is 45K breaking and I have a rope shackle , same strength, easy to store, light, stronger than the chain, won't scratch everything.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,211
Likes: 2,170
That's interesting that you mention "crushed stone" as a traction aid instead of salt. Sitting here thinking about it, crushed stone is sharp edges, and would be better than the bag of calcium chloride I customarily carry. It would provide more grit than salt.
Tow straps are definitely better than the rusty 3/8" chains (2) I use to carry. My strap is 45K breaking and I have a rope shackle , same strength, easy to store, light, stronger than the chain, won't scratch everything.
Tow straps are definitely better than the rusty 3/8" chains (2) I use to carry. My strap is 45K breaking and I have a rope shackle , same strength, easy to store, light, stronger than the chain, won't scratch everything.
also, salt is corrosive to metals so is something to avoid.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 314
Likes: 13
Airbags harsh?? Not in my experience. They are as transparent as can be until you need them then they will provide you exactly what you need for the load you have. There is a reason almost every over the road truck uses air ride. As far as the stabilizer so far I am happy with the fox I went with, not a huge difference with the 20 but I expect it to last a while unlike the oem that was starting to leak. Shocks are next for me also so I am open to suggestions on that. Cj
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 75
Likes: 4
So with the big C taking away my year of traveling to car shows and no winter vacation I'm setting up the truck so she tows/hauls even better next year. I already have the Hellwig Big Wig swaybar installed and just put new 20x10 rims with 295/65/20 Ridge Grapplers (4080lb rating) on to widen the footprint a little. Today I ordered a set of Timbrins to engage the overloads a little sooner and not be harsh like airbags or bigger snubbers. Now I'm looking at shocks and a steering stabilizer with my thoughts leaning towards the Bilstein 5100's for both. Any other suggestions?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 765
From: SoCal/Wyoming
So, you are the guys spreading small rocks all over the roads that crack my windows every spring... 
Unfortunately, many states have made it illegal to pull other folks out of ditches and back onto roadways. I carry bubba ropes and other recovery equipment in the trucks and will help when I can but your local HP may not be so forgiving.
OP, if you are going that far, change out the track bar as well. I run 37” tires on the 02. Great in SoCal but not so much in Wyoming during a snow storm.
Unfortunately, many states have made it illegal to pull other folks out of ditches and back onto roadways. I carry bubba ropes and other recovery equipment in the trucks and will help when I can but your local HP may not be so forgiving. OP, if you are going that far, change out the track bar as well. I run 37” tires on the 02. Great in SoCal but not so much in Wyoming during a snow storm.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
CJONE, airbags are fantastic when loaded as most OTR vehicles are. I figured the Timbrins have zero impact when not loaded, have next to zero potential on the road issues with air pressures, leaks etc. The cost was also considerably cheaper than bags, especially when you add on board air. I'll see in the spring when the slide-in gets out of winter hybernation.
CROTCHETY, a bag of sand works great also and is great weight for poor weather if you don't need it.
STEVEO, these had no balancing issues and don't have excessive weight like I've seen on other tires. So far they ride smoother than my old Open Country AT2's.
SARDIVER, I'll check the trackbar when swapping things.
Today I ordered the Bilstein 5100 shocks and the matching steering stabilizer. The fronts are in stock but rears are on order and the steering stabilizer was special ordered from Bilstein. Wonder when those will get here? lol Not in much of a hurry as I won't "need" them until spring, right now I'm just taking advantage of some sale pricing!
CROTCHETY, a bag of sand works great also and is great weight for poor weather if you don't need it.
STEVEO, these had no balancing issues and don't have excessive weight like I've seen on other tires. So far they ride smoother than my old Open Country AT2's.
SARDIVER, I'll check the trackbar when swapping things.
Today I ordered the Bilstein 5100 shocks and the matching steering stabilizer. The fronts are in stock but rears are on order and the steering stabilizer was special ordered from Bilstein. Wonder when those will get here? lol Not in much of a hurry as I won't "need" them until spring, right now I'm just taking advantage of some sale pricing!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 863
Likes: 35
From: MA
CJONE, airbags are fantastic when loaded as most OTR vehicles are. I figured the Timbrins have zero impact when not loaded, have next to zero potential on the road issues with air pressures, leaks etc. The cost was also considerably cheaper than bags, especially when you add on board air. I'll see in the spring when the slide-in gets out of winter hybernation.
CROTCHETY, a bag of sand works great also and is great weight for poor weather if you don't need it.
STEVEO, these had no balancing issues and don't have excessive weight like I've seen on other tires. So far they ride smoother than my old Open Country AT2's.
SARDIVER, I'll check the trackbar when swapping things.
Today I ordered the Bilstein 5100 shocks and the matching steering stabilizer. The fronts are in stock but rears are on order and the steering stabilizer was special ordered from Bilstein. Wonder when those will get here? lol Not in much of a hurry as I won't "need" them until spring, right now I'm just taking advantage of some sale pricing!
CROTCHETY, a bag of sand works great also and is great weight for poor weather if you don't need it.
STEVEO, these had no balancing issues and don't have excessive weight like I've seen on other tires. So far they ride smoother than my old Open Country AT2's.
SARDIVER, I'll check the trackbar when swapping things.
Today I ordered the Bilstein 5100 shocks and the matching steering stabilizer. The fronts are in stock but rears are on order and the steering stabilizer was special ordered from Bilstein. Wonder when those will get here? lol Not in much of a hurry as I won't "need" them until spring, right now I'm just taking advantage of some sale pricing!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,935
Likes: 1,352
From: NY/Canada border
Truck has a nice stance for sure. But in my 40+ years of winter driving, my experience is that a wider tire will ride up on top of snow, spin, and then you're hung up. Depending on snow depth of course. These trucks have some pretty serious ground clearance in my opinion. That being said I was still goofy enough to go for the nice look of the 325/65 on my truck!
I like the taller tire that fills the wheel well. The factory tires looked so tiny. But next time around I'll go for the same or close height but a little narrower footprint. I don't off road or mud bog so floatation is not at the top of the list.
I like the taller tire that fills the wheel well. The factory tires looked so tiny. But next time around I'll go for the same or close height but a little narrower footprint. I don't off road or mud bog so floatation is not at the top of the list.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
Truck has a nice stance for sure. But in my 40+ years of winter driving, my experience is that a wider tire will ride up on top of snow, spin, and then you're hung up. Depending on snow depth of course. These trucks have some pretty serious ground clearance in my opinion. That being said I was still goofy enough to go for the nice look of the 325/65 on my truck!
I like the taller tire that fills the wheel well. The factory tires looked so tiny. But next time around I'll go for the same or close height but a little narrower footprint. I don't off road or mud bog so floatation is not at the top of the list.
I like the taller tire that fills the wheel well. The factory tires looked so tiny. But next time around I'll go for the same or close height but a little narrower footprint. I don't off road or mud bog so floatation is not at the top of the list.
Attachment 280844
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
For me, the towing upgrades I made was the addition of a Mishimoto catch can to keep the oil out of the intake and I just picked up a SPE cold air pipe to replace the stock failure-prone one (I realize the ‘17+ isn’t as bad as the earlier model, but still would rather not chance it).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,935
Likes: 1,352
From: NY/Canada border
I had the same size tire on the stock Platinum rims, these rims are just wider and have more offset. I had 2 reasons, a wider footprint for more stability with the camper and I disliked the narrow look of the truck from behind! Hopefully these are similar to the Toyo AT2's as they did a decent job in the snow.