snow chains
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: philly pa
snow chains
we got a little bit of snow here in the philadelphia area tonight. i put 200 pounds of sand over my rear axle, using a quick jig w/2x4's, but thats not enough. i was think of making chains for the tires because i've never seen them in stores and i'd imagine they'd be pretty expensive. anybody have experience w/the traction performance they provide for a 4x2 truck? -jesse
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Whittier, CA
You've never seen snow chains in stores? They have them at all kinds of stores, even here in snowless Southern California.
Check an auto parts store or Sears or anywhere with automotive stuff. Heck, even hardware stores usually have 'em. As far as cost, cheap cable chains shouldn't run you more than $30 or $40, unless you've got gargantuan tires or something (but with a 2.3L, I'd imagine you're running a standard size). Traction will be adequate; you won't be climbing Mt. Everest with them, but you won't go careening off the road if you're cautious.
Check an auto parts store or Sears or anywhere with automotive stuff. Heck, even hardware stores usually have 'em. As far as cost, cheap cable chains shouldn't run you more than $30 or $40, unless you've got gargantuan tires or something (but with a 2.3L, I'd imagine you're running a standard size). Traction will be adequate; you won't be climbing Mt. Everest with them, but you won't go careening off the road if you're cautious.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Belleville, Ontario
Unlike Canada, you folks can get anything you ask for, no problem.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...10101&ss=10101
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...10101&ss=10101
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From: philly pa
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Tire chains are a good thing to keep in your 2wd Vehicle, That way you are ready for a major snow event at any time or place!!!
Also Do not get cheap cable wire chains. They are known to break and wrap around your Axle. Go with the best Link chain you can find. Your Life Could depend on it! I am talking from experience............
Also Do not get cheap cable wire chains. They are known to break and wrap around your Axle. Go with the best Link chain you can find. Your Life Could depend on it! I am talking from experience............
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From: Montréal
You don't have the 4 X 4 ....
You don't have the limited slip....
The chains are a good option in deep snow or on ice but...I didn't say on the highway.....or downtown.....but remember:
---you've got to crawl under the truck to install them w/rubber bands
---you won't be able to drive over 30 m/hr without tearing them
apart...or damaging the wheelwells...or breaking a shaft...
---but then again, you've got to remove them....crawling again
under ....
---and it will rust...be sure to store a good pair of gloves
with the chains--you'll need them....
---and if you store them in the back of your truck (outside)..
they will freeze and become unusable......
And finally, after crawling a few times under the truck like that....you'll throw them away.
That was my experience with chains and a car at the time.....
My humble advice....from a guy living up north....it's not worth it.
But if you want to try them...go ahead ..and good luck !!!
But then again, there nothin like experience....
1994 Ranger Supercab XLT 4X4
You don't have the limited slip....
The chains are a good option in deep snow or on ice but...I didn't say on the highway.....or downtown.....but remember:
---you've got to crawl under the truck to install them w/rubber bands
---you won't be able to drive over 30 m/hr without tearing them
apart...or damaging the wheelwells...or breaking a shaft...
---but then again, you've got to remove them....crawling again
under ....
---and it will rust...be sure to store a good pair of gloves
with the chains--you'll need them....
---and if you store them in the back of your truck (outside)..
they will freeze and become unusable......
And finally, after crawling a few times under the truck like that....you'll throw them away.
That was my experience with chains and a car at the time.....
My humble advice....from a guy living up north....it's not worth it.
But if you want to try them...go ahead ..and good luck !!!
But then again, there nothin like experience....
1994 Ranger Supercab XLT 4X4
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From: Homer, Alaska
I must agree with nannok2003 on most of what he says. Chains are a pain, they get rusty, you have to lay on your back in the snow to put them on, etc. However, if you really need to get somewhere, chains are the only way to go! The cable chains work very well and are much easier to install. Just don't run them very long on dry pavement. And they are usually pretty much rust free. In the winter, I just put them on as a matter of course to get down the driveway and take them off at the bottom. After a while it's not a big deal! If the roads are really icy (not snowy) I'll chain up all 4. Takes a little longer to get to work, but it's really amazing how secure you feel knowing that you have traction on ice. Ice is the big unknown. Snow is not too bad.
