Hey guys since the winter is on us I figured why not start a thread about the hazard of driving in winter conditions. Especially the people in front and in back of you. There are a lot of techniques that have to be known and Im positive that there are alot of you that have them. Heres one when in fwd and going around a corner we all know not to brake but what happens when you start to slide anyway some say put it in Nuetral I never tried that but what i did do worked. Beyond everything that felt wrong I stepped on the throttle a bit and that allowed the front wheels to grab and pull me around the corner. You have to be careful when you take your foot off of the accelerator on a corner because it creates a drag in the front wheels when they are locked in.

 

Very good point, I had a 1998 F150 with a strait 6 and drove all over in 2 wheel drive, now I got a 1999 PSD i need for wheeling for everything. Like you say just step on it to get around a corner. I'm sure the weight of the engine is a big factor.

 

I think that is a big mistake people make, is dirving with their 4x4 on, i think you will have a better chance of losing tranction than gaining. I keep my front hubs locked in, but my 4x4 is only engaged usualy when i am taking off. The front drivline will spin faster than the rear, and your front has more weight in it, thus making the rear tires loose grip, or the front ones. Otherwise don't let the lead sink to your feet, and you should be ok, also pump the breaks.

 

Out of curiosity, why would the front spin more than the rear. You have a specified ratio that is equal to both shafts between the transfer case and the rear drive shaft, and unless the differentials are geared different, everything should stay the same shouldn't it? I could see a difference going around a corner, is that what you mean?

Terry

 

Another "dont" for winter. Do not shovel the snow of your truck with a shovel. Even if there is over 24" of it on your hood. It will leave some pretty nasty scratches..

-Steve

 

1. 4wd does help with traction when the roads are snow covered, by having front tires help pull the truck, also helps with steering. it helps with traction,i drive in 4wd only when conditions are really bad out. but alot of drivers over drive the vehical thinking that by having 4wd they can drive just like its summer.2. only pump the brakes if you DO NOT have antilock (ABS) brakes. with anti-lock, the computer can do this (Pumping) 100 times faster, it also allows you to steer while braking.3. Fwd stay on the gas when making turns, fwd pull the car thru the turn 4. Rwd , go to an open parking lot, make hard left turn gas IT!! whee oh yea! no, a Rwd can be driven thru most anything given the right amount of weight in the back, and the right driver, i perfer a stick shift for Rwd's, so i can down shift if needed. when driving in the snow/icey conditions the best thing you can do is give youself plenty of space between and the guy in front of you, so that you can react when something goes wrong . Two weeks ago i was driving down i-90 W in pa during a lake affect snow storm. a semi,fourrunner in front of me and two semi's behind me, guess what forunner did? yep tried to pass the semi on a overpass......he spun out in front of the semi, he played pinball with the guard rails. end up on the right side of the overpass.. the semi clips him with his right side, me ....im thinking about cleaning out me shorts if i make out of this i had about 8 car lenghes behind them, i cant touch brakes not with the semi behind me ,about to make a oreo cookie sandwich out of me. got luckie and thesemi- truck in front didnt jackknife,and we just coasted thru. as i said give your self plenty of spaceand time!

 

1. Know your vehicle (ie take it to an open parking lot and slide it around).

2. Chances are I'm driving something a lot bigger than you, you pay the higher price for being an idiot.

3. Big vehciles stop on ice like a sled on a hill. Leave me more room than you think I can stop in.

4. If you end up in a ditch, stay there for a while, theres probably a good reason your in it and you should be there.

5. Speed limit signs are not the required speed to travel on ice. they are the LIMIT for DRY pavement with maximum visibility.

6. Your 4x4 SUV isn't as tough or as good as the sales man says.

7. Hang up the cell phone, your not that important. If you were someone would be driving you around.

 

I agree going around corners. Give it a goose if your truck is still going straight when you turn.
We had a nice storm lasted 2 hrs Sunday. Came so fast and caught all the snow crews by surprise. Anyway I'm at a stop light and I see this guy in a honda coming down hill to turn. I know he isn't gonna make it so I back up about 50 ft. Sure enough he slides right through where I was. Thankfully no one was behind me or I would be buying some new parts. Dork smiled as he backed up and and passed by me. Yea-- ha ha. Maybe young 20's or so driving an Accord.

Boy I passed a few that day. Is it wrong to pass 3 teens in a camaro stuck on flat ground? I stop for ditch victims but most everyone was stuck in the gutter or on flat ground that day.

Front end on mine spins the same as the back if it spins at all.
Truck doesn't spin much just goes like I think it should.
Don't quite understand what's posted up stream. I do leave it in 4 hi unless I'm on pavement.

Peace

 

Going downhill on Ice or Snow is tricky. Best to have it in FWD with the hubs locked. If not the rear wheels may spin going slow with the brakes on because the engine has so much torque. Then the eingine torque is equally applied to all wheels.

Someone mentioned the front spins easier than the back, just the opposite has been my experience because of the engine weight.

Another thing to remember is if you have powerlock diffs you will fare much better unless you get on a sidehill and give it to much throttle.

One trick I have used with the powerlock diffs is to lightly apply the brakes when it is really slick out to get the diffs to lock up.

Nothing is better than slowing down and allowing plenty of space all around you. You would think Alaskans would be pretty good at this, you are wrong. We probably have more parked in the pits and medians than area that only get snow and ice once in a while.

 

Yeah I have to agree with the spacing, nothing I hate more is some one that gets right on ya when the conditions are shaky.
Another tip is when you get stuck, don't be afriad to give er hell to get out. It makes ya think sometimes how some people can get stuck when you dont even consider locking it in.



____________________
90' F150 Longbox xlt Lariat 4x4 302 4-speed w/ 4.10 rear
Headers/true duals 2.25" w/ 28" glasspacks coming out at 45's

The FARM TRUCK
96' F250 7.3L Powerstroke xlt Longbox w/gooseneck hitch
5-speed w/Jake Brake 4x4 w/4.10 rear

 

FARM69, I've seen the after math of "give her hell" to get it out. The parts bill makes the towing bill look cheap.

 

I have to agree to a certain point. But when you ride with someone that wont getter up in the operating range to get out. I've seen a lot of abuse on some older fords and they dont seem to have any problems as of yet. FORD TOUGH

____________________
90' F150 Longbox xlt Lariat 4x4 302 4-speed w/ 4.10 rear
Headers/true duals 2.25" w/ 28" glasspacks coming out at 45's

The FARM TRUCK
96' F250 7.3L Powerstroke xlt Longbox w/gooseneck hitch
5-speed w/Jake Brake 4x4 w/4.10 rear

 

Also sometimes when your in a jam and cant get out try just getting further in maybe you will find some traction and get out.

 

Most damage occurs when you start "hopping/axel wrap". Axel U joints, Drive line U joints, axel shafts ect. And if the front forward U joint lets go, well then it can get REALLY spendy. Its amazing what a drive shaft can do to everything under there.

 

We just had a good Ice storm here in the carolinas and got to practice on a solid inch of ice on the roads. My best recommendation is drive your truck like it doesn't have brakes or a throttle. It makes for smooth starts and smooth stops. Very gentle steering helps too.

The one thing that really gripes me down here is that idiots in sports cars and the like with no rear wheel traction go around spinning their wheels like it will help them go better.
I saw more than my fair share of youngsters stuck on flat roads using more braun than common sense.
Sorry just had to vent!
Scott