Own the FX4 w/the Limited SLip diff. I'll be heading up N/CA. Mammoth area next week, concerned about driving in the snow.

I have Good Year AT/S 275/65 on 18" rims

all the HOOPLA on what L/S lack or provides. throws me into state of confusion.

read the manual, states that all drive wheels should be provided w/ chains.

please advise on what is required when driving in snow.

regards, x

 

I haven't had any problems...just kick her into 4x4 and have fun!!!

 

I grew up in Upstate NY and drove in snow half my life and I have never used chains. The only time I could foresee using them would be in a bad ice storm in which case you should'nt be on the road in the first place. The FX4 should handle any amount of snow with no problem untill it starts being pushed by the bumper.--Jack
ps Just remember 4WD doesn't help you stop any better so be easy on that brake.

 

FOLKS...THANK YOU FOR THE REASSURANCE.

Son and I will have a blast.

 

Just a thought here from a F150 03 version with manual tranny, 4 X 4 and LS diff.

I owned a 89 Toyota 4 X 4 pickup before the F150. I thought that without using the 4 X 4, the Toyota seemed to handle the snow better than the F150. May have been the tires or perhaps the F150 is even lighter in the rear (overall weight distribution) than the Toyota.

But when I pull the lever for 4 wheel drive on the F150, it performs wonderfully.

I would think that most 4 X 4 vehicles will generally (unless the tires are really crap) perform fine until they are pushing snow and then all bets are off.

Chip

 

I live in WNY and we have had 160 inches of beautiful white stuff this winter. Regardless of the type of vehicle, tires make up 90% of snow driving performance. A mustang with 245 55 18 z rated tires won't even make it out of the driveway. Put something like goodyear ultra grip ice tires on for the cold season and you can actually manage in the winter. Your FX4 with the ATS tires will plow right through. Just becareful of your speed if you are not a seasoned winter driver. Your limited slip will give you more traction, but will also tend to let the rear fish tail since both tires are breaking loose. You will barely notice this in 4wd however. Just take it easy and you will be fine.

 

It amazes me to wach people with 4wd, think they have to wait until it's 4 foot deep to use it.

If the road is slick, put in in 4wd, that helps keep the back end in line.

And as Stated 4WD will not help you stop any better.

 

I am one of the A-holes that doesnt put the truck into 4-wheel for a few inches of snow...... I like to play around in it too much I guess. I like the feeling of being on the verge of loosing control sometimes, not saying that I do not use it when it is needed (like in traffic to not hit other vehicles)

 

I took a co-worker for a ride last night in my FX4 during lunch and I showed him how well the 4WD and LS differential worked. I launched the truck from a dead stop on snow and he made the comment "WOW! It's like the snow isn't even there!" It even suprised me, but I just grinned because he has a fairly new Toyota

I wouldn't be scared to drive my truck in a blizzard with 12" of snow on the road. I know it would do just fine.