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Hey everyone. I just got a very nice very clean XLT ranger 01' 4 clynder 2wd, my mistakes exactly, i have NO traction, and i stress the NO... and my dad keeps throwing my cinder blocks and bags of stone in the back to keep the back down, i cant imagine anyway to distribute some weight to give me traction, but i figured i would see if anyone had any tricks, thanks
I know some people fill up their spare tire with sand, and put it in the carrier under the truck. Otherwise, in winter its discussed alot. some people think its best to put the weight up by the cab, to distribute it evenly, so all 4 wheels get the weight, some think its best to go right over the rear axle, and some think its best to go all the way to the tailgate, if you put it by the tailgate, it will put more pressure on the axle than if it was over the axle or behind the cab, but it will also take off weight from your steering, which is very important, over the axle still takes a little off your steering, and it doesnt put as much weight on the axles than if by the tailgate
Don't discount the factory tires (or whatever tires it has on there right now) The factory tires and the first set of replacement tires I got were absolutely horrible in wet weather, the yokohamas I have now are 10 times better. It's a cheap performance enhancing way to get more traction...
I know some people fill up their spare tire with sand, and put it in the carrier under the truck. Otherwise, in winter its discussed alot. some people think its best to put the weight up by the cab, to distribute it evenly, so all 4 wheels get the weight, some think its best to go right over the rear axle, and some think its best to go all the way to the tailgate, if you put it by the tailgate, it will put more pressure on the axle than if it was over the axle or behind the cab, but it will also take off weight from your steering, which is very important, over the axle still takes a little off your steering, and it doesnt put as much weight on the axles than if by the tailgate
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So... it sounds like it should go just forward of the axle? -for better steering...?!?!?
i built a wooden frame that sits right in my bed liner grooves (the liner was formed for such purposes apparently) anyway. it sits right over my wheel well and i plow through really bad weather all the time and rarely skid out..... and i'm up here in canada.
Last edited by monsterbaby; Oct 1, 2006 at 09:13 AM.
I put two five gallon pails (plastic) of winter sand (salt and sand mixed together) all the way to the rear of the body, right next to the tail gate. I secure them to the tie down hooks. I also have a fiberglass camper shell that adds some extra weight. I run Cooper aggressive tread snow tires without studs. I have no problems at all getting around in my 98 Ranger. (2 wheel drive, 5spd). The further back you put the weight, the less you have to use as it transfers some of your vehicles own weight to the rear wheels. I have been driving Ford two wheel drive pick up trucks since 1973 (I'm dating myself) and have had no problems. Good tires and a little weight in the right place is the key to getting around in the winter. (I live in Northern Maine)
What would really help you is a good limited slip rear end. Detroit locker makes a great gear driven lsd, it's called the tru-trac. It needs no specail aditives, as it's gear driven, it just grabs, and goes. To me it's a much better solution than weight, added weight in the bed can be hazardous during hard manuvers, hard stopping, or in an accident as the weight can shift, not to mention it takes up valuble bed space. There's no cure for traction like a good set of tires, and a lsd.