Driving in snow
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Driving in snow
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 07-Nov-00 AT 01:14 PM (EST)[/font][p]My friend had a 2wd F-150, and he just put a 80lb bag of sand (or concrete, but it gets too hard) in each of the rear corners. You might be able to get away with usuing 50lb bags of sand. They're about $.89 at the hardware store, well around here anways. So for two bucks.... and hopefully you have some good A/T's, they help out as well.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Driving in snow
Take this as you want to.
I had a 91 2wd Ranger and it was horrible in the snow. I got stuck regularly and fishtailed quite often. I had the open rear-end. I used about 300 lbs of weight directly over the axle. Don't let it slide back to the tailgate, the fishtailing will get even worse.
I also upgraded my tires from the Firestone Fr420's (junk) to Dunlop Radial Rovers and it didn't help much. If I had to do it again, I would get true snow tires instead of A/T's unless you get the BFG's which are pretty pricy.
I sold my 91 Ranger for my 88 F-150 4x4 and I put no weight in the back at all now and it kicks ##### in the snow. 3.55 LS front and rear really makes the difference.
BTW-As for mileage, if you have the 2.9 or the 3.0 the mileage will go down no matter what, only the 4.0 will decrease the least. Personally, the Ranger's get horrible mileage anyway for small v6's.
Randy
I had a 91 2wd Ranger and it was horrible in the snow. I got stuck regularly and fishtailed quite often. I had the open rear-end. I used about 300 lbs of weight directly over the axle. Don't let it slide back to the tailgate, the fishtailing will get even worse.
I also upgraded my tires from the Firestone Fr420's (junk) to Dunlop Radial Rovers and it didn't help much. If I had to do it again, I would get true snow tires instead of A/T's unless you get the BFG's which are pretty pricy.
I sold my 91 Ranger for my 88 F-150 4x4 and I put no weight in the back at all now and it kicks ##### in the snow. 3.55 LS front and rear really makes the difference.
BTW-As for mileage, if you have the 2.9 or the 3.0 the mileage will go down no matter what, only the 4.0 will decrease the least. Personally, the Ranger's get horrible mileage anyway for small v6's.
Randy
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Driving in snow
I have an 84 Ford F-150 2wd, 300 six, three speed with over drive manual gear box. I live in North Dakota, and on occasion it does snow here ;=)
In North Dakota it's legal to use steed studded snow tires during the winter months only. I have them on all four wheels. I bought an extra set of rims from the salvage yard to mount my snow grips on. I get where I need to go during the winter with no problem at all.
I'm not sure if steel studded tires are legal in your state, but let me tell you ... they are awsume, especially on glare ice !
If steel studs are illegal in your state, try a set of tires that have been "siped" ,, that's where the tire tread is cut many times. Your tire dealer can explain it better than me...
Hope this helps
LeRoy Wolff
Owner-Operator of "Old Red" 84 Ford F-150
In North Dakota it's legal to use steed studded snow tires during the winter months only. I have them on all four wheels. I bought an extra set of rims from the salvage yard to mount my snow grips on. I get where I need to go during the winter with no problem at all.
I'm not sure if steel studded tires are legal in your state, but let me tell you ... they are awsume, especially on glare ice !
If steel studs are illegal in your state, try a set of tires that have been "siped" ,, that's where the tire tread is cut many times. Your tire dealer can explain it better than me...
Hope this helps
LeRoy Wolff
Owner-Operator of "Old Red" 84 Ford F-150
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Driving in snow
Couple years ago we got socked with about 20 inches of snow here in the Detroit area. As I shoveled, I threw the snow in the back of my 300 I6 F150 and I estimate I probably had 2000 lbs in the back (judging on how low the rear sat). That truck had no problem driving in the snow. On a more practical note, probably the sand bags or just loose sand in the bed piled behind the cab. Keep a spade in the truck to throw it under the tires if you get stuck or to dig out from a snow bank. A locking rear end would be a great help too.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Driving in snow
If you do get stuck, and have an open rear just put you emergency brake on until you feel both wheels start to pull. It's a nice quick fix but don't do it too often.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer