I am looking for a 4x4 truck/suv to drive this winter. I have a 94 F150 but it is 2 wheel drive and I am not real crazy about driving it in the snow or whatever. I mainly want to find a Bronco 2 or a Ranger. 4x4 of course. But I have about 800 bucks to spend. I am not interested in looks at all. All I want is a functioning 4 wheel drive truck. Is this possible? I mean I am in college and I don't have a ton of $$$ to spend so I am just getting something to drive but I don't want to be fixing it all the time. Anybody have something like that for sale in the central Michigan area? or Northern Indiana. Thanks!

 

A little ways form my house, 'bout 75 miles, there are a couple of 4x4 fords. One is a '67,$300, a '70,$750, and a '78, negoticable. The '70,calling ita rust bucket is kind of nice, has a 390 four speed, runs but could use tires, dry rotted. The '67 has a 352, I think. Not sure if it runs. The '78 is already a plow truck and in decent shape, again, not sure if it runs. If you watn to take a trip to WI, they are worth a look.

xericx

 

The 2wd will get you somewhere in the snow, you shouldn't really be driving if you can't get anywhere with a 2wd anyway, it's pretty dangerous. So why spend the 800 on a truck, pay the insurance, and have it die on you soon. $800 bucks isn't going to get you far or last long. Thats my opinion atleast.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

 

I've had a 92 Ranger for about 2 years now. It's a 2wd, and I've never once had a problem going anywhere in the snow. One day I had to get to work in the morning and it snowed 5 inches....I just packed some snow in the bed and the truck rode awesome, no problems at all. I will never buy 4x4, I think it's a waste of money if you're looking at it in terms of driving in the snow.

 

I had a 2wd F-150 with a limited slip rear, I could get anywhere I wanted to go. Unless you're towing something in the winter, you've got enough traction to move the truck itself.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

 

LOL y'all granted 5 inches of snow isnt much and a 2 wheel drive is all needed... but where the gentleman is and where I am 4 wheel drive is needed nothing shuts down when it snows it can snow 2 feet overnight here in the snowbelt and everything keeps moving and who knows when the road crew will get the roads clear... I had a 2 wh drive and slid into a ditch due to ice had to call a tow truck 4 wheel drive would have pulled out and laughed and said see ya... in these area's 4X4's are really needed plus you can put a plow on and plow your way out if need be and Im in Northeastern Ohio 100 mile from Buffalo
Godbless ya
Marc Aka Quads

 

Hey Quads I here ya on the snow belt thing. I am originally from a small town 50 miles east of Rochester NY on Lake Ontario. I can remember being a kid and the bus pushing snow with it's bumper and still haveing school. I wouldn't be without a 4by up there in the winter.


Brad Godkin
1986 F350 XLT
CC/SRW 6.9 auto

 

I live in the north western part of lower michigan, and we do get some big snow storms here. My truck is only a 4x2 ranger and I have never gotten stuck with it for the past 3 winters. Having 4x4 would be nice, but if its too slippery to take off in 2WD, you probably should stay at home since 4x4 does nothing for you when you hit the brakes. Just make sure you have good tires and 300-400 pounds of sand and/or salt in the bed. It makes a world of diffrence. Maybe take part of that $800+ and buy a snow tire and wheel package for the winter monthes. Then you'll still have a couple hundred left over for gas and beer. I don't know what school your at, but i'm quite sure they keep up on plowing around campus and the city itself if your around the snowbelt areas.


Hope this helps some,

Jeff

 

I have an 86 F150 4x4 and I load rocks in the back in the winter and I have aggressive tires on it. When I was in high school they would never plow the parking lots and I could not get out of my spot in 2 wheel drive in 6 inches of the white stuff, I would throw it into 4 then i would have no problems at all. For those who say 2 wheel drives can make it anywhere a 4 wheel drive can in the snow I say try me.

 

Ok, I'll try and settle this.

You don't need 4 wheel drive in the snow, unless you *need* to get somewhere regardless of conditions. Doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, hospital workers, snow plow drivers, etc. would fall into this category. For everyone else, two wheel drive is fine. Load up a couple hundred pounds of sand or whatever, and you're fine. If that won't do it, then you shouldn't be on the roads. If you get stuck in 6 inches of snow in any truck, then you should probably stay home, too.

I live in near Buffalo, NY. Last winter some places got nearly eight feet of snow in a week. I either got around because the roads were plowed, or stayed home because I didn't need to get out that badly. I have lived here all my life, and have never needed four wheel drive. I've driven fords, and even little chebby S-10's in the snow, and never got stuck once. Ever.

Half the battle is knowing how to drive in the snow, which many people do not. They get a little stuck, and they dump on the gas, hoping to pull themselves out. Or they turn the wheel too sharply, and end up pushing snow with the outside of the wheel. Both of these are real good ways to get stuck.

To the original poster, look into spending that $800 on snow tires and a limited slip unit. Your money will go a lot farther, guaranteed.