ranger in snow
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
I run 32x11.50x15 BFGs on my 04 and keep 180lbs of sand in the back to tame the slide happy rear end but I have yet to be anywhere close to stuck. I've actually pulled out 4 or 5 cars since I carry a 25,000lb capacity nylon tow rope along with my jumper cables and what not. Of those I can remember was my dads 2001 F350 CC diesel 4x2 with a 24' gooseneck trailer out of a ditch, a 2 door pontiac grand am and a 2wd 1/2 ton GMC truck. 3rd gear in 4Low and a heavy foot can move a lot of stuff LOL!!!!
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Rock Hill, SC
We do not get the deep snow all that often, but we do get a good deal of ice. Ranger does fairly well with a bit of weight in the bed, but never overestimate the ability of ABS. Nothing will make you laugh more than cruising through an intersection at 10 mph while listening to your ABS pulse its life away, thankfully there were no other cars. I was about 18 at the time and was driving my first car with ABS and I guess I was expecting it to stop as if I was on dry pavement.
Last edited by 643NRK; Nov 28, 2007 at 03:42 PM. Reason: Inability to spell
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 620
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
duh!
Knowing that I was in for some nasty weather, I locked the hubs [or so I thought] and backed my truck into the garage. So come morning with several inches of the white stuff on the ground I fired up the beast and pulled out. My first 100' should have told me that something wasn't right. Being a "new" truck to me I just drove on to work. I kept my speed down and was passed by more than a few cars and a few trucks. No biggie, I made it in one piece thinking that I REALLY need to put some weight in the bed.
Lucky me, the weather went to hell in a handbasket after I got to work. Wind gusts over 60mph and whiteout conditions.
When I got off work I checked out my Warn manual lock hubs and discovered that I had inadverently UNLOCKED them, so no 4x4 going to work. Oops!
I still needed 4x4 coming home, and I could feel the difference right away since I drive by my butt tells me.
Lucky me, the weather went to hell in a handbasket after I got to work. Wind gusts over 60mph and whiteout conditions.
When I got off work I checked out my Warn manual lock hubs and discovered that I had inadverently UNLOCKED them, so no 4x4 going to work. Oops!
I still needed 4x4 coming home, and I could feel the difference right away since I drive by my butt tells me.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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Thats funny! Take you never turned as that should have told you the 4wd was on! I guess though it may be different in smaller trucks...Is it? I know in my dad's ram 2500 the thing turned for crap made noises the f550 dually I drove sucked to turn and my dads f350 he now has is the same way...never driven anything smaller with 4wd unless you consider my x-type with awd, full time 4wd!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: St. Peter
I think rangers are awesome in snow! Our 94 in 4x4 could get through alot of stuff. and being small its alot easier to manuver around. I love my 88 F150 though. it hasnt let me down yet!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Leamington, Ontario
I got my truck in april so I'm still waiting to see how my 2wd ranger will do in the snow/ice/slush that we end up with around here. But the previous owner left 4 60lb bags of sand in the back when I bought the truck, with those in there and a full tank of gas plus not driving like an idiot I should do ok this winter. Or I'll leave the truck at home and take my mom's car if I need to.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Brandon Mb
My 92 4x4 is amazing in the snow. We just got about 8" or so, and it didn't even phase it. Now that's with Super Swampers on it (terrible on ice though) but even with my worn out A/T's last year it did fine.
I can't speak for the 98 and newer trucks with the control arm suspension up front, but any that have the TTB suspension behave like a full size in 4wd, you can feel it jump when turning, etc.
The one thing I'd look out for is when turning in 4wd, if you are turning quite tight and punch it you can break an axle up front. And when turning regularily, eg: around a corner in town, and you gas it the *** end will step out a bit (less than in 2wd) and the truck won't turn as sharp, and you'll end up in the other lane.
I can't speak for the 98 and newer trucks with the control arm suspension up front, but any that have the TTB suspension behave like a full size in 4wd, you can feel it jump when turning, etc.
The one thing I'd look out for is when turning in 4wd, if you are turning quite tight and punch it you can break an axle up front. And when turning regularily, eg: around a corner in town, and you gas it the *** end will step out a bit (less than in 2wd) and the truck won't turn as sharp, and you'll end up in the other lane.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
My 97 F350 4x4 Powerstroke did really well in the snow in 4wd although I think it was a combination of the aggressive tires and the 1,200lb motor sitting on the front axle. I liked the fact that the front wheels were non ABS cuz I could lock them up if I needed to or feather them. My 2000 F350 I have now is a 4x4 dually and it doesn't track worth a crap in the snow cuz the rear tires being off-set either side of the front tires makes it want to wander around. My little danger ranger is a beast in the snow though!!!!
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From: On A Ship, MI
they do ok in snow but its when you hit ice is when bad things happen
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=20803352
http://a556.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...e24798c1a3.jpg
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=20803288
i slid into a tree this morning i think i can fix her. i know the body shop can
its a 96 2wd with a5 speed open diff and no weight on the back.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=20803352
http://a556.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...e24798c1a3.jpg
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=20803288
i slid into a tree this morning i think i can fix her. i know the body shop can
its a 96 2wd with a5 speed open diff and no weight on the back.
Last edited by rangersvt04; Nov 28, 2007 at 10:45 PM.