ranger in snow
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 347
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From: Newark, Delaware
ranger in snow
Hey guys i bought my ranger in july so i havent have the fun to drive it in the snow yet...But how do the rangers handle in the snow?? i have driven it in the mud but thats a lil different than snow. Let me know
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Colorado
Snow
1ft no problem
2ft a little tough
3ft tuff to get around
In 2006 we had 42" here in southern colorado and my goodyears were about half worn out and that amout of snow I could not get around.
Rangers short wheel base is kinda hard to handle when the roads are sheet ice other than that I have never had much problems even when I was driving a 2 wd truck.
1ft no problem
2ft a little tough
3ft tuff to get around
In 2006 we had 42" here in southern colorado and my goodyears were about half worn out and that amout of snow I could not get around.
Rangers short wheel base is kinda hard to handle when the roads are sheet ice other than that I have never had much problems even when I was driving a 2 wd truck.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 277
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From: Milan, TN
The sheet ice is the only thing we ever have on the roads here in TN...On the snow and ice my 95 4 banger 5 speed is really not bad at all if you're easy on the throttle. If you've got a lead foot there could be a problem...
Last edited by 83bigbroncoguy; Nov 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM. Reason: oops...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
I live in Northern Maine and am quite used to lots of snow, ice and cold weather. (It 4 above zero at this moment) I have a 98 2-wheel drive Ranger that has yet to be seriously stuck in 187,000 miles. (My definition of seriously stuck is needing a tow from someone else to get out.) I have Cooper MS snow tires all the way around and two five gallon pails with covers full of winter sand in the back. One on either side, secured back by the tail gate. My truck also has a fiberglass camper shell that adds some weight. The further back that you put your extra traction weight, the less you need as it transfers some of the trucks own weight to the rear wheels. With a little bit of well placed weight and slower speeds, you should have no problems with a Ranger.
Last edited by Dan Robertson; Nov 24, 2007 at 05:33 AM. Reason: Forgot something
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From: SW Va
I second the rear weight ideas. A couple of 80lb bags of sand in the bed, before a snow sure can help & if you get stuck, a little of that sand under the wheels will often work wonders too.
As will keeping the fuel tank topped off, gas=6lbs/gal, X 20gal =120 extra pounds!!!!
If you have an auto tranny, you'll find if you get stuck, or are in slick conditions & need to move out, that feathering the throttle, while starting out in 2nd, will help a lot.
Of course snow tires, or other open aggressive tread, on the drive wheels will help too.
If there is snow on the road, I leave the Ranger at home & take the FWD Taurus, then it's much less of a white knuckle drive!!!! lol
As will keeping the fuel tank topped off, gas=6lbs/gal, X 20gal =120 extra pounds!!!!
If you have an auto tranny, you'll find if you get stuck, or are in slick conditions & need to move out, that feathering the throttle, while starting out in 2nd, will help a lot.
Of course snow tires, or other open aggressive tread, on the drive wheels will help too.
If there is snow on the road, I leave the Ranger at home & take the FWD Taurus, then it's much less of a white knuckle drive!!!! lol
Last edited by pawpaw; Nov 24, 2007 at 10:10 AM.
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Hey guys all of his rides are 4wd I think...I'd imagine that changes your answers a little bit?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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My 98 4x4 does well in snow with weight in back. If it's icy, watch the *** end swing out. Those fibreglass stepside quarter panels are way too light. I've ended up in the ditch a couple of times when it was icy (not lately though - phew).
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Wisconsin
I agree with matthew, watch for rear end swing! I put 4 sand bags in the box and really have no trouble getting around in 4w. 2w is another thing. All-in-all the ranger gets around pretty good in snow and ice.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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I have a 96 Ranger 2wd. living in Virginia can bring both ice and snow. I am a firm believer in real snow tires & weight in the bed. I also have a set of tire chains which is cheap insurance in inclimate weather. I have never had any problems going where I need to go in my Ranger in bad weather.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Speaking of snow I thought this video was fitting...although not a ranger!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LUxVPONNuyY
BTW don't listen to the guy talking its boring...I can't wait to see some snow like that!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LUxVPONNuyY
BTW don't listen to the guy talking its boring...I can't wait to see some snow like that!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Newark, Delaware
Delaware uses ALOT of salt...they put down salt if 2 snow flakes fall...and i have notied that the undercarrage of my truck is E-Coated so i think it will be fine...but i think that when or if it does snow that i will get some sand bags and throw them in the back just to be safe
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
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From: Kansas City, KS
I thought my Ranger 2wd did fairly well in the little snow we had last year. Most of it was because it's easier to control with the 5 speed. Our Escape does better but the Ranger is more predictable. As far as rust over the ten years and even my parents we always washed off the undercarriage whenever it warmed up and never had any problems. I'm going to start putting a lawn sprinkler under mine every spring.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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I had no trouble getting around with my 2wd ranger last year. 5spd, 3.0L v6. It had snowed a few times before I had the limited slip and even without it, and 240lbs of sand in the back the truck got around easier than the honda civic I had as a winter car 3 yrs ago. It has basically brand new BFG All Terrian T/A KOs out back (dunlop SP40s out front last year). After I put the a stock limited slip in (3.45s), I found I could take off from stops a little faster..
Matt
Matt