We just got some snow up here in Washington and we had to drive a 1999 F-150 4x4 Supercab pretty much just like my truck, and it did not do nearly well as my 94 F-150. I put it in 4wd and couldn't get it do do anything.

 

What do you mean, "not do anything" would it not move, not engage the front, or just wouldn't go where you wanted it to?

I know with my friends dad f250 1999 the automatic 4x4 hubs were very interesting, you would put it in 4x4 high and the hubs wouldn't engage until you reversed or if you had to go only forward it took forever!! This is when it was newer it would do this, the truck was properly maintained. His 2nd truck and 02 diesel did the same thing even new, it had huge problems though with the diesel "outside spec crank" huge oil leak every 6months, so got it replaced under az lemon law, his new diesel is 05 or 06 is alot better and engages good and prompt. (It has an oil leak but smaller..... he is waiting for the 6.3 or probably will take the V10).

Anyways, I don't know why but something about those auto hubs wouldn't want to engage all the time. My dads old 98 f150 4x4 was auto and engage fine and dandy, and so did the previous (our generation seem to work fine if maintained). So, I don't really know what it is, just what people have experienced. Sometimes the solenoid fails too on the auto ones.

I always was told to put sandbags in back, here in MN in the town I'm in most all people are getting or have got sand bags in the back even if they have 4x4, they want all the traction they can get.

 

Sorry I meant to say when I put my 94 in 4wd I can't get it to slide or anthing even when I am trying, and when I wasn't even trying in the 99 it would slide around and just wasn't as good as the 94.

 

my truck was awesome in the snow! in fact heres a pic of it in the parking lot

 

Oh, I get ya now. Well I guess sliding would largely depend on the tires, tread witdth depth and design, also rear-end gearing, motor torque, and throttle and steering inputs by you. It could even be the snow and time of day/temp.

BUT.... I agree this generation is the Ford trucks, they are easy to work on and are built Ford tough. Plus you can have the best engine, the I-6 300ci.
The later v6s are okay but not like a straight 6. If Ford were to do anything they should bring it back.
I like the 04- and up style (my dad's 06 performs very well), waiting to see the new redesign. I would take the 97-03s f150s if it were a great deal and I don't mind them, but they aren't my cup of tea.

Right now the ease of maintenence and ruggedness of these 87-94 trucks (and looks) has me happy. The 04-up style is good but drives more like a car but they are built rugged, the engine is modular and has tons more emissions and technology. But, i have seen some go 200,000mi (prev generation) with no problems.

Stay with the 94 and drive safe

 

Hey frankenford,

Why do your windows look a bit foggy in that picture?......... What were you doing?



Edit: By the way my 94 with 5spd 2wd and 2.73 performs awesome in the snow, I put in 300lbs or 5 bags of 60lbs each in the back near the tailgate and I don't slide at all, I may spin a bit in the parkinglot with deep snow but it digs down fast and I like the manual being able to feel things a lot more.

 

haha nah i didn't have my defrost on because i was just going to papa ginos for lunch. we got more snow then what it shows in the picture. that was only at noon

 

That is about as much snow is on the ground right now, well it has snowed a bit more. How does your 4x4 like it Do you have weight in the back or do you need it with those tires..lol

How do you like manual, it seems the auto guys slip around a bit, in manual you can feel it and just go up a gear or do what is needed.

Definately love my truck, no digging out of the snow, no getting stuck...yet.

Feel bad for the little imports and saturns, seems always seeing them stuck lol. Then they deside it will help them spin thier tires alot, which makes the snow under them ice and makes it worse, plus it isn't good for their tranny. I usually join in on the procession of males that flocks to go push them out. Hopefully they see the abnormally large amounts of trucks and suvs in this town and realize thier might be reason for it.....the town doesn't plow until the snow is over

 

The Truck looks sweet I have a White 1990 F-150 XLT Lariat Reg. Cab 4x4 with a chrome bush bar on the front and the same grab handles on the cab, 33x12.50r15 timberlines and a 351W. It handles amazing in the snow to never even slides if you try.

 

It is so much easier to get around with 4wd, we just got a bunch of snow here, and it sounds like more is on the way this weekend. I see so many people that spin out on the feeway it's rediciolus.

This pic is from last winter