I'm fed up.
I can't take the 2X4 in the snow anymore.
My tires are not that old, they're LT 265 75R16's all seasons,
but I'm still getting stuck in the snow.
I've got plenty of weight in the back, and the thing
is even a 5 speed. I rock it back n forth and I seem
to be digging in deeper. Brakes are not frozen or seized.
And I don't gun it so that they spin like crazy.
In my front wheel drive vehicles I have NEVER EVER
even come close to being stuck.

What do you all you guys with 2X4's do in the heavy snow, do you have
winter tires or all seasons? Should I have a good pair of winter tires put on, or are they all they're cracked up to be? Do they really help with getting going?

HELP!

 

I have an 07 4X2 SB with 6 cyl and 5 speed. I put on a set of 255-70R17 All Terrain Generals that were on the XLT takeoff wheels I bought. I have no weight in the back, and in central WI we have received more snow this winter than in last 20 years - so far these tires are doing great.

I put a set of Blizzaks on my daughter's Hyundai Sonata and it transformed it from a slip-slider into a Jeep in the snow. A set of winter tires or even All Terrain's would make a tremendous difference. Advantage of All Terrains is you can keep them on year around - winter tires like Blizzaks MUST be removed once temp starts hitting 40-50 F. My truck had all season Hankook's from the factory and they were not good at all in the snow.

 

i now what you mean. i drive a 4x2 for work and deal with snow all the time. the only thing i can say is get a good set of tires and buy some snow chains. there are just some places a 4x2 should not be. does your truck have a limited slip rear end?

 

I WISH, no the rear is an open 3.08 and it SUCKS.
If I had the limitted slip I think this problem would be better.

We're not allowed to have chains in Toronto, that would have been the best solution (Stupid City driving)

 

i have the goodyear wrangler silent armors and i can get around in 2wd great. but i do have a LSD. i would try a severe weather rated tire (BFG AT, GY silent armor, procomp allterrain) before going to snow chains. those things can cause alot of problems then they solve

 

Yeah, not having LSD is bad.
I've toyed with the idea of switching the gears, there are a few good threads here on the subject, but I wonder, does LSD make that much difference? I've never had it, so I don't know.

 

yah 2wd id not too fun in the snow. I drove for years with 2wd in the snow. it was a big factor in my decision to get a FX4. chains are not such a great idea they will break if driven over hard pavement and swing arround and damage your rig. plus it is not recomended to go over 50 mph with them. studded tires would be a much better choice but they do damage the roads. the best choice would be buying a set of Blizzacs for the winter. then another choice would be to get a set of all terrain tires that are rated for sever weather such as the BFG at ko's. my BFG'd do pretty good in the snow even when I am in 2wd. but probably not as good as the Blizzacs would do for you. I have heard good things about those tires.

 

my response for having snow chains for a 4x2 was not meant to be used as a daily driver. they can be useful should you get stuck and need a quick fix, or if you find your self driving on a snow packed and icy road that has not yet been plowed and your tires are not getting it done. but like anything else you have to put them right and use them when necessary.

 

Michelin LTX M/S, dad had them on his 94 302 2wd 3.08 non l/s and they worked great, plus lasted for 7 years and 120k km's. Now he has BFG's AT, still great and my Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors are great too.

 

Actually, what's really been helpful are these things I'm using now, they're similar to that "tow truck in a box" product, but better; The tracks are not aluminum but orange painted steel and they unfold into two tracks with spikes on the bottom. I place them in front of the rear tires and I'm gone. Only bummer is I have to stop to go pick them up once I'm out of the hole and them I'm back to where I started (depending on the conditions).

YSP217: Yah, I pretty much figured that's what you meant about chains, and you're right, only in a jam (or slip..?)

 

I had the cooper discoverer snow tires on my 4x2 dodge ram last year. Made it through two snow storms with over two feet of snow no prob's. very good tires.

 

Truthfully I would say your tires are probably just fine.They could be better but they are still alright But the main thing thats killing you is the open rear.Just buy a stock limited slip off ebay for $200 and it will be a night and day difference.I have had a open rear in my last couple trucks and always had to run it in 4wd and with my 05 screw ,I never have to run it in 4wd.I have not even come close to getting stuck in 2wd even in the 12inches we got a month ago.I went playing in the fields and stuff and went everywhere in 2wd except hill climbing.

 

Drop in to Canadian Tire and have a look at their Roughrider tire. It is an excellent winter tire. The open diff doesn't help either. How much weight do you have in the rear? 4-600 lbs will make a big difference.

JMC

 

What psi are you running in your tires? A lower psi will give you a bigger footprint and some more traction

 

Yeah, I think I'm just gonna give in if it really only costs a couple of hundred. And the PSI is also a good suggestion. I can drop it a few pounds and see what's up. Of course, it doesn't help that everything on my street melted and then froze up into a sheet of ice (which the plows never got to).
Right now I don't really know how much weight is in there, with the tonneau cover, 6 padio stones and 2 bags of salt I figure its got to be a few hundred pounds. I'll add a bit more and see. I'm really going to look into getting those gears. Thanks a LOT guys....this has restored my faith in my truck. I ALMOST wanted to get rid of it !!! CHEERS!