Improving snow traction

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72dart_swinger

72dart_swinger

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I got a 2 wheel drive short bed truck manual with an open rear differential as my daily driver/farm truck. I have been nursing it through the snow that we have had this year and would like to improve the traction abilities. I have a set of chains in it for when things get real bad, but they are impractical at times when I only have to cross a half of a mile of bad roads to get to the cleared roads. I have been thinking about getting a set of studded tires for only winter use for the back. Also someone suggested that I get a "lunchbox" or drop in style locker. How safe would one of those be in the snow for my situation?
 
Studs will help some. If possible, put a bunch of weight in the bed. Right over the axle would be the best. Start with a couple of hundred pounds.
Mike
 
Living up here where there's snow 5-6 months a year, the best suggestion I could make would be to throw 2or3 sandbags between each rear wheelwell & the tailgate. Not only does the extra weight give more rear bite, but if you get stuck you can throw the sand under the wheels.
 
I have a short wide bed PU with wider tires than whats stock so that makes it a bit worse, what I do is put 3 40lb bags of oil sorb/cat liter over the right axle and have dual tanks so I keep the right side full. Actually I put two bags in front of the wheel tub and one behind since the traction starts at the front of the tire, its pretty flat all around where I drive and can go anywhere without spinning a tire in ice/snow conditions.
 
I had a 2wd 4.7 5 speed dakota that i put a lunchbox locker in and it was horrible in the snow. The rearend always wanted to swing around.
 
Weight in the rear, Mud and Snow tire (Toyo M/T's are awesome), and an air locker rear would be ideal.

Studs are for ice and only work in the snow because the surrounding tread is designed for snow.

What's the truck, some can be converted to 4x4 easily, others not so much.
 
Snow tires/studs and toss 400 to 500 lbs of sand bags in it over the axle. In my 3/4 4X4 Cummins I have 800 lbs in it and my 77 Aspen beater I have 200 lbs in the trunk. No problems going over mountain passes. Both have aggressive studded tires. You do have to adjust your driving for the conditions. I usually see more 4X4's slid off the road because people think in four wheel drive you can drive like it's dry highway.
 
Narrow snow compound tires, weight in bed, don't goose the throttle.

/thread.
 
dano said:
Weight in the rear, Mud and Snow tire (Toyo M/T's are awesome), and an air locker rear would be ideal.

Studs are for ice and only work in the snow because the surrounding tread is designed for snow.

What's the truck, some can be converted to 4x4 easily, others not so much.
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2000 f150 single cab short bed
 
dano said:
Weight in the rear, Mud and Snow tire (Toyo M/T's are awesome), and an air locker rear would be ideal.

Studs are for ice and only work in the snow because the surrounding tread is designed for snow.

What's the truck, some can be converted to 4x4 easily, others not so much.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said. Snow tires make an incredible difference. Studs will only help on ice and are illegal in a lot of states. Snows and weight. That's the ticket.
 
Some pickup owners around here use a 55 gal. plastic barrel. 1 gal. = 8 lbs.
Easy enough strap it in the bed and fill it up, Siphon empty and remove again.
We don't frequent snow here so very few spend for a 2nd set of wheels w/ studed tires or anything.
 
Drove my old D100 open diff, snow tires in winter for years. When I shoveled my driveway all the snow went in the bed. By the time it melted out of the bed the roads would be clear again.
 
Full out snow tires. Swapping in a limited slip diff could be a fun project.

Rear drive, limited slip and snow/mud rated tires work decent in snow even in a 2wd pickup.
 
I used to be a Cooper dealer and we put thier snow tires on all the mail carriers vehicles and they loved them. My brother in law came in bitchin he could not make it up his drive way in his 2wd cheby. I talked him into a pair of Cooper snows. He came in a few weeks later and said he forgot it was slippery with no weight in back.
 
4 wheel drive? Lol I don't know if I'll ever drive a two wheel in the snow especially with an open diff.
 
the67fish said:
I have a short wide bed PU with wider tires than whats stock so that makes it a bit worse, what I do is put 3 40lb bags of oil sorb/cat liter over the right axle and have dual tanks so I keep the right side full. Actually I put two bags in front of the wheel tub and one behind since the traction starts at the front of the tire, its pretty flat all around where I drive and can go anywhere without spinning a tire in ice/snow conditions.
Click to expand...


I hope the cat liter is in plastic bags or it will get wet and be a mess.


I use the Tube sand lowes sells in 60lb bags that are made of some fiber that doesn't tear apart when wet
 
I see some flawed thinking in this topic about where best to put the weight;
Weight installed behind the rear axle is more effective for traction.
 
My previous truck, was an F-150, 2 wheel drive. I ran 31x10.50's on it. I would put 300-400 lbs over the rear axle, and went where I wanted. Just don't get in a hurry. Empty, was helpless.
 
Snow tires! If you live somewhere that gets a good amount of snow then it will be your best investment.
 
IfItsGotWheels said:
Living up here where there's snow 5-6 months a year, the best suggestion I could make would be to throw 2or3 sandbags between each rear wheelwell & the tailgate. Not only does the extra weight give more rear bite, but if you get stuck you can throw the sand under the wheels.
Click to expand...

Plus put a Chevy block on each side as far back as you can. Best use for a Chevy block I've found yet. Weight behind the axle goes only to the rear tires. In between some portion will transfer to the front tires.
 
I drove an 81 chevy c10 2wd with a peg leg for years through Michigan winters. I only use Uniroyal liberator tires on my trucks.
 
mderoy340 said:
Drove my old D100 open diff, snow tires in winter for years. When I shoveled my driveway all the snow went in the bed. By the time it melted out of the bed the roads would be clear again.
Click to expand...

You're a purdy smart fart.
 
BigBlockMopar said:
I see some flawed thinking in this topic about where best to put the weight;
Weight installed behind the rear axle is more effective for traction.
Click to expand...

It sure is. If you could hang it on the back bumper that'd be the thing to do. Leverage. lol
 
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