Am I screwed in the snow with a FX2?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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i'll be running the snow tires on the stock 18s, i'm picking up some harley 22s for non-snowy driving.
snow tires are mandatory in quebec, but they dont allow studs of any kind unfortunately.
i'll make sure to try the sandbag in the back technique. i did lots of snow driving in a civic and even some in my old 944 when i lived in montreal.
i wish i wish i wish i'd gotten 4x4, but i had no idea id be doing any snow driving when i bought it and i hadnt yet discovered the joy of mudding.
another question, do they make 4x4s with the 6.5 foot bed? if i trade up i dont want to have to buy a new bakflip lol
snow tires are mandatory in quebec, but they dont allow studs of any kind unfortunately.
i'll make sure to try the sandbag in the back technique. i did lots of snow driving in a civic and even some in my old 944 when i lived in montreal.
i wish i wish i wish i'd gotten 4x4, but i had no idea id be doing any snow driving when i bought it and i hadnt yet discovered the joy of mudding.
another question, do they make 4x4s with the 6.5 foot bed? if i trade up i dont want to have to buy a new bakflip lol
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: PNW
We get a bit of snow here from time to time and I have always just put the tranny in 2 gear Not Drive to get going and have very little problems and we have quite a few hills around and with snow tires I think you will be just fine.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: minnesota - ubetcha
Are u screwed? Nah
Are u at a Large disadvantage w/ 2wd in snow v 4wd? YES
Can you make it in 2wd? Usually, but not always.
On the hwy, you will need to go slower and be VERY aware of road conditions. In deep snow, you may be screwed...
For the above poster who says 4wd wont help at hwy speeds - 100% WRONG. On a snowy hwy if you slide and are in 2wd - its Oh sh*t. In 4wd just stay steady on the gas and she pulls straight. Just did it today 60 on hwy and we have 17" of snow. Hwy 1" deep in most spots and up to 1' deep in drifts. Hit that at hwy speeds in 2wd and I think you'd wish you had 4wd as you call the wrecker from the ditch. But... if you had 2wd, you likely would just wait the storm out and have to be a bit more careful (planning- as others said) and only go out when the cars do.
Good tires will help from a dig and at city speeds. If you are plannning on doing a lot of hwy driving with snow covered roads, on 4wd will do IMO.
Are u at a Large disadvantage w/ 2wd in snow v 4wd? YES
Can you make it in 2wd? Usually, but not always.
On the hwy, you will need to go slower and be VERY aware of road conditions. In deep snow, you may be screwed...
For the above poster who says 4wd wont help at hwy speeds - 100% WRONG. On a snowy hwy if you slide and are in 2wd - its Oh sh*t. In 4wd just stay steady on the gas and she pulls straight. Just did it today 60 on hwy and we have 17" of snow. Hwy 1" deep in most spots and up to 1' deep in drifts. Hit that at hwy speeds in 2wd and I think you'd wish you had 4wd as you call the wrecker from the ditch. But... if you had 2wd, you likely would just wait the storm out and have to be a bit more careful (planning- as others said) and only go out when the cars do.
Good tires will help from a dig and at city speeds. If you are plannning on doing a lot of hwy driving with snow covered roads, on 4wd will do IMO.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: So. Cal.
The ex-tropper gave some good advice. Believe me they should know what they're talking about if they operated in real snow country.
Last edited by code58; Dec 12, 2010 at 03:53 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: San Marcos, TX
No, not screwed ..... you'll learn how to do it slow and safe and always picking your path with care.
Montreal? Do they allow studs or chains?
Weight in the rear, about 3-400 pounds back at tailgate, secure the weight as best you can or use sand bags or something not hard. I have seen people line bed of PU with cinderblocks from cab back.
Posi or locker rear can help, but then there are times when it will just put you sideways in a ditch. I'ld rather have patience than a posi.
Going down hills, slow and easy and in the old days, we used the rear brakes a lot but we didn't have anti locks. With the addition of 4 wheel disc in the '94s the parking brake was no longer a service" brake like the older big drums on the rear, so AntiLocks were a saving thing.
Learn to go slow and learn to go easy on the brakes. Tippy Toe.
32 winters as a trooper driving cars always, we never ever had posis or lockers, always open rears. First was with a '78 Plymouth Winter 78-79, last was a '06 CVPI Winter 09-10. Always had a load in the trunk of flares and "stuff" I won't go into, but likely 200 pounds anyway. I've worked double shifts in blizzards many times and rarely did I use chains .... though I always had them in the trunk. We used pursuit "snow tires" up into the mid 80s, used all season pursuit tires after that.
I always made it to the wreck or domestic or traffic hazard or disabled and stuck motorist .... just took longer.
Did I mention patience?
Seen lots of 4WDs in the ditches too, some upside down, over the years. Just because it goes easier don't always make it turn or stop better ...
... often just get's an inexperienced driver in way over their head quicker and at higher speeds, some fatally so.
Montreal? Do they allow studs or chains?
Weight in the rear, about 3-400 pounds back at tailgate, secure the weight as best you can or use sand bags or something not hard. I have seen people line bed of PU with cinderblocks from cab back.
Posi or locker rear can help, but then there are times when it will just put you sideways in a ditch. I'ld rather have patience than a posi.
Going down hills, slow and easy and in the old days, we used the rear brakes a lot but we didn't have anti locks. With the addition of 4 wheel disc in the '94s the parking brake was no longer a service" brake like the older big drums on the rear, so AntiLocks were a saving thing.
Learn to go slow and learn to go easy on the brakes. Tippy Toe.
32 winters as a trooper driving cars always, we never ever had posis or lockers, always open rears. First was with a '78 Plymouth Winter 78-79, last was a '06 CVPI Winter 09-10. Always had a load in the trunk of flares and "stuff" I won't go into, but likely 200 pounds anyway. I've worked double shifts in blizzards many times and rarely did I use chains .... though I always had them in the trunk. We used pursuit "snow tires" up into the mid 80s, used all season pursuit tires after that.
I always made it to the wreck or domestic or traffic hazard or disabled and stuck motorist .... just took longer.
Did I mention patience?
Seen lots of 4WDs in the ditches too, some upside down, over the years. Just because it goes easier don't always make it turn or stop better ...
... often just get's an inexperienced driver in way over their head quicker and at higher speeds, some fatally so.
Be glad your not down here when we get that frozen stuff. We only get about 1/2 inch of snow for about 5 minutes a year but it sits on an inch of solid black ice. I dont care how well you think you drive, ya start out in the grass on the side of the road because you'll end up there eventually. But I remember one year when my dad was driving a huge bucket truck that was a 2wd dually, they gave him two snow chains. He put one on the driver back and one on the driver front. His logic was "what is the use of having plenty of push when you can't turn," his truck was the only one to get through with minimal damage, and all he got was a dent in the bumper. Even less damage than the 4wd trucks because he was careful.
So, in a nutshell, trucks are not good for ice skating.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: minnesota - ubetcha
Yeah black ice is a diff animal... 4wd is still better but you gotta go MUCH slower. But up a hill on ice, 2wd gets ya nothin but problems...
Stopping we are all in the same boat, kind of. If you use the 4wd to slow/steeer, and are skilled at it, yes its better. FUnny even up here in MN people cant drive a 4wd and dont realize the throttle is your friend.
Stopping we are all in the same boat, kind of. If you use the 4wd to slow/steeer, and are skilled at it, yes its better. FUnny even up here in MN people cant drive a 4wd and dont realize the throttle is your friend.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
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From: Copley, Ohio
Sand bags are much more useful than any other sort of weight added to the rear. If you do get stuck, you can open a bag and use the sand to give you enough traction to pull out. BTDT. Around here, the supply stores sell 50# sand tubes which fit the entire width of the bed. Stack a few of those behind the wheel wells blocked in by some 2x4s and you're good to go.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Colorado
A 2x4 pickup is probably one of the worst vehicles you could have in the snow/ice. If it's flat around your area probably not a big disadvantage but any kind of incline will be difficult, especially starting up hill from a stop.
Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
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Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,538
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From: Joplin MO
snow tires are mandatory in quebec, but they dont allow studs of any kind unfortunately.
http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/pag...pneus_crampons
Yeah, Your definitely not screwed. I had to drive my truck in the winter my first year I had it and I didn't put any weight in the back and I had nearly bald tires and I had no problems. But weight in the back will most definitely help. It's just how you drive. Don't drive like idiot and you will be fine.(I live in central ny where 3+ feet of snow in a week at a time is a usual thing. People seem to thing 4x4 is god but honestly they get ****y with it and they end up in the ditch because they they 4x4 helps you go faster in the snow when all it does is helps you with the initial start off.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Paintsville Ky.
A 2x4 pickup is probably one of the worst vehicles you could have in the snow/ice. If it's flat around your area probably not a big disadvantage but any kind of incline will be difficult, especially starting up hill from a stop.
Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
.
Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
.
I have yet to have any problems in my 4X2, at all.
Now, we don't get a lot of snow, but we did last year (a lot here is 2-4 inches) and my truck did fine.
I had new A/T tires, no weight in the bed and had no problems.
I laugh at the people who think 4X4 = instant win in snow.
I got a LSD stock on my truck and think its a great thing.
My friends 4X4 is no better than my 4X2 in most cases.
He has open diffs, and I have the LSD.
if you are in flat country you should be fine. If you are in a area like I live in with lots of hills and such, you should be fine. I have been.
If you live in the mountains. good luck!
I remember one year when the water main in the city busted and I didn't know about it.
I had at that time a V-6 mustang open diff and 5 speed.
I ended up on the same street as the busted water main.
3" of solid ice , and I made it just fine.
Just be easy and don't get in a hurry, and you should be fine.
Take you're time and leave plenty of room between you and any other cars.
A 2x4 pickup is probably one of the worst vehicles you could have in the snow/ice. If it's flat around your area probably not a big disadvantage but any kind of incline will be difficult, especially starting up hill from a stop.
Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
.
Weight and tires will help but its no cure. It will work but it's not the best vehicle to have in the snow that's for sure.
.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 70
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From: Colorado
Of course it is. I didn't it was "the" worst thing to have in the snow, I said it was "one" of the worst things to have in the snow.
I see 2x4 truck out here in Colorado going sideways and spinning and going no where all the time while front wheel drive cars pass right buy them.
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I see 2x4 truck out here in Colorado going sideways and spinning and going no where all the time while front wheel drive cars pass right buy them.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 70
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From: Colorado
When I had a 4x4 I never used it.. 4x4 isn't that amazing as people make it. Of course it isn't bad to have but it's not really needed. My LSD 2 wheel drive truck runs through snow(when I ran it through snow) like nothing. I don't like to drive it in the snow because of the ice, I wouldn't want it to rust. But Honestly it drove better in the snow than my FWD Altima..
Back to the OP. No your not screwed but you may not be in the best vehicle for the snow that's for sure.
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