Ok, we got about an inch of snow here in central Indiana and the roads were somewhat slick.. I HAD to put my truck in 4x4 to get going.. I never had to this in my 05 FX4 w/ limited slip and firestone destination AT's... I'm just wondering if the Pirelli Scorpion ATR's really suck this bad, or if its a combo of tires and open diff.. I have a 2011 FX4 w/ 3.73 eld, 20 inch factory rims, and the pirelli scorpions.. Just seems like I only needed to use 4x4 with significant snows in the old truck..

 

i live just south west of chicago off 80. it snowed here like crazy for an hour or so. roads slicker than heck.

when i first got the truck ( 09 plat ), it snowed. next morning, its iced and then snowed. tires were horrible. 4hi everywhere.

i replaced the pirellis with goodyear wrangler silent armor pro grade ( i dont 'need' 10ply tire, thats all they come in the size i got )
275 70 20
ill have to check , forget what original size was. went up from there.

these are alot better based on 'having' to put in 4x4. i still had it in today. good test before i really need it.

i would , if you can just wait a bit. my pirellis only "lasted" until 31K. i have another 31 on the goodyears, and they are wearing very well. with good rotation practice.

i still cant believe they put those tires on a 4x4 pickup. i can see a tire based on where a vehicle is going after it rolls off the line. but they area joke to me anyway.
good luck. you can find a ton of info on here. just like everyhting else . lots of opinions. possibly stop by the local garage to see what they reccomend/sell most of .?
have a good one.

oh yea. i have 3.73 limited slip. i believe that model year has an 'open' diff, with electronic lock. ? have not read up on that year much , that would lead me to wanting a new plat with eco boost..

 

Thanks BETCHER.. When I first saw the Pirellis, my first thought was man those are really gonna suck in the snow.. I guess I was right.. I'll try to get through this season with them, then swap em out before next winter.. Man, I dont miss those winters up there.. I used to work at the Ford stamping plant in Chicago Heights...

 

^I say it was more your open diff. My brother doesn't care for it on his 10' FX4. On my 09 with limited slip, I got around just fine in the snow with the stock Pirellis and in 2wd unless it was really bad.

 

Turning that little **** and pulling it out is really hard to do to keep youself going isn't it? Or you can spend 1000+ and still have to do it. Just do it and love the sure footedness on 4x4 on slick roads...

 

Was just really surprised that I needed to put in 4x4 with the little bit of snow we had, Shadow Grey.. Never had to do that in my 05.. Just making a statement, not looking for a smart a** comment...

 

The pirellis are not made for any kind of snow or mud. They are made for highway running. I think Ford got them cheap, so they put them on there. The open diff will have something to do with it, but the tires are not helping at all.
My XLT came with 17 inch wheels and Michelin LTX A/T2s and I had really good luck with them last year in the snow. It snowed a lot and they did a nice job.

 

The sad part is they are supposed to be an All Terrain.
On the other hand, I hate the open diff..

 

Wow, I feel lucky my truck came with the 3.55 LSD and 18" wheels ... I was pretty sure that the LSD is what I wanted, but this thread really confirms it. I haven't had to really test out the 4WD yet though (just used it on some gravel roads so far).

-John

 

I know the feeling. I had a 2008 FX4 with BFG A/T's and I live in West Virginia and hardly ever used 4X4. Now with my 2011 Fx4 EB and same tires, I miss my limited slip. This truck doesnt go near as well in snow.

 

It's both. 20 years ago I swore I would never own another truck with an open diff.

However, I am learning that the 2011 SCAB I've owned for two weeks is actually very good in the snow with it's open diff and ADVANCE-TRAC. I shut off the the AT until I get the blinking dash light and the automatic brake application to the spinning wheel works surpisingly well. I bought this truck fully intending on adding and aftermarket LS but I don't think I will need too.


The thing about that is.... do you really want to have to put it in 4x4 just to get out of an icy parking lot onto a dry road? Do you really want to make that ninety degree turn on dry pavement fast enough to get out into traffic binding up the drivetrain as you go? Do you really want to have to put it in 4x4 for 20 measly feet just to pull your boat up a steep wet ramp.

All of these are the reasons I will never drive a straight up open diff truck.

Plus there is the fishtailing donut doingn fun that can be had when both rear wheels get to spinning!

 

You guys act like the 4x4 is made out of glass...use the damn thing. If you want the rear lock up, fishtail thing, do the 2 wheel drive mod and lock up the ELD or like I said spend the 1K and get LS or better tires, if not just turn the **** back and let off the gas a little when done. Ghezzers guys...