I got caught in an unexpected snow shower late one fall and almost didn’t make it home, the stock tires absolutely suck in the snow. I do have a set of rims and snow tires that I used one winter and they make a 100% difference. The truck never even came close to getting stuck even through over 6 inches of snow. If you are going to drive an L in the snow you absolutely must have a set of snow tires/rims.

I actually still have my setup if anyone is interested. I only used it for one winter, maybe 300-400 miles on them tops.

Pete

 

Why bother?

 

Do a SEARCH under my screen name (DHFerguson) and the word 'snow' and you'll find several threads on this topic.

BTW - 7 Michigan winters with Blizzaks and 400-500 pounds of sand/salt in the bed and I've done fine.

 

2 winters in Southern West Virginia and 1 in south west pa I did pretty good with toyo proxies and random **** in the bed.

 

Man, I didnt read all the posts but driving in the snow sucks!! I drove it for 2 weeks in a Colorado winter and it was almost impossible to give it gas and not spin out of control. Granted I didnt have any extra weight and was on some BFG's. I was stuck in a hill right down the street from my house for like 20 minutes, just completely stuck.
If some of these guys can get away with it, with tons of weight in the back then by all means GO FOR IT! 1 foot of snow isnt very much anyway!!!!

 

Anything can be driven in the snow. Some are just better at it than others. And like someone has already stated....the L' is the worst thing I've EVER driven in snow. To give you a comparison...about 4 years ago, the only 2 cars I had were:
- 00' Lightning w/ pulley/chip/intake
- 00' Camaro SS (fully built, caged, 441 rwhp, 6-speed, 4.30 gears, 10.98 @ 124 on motor)

We got 3" of snow one morning and I HAD to go to work...I ended up driving the freakin' caged SS to work because I couldn't get the L' out of my flat and level driveway. 450+ lb ft of TQ at 3K rpms + Super light rear + Snow = BAD NEWS

 

As you can see, the posts clearly run overwhemingly against driving the L in the snow. Not that I doubt those few brave souls who say that all you need are snow tires, rims, and 800# of premium-gas-gobbling weight in back. But I just don't want to take the chance of wrecking my $33,000, somewhat-limited-edition sport truck.

And, as someone else pointed out, I sure don't trust all the other fools on the road, especially in the snow! If someone slides through an intersection and wrecks my wife's Sport Trac, I won't be nearly as heartbroken as I would if it were the L (and there are a lot more choices for replacing the ST than for the L!).

 

check inside the driver door frame on one and you will see a sticker from ford tell you that driving in incliment conditions is not advisable, and that if it is a must it is duggested that you buy a snow specific tire.

 

We get the odd bit of snow in Edmonton...plays hell with the banana harvest. I've had no problems when I put on Yokohama Geolander Ice radials on my factory rims. I use no extra weight in the back and you just have to be cautious with the throttle.
This winter I may store the L as I am going to install my VT LB, Whipple, PI converter, Level 10 VB, etc. so I'm thinking winter beater.

 

I've got a friend in New England who switches from his 20" setup to a 18" with some sort of M&S tire (probably Blizzaks) and while its not his daily driver, usually when he gets caught he's OK as long as he gently feathers it (he said) and usually never goes faster than 20 mph.