Hi all, I'm new to this board although I've used f150online over the years to help diagnose problems.

Anywho, was wondering how many people out there drive there L's in the winter, I'm in Chicago, so its a real winter and at least about a dozen days of good snow could be expected. I've had for the whole time owning the Lightning an old Ranger 4x4 that I drove in the winters that I've now sold. I think the previous owner of this Lightning may have driven it for one winter, as there was a little rust underneath when I bought it back in '06 with 54k miles on it, its an '04. Another twist, I have factory rims that have been chrome plated which I for sure won't have on there in the winter, but do have my good tires (goodyear f1's, I think they're the best) but I also have a regular set of factory rims with old Nitto tires on that are less than 50% tread. I know the one time I drove this thing with barely any snow on the ground I feared for my life, that -ss end was all over the place! Any suggestions out there, or should I forget even trying? I drive about 25 miles to work, usually take highway but I can do 25-45mph streets in almost the same time if it means not crashing!

 

don't do it unless you want another vehicle

 

I wouldn't...

 

Just take it easy on it, and you will be fine.

Start out from a stop in 2nd gear and easy on the throttle.

I some times miss the start of the snow, and don't have the sand in my 4x2, and have to be careful with the throttle ( more so than with 400# of sand over the rear axle ).

If you want to help it out, a decent pair of M&S tires on the other set of wheels, and load up the back with sand.
I keep the sand in old Cornelius Kegs, I can fit 4 parallel to the truck bed between the wheel wells. I built a tray that slides in, stopping the kegs from sliding forwards into the bulk head, and side to side. The plywood base is what holds the 2x2 used to make cradles for each of the 4 Cornelius Kegs.

Takes a bit of time to pack the sand into a Cornelius Keg, but once you have it full of wet ( damp, not soaking ) sand, they weigh in ~ 100# each.
Nice rubber handles for putting them in, and taking them out and the keg seals shut, so no need to worry about sand leaking out and getting in the crevices in the bed of the truck. If you need to, you can store them outside ( they are stainless steel ) during the summer, I keep mine under my work bench in the garage so they are out of the way.

I saw a post a few years back about a member getting a different length belt and bypassing the SC pulley. Don't know if this was practical or not.

 

as these trucks get older the value drops off, and parts are harder to find/expensive. Which means a small wreck could be a total loss from insurance point of view. Just not worth it. But a beater FWD car that you can drive for the winter

 

Chicago traffic in the winter with a Lightning you are asking for problems by driving that truck in the winter. I didnt drive my Xtreme in the winter when I had it just because I didnt want to wreck it. Buy cheap beater car for the winter and you can drop the insurance for in the summer.

 

Well I'd pretty much never actually consider driving it while it is actually snowing out. There's more to my story, my other options for getting to work would be:

-hitching a ride w/ someone else some days of the week
-taking public trans which is painfully long but gets me all the way there
-convince my girlfriend to let me use her car, as she take the train downtown to work everyday

I was more wondering winter driving in general. I know salt is no ones friend, and its pretty much on the road the whole winter once it starts snowing here. Usually its a nice wet road of salty spray everywhere, and that thought makes me cringe. I would think just driving in cold weather with no snow would be doable, right? Sure, not as much tire traction from having warm tires, but just gotta take it easy, eh? Has anyone found a good set of rims/wheels for the winter, as it seems the standard size doesn't really have a winter tire option?

 

A good set of M&S tires, and you would not have an issue.

I have been driving a 4x2 my entire diving life in Chicago and get around just fine with what I put above.

The Cold air you do bring up a valid point, is there an aftermarket tune on the truck ?

You would want to be sure it is not too boarder line for the colder dense air.

 

Screw the M&S tires.. Get a set of Blizzak's.. My Gen 1 Lightning with Blizzak's on it would go places 3/4ton's would dare to go(until they locked in the hubs).. 12" of WI snow? No problem.. Slush? No biggie.. Ice? As sure footed as a vehicle could be, driving on a road I couldn't stand up on.

 

Please do not drive it in the winter. Store it in your garage, call your insurance tell them that it is in storage so that your insurance will be lower. Just don't drive it, please!

 

I live in Alaska and I drive my Lightning in the winter just fine. I have 2 sandbags in the bed. But we dont get anything like the snow storms Chicago.

 

What a mixed bag we have here!

I live in NW Indiana, and I am a new L owner, and we typically see more snow fall than the Chicago area usually sees. But thank God I don`t live towards Valpo or Michigan City where they really get plummeted with lake effect snow.

But concerning tires, what is a good all around all season tire to put on a L? Meaning something that would be good in light snow, or a good rain.

 

I had two Lightnings and they went just fine in the snow... northeast Ohio too!!!!! I never put weight in the bed, and I always ran the stock Goodyear F1's. No problems for me. The heavy, slushy snow would slow me down since it made the truck pull in different directions. Getting moving, and driving around in snow was no big deal. Save your money and don't buy extra wheels / tires.