Poll: Would you drive your Cruiser at night in the snow?

subzali · 03-30-05, 07:24 PM

This is in lieu of my drive this evening south of Denver. Ended up taking my '91 2wd minitruck instead of my month and a half old to me FJ40. Weighed the reasons:

'77 FJ40:
-dark
-very snowy (20' visibility)
-cold
-leaking a puddle of gas upon shutdown, prolly not too safe (just started this)
-no windshield washer fluid
-only front heater with no defroster nozzles yet 'cause nobody can understand what I'm talking about

-no side mirrors
-manual steering gave me a scare yesterday, I've almost rolled it once already too
-gas is getting too expensive with me not working
-no weatherstripping

'91 RN93
-wet roads (not snowpacked)
-good heat
-good defrost
-good road manners
-new tires
-power steering
-good weatherstripping
-comfortable

So how about you guys? Just a little bit more of a comfort thing for me...

Overlord · 03-30-05, 07:30 PM

Yes, I do it all the time. I've been working nights for the last year, so I have to drive at night quite a bit. Plus I live in Alaska were we tend to get a little snow. Although I don't drive a 40, but a 60.

cruiserwanted · 03-30-05, 07:31 PM

My cruiser pulls to the right when braking.....have attempted to have a shop fix this..

I did not have a garage at the time. Now I have a garage so until I get a handle on my drum breaks I would not drive it in snow as would not want to be stuck in the ditch on the right side of the road the whole trip..... I guess that might be kinda fun but than I would never get to work as I would spend all day cruising the ditch in the snow along side of the highway....

IF my breaks where working properly I would not hesitate to drive it as when I purchased it we had our first snowstorm of the year here in MN and it was night and drove it 3 hours home. The freezing rain sucked until I figured out how to use the defrost and it was a LONG trip but did it.

Gumby · 03-30-05, 07:46 PM

Now wait... Would I drive MY cruiser in the snow or should I help you choose between your choices? I voted then read the post.

The 80 is the best snow vehicle ever. So yes, i would drive my cruiser, but...

I would not drive my 40 at night in the snow on the road. has less to do with being comfortable and more to do with wanting to be able to see the next day.

buckroseau · 03-30-05, 07:52 PM

I drive my 77 FJ40 almost everyday all winter long, I live in Northern MN. I take it on long trips and to work.

Although my rig is in tip top shape fresh off a resto. I probably wouldn't drive any vehicle any time of year with those problems.

Matt

gulp3000 · 03-30-05, 07:57 PM

Well, the gas, mirrors, and washer fluid are issues, but I've driven far worse vehicle in far worse conditions, alot farther.

The heat, defrost and, weather stripping, price of gas, and manual steering wouldn't bother me much.

wob · 03-30-05, 08:03 PM

I voted before I read that you were talking about a 40. So, no I would take my 80 before I took my 40.

brownbear · 03-30-05, 08:08 PM

good headlights even out the choice. if you can see the road then its no problem. if you have my ole dim match headlamps then it kinda sucks no snow or not. I am planning on a upgrade. Just gotta find out what I want to put in there. Tempted to run 80/100. but don't want to blind anyone.

too me snow isn't the issue but bad visabilty is.

subzali · 03-30-05, 08:08 PM

Yeah, in my original post I was trying to justify MY choice, and give some things to consider when making YOUR choice. One thing I forgot about the 40 is that it snows inside the cab when it snows outside

But don't worry: I AM working on getting to the point where I would be comfortable driving it ANYTIME, it's just kinda hard on a college budget...

Also don't understand the not being able to see the next day...

VTCruiser · 03-30-05, 08:15 PM

absofawkinlutely

Lashcat · 03-30-05, 08:19 PM

I too voted before I read the thread. You mad the right choise. I live in Fairbanks Alaska and I drive my 40 year around. I did have a headlight issue. I fixed that with 2 relays and some 12 guage wire. I will add brighter lights before next winter. I don't get snow inside but I get plenty of cold air leaking in through all the holes in it. That does make it a little uncomfortable at -40. My son and I just bundle up real good and off we go. The only thing the snow does is make for poor visibility. The ice is what makes the drive tricky. I run narrow studded tires in the winter and I plan to add some wheel spacers all the way around for the winter to widen the track a little so it does not feel so top heavy.

BNC · 03-30-05, 08:53 PM

I would not have driven any vehicle in the condition of your 40 if at all possible.

I would not hesitate to take the 80 out in any weather, it seems to revel in the nasty stuff

White Shark · 03-30-05, 08:56 PM

80 series. Nuf said.

subzali · 03-30-05, 09:06 PM

Does it sound that bad? It stays warm (well...you know) with the high fan, and the gas leak is only very recent. It's great when it's drier and warmer, I've been driving it for two weeks and almost took it out to Moab (350-400 miles one way) last week...I love it but just not tonight...

89GASHOG · 03-30-05, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subzali

-leaking a puddle of gas upon shutdown, prolly not too safe (just started this)
-:

I'd drive mine, but not yours! Except for this one, none of the issues you mentioned would bother me. Cruisers are great snow rigs, even the 40's.

dieseldog · 03-30-05, 09:34 PM

I won't drive a vehicle in good weather in the condition you have described; however, I would drive any cruiser I own in ANY weather short of hurricane or tornado.

IDave · 03-30-05, 10:07 PM

I chose not to drive my 45 at night in the snow until I fixed up the defog and heat. I drive the 40 all the time, day or night, snow or dry.

Siped MT/Rs rock!

Mark W · 03-30-05, 10:46 PM

I have in the past, do now, and will continue to drive any of my cruisers in the most miserable conditions that might occur. That's what they're made for. Good tires (studded where called for), good wipers, good lights, and a maintained rig... Who cares if it's snowing and dark? I didn't really look at the problems you listed with yours, but that doesn't affect my answer to the poll. But you need another answer choice; "your kidding right?"

Mark...

LT · 03-30-05, 11:07 PM

My lock rite in the rear scares the shit out of me in the cold so I would say no.

Travis

Gumby · 03-31-05, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subzali

Also don't understand the not being able to see the next day...

Driving my 40 at night in the snow on the road would be a death wish.

Anything is drivable in most any conditions, and certainly the 40 is built to be used in harsh conditions, but US road speeds are not it's forte. too short of a wheel base, too reactionary a suspension system, too rudimentary a steering system. You hit a slick spot and the rig can go sideways or upside down in a big hurry. How dangerous matters a lot of how it is set up and how you are driving it. you can certainly drive faster, and with less concentration in the truck.

It can be done just fine, and I'm sure many others will chime in and say they do it. I did it, when i didn't have another choice, but frequently it was not fun. I rode my motorcycle in the snow too. Same reasons and same lack of enjoyment.

My 40 snowed in the cab as well.