So I have a 69 fj40 with a sbc, th350, stock transfer case, locked rear end and 33 inch swampers, So yesterday I attempted to go up a local trail that gains about three thousand feet in elevation. About halfway up I hit the snow and my cruiser dident make it more then fifty feet, (about two feet deep.) I drained my tires too 12psi in an attempt to gain more traction at that piont and it still sucked. And to make matters worse that smug jerk in a rubicon jeep passed me with a gleefull smile!, So How would I make my fj snow capable? And also why is it when Im in four wheel drive my back wheels get 80-90% and the fronts get little if any power when actually needed?
Snow worthiness
- Thread starter fj40pimpmobile
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It just seems that way, should be 50/50 in 4WD. Lock the front and you'll see.
Speaking of locked . . . Are your hubs?
There is definately going to be more than one thing to consider with the question that you pose. My first concern, when you mention snow, is your tires. My first assumption when you mentioned swampers was too wide of a tire.
You could have full time lockers, massive articulation, etc., and still go no where on snow/ice. Generally, I have found that tall narrow tires do best in snow and mud. I've lived in CT, VT and CO, and there are alot of places that you simply cannot go regardless of the vehicle unless you had chains. The tall narrow tire helps to dig into something solid without "floating". Now with sand, or rock crawling I would thing "wide" would be a plus, but definately not with snow.
You could have full time lockers, massive articulation, etc., and still go no where on snow/ice. Generally, I have found that tall narrow tires do best in snow and mud. I've lived in CT, VT and CO, and there are alot of places that you simply cannot go regardless of the vehicle unless you had chains. The tall narrow tire helps to dig into something solid without "floating". Now with sand, or rock crawling I would thing "wide" would be a plus, but definately not with snow.
Rear ARB lockers in rear on 38 in. super swampers. Prior owner used to take it to the snow all the time without any problems.
You would have done much better with an F or 2F, and stock tires. I'm running a 2F and 33X9.50's on my 69 along with an Auburn LSD in the rear, and it is great in the snow.
matt.mcinnes
2F-ETI
Driving on snow is all about been smooth
You guys suggesting that he needs stock engines, skinny tires, STOCK tires...???
Do you ever get into snow more than a few inches deep?
Snow on the road and snow off road are two entirely different things.
You can't count on "getting to the bottom" and making forward progress in snow 2-3 feet deep or deeper. Even powder. Much less snow with more structure to it than that.
For off road snow travel you want the largest tire you can fit.
Mark...
Do you ever get into snow more than a few inches deep?
Snow on the road and snow off road are two entirely different things.
You can't count on "getting to the bottom" and making forward progress in snow 2-3 feet deep or deeper. Even powder. Much less snow with more structure to it than that.
For off road snow travel you want the largest tire you can fit.
Mark...
matt.mcinnes
2F-ETI
I do and if you stop you sink getting going again is fun.
Wider the tyre the better, it's all about staying on top, spin the wheels and you just sink smooth is the word.
And always have a shovel
Wider the tyre the better, it's all about staying on top, spin the wheels and you just sink smooth is the word.
And always have a shovel
been wheeling in the snow for years and it depends on what type of snow. i run 35 x10.50 walmart tires and truck goes almost any where . when i ran swampers in the old days it was always stuck every snow condition is different if its froze underneath you probably need chains its something you have to experiment with good luck
brew8
SILVER Star
I have driven iin snow for years and if you are driving i fluffy powder in the early winter before it sets up and it's no deeper than a foot, I'll agree on the tall skinny tires, but if your driving on deep frozen set up snow then the bigger the better, and locked and slow, we drive over 4 or 5 foot frozen drifts in the spring and deep spring and early summer drifts and bigger is better, I run 35x13.5 and I think I would like bigger and I do a lot of snow wheeling, both in my cruiser and my work truck, at the end of it all it's the experienced driver that matters, cheers, Larry
My truck has gone a lot of places with 31 x 10.50 MT/Rs and chains. Last winter my truck went all kinds of places with bald 32 x 11.50s and chains. Rear locker helps, front locker too if you're not on a sidehill. I've seen Swampers work good for breaking trail in the early spring here in CO. I love my chains, made them myself from broken trucker chains, they're cheap, they work great and I have a bunch of spare parts and tools to fix them!
But that's all snow not more than about 2 ft deep, and that was new powder. Deep consolidated snow I have no experience, I'd guess the most float and try to stay on top of it.
But that's all snow not more than about 2 ft deep, and that was new powder. Deep consolidated snow I have no experience, I'd guess the most float and try to stay on top of it.
My apologies, I had no idea that people who have seen everything would be posting after myself. Completely forget what I previously stated.
p.s. for the record maybe trial and error are your best tools. I was merely trying to answer "your" question rather than create 5 more.
Not sure I agree with that.. I am running 34s, 10 1/2 wide.. the local frogs cops, U.H.P. country cops, and BLM trucks are ALL running pizza cutter tires, and they are all over the place during winter.. I spend a LOT of time in 2 feet of snow, and at times more, while granted, sometimes I might have to grab the shovel once in a while, I have yet needed to use have to winch out.. I did have to wench out over at Loon Lake in California a couple of times.. but that was some deep, and very wet snow.. I think the type of snow your in also makes a big difference, and there are a lot of different types of snow..
The next time someone tells you how important the "the proper tires are, and they are a MUST have", look at your local frog cops, and BLM trucks, and EMS vehicles.. pizza cutter tires on all of them, the driver has more to do with it than any tire ever will..
I am in Southern Utah, at 7000 ASL, no shortage of the white stuff here... it's more about the driver..
Big tires, big power, and light weight are the keys for snow wheeling
This thing kicks ass in the snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boEUr3d0jWY
Tires are 42” TSLs, truck weighs around 3000lbs and it has a ~400hp LS6
This thing kicks ass in the snow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boEUr3d0jWY
Tires are 42” TSLs, truck weighs around 3000lbs and it has a ~400hp LS6
I can only assume that some of you guys dont know that Mark W (post #9) owns a cruiser shop in alaska, and leads the radical off road "alaska cruiser trek" every year. If there is ANYONE on mud that knows about getting around in the snow off road, he is the man.
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