Whats your technique for 4WD in the snow?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Whats your technique for 4WD in the snow?
We had a nice snow fall recently and I found making turns a bit sketchy while in Full time 4wd. I'm an accomplished snow driver, although kali weather has spoiled me over time.
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Northern New Mexico
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
also, what specific tire do you have? Goodyears whole lineupof trick/suv tires are wranglers buy each has another name thatfollows. Truthfully, the wrangler lineup is mostly bad, and dependingon the tire you have, that couldbe a partial part of your issue. But trypart time first.
#5
CF Veteran
I've had a few incidences like that in the past. Never an accident or damage. There are times when the front will push. Probably more of a tire issue.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for your comments guys. Now correct me if I'm wrong here
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
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#8
Senior Member
Had this same issue in full time early this week. My assumption was nature of the beast because it is a remarkably light weight vehicle especially in the rear . Mine would upshift even when going slow and very careful and try to slide around on me I was able to drive it out the 3-4 times it happened . I should add I’m on the same tires as you and am very experienced in ice/snow and run tow trucks in this stuff and never had a vehicle do that quite that bad.
Last edited by GreaseMonkey17; 02-25-2018 at 06:38 PM.
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: District of Columbia
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
We had a nice snow fall recently and I found making turns a bit sketchy while in Full time 4wd. I'm an accomplished snow driver, although kali weather has spoiled me over time.
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
I've got the NP231 in mine, and I'll generally leave it in 4HI (part-time) when driving on snow-covered roads. Partly because there's more control in 4WD (particularly in the turns), and partly for fun since I like to drive like a rally driver when I can (relax, I've got lots of experience driving race cars). I'll comfortably drive at 60+ mph in part-time as long as the road is covered with snow.
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Northern New Mexico
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for your comments guys. Now correct me if I'm wrong here
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
aside from my rambling/ranting above, posts above mine give sound advice. The cali lifestyle has probably rusted your snow driving capabilities more then you think. My uncle was the same way haha.
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Northern New Mexico
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Had this same issue in full time early this week. My assumption was nature of the beast because it is a remarkably light weight vehicle especially in the rear . Mine would upshift even when going slow and very careful and try to slide around on me I was able to drive it out the 3-4 times it happened . I should add I’m on the same tires as you and am very experienced in ice/snow and run tow trucks in this stuff and never had a vehicle do that quite that bad.
#13
CF Veteran
Thanks for your comments guys. Now correct me if I'm wrong here
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
Part time is the way to go if the surface remains loose to keep from breaking the nylon gear in the xfer case. I've done this once before.
This 92 is my DD/Service vehicle I use for a mobile service. The Goodyear Wrangler Radials may not be the best snow mud tire, but they do offer a bit more than most of the "compromise" designs.
What are your opinions as to top speed in Part Time? 20-30-40?
#14
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
I think I've used 4wL maybe 3 or 4 times over 20 years and 3 Jeeps in the snowy north east.
I usually just throw it in 4wH when it's snowy and take it out when it's just a dusting or the roads have been treated. I most often use 4wH to get out of my dirt driveway.
I usually just throw it in 4wH when it's snowy and take it out when it's just a dusting or the roads have been treated. I most often use 4wH to get out of my dirt driveway.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
You might have crappy tires, but usually that just lowers the overall level of grip rather than changing the handling balance (oversteer vs. understeer) dramatically. When you get that oversteer when "negotiating a turn", are you generally entering the turn, exiting, the turn, or somewhere in the middle when it happens. What are you doing with your feet when it happens? Still braking as you enter the turn (trail braking), off the throttle completely mid-corner, getting into the throttle a decent amount exiting the turn (wheeee!), or what? Or does it just seem to be very tail happy at all times?
When entering the turn <20mph, using slow smooth steering inputs the front will immediately start to push. Lifting off the throttle slightly only increases the push. (auto trans) Using the brakes (left foot) to slow helps.
The rear will get loose at any point which I have attributed to weight, so keeping the tank full helps greatly.
Keeping the factory 15" steel wheels is preferred so time to start shopping for tires..