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 don't have that problem when in 4x4, try part time instead of full time and see what happens.

 

x2

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.

 

Driving too fast and braking too hard.
Just leave it in 2wd till you get stuck then use 4wd to back out. If you get it stuck in 4wd you ain't going nowhere.

 

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.

 

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?

 

If you can drive 20+mph you don't need 4wd.

 

 

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?

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.

 

There is an issue right there. The radials are some of thee worst tires out there. Selling tires for a living currently, i can say these tires are bad. They dont offer squat except that they are cheap. I am probably the resiedent hater of these tires but i do not care. I wouldnt recommend them to any customer of mine so i wont recommend them to my fellow jeepers on here haha.

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.

 

combination of tires and lightweight i would say. Wrangler radials are only made in 1 size. A size extremely popukar with cherokees and therefore a common option. They just dont have the compound or tread design needed for light vehicles in wet conditions from everyrhing ive seen. A gentlman even came in a few days ago and sold me his practically brand new set for $80 because he had a similair experience to you. He leftwith bfg ko2s haha talk about a complete 180.

 

 

There is no nylon gears in the transfer case, the reason you don't want to run part time on a high traction surface is because since the transfer case is locked when turning it won't allow for the front and rear to turn at different speeds, which causes binding and the tires will chirp. In 4x4 high you can go as fast as you want to on a hard surface as long as you are going straight.

 

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.

 

Listening to everyones comments tells me these Wranglers are not the best choice. Cheap and good dont always go hand in hand.

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..