Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Discussion about deep snow wheeling, vehicle builds, trip reports, etc
funride
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Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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bobracing
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by bobracing »

It's a little hard understand exactly what you want but I'll give it a try.
1.) 8" rim and 12.50 wide tires will be fine. I actually prefer the narrower rim, holds the bead a bit better and once aired down the tire flattens out nicely.

2.) "35x12.5... ... will it let me just go into any deep snow.."
Yes and No, and if that is the tire you have, you make it work.
That being said, all snow is different and requires different driving styles. This is thru experience and the driver's butt feedback (air pressure, throttle, bla bla bla). So Yes, 35s will work in deep snow sometimes and you'll feel like the king of the world, other days you'll will be lucky to make it 10 feet and feel like you have beat with a wet noodle all day.

3.) save for locking diffs.

4.) No, using brakes in general with open diffs is not going to do much. Using the brake is a technique used with limited slips and auto transmission. The brake does fake L/Ss into thinking it's more of a locker but still won't replace a locker. Auto can be driven with both feet to keep the torque converter engaged and the brake to keep wheel spin down.

Ask 50 people and you'll get 50 different answers but the best way to do it is get something together and have fun, learn what you want and adapt it to your style.
General guild lines to a snow rig: not much lift, big tires, low gearing, lockers, and onboard air.
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Nobody
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by Nobody »

Looks like Bob beat me to the punch, but it looks like our answers were pretty much the same!

1. 1800kg is a pretty average vehicle weight here. A 35x12.5 tire is the minimum size tire that I would recommend. I recommend a radial tire with a 2 ply sidewall.

2. You can drive on any depth of snow once it has had time to settle and compact a bit. The key is getting your ground pressure as low a possible. This is done by running very low air pressure in your tires. There are many different types of snow. You will find that sometimes it's very easy to drive in, and other times it's nearly impossible.

3. If you can't afford locking differentials, then you might consider welding up the spiders gears, making your differential permanently locked up. Just keep in mind it this will cause your tires to wear out very quickly on pavement. It's to your advantage to buy a locker. There are mini lockers that just replace the spider gears that are very affordable and easy to install. That's what I run in the front of my bronco.

4. No tapping your brake will do nothing to help. This technique does work with a Eaton/Detroit Truetrac gear-type limited slip differential. From my experience with these on Military Humvee's, I wouldn't recommend them.
WINTER IS HERE
funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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n16ht5
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by n16ht5 »

Where do you live?

You want the biggest possible tire on there that your motor will turn and weld up the rear differential if you can't afford a locker. If I had a rig that was only for wheeling it would be on 40"+ tires. I am on 37s under my 4runner with stock axles its about the limit for a daily diveable suv for the little motor it has
funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

n16ht5 wrote:Where do you live?

You want the biggest possible tire on there that your motor will turn and weld up the rear differential if you can't afford a locker. If I had a rig that was only for wheeling it would be on 40"+ tires. I am on 37s under my 4runner with stock axles its about the limit for a daily diveable suv for the little motor it has
Russia, and this stock engine is capable to spin "aggressive" 36''-ers in mud with care, I think it can spin 39 in snow.
So, differential lockers are quite advisable...
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n16ht5
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by n16ht5 »

go 39"... at least a rear locker.. winch is good. everything else is details
funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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n16ht5
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by n16ht5 »

thanks for sharing all those nice photos. keep us informed on your build!
funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

Post by funride »

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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funride
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Re: Questions about snow wheeling "willing" :)

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