first snow observations of 5.0 AWD

[rathrbcruisin]

our first snow arrived here in michigan today. I could not wait to try out the 98 explorer AWD to see how it would do. My first thought is, I want my ranger 4x4 back. but, to be honest, the ranger had a more aggressive tire tread on it. The AWD did fine and from a stop it took off good. not much tire spinning. but dont push this thing too much. it doesnt like it. I think with the 65% rear 35% front the rear of the truck will try to slide out like a rear wheel drive. then the front tries to keep it in line. I went into a corner and pushed it too much and it slid out like a rwd car would. now in my ranger i could steer out of it like you normally would, and hit the gas and the front wheels would take you the way they were pointed. Not this beast. If you hit the gas the rear end keeps on going around. I could feel the back end pushing around a lot even going in a straight line. like someone told me, it's gonna feel like she's got a fat ass. Now if you drive it nicely and cautiously it will suffice. waaaayyy better than rwd or fwd. but 4x4 it is not. so, the jury is still out on this one. I have to go back in tomorrow to do some plowing. so we'll see how i feel on round 2. I may just have to get used to it.

 

[Mesozoic]

The Borg Warner devised AWD t-case is supposed to be a durable piece. That is all. If you want more control over it I think the 4406 is the way to go, but I can't see myself doing that swap until something breaks in my AWD system.

 

[rathrbcruisin]

Drove in to work today. the roads were nothing but ice. I had no problems today. I know i was pushing it before trying to see what it would do. Today i drove "normal" and i was happy with the take off in the icy snow. No tire slippage or sliding. My buddy at work texted me that he went out in the storm and was on the freeway and his silverado 4x4 was sliding all over. there were spin outs all along the highway and they were stopped for sometime on 75 because of accidents. people were out of their cars standing on I 75!! Maybe the storm was worse than i thought. maybe the explorer did OK. I do think I will not get stuck in this truck if I drive like you probably should in a winter storm.

 

[Lizard]

Try some dedicated snow tires. It will be a totally different vehicle.

 

[Skydmark1]

I'm getting prepared to put my 2001 Mounty on the road soon and I have no doubt I will enjoy it on the snowy roads but how does it perform off road?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Tires make a HUGE difference. I am running 31inch All Terrains with not very many sipes, I have to say traction in the snow, and wet is crap, BUT I can power out of anything, because they dig really well. Once you learn how to adjust to driving it you should have no issues. I was also very surprised to see the back end slide out on mine the first snow storm.

 

[rathrbcruisin]

After driving in some pretty good snow this week i think that this truck gets around pretty good. I do not like the tires on it, general grabbers, but they are new so they'll have to do. i wish i had the tires i had on my ranger, good year wrangler radials. I think with some better AT tires this truck would be awesome. you definitely cant go into the corner fast on a slick road. too much weight and feels tall and wants to slide. but if you dont push it too hard you will never have a problem. it's quickly becoming my favorite vehicle. driving my daughter and her friends around to dance and theatre they just throw the stuff over the seat and off we go never having an issue with road conditions or snow filled parking lots. I guess I can get used to the gas mileage for the positive trade-offs. With the V8 and the AWD it drives like a bigger truck, but in a good way. I like that i have the power and the smaller turning radius and the more narrow footprint than like that of an expedition.