Best model for snow.

[Sgt Beavis]

The Falken ATs are outstanding in the snow. I have them on my JL. I took it through nearly a foot of snow during last years Bomb Cyclone. I had no problems. I have a buddy with the MTs and he had no issues.

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[88mmm]

I had the Falken ATs on my Ram truck they go ok through the snow but they definitely don't stop like real snow tires.

 

[saintpauljeff]

interesting discussion here... I've got a Sport S w/ Max Tow, primarily because I wanted that higher payload/towing/gearing, however, after a little bit of snow fall, I'm wondering if the Trac-lok option would make such driving a little better? Maybe a little buyer's remorse after reading through pages of these threads.

 

[TrailHiker]

I went with the standard tow package and the Trac-Lok, as I do not need the extra towing capacity, the biggest thing I had is my small 2K lbs Kubota tractor, and have lots of gravel/dirt roads which are slick when it rains, and it rains all winter long here... so mud, wet pavement and hills are our winter norm.
Cheers

 

[Texops]

I know the Sahara JL has, basically, an AWD system. Is that also true for the Overland JT? I thought I read somewhere that it differed from the Sahara in this respect.

no overland does not get the AWD option like Sahara wrangler. that AWD would prob. be great for snow . but I know zero about snow down south TEXAS

 

[jalbrecht55]

I know the Sahara JL has, basically, an AWD system. Is that also true for the Overland JT? I thought I read somewhere that it differed from the Sahara in this respect.

As others have said not available on JT but there has been at least one guy that got the AWD shift knob but no AWD mode on his transfer case. Some photos of developmental JT’s also with the AWD knob. Hopefully this becomes an option some day.

 

[Rocksalt]

based upon my snow driving experience... tires and driver knowledge of snow make way more difference than anything

 

[Rocksalt]

I have driven many 2wd trucks and cars safely thru snow with the right tires

 

[Up venture]

I can't speak for the best model for snow, but my Sports S with 6spd hasn't disappointed. For most driving applications you won't be using the limited slip or diff locks so tires and driver ability is going to be the biggest factor.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

no overland does not get the AWD option like Sahara wrangler. that AWD would prob. be great for snow . but I know zero about snow down south TEXAS

The drivetrains are pretty much the same in all of them save for axle ratios, and the max tow and Rubicon have wider stances by about an inch and a half total.
The Overland transfer case and axle disconnect are like the other two levels.
I'd be repeating several others if I said tires - but will anyway - tires, and the driver, make the difference.
I always opt for the rear limited slip option in vehicles I buy - but I know to watch out for how they can be on ice and really slick conditions. Snow is fine, but when you consider ice and slippery roads, they can be not as good.
I am looking for tires better suited for snow than the stock tires Overland comes with because of where I live............

My WJ is a real winter vehicle being full-time 4 wheel drive.
Before I restored it I drove my SX4 in the winter and that baby can walk through deep snow like nuttin' I've taken it through fender deep snow going up my neighbor's drive (he lets me use his drive to get back to my shop where I park some of my vehicles) - he doesn't always plow that drive and it's up-hill and gets deep.

Basically the electronics on these things, the BDL feature if in 4 wheel drive, that sort of thing, will help a lot. Worked great on my Silverado.

I've driven almost every sort of vehicle through snow before and truly believe it's the tires and the driver that make the bigger difference and in some of the snows we have, ground clearance helps a whole lot, too!.

 

[PyrPatriot]

All of them would likely do equally well in snow on road. The single most important factor would be tire selection.

Snow covered road driving wouldnt benefit from lockers available on the Rubicon?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Snow covered road driving wouldnt benefit from lockers available on the Rubicon?

I find that question interesting - it brings to mind a question I've had for a while - why do 4x4 vehicles not have limited slip differentials standard? Obviously you don't dare lock the front axles together on a road when you need to steer to keep going straight at some speed.
In snow the electronics, the BDL system would or should do you fine. With my Chevy I could hear and feel the electronics working when I was navigating up my driveway I had not plowed. So would the locker even be necessary?

 

[PyrPatriot]

I find that question interesting - it brings to mind a question I've had for a while - why do 4x4 vehicles not have limited slip differentials standard? Obviously you don't dare lock the front axles together on a road when you need to steer to keep going straight at some speed.
In snow the electronics, the BDL system would or should do you fine. With my Chevy I could hear and feel the electronics working when I was navigating up my driveway I had not plowed. So would the locker even be necessary?

For cars with AWD lockers are not needed because the computer routes power as needed. But for 4WD vehicles like Jeeps lockers do serve a great purpose for slippery conditions

 

[BDoug]

I think that the best model for snow would be any with a manual transmission. You can only steer if your front wheels are rolling. In icy conditions, there is very little friction between the tires and the road, and that little bit has to overcome the rolling resistance of the wheels and driveline, or else the tires will slide rather than roll. If you begin to slide in a manual, you can quickly press the clutch pedal and drastically decrease the "drag" or resistance the driveline is placing on the tires, and get your wheels to start rolling again. In an automatic you have to depend on ABS, which to my mind doesn't work so well when it's icy. I can't tell you how many times the clutch pedal has saved my bacon on an icy road.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think that the best model for snow would be any with a manual transmission. You can only steer if your front wheels are rolling. In icy conditions, there is very little friction between the tires and the road, and that little bit has to overcome the rolling resistance of the wheels and driveline, or else the tires will slide rather than roll. If you begin to slide in a manual, you can quickly press the clutch pedal and drastically decrease the "drag" or resistance the driveline is placing on the tires, and get your wheels to start rolling again. In an automatic you have to depend on ABS, which to my mind doesn't work so well when it's icy. I can't tell you how many times the clutch pedal has saved my bacon on an icy road.

Per truck drivers - keep it in as high a gear as you can without lugging the engine. That way it doesn't have enough power to break the wheels loose. Been told that by several and even saw them say that on that old show, IRT way back. Hard to do that with an automatic.

What I have found with a vehicle with 4 wheel drive IN 4 wheel drive is you can give a little gas to PULL out of a slide but in 2 wheel drive you want to break that connection - like you suggested. That's what I was told years ago when I got my first 4 wheel drive. My F-I-L told me that, he drove 4 wheel drive trucks.

I have also hit the clutch in a slide before - with my little Eagle. My other 4x4s have been automatics.

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