Mayguy

I was wondering how well the newer Ranger handles in snow for winter?

I have 2WD, and in my old '93 Ranger did pretty good in the winter with a couple tube of sand in back.

HighPlainsShifter

I live in Colorado and have to say the worst vehicle in the snow is a 2WD truck. Their rear ends are just too light and the front end can get "pushed" and the driver will lose control. I saw a 2WD, full size pick up suddenly veer off the road and hit the curb with no warning because the front end gut "pushed" by the rear wheel drive. 4WD is the only way to go in snow.

kentuckyfireman

I had a 2000 silverado that was a night mare in winter driveing. My 2008 ford ranger 2wd reg cab supprised the hell out of me and everyone in the truck of how well it did on snow and ice, though not as nice as a 4wd

Teamexploder

I would highly suggest getting a 4wd, In my opinion I think if you're getting a truck and you have the opportunity to get a 4wd then that's the best way to go with a truck. But if you're insistent on a 2wd truck, you could do the same thing load it with sand and consider installing a limited slip or an aussie locker in the rear to help but they handle different with either of those compared to an open diff.

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1994 Explorer LTD 4X4 4.0 OHV Auto 6" Lift 33's 5.13's Spooled rear, welded spider gears front.
1996 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0 OHV Auto 33" M/T's 4.88's

indianajohn

If you have an open rear end then winter driving can be a problem. I have a 2004 Ranger Edge with limited slip and I have had it in up state New York in the winter and it did very well. The only thing I had to do is add a little extra weight to it because all pickups are light in the back. To me 4wd drive is a waste of money. None are true 4wd's. You cannot have a limited slip both front and rear. The way to to would be AWD. But I'm not aware of anyone that makes a truck with this option.

Teamexploder

No there isn't really a true 4X4 traction unless you add diff lockers, but 4wd is deff. worth the extra cost because then you have front wheels grabbing for traction which will help you stay on the road more than what a 2wd with limited slip will. The only awd pickup I know of is the newer silverado, sierra, and avalanches, but its still kind of identical to the way 4wd is except for the 60/40 split full-time unless the rear slips and the transfer case sends more power to the front axle and that you can't shut it off to conserve a little gas mileage and that there front axles don't get a limited slip either just the rear. So its all in preference in how you look at it.

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1994 Explorer LTD 4X4 4.0 OHV Auto 6" Lift 33's 5.13's Spooled rear, welded spider gears front.
1996 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0 OHV Auto 33" M/T's 4.88's

On The Edge

I have a 2x4 as we get very little snow. The factory original tires were horrible in snow - back end sliding all over the place, spin on startup, etc. Even wet roads were a serious problem. I replaced them with Michelin XLTs and now it hugs the road.

So in my experience tires make a serious difference.

GregoryGagnon

Unfortunately there is no added traction given by a 4wd system when a vehicle is already moving. The only advantage is when you start moving (ie the added drive will get you started in a snow patch that a 1wd or 2wd maybe could not).

The physics governing a vehicle in motion is the same regardless of drive train though. Good tires will make the difference here.

Jon

Put some good tires on and throw some weight in the back, I bet you'd be fine.

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Jon

Have you registered??

HighPlainsShifter

Compared to a 2wd pickup, my 4wd is great in the snow. It has a lot more control and I have seen many 2wd pickup suddenly slide off the road or the front end just slides sideways and the truck is stuck in the road...blocking traffic. I always have a smirk on my face as I pass then going up hill.

As for stopping, it has no more traction that a 2wd. If you start sliding you're screwed. Living in Colorado, very near the Rockies, I would never get anything but a 4wd or Awd vehicle.