What's the best 4WD pickup truck for the snow?

Steve Carlton · 02-10-2007, 04:07 PM

I'm likely to move to Lake Tahoe very soon. I have a WRX right now (AWD), but a friend said you need something with more ground clearance up there to get through the snow. I've been thinking about a pickup truck lately anyway, to be able to transport dirt bike(s) and maybe my street bike.

Any particular pickup truck really shine in severe snow if necessary? Locking differentials, whatever?

Flatbutt1 · 02-10-2007, 04:21 PM

Well Steve I've never had my Tacoma in more than a foot or so but it handled very well in that much.

MichiganMat · MichiganMat's Garage

Im up in Tahoe right now and while that WRX will git-er-done for most conditions, you're going to need something bigger for the big pow days.

From what I can tell Toytota pickups and SUVs seem to be the norm around here, especially the old ones. Reliable, cheap, can't ask for much more. Im rocking my LR up here and its kicking plenty of butt (its got a factory locking diff) but its a big pig and sucks gas like a dump truck.

I say look for an old 4runner or pickup. Toss on some beefy BFG A/Ts, those seem to be the hot ticket as well.

island911 · 02-10-2007, 05:25 PM

Tires make, by far, the biggest difference.

rouxroux · 02-10-2007, 05:29 PM

I vote for a M/B Unimog...My dream pickup.

Steve Carlton · 02-10-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by island911
Tires make, by far, the biggest difference.

Excellent point. Second set of wheels with studded snows would definitely be part of the equation. I'm shooting for high capability for the worst days.

tdatk · 02-10-2007, 05:53 PM

I took some advise from this board and picked up this Taco pick up in dec. We had a couple of snows here and it pulls real well (good).

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

rammstein · 02-10-2007, 07:52 PM

From my 18 years in Upstate NY, I can second the comment that tires are everything. Get true snow tires above all else. Worth every last penny, and your summers last twice as long too, so its only a temporary investment.

Rick V · 02-11-2007, 03:35 AM

If it gets too deep for the Subi. you should just stay in. In the event you need a little something more I like these. She has never failed me.

ken_xman · 02-11-2007, 04:07 AM

Yesterday I bought a black Dodge ram 1500 quad cab laramie 4x4. It can haul people and junk. The sticker was $42k, I got it for $31,100. Screamin deal, brand new.

slakjaw · 02-11-2007, 05:22 AM

2 words.

Land Cruiser

Dantilla · 02-11-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by island911
Tires make, by far, the biggest difference.

Island beat me to it.

The only things that really matter are tires and driver skill.

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Dantilla
Island beat me to it.

The only things that really matter are tires and driver skill.

I agree, but a Defender wouldnt hurt...

Dantilla · 02-11-2007, 06:36 AM

Maybe not as big of an issue as it used to be, but if you are going off-road, up the remote forest service roads, most serious guys have full-size trucks, and smaller trucks with a narrower track don't fit the ruts in deep snow as well as other full-size rigs. I've seen some Toyota sized trucks really struggle when the Chevys and Fords motor on by.

Not an issue at all if you stay on well traveled public roads.

Dantilla · 02-11-2007, 06:43 AM

Locking diffs are a good thing. Also- A true four wheel drive that locks all four together will run circles around an "all wheel drive", one that has a diff between the front and rear axles.

There's a reason most small SUVs are called "soft road" cars instead of "off road".

For off road, you want a low range transfer case, and all four wheels locked together.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Land Rover Defenders are great off road. But they're expensive and their reliability is not the best (ask me how I know). Have you considered an SUV and a trailer? My FJ Cruiser has great ground clearance, is fairly quick and has the famous Toyota reliability- for a decent price. Plus it is very well behaved on the road and gets 20 mpg.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Paul.

HardDrive · 02-11-2007, 09:28 AM

I think the answer is pretty obvious.

fastpat · 02-11-2007, 10:06 AM

If you want no compromise traction in the snow then an American brand 4WD; Ford or Chevy, is probably best. Add to that 33-35 inch diameter tires, regeared front and rear diffs, with a limited slip or Aussie Locker in the front diff, and a mechanical or electrically engaged locker in the rear diff. Figure what ever your cost for the pickup plus about $3000.00 for wheels, tires, and the axle work.

charleskieffner · 10:25 AM

deeeeeeeeeeeeTROIT LOCKERS! with chains on all 4 tires. winch mt and cables on receivers front and rear with warn 9-12000# winch.

you said pick up. heavy to dig out. i would opt for jeep w/straight 6(torque-o-rama) with hard top. lighter to dig out. screw rovers and the horse they rode in on........35 buck oil filters etc. ask me how i know??? sitting on 2 old ones 88 and a 109 w/chevy mtrs and rewired(no lucas) and a grey market and a newer 1992 foo foo range rover. POS and i would never buy one. expensive to maintain, and MORE of a PITA than any porsche.

ask me how i know all this?????????????

cuz i lived in colorado and my boss lives in tahoe. and there are days even GOD CANT GET YOU IN OR OUT OR UNSTUCK! try a hummer..........we did and it got stuck and was a PITA to unstick due to weight.

been there done this. aint no fun getting stuck in snow. bring sand mats(ie.carpet strips) and sand and SHOVELS and hi-lifts jacks(plural).

have fun??????

wrong pat on tires. dead wrong! have you EVER SEEN A REAL COWBOY with WOOLY BOOGER GUMBO MUDDER GOOFY TIRES?????

hell NO! big tires turn into GLAZED DONUTS and you sink! NARROW MUD AND SNOW TIRES. be really cool and be like military. uni-directional mud and snows.

not all cowboys are DUMB! especially ones that have to drive thru crap all day. ever put chains on WOOLY GUMBO BOOOGER tires. ask me how much ******* fun thats is?????