Winter 944

[JackMan]

Fall is here in NE Ohio and that means I'm back to the truck for six months of purgatory. What we call Winter in NE Ohio. Winter here sucks. Snow, ice, muck, salt and a brine slime the ODOT puts on highway that sticks to everything.

I'm thinking of finding a mechanically nice 944 with a clapped out body and interior. Anybody have any experience driving a 944 in the winter? What do you recommend for modifications?

Help me design a 944 for the winter crap of NE Ohio. Who knows, I might just build it and let you guys help with the ongoing design.

Should it have dragon teeth on the fenders?

wj

[John_AZ]

I'll bite...

Get a premium AAA subscription.
To improve clearance, put on 17" wheels/snow tires.
Install a Brush Beater in the front of the car for the snow drifts.
Add a second independent heater that will keep you warm until AAA arrives.
Add a coolant heater to the lower radiator hose and have a long cord to the AC.
The door handles will freeze solid. Keep the top lid unlatched so you can crawl in.
Install a 2nd battery---the primary will fail.
Have GPS to judge speed---the speedometer gears will crack.
Install CB? radio to get help if the local farmer will not come out with his tractor to pull you out of a snow drift.
Install a front & rear tow hook (for above comment)
In the spring, every bolt will be rusted solid----makes the clutch job/automatic transmission replacement a real treat.

Brings back a lot of memories.
J_AZ

[JackMan]

John

Exactly the type of comments I'm looking for in this thread, c'mon you wise guys. What else is out there?

Just think, could you take your old Hoosiers and cut snow treads in them? Perhaps installs some studs as well?

[FastCarFan]

Here is some inspiration for you buddy.

[JackMan]

I am so doing this project.

[Slam]

John obviously got his bottle back...

Now then, where were we? Ah yes! Change to 5w30 synthetic - you need the car to crank and it won't push heavier oil at -30C. Buy a new battery and put in a battery blanket. Buy winter tires, 215 60 15, anything wider will slip. Drill a small hole in the bottom of your TPS to let condensation out, otherwise you'll get TB icing. The heater makes just barely enough heat at night, but during the day you'll be fine, what with the greenhouse effect of the hatch. Don't use your wipers unless on a clear windshield. Lubricate your door linkages or the handles will break. Don't slam the doors at -40C or the stays will break. 50/50 antifreeze/distilled water. Grease your speedo cable at the speedo end. When it's cold the tranny will shift like it's encased in crunchy peanut butter - let it warm up. New AAV.

The car handles well in winter. I live in Alberta where we're guaranteed -35 temps. In 20 years of driving a 944 all winter this is the first year I've been looking for a Jeep. Our driveway slopes and we get snowed in every year. The 944 is a good car all year round but you MUST have dedicated winter tires.

[Gawernator]

What's so hard about winter?! I mean sure it's maybe 45-50 degrees F but oh well

[9FF]

What's winter?




...Greetings from South Florida

[John_AZ]

(BBC sitcom series "Father Ted")

[djnolan]

Maybe it would be a good car to run on ice or packed snow with snow tires and even studs. In deep snow it isn't going to cut it.

[Bukowski]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Get a premium AAA subscription.
To improve clearance, put on 17" wheels/snow tires.
Install a Brush Beater in the front of the car for the snow drifts.
Add a second independent heater that will keep you warm until AAA arrives.
Add a coolant heater to the lower radiator hose and have a long cord to the AC.
The door handles will freeze solid. Keep the top lid unlatched so you can crawl in.
Install a 2nd battery---the primary will fail.
Have GPS to judge speed---the speedometer gears will crack.
Install CB? radio to get help if the local farmer will not come out with his tractor to pull you out of a snow drift.
Install a front & rear tow hook (for above comment)
In the spring, every bolt will be rusted solid----makes the clutch job/automatic transmission replacement a real treat.
J_AZ

these are interesting ideas - I wish I had thought to simply apply heat to the coolant hose during winter before I had to get my camshaft cover resurfaced. and yes, the AAA membership has paid for itself many times over by now.

as far as the bottle goes, you know what Hemingway said : write drunk, edit sober.... assuming that is the type of bottle you mean... or he means...

[v2rocket_aka944]

lift it.

i really want to get a junker and make it a desert toy...applicable to snow too!

[JackMan]

Sweet, keep the ideas coming. I"m eyeballing the smurfs red 1988 944s that's for sale in PP. Lighter springs and off the the races I go. I have a 22 mile commute each way.