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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: adamd on January 10, 2005, 12:28:10 PM

Title: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: adamd on January 10, 2005, 12:28:10 PM
Is it my tires? I remember last year when I had more tread it was the same, the tires are bfgoodrich roughriders or something. They are m/s but they are hair raising in snow! My 2 door kick is light so I think that may be part of the reason too. Anyways you know the snow ruts that develop between lanes? If they are 4inches x 4inches, I can cross them but with difficulty.... I turn the wheel in the direction I want to go and it takes a while to sorta bite in....

I want to get 31's after my B/l and spacer install.. I really hope it won't get worse after the install?

Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Bobzooki on January 11, 2005, 12:32:05 AM
Quote
I really hope it won't get worse after the install?


It probably will get worse.
The reason is, that you'll have an even WIDER contact patch, but relatively low weight, so you'll have a tendency to "surf" on the snow.

Solution?  Slow down.  Put the chains on.  Siping can help on ICE, but I don't know how much it'll help in snow.

Also - put some weight in the back of your rig.  A 2-door is pretty light in the back, and with rear-wheel drive, it'll have a tendency to swap ends under those conditions.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Drone637 on January 11, 2005, 03:18:36 AM
Also, take some air out of your tires.  Air down to 14 PSI or so.  You won't have much top end anymore, but you won't slide on the ice and snow as much.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: adamd on January 11, 2005, 05:40:13 AM
I'm running 30 psi.. I just don't want these tires to wear too fast
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: joezuki on January 11, 2005, 06:01:52 AM
air down for the snow & bring'em back up when it clears...you won't have to worry about wear on the snow.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: zookiemike on January 11, 2005, 07:21:52 AM
My tracker handled like a rally car. run it in 4high and and learn too drive with weight transfer. I had OME suspension and Mickey Thompson Mtx's and it was unstopible.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Baloo on January 12, 2005, 04:11:16 AM
Chains if you really get loose in the snow. My little truck is unstopable with chains. I only wish it had more clearance, once its off its wheels it seems to stop.....humm? Chains are the ultimate cure.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Natebert on January 12, 2005, 05:40:26 AM
Quote
I'm running 30 psi.. I just don't want these tires to wear too fast



Isn't the recommended tire pressure on our little trucklets in the low to mid 20's?

Here is an article on tire pressure:
http://www.drivers.com/article/354/

~Nate
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on January 12, 2005, 08:14:12 AM
Quote
I'm running 30 psi.. I just don't want these tires to wear too fast



this could be a small part of your problem, i have none of these problems really, there is snow out  right now and it seems to be pretty good, i have rouhgrider mud and snow tires, i think the recomended tire pressure is about 23 psi trackers and sidekcik i have heard are very fussy about the ressure, make sure it is right our you will have a bad ride.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Bobzooki on January 12, 2005, 08:20:41 AM
Yeah, I drive some twisty mountain roads every day, and the Kick rides fine at 23 psi, but crank her up to 30 psi, and she gets downright squirrely!  I'm talking really twisty mountain roads, taken at high speed.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: CBTracker on January 12, 2005, 01:03:31 PM
My tires run at 27.5 PSi at all times, they're rated for 35 psi, but I'd rather sacrafice the gas milage for a working liver when I get to my destination. 2 door trackicks have always been horrible in the snow... in 2wd. I leave my hubs locked when they're snow down and just pop it in 4hi when the road is snowcovered, it helps alot. Its just the way they are. my sus lift helps get the frame out of the snow, once it starts plowing your not gonna get far. I guess you have to sacrafice something for the fun of a trackick. :-/ I love going down the road after a good 6-7 inches of snow has fallen and looking at the guys driving the fullsize rams looking at me. he he.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: CBTracker on January 12, 2005, 01:05:50 PM
PS. I know that 6-7inches isn't alot for those with a 6inch lift kit, but I only have 2 due to all my highway milage. Either way when you drive a zuki, it seems they always underestimate you.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: phoenix827 on January 15, 2005, 11:15:53 AM
LOL! I drive an 88 S10 blazer (for now!) with 32x11.50's on it, BIG change from the 215/75's that were on it last winter!! I was gonna go down to about a 31x9.50 but decided it isn't worth the $$ on a dieing truck. I run about 28 psi in my tires year round, so I think you can drop a lot on your pressure since you are lighter then I am. So far they are wearing about perfect for me.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: Maiden Hell on January 31, 2005, 09:58:44 AM
In the vast amounts of snow that have fallen recently where I live, my new winter tires perform real well, BUT, the Sidekick is ultra light, you will have to slow down a bit.  Also, I have found that driving the TC in 4W-H and the AT in 2 performs incredibly well!!

I was leaving EVERYONE in the dust, or slush as it was.

This little beast surpises me every year.  My friends are always shocked at how much it can do and handel.
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: kansascitytracker on January 31, 2005, 02:36:13 PM
I threw 3 of the 70 lbs. sand tubes over the rear axles in my Tracker. The Home Depot sell them for $3 each. I immediately noticed a difference in the snow, and the overall ride on DRY pavement was much improved. Used to feel all the bumps, now she rides pretty good.  :)
Title: Re: Bad Handling in snow...
Post by: cj on January 31, 2005, 03:02:29 PM
Quote
My tires run at 27.5 PSi at all times, they're rated for 35 psi, but I'd rather sacrafice the gas milage for a working liver when I get to my destination.


My 31x10.5's are rated for 50psi, doesn't mean that's the right pressure to run them at. New I had them at 18psi and now that they have better sidewall flex I run them around 22psi and 10-12psi is good in the snow so far, haven't tried lower yet. General offroad work sees them at 14-16psi.