Drivability

[srawleigh]

I am curious about winter drivability for 24V CTD. My only experience is with my 94, Auto, 4X4, 33in tires. Winter driving in the mountains was a snap. Place 600-800 lbs of sand over rear tires and the truck was almost impossible to stop.



The new truck have significantly more torque than my old 12V, which was completely stock. With a manual trans, does anyone have any issues in driving in snow and ice with a stocker? Chain use is a little unrealistic unless it gets really bad, but I will use a high quality tire.



I plan to make minor upgrades to my rig when it is purchased, but the upgrades will be centered around driveability. I travel to the mountains a lot in the winter and I would think that generating to much torque would be more of a problem. Any opinions here? I am trying to decide between 3. 54 and 4. 10 gears with a LSD.



As always, your inputs are appreciated.

 

[chuck3]

No problems here, I lock it in 4 wheel drive and it goes great, the extra Eng. weight on the front tires makes all the difference, I was really surprised the first time I locked it in.

 

[srawleigh]

Chuck3 - How does your truck handle the mountains in UT with the 3. 54 gears and the Auto? What size tire do you run? I ran 255 85R16 on my 94. Love the tire size?

 

[JHansen]

My truck has been tweaked a little... . 275's and an EZ as well as air and exhaust system mods. I carry around 1000 lbs. of tools and toolboxes in my truck as part of my job (going from weight at new to current weight) spread out between a crossmount box at the front of the bed and 2 side boxes mounted directly behind the crossmount... . I have 4. 10 gearing and the LSD-also I run 315/75R16 tires which offer quite a bit more footprint over the stockers or 255/85R16's-whether that's good or bad is up for debate... .



Now having said that I've gotta have a real light throttle foot on the slippery stuff or I go sideways pretty quick. Farting around with the truck in town last week when the streets were damp from a previous snowfall that had melted off-in 4th gear at around 30 mph if I go to WOT, once the boost comes up the back tries to pass the front fairly quick! Don't get me wrong-it's way controllable with your right foot-I choose when to put on the show!



I agree with what chuck3 said though-once I pull the stick into 4WD no problems at all-just not real practical to run around that way all the time for me . I have run that way on the pavement for most of the day on 1 trip when I'm sure if I'd have stepped out of the truck on the highway I'd have fallen on my butt..... no problems for me at all as long as you drove to conditions... .



So I think if you're planning on sandbagging in the bed like your 1st truck and use your head with regards to throttle inputs you'll do better than 90% of the people out there. If it gets ugly you can shift 'er into 4x4 and you'll be laughing going down the road!



My opinions only-hope they are of use to you!



Jason

 

[chuck3]

Tires

srawleigh, I'm still running the stock tires 265s, I like the 3. 54s when running empty but they are a little tall when towing my trailer, at 2000 rpm it runs 75mph in OD, so at towing at 65 the rpms are getting to the low point I think but it tows fine, plenty of power. Handles the Mts great tho. I tow the steep ones in 3rd lockup at 55 to 60 mph.

 

[srawleigh]

Thanks Chuck and Jason for your insight. I appreciate it.



Steve