TJ winter modifications

JeepFarm · 08-21-2011, 01:31 PM

I just bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 5 sp. 4.0L. , Dana 44 rear axle. It is all stock. The tires need replaced and winter will be here before you know it. I live in central Ohio and I want to get this Jeep ready for winter driving. I didn't know if there was anything special that would make it better in the snow and ice, or if a good set of snow tires and common sense is all I need.
Like I said I just bought it and would be open to any modifications that would make it better for the winter. I had in mind buying snow tires for the winter and others for the rest of the year. I have read that lockers aren’t good on ice, and I have used tire chains before, they work great, but there not always legal. Any suggestions or past experiences would be great.

BobA · 08-21-2011, 02:50 PM

I have the goodyear duratrac's. They are great in all driving conditions so far on and offroad. Had them out in the snow once last winter and they did great.

Photog2000 · 08-21-2011, 04:46 PM

If you are plannint to keep it stock just get some good tires and drive it. I will always recommend BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. These are hands down the very best snow tire in the world. They will also have good tread wear on the highway in the summer.

After the tires, all you need with a jeep is a new set of driving skilz. It is a short wheel based vehicle and needs to be treated with respect or it will bite you in the *** rerally fast. I have never been stuck in the snow unless I was in a place where I shouldnt have been. Off road trail ride in very deep snow will get anything stuck eventually.

Coop02x · 08-21-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photog2000

If you are plannint to keep it stock just get some good tires and drive it. I will always recommend BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. These are hands down the very best snow tire in the world. They will also have good tread wear on the highway in the summer.

After the tires, all you need with a jeep is a new set of driving skilz. It is a short wheel based vehicle and needs to be treated with respect or it will bite you in the *** rerally fast. I have never been stuck in the snow unless I was in a place where I shouldnt have been. Off road trail ride in very deep snow will get anything stuck eventually.

I second the BFG All-Terrains! I ran them for years and loved them! They were great year round; on and off-road (what off-roading I did).

Tdaz250 · 08-21-2011, 04:54 PM

I third the bfg at's. I have them on my truck and I'm gonna put em on my jeep after the toyo mt's wear out. I love the toyo's but I only go wheeling during the summer really and they are pretty heavy for my dd-ing

flatlander757 · 08-21-2011, 05:15 PM

Just make sure 4wd works, and your tires are in good condition, and drive it.

I moved here from VA Beach... I have 40" tires that are terrible in snow, and Detroit lockers front and rear. I got around with no problems.

I drove around in 2wd all the time, it's very predictable... the only time I "need" 4wd is so I can start driving uphill from an icy stop... which I have on my way to work. I HAVE done it in 2wd for fun... but spinning the tires the whole way up the hill and taking about 1 minute to go 100 feet is a little silly. FWIW without the Detroit I'm pretty certain it would have been stuck and 4wd would have been a necessity.

People drive 2wd trucks and cars all over the place in the winter time. It's more about not being an idiot going 70mph over snowy roads and taking turns slower so the rear end doesn't step out than it is how "capable" your Jeep is. Good/decent tires is about the only thing you can buy that should be required for your safety and the safety of everyone else.

chrisjsmith4 · 08-21-2011, 05:41 PM

I decline on the BFG's. I would never run them in snow. The lugs don't clear snow. They just get packed and turn into one big flat ice on ice journey. My parents have them on their truck after driving it around on winter I decided not to buy them. They are great for sand and dirt though. I have the Duratracs and have had good luck on snow and mud and just about everything. Also can't beat the price.

3eff_Jeff · 08-21-2011, 05:44 PM

Get a good set of M+S tires. I'm running on a set of Michelin XC LT4s right now. They worked great in the snow. There may be better tires out there (poke around and do some searches on the boards). As long as your transfer case and diffs work fine, you won't need chains unless you need to get through really deep snow.

I spent this past winter in Truckee, CA. The only time I needed chains was to get through a foot and a half of snow in my driveway. 6"-8" of snow was no problem, and I've only got 30" tires. Kicking the tail out and drifting around corners was possible at 15-20mph, so make sure you know how to catch a slide and drive conservatively. The 4wd will allow you to do stuff like accelerate up an ice covered 11% grade. I only really needed it on hills and during storms.

My truck (2001 4.0 w/5 speed and a rear D44 w/LSD) was pretty much unstoppable up there. If you've got a soft top, get a brush to knock the snow off of it and keep a it in a garage if you can. You might switch out to 5w30 if you think it is going to be especially cold, but it's not that big a difference.

So yeah, good tires and common sense. That should do it.

MooSe7 · 08-21-2011, 05:57 PM

The BFG at's have gotten me through 4 Cleveland winters with zero problems, and last winter was no joke.. 4hi and go. I can say they absolutly blow in mud.

They are pretty worn, 50,000 mi on them. Have yet to decide if I want another set or if im going to try out the Duratrac

chrisjsmith4 · 08-21-2011, 06:02 PM

I do have to say though that the 4wd is awesome in the snow. Doesn't really matter what tire you have. I had a set of starfire tires on my jeep when I bought it. Made it through the first winter without a slip driving on ice. Way better than my ranger.

MooSe7 · 08-21-2011, 06:05 PM

I drove around a 2000 ranger 2wd for a few winters... Never again.

**Knuckelhead** · 08-21-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjsmith4

I decline on the BFG's.

The AT's work well in street snow, the MT's not so much... IMO

Photog2000 · 08-21-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knuckelhead

The AT's work well in street snow, the MT's not so much... IMO

This is an understatement if ever there was one. I am currently running the MT KM2's and as good as they are in mud, rocks, deep snow they just have a mind of their own on hard packed snow and ice.

I still stand by the BFG AT for every day driving and as I said before. They are hands down the best snow tire I have ever had. They are not a mud tire.

**TjinTopeka** · 08-21-2011, 06:50 PM

Don't forget your shovel and recovery equipment.

plowboy1970 · 08-21-2011, 06:54 PM

A good set of tires for winter, and drive smart. I got Goodyear Authority tires from Walmart. They are kinda like the Duratrac that Goodyear has, but cheaper. I took mine in a plowed farm field with the Wrangler GSA's and didn't get stuck. The GSA's are not AT tires. Have fun.