Da Snow'

[L8 APEX]

I took the dog wagon out on the slush to check out Ford's Auto trac system etc. Some official dicking off if you will... The acceleration is awesome, stopping is the worst and turning is marginal it wants to slide evenly for some reason. Maybe it is too light... I had hope when they gave me a traction control off button it would be like the vette and let me drive the car. NOPE. The computer sends power to the front wheels whenever a rear wheel slips. TC off may just reduce the ABS input. It is pretty much like driving an AWD system. I engaged 4hi and it was harder to steer and push a lot more in the turns. So the best system was to leave it alone, everything works best in auto 4wd and TC on... I never thought I would say such a thing...:icon_eek:

The TC is not true AH it doesn't catch the car nearly as well or fast as GM's active handling does. Good enough for a dog wagon.

[Moonshine]

I was surprised at how good my traction was in 4 Hi with new tires last night, but that was before it turned to ice and froze solid. Haven't tried it this AM yet. I did go hunting yesterday AM in the rain and heavy snow, and the Michelins just don't hack it as a mud terrain tire. Gummed up, nearly got stuck just getting in to the campsite, and hiked the last mile. I hate the expense, but considering a second set of wheetls and some real MT tires to slap on there when going to the lease if the weather is icky. But it was beautiful sitting in the deer blind in near whiteout conditions.

[L8 APEX]

You rack a load of miles so it is probably worth separate tires. Then the hassle is storage and swapping them for a few days use. There is no A/T that likes mud. Fortuneately there are some reasonable hillbilly mud tires out there. Bad thing is they are death in the rain and howl down the road.
What is your tire size? I would think you could pick up stock wheels for 2-300 a set. 16 or 17. 16 would give you more float.

Do you need extra TPMS sensors?
Looks like you have to go to a 265/75/16 for mud tire selections.
an okay tire and price. 154 ea
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Radial+Rover+R%2FT&partnum=675R6ROVRTV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Bad daddy 200 ea
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=Mud-Terrain+T%2FA+KM2&partnum=675QR6KM2RWLV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Service trucks run these Dayton TImerberline M/T's they are 150 each
http://www.thetireclub.com/product/Timberline%20MT

The good stuff here..
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=16825116.135.659&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-150124&ranzahl=4&Breite=265&Quer=75&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&tyre_for=Heavy_All_Terrain__Off_Road&dsco=135

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=16825116.135.659&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-146263&ranzahl=4&Breite=265&Quer=75&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&tyre_for=Heavy_All_Terrain__Off_Road&dsco=135
My personal fav the Buckshot mudder
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=16825116.135.659&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-143842&ranzahl=4&Breite=265&Quer=75&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&tyre_for=Heavy_All_Terrain__Off_Road&dsco=135

This one has the most biting edges
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=16825116.135.659&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-133975&ranzahl=4&Breite=265&Quer=75&Felge=16&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&tyre_for=Heavy_All_Terrain__Off_Road&dsco=135

[Moonshine]

Stock wheels are 16x7, with a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Stock tire size is 265/70R16, so a 265/75R16 would work just fine. I can fit up to a 33" tire without any clearance issues. Not sure about my backspacing.

[L8 APEX]

Here are stock wheels locally. Not sure if they are all 16"s or if all years swap.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/1519368636.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/pts/1516179612.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/1489704660.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/1486836291.html

If you get serious I can ask my 4 wheel parts rep what their cheapest mud tire is. Shipping kills about any online deal.
Cooper is a common private shop tire. $115 each
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=173414&InfoID=4853&ShowLarge=True

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t230/vfrpilot/Jeep/0226091244.jpg

[Moonshine]

The wheels in Euless are actually my stock wheel (4WD w/ TRD off road pkg). The ones for the '07 are 5 lug and won't fit. Of course, I have an ATV that works just fine in the mud, but ATV's are currently banned from the lease, thanks to another hunter who acted the fool one day and PO'ed the rancher. :hammer:

[Ohmsby]

ATV's banned ouch not a fun scenario