Myexpedition
New Member
New to forum. Looking at buying my first expedition. I live in az so most used expy are out of Phoenix. They never get weather down there, so most expy listed are 2wd. My question is how do the 2wd handle on icy roads?
2wd expedition on ice
- Thread starter Myexpedition
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FordandPolaris
Full Access Members
Terrible. If you live in an area where it snows a lot you have to do 4WD. If you just visit a snowy area like once a year or something you might be ok, but just know that anything rear wheel drive is not going to do well at all in snow/icy conditions. The only time in the winter that my truck comes out of A4WD and into 2H is if I feel like doing donuts in a snowy parking lot haha. Otherwise the tires just spin if you try and take off in a straight line.
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alaskanexpy
Full Access Members
x2! i run studded snow tires on all my trucks and even with that, and weight in the back i cant get out of my driveway in 2wd.
i know the 4x4s are out there as i've spent alittle time checking the PHX craigslist well i was down there for Barrett Jackson. i love that place! great weather (except this year) and nice views. Nothing like here at home in AK.
i will share my stupid experience in AZ this January. we get in and get the rental car, i decide to get a crown vic because i had never driven one. me not thinking hey its January and your planning to drive to the grand canyon in a RWD rental with nearly bald street tires. we made it but it was alittle nerve racking. ofcourse they had 6-8" of snow the night before. i wont make that mistake again LOL
but back to your question, keep looking for a 4x4
My dad drives a 2005 2wd drive expedition in the michigan winter. Its not the snow that will get you its ice. You have no control on ice with 4x4 or 2wd. You would be fine with a 2wd put 200 pounds of weight in the back and don't be stupid.
FordandPolaris
Full Access Members
However if you get stuck, 2wd is completely useless. For as cheap as you can pick up a 4x4, that is what I would do. That being said, I know guys with 2WD pickups that just throw a bunch of weight over the rear wheels and they are usually fine too. Still the peace of mind having 4x4 in bad weather is worth it to me. Though they can't run to the grocery store in the middle of a 2 foot blizzard for salsa like I can (I like salsa...).
And as far as these trucks on ice, mine handles great to be honest. I have only ever lost it once, and that was cause it was raining a couple winters ago. Froze up and left a 1/4in of sheet ice on all the roads. That was pretty much hopeless. I slid all the way down this long low grade slope and right through a red light. Couldn't do a thing but honk and flash my lights. Still even in that situation, I drove 45 miles in 4x4 high and towed out a couple of cars along my way. Otherwise I have had my ABS disabled for 2 years since it started acting up and I didn't feel like chasing demons. I don't even notice that it is off in the winter.
And as far as these trucks on ice, mine handles great to be honest. I have only ever lost it once, and that was cause it was raining a couple winters ago. Froze up and left a 1/4in of sheet ice on all the roads. That was pretty much hopeless. I slid all the way down this long low grade slope and right through a red light. Couldn't do a thing but honk and flash my lights. Still even in that situation, I drove 45 miles in 4x4 high and towed out a couple of cars along my way. Otherwise I have had my ABS disabled for 2 years since it started acting up and I didn't feel like chasing demons. I don't even notice that it is off in the winter.
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alaskanexpy
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our roads are a sheet of ice all winter long, hence the studded tires and 3-400lbs in the rear cargo area and i'm locked in 4x4 high from October to April. it handles amazing and sticks to the road like glue. that said hills,ice and 2wd do not mix. i cant count how many 2wd pickups and vans i have had to go around at stop lights because they cant get going.
it has been argued 4x4 doesn't help when stopping or turning. i have felt the difference first hand in more then one truck. stopping, locked in 4x4 when the front locks up (or brakes as much as the front) since the rear is locked together with the transfer case it causes the rear to lock up/brake much better then when in 2wd.
same goes for turning, in 2wd the front end will under steer like crazy and push in the corners. when locked in 4x4 with the front tires pulling it doesn't under steer unless your going way to fast into the corner. 2wd trucks in the winter are down right scary once you are able to get going.
it has been argued 4x4 doesn't help when stopping or turning. i have felt the difference first hand in more then one truck. stopping, locked in 4x4 when the front locks up (or brakes as much as the front) since the rear is locked together with the transfer case it causes the rear to lock up/brake much better then when in 2wd.
same goes for turning, in 2wd the front end will under steer like crazy and push in the corners. when locked in 4x4 with the front tires pulling it doesn't under steer unless your going way to fast into the corner. 2wd trucks in the winter are down right scary once you are able to get going.
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rocketvette95
Full Access Members
I have to agree,only buy a 4x4. First off they are 10x's better in bad weather,snow,ice,heavy rains. Most of the Expeditions have the 4AWD,that will only engauge when it detects slippage,so this works great on roads in heavy rain.
The main reason is resale. I have not and don't want a 2wd. If you ever get ready to sell it mainly in the winter months,that will sell a lot quicker than a 2wd. Plus the gas mileage is not that bad on 4wd,I am sure that the 2wd don't get but maybe 1-2 more mpg
The main reason is resale. I have not and don't want a 2wd. If you ever get ready to sell it mainly in the winter months,that will sell a lot quicker than a 2wd. Plus the gas mileage is not that bad on 4wd,I am sure that the 2wd don't get but maybe 1-2 more mpg
My 2 cents on my experience with my expy in 4wd (snow or slippery conditions)...
With very light throttle while accelerating in turns it tracks fairly true if not a little wide. A bit more throttle and it can induce moderate understeer. Heavy throttle and you have an oversteer condition. It takes some getting used to and the amount of traction will alter the response significantly. You really need to be on you game and pay attention to how it responds in varying conditions.
The fun factor with 4wd is obviously far better.
You really have little concern with getting stuck or accelerating. With 2wd such as my work van I am always concerned if I will make it up the next hill or get stuck at the next light. I actually found my 2wd vehicles such as my E250 work van and 89 lx mustang handled just as well in slippery conditions once moving. But do have issues accelerating, going up inclines, getting stuck etc... You plan for hills so you have the momentum to make it up and try and time traffic lights to try and make it through before it turns red..lol. Generally makes driving in slipper conditions very unpleasant with rear wheel drive. With 4wd the concerns are almost completely eliminated not that you should not still drive cautiously.
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TactialMonkey
Full Access Members
Well first off the "A4WD" is just a joke it only ever engages the front wheels when slippage is lost and yeah the 4WD is the best thing in the world on these trucks was at my cabin going down hill in about of 3 foot of snow 8" fresh powder and well at a fork a little suby was gunning it and ramming the snow to make a line to get up there so I continued straight and let them have room to go where I came from. then for ***** and giggles threw it in to reverse in 4WD and the big bastard just crawled back on to the road with no slippage I was amazed
alaskanexpy
Full Access Members
My 2 cents on my experience with my expy in 4wd (snow or slippery conditions)...
With very light throttle while accelerating in turns it tracks fairly true if not a little wide. A bit more throttle and it can induce moderate understeer. Heavy throttle and you have an oversteer condition. It takes some getting used to and the amount of traction will alter the response significantly. You really need to be on you game and pay attention to how it responds in varying conditions.
The fun factor with 4wd is obviously far better.
I actually found my 2wd vehicles such as my E250 work van and 89 lx mustang handled just as well in slippery conditions once moving. But do have issues accelerating, going up inclines, getting stuck etc... You plan for hills so you have the momentum to make it up and try and time traffic lights to try and make it through before it turns red..lol. Generally makes driving in slipper conditions very unpleasant with rear wheel drive. With 4wd the concerns are almost completely eliminated not that you should not still drive cautiously.
all depends on your tires, if i recall you have good year RTS? they are absolutely scary on anything except dry pavement. my Bridgestone A/T's that i run for summer time which are fine A/T tires btw are no good in any winter condition. thats why i have firestone winterforce studded for winter months (half the year) it changes the whole driving dynamics of the truck...its as close to dry pavement traction you'll ever get on what amounts to a ice rink roads.
now all winter long with the expedition since it has a very tight limited slip i normally oversteer around every corner hehe
expedition at hatchers pass - YouTube
nice full throttle pull, and you can see the sheen off the road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ge56TtNlIA
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