Expedition Max XLT 4x2 and snow

[Matthew Stultz]

Has anyone really tested the 4x2 in the snow/rain mode? I know there is decent ground clearance, but I'm used to an Xterra 4x4 so I'm not sure what to expect. We have about 9" of snow coming and I wanted to know if anyone had some experience and wisdom to share.

I bought this truck for it's towing and the 4x2 was on the lot for a song. I would love to have the 4x4 but this saved thousands of dollars. I'm in Indianapolis and we haven't really even had a snowy winter for the past 3 years.

 

[JExpedition07]

The key on a 4x2 is good tires, a 2wd with good snow tires will impress.

That being said you’ll survive 9” of snow with all seasons......people here in NY do it all the time. Just drive cautiously, hardly likely you’ll get stuck on any roadways.

 

[Adieu]

Same thing as a 4x2 F150, probably... if that's at all informative for you

Stability-wise, start slow and careful to get used to it... getting-stuck-wise, you should be one of the last civillian vehicles left standing? Probably all good unless it gets to the point where the only guys left on the road are lifted 4x4's with specialty tires

 

[cmiles97]

It's basically a rear wheel drive F-150 with a permanent cap. Good tires and you should be fine.

I learned to drive in the 80s in Northern NYS near Canada driving $500 60s or 70s cars with one rear wheel drive with crappy tires usually all different. It amazes me how far we've come. 16 year old me would have thought your expy was the best traction vehicle I'd ever seen.

Amazon has an easy to install tire chain you may want to keep with you. Put them on and you'll have nearly no problem with snow.

https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Chains/b?ie=UTF8&node=15706671

 

[dlcorbett]

First hand experience, it will get you to where u need to go. I notice that snow wet mode keeps you in lower gears a bit longer for traction purposes i guess. Mines hasnt gotten stuck in the snow(i did get it stuck in mud though lol). Tires are a big help, but since the truck is new, i just let the tires do they thing. We just had 5 in, had to get a shovel so all snow on the driveway, put her in drive and snow mode and let gravity push her right on out with barely unusual wheel spin. I jave the wife drive it whenever we have extreme weather and never a problem

 

[scottdm]

My Expedition is 4x4, but I've been testing it's 4x2 capabilities in the snow out of curiousity. I've been able to climb fairly steep snow-covered roads with relative ease. I've even been able to stop on my icy driveway which is a decent hill, and start again without issues. Starting off with snow covered roads is the primary time that I noticed wheel-spin.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Do you have the HD towing package? Aka do you have the lockable limited slip rear differential or the open rear differential?

 

[TobyU]

It's all about having a limited slip rear end..ford still calls it Trak-Loc don't they....or a "one wheel wonder"

The best thing you can do to a 2wd rwd vehicle is put a limited slip in. I call them all "posi(s)" because I grew up with hot rodding GMs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The key on a 4x2 is good tires, a 2wd with good snow tires will impress.

I highly recommend WINTER tires over snow tires ! There is a difference. Winter tires can not be left on all year or you will burn them up.

Having driven 2wd E150s for the past 30 years, I find them easy to handle in hard pack snow/ice. Because they are so long, you can easily feel if the back end starts to slide out. Then simple lifting off the accelerator pedal brings it right back in line.

 

[CaptOchs]

Last year I pulled my camper through a field with about a foot and a half of snow. I traded it, so I had to go retrieve it. Camper weighed about 6000 lbs (empty + my stuff.) I had new all-seasonal tires put on earlier that year.

 

[NyackRob79]

Toughest part is going uphill on a slight curve. RWD, even with snow tires, will lose traction in the back. I have actually found FWD with snow tires to be better in the snow than RWD