Got a 2001 Suzuki Vitara, 4dr, running the factory tires and discovering just how useless they are in snow. This last storm we got 15" of 'dry' snow, and that was enough to seriously impeed my little zuke. Even with the roads plowed, this thing spins and slides in stuff that I wouldn't have even thought about with some other vehicle/tire setups I've driven in the past. (1/2" of grease on the road, pavement visable, and launching in 2wd is a spin fest even with good clutch control if I want to make it across an intersection in under 2 minutes.) Whats the general suggestion for a good snow tire. I've found Goodyear Artica +'s in 235/60/r16. Should I be shooting for a narrow tire to cut down through snow, or wider to get floatation? Whats the largest tire I can run on a stock Vitara without risking rubbing? (And how long would those Goodyears last if I ran 'em year round? : ) )

Welcome you big Newbie!!!!!

As for snow tire info I really think you would be better served on this site Click here (http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=offroadsuzuki) 90% of the guys on this board are into rocks, a few in mud. But there are some alaska guys on here that play in the snow and mud. Do a search for akdale. He might be able to help you out. But I wouldn't expect a big response from anyone else in reference to snow tires.

Oh, I forgot something. :flipoff2: :D :flipoff2: :D :flipoff2:
Silly newbie:rolleyes:

Hrmmm... tried to think up some zen crap about everyone starting as a newb at one time or annother, but I figure it'd be lost on ya. : )

I dream of eventually using my Zuke for what it's not inteded but for now I've got to master 4wd for onroad use. I figure a set of air lockers, front and rear will help in snow, and then I'll already have them for rocks when the time comes. (Assuming they are worth installing on the stock axels). Next will be some better tires, mild lift, and then I'll just start pestering people for places to learn in Maine.

For now I'm just trying to conquer snow drifts and banks.

-Newbienewbnewb

I'm turning a new leaf, This is hard for me but im attempting to leave out my sarchasem.

First you with 2 posts you are a newbie, if you had 1000 posts this questions would still get the same replys.

:flipoff2:

General on road driving and light off-roading, i have used and like the BFG ATs

with "real" snow tires being a close second (cheezy re-caps are cool) but they wear out fast

-yag

Originally posted by Predius
Hrmmm... tried to think up some zen crap about everyone starting as a newb at one time or annother, but I figure it'd be lost on ya. : )

Nah, it wouldn't be lost on me:confused: Anyway I truly was trying to help. I seriously think you would find some great answers to that Q on the ORC board. I'm not slammin anyone here. I can't! I drive a stock Sammi with bald recaps!! ;) (for now) Best of luck and I would seriously consider checking it out. It being the ORC.

:beret: :usa:

Originally posted by NC Zuk
I seriously think you would find some great answers to that Q on the ORC board.

Yeah, I answered your question there...

For on-road snow - that is to say packed, slick stuff, go with the Articas in stock to narrow-ish size. Wide is good for playing in deepstuff, but on the packed ice and slush you need contact pressure and lots and lots of siping.
I don't like Goodyear All-Terrains for snow - too floaty, don't grip well.
deepmud

yup, I have BFG A/Ts and they worked very well in the snow and not to shabby in the mud.

Cool, thanks for the advice.

36" PJ's, just cut the damn fenders already

Originally posted by Predius
Should I be shooting for a narrow tire to cut down through snow, or wider to get floatation?

As a former UP of Michigan native, I would recommend a narrow tire with a deep easy cleaning tread. The cheaper the better. Run them in the winter and run the good stuff the rest of the year. Floatation is a real bummer on the roads. It is a given with a vehicle this light and can be lessened with the narrow tire and some sand bags or bags of kittie litter.

Originally posted by Wilson
36" PJ's, just cut the damn fenders already

This is the answer your looking for, I think id drop down to a 35" tho.

Originally posted by marcutah


This is the answer your looking for, I think id drop down to a 35" tho.

Don't think that Parnelli Jones makes the dirt grip in 35" and 36" sizes :flipoff2:

They are the best snow tire going now though

PJ's..... 38 - 15.50..........Go big or syay the fawk home!! :D :flipoff2: :D

BFG KM's. dunno what sizes there made in, but i just traded my set of 32's for a set of TSL radials. My buddy that has them now and I just went up to the snow. I was all over the damn place and would dig down bad and he just went right along. For the snow thats what i would recommend.

Is this for real.:confused:

I'm laughing out loud now because we are seriously discussing snow tires.

Delete this thread:flipoff2:

Skinny is better, unless you have a "bottomless" surface
or big horsepower to turn them so fast that they won't sink into bottomless mud.

The apparent magic appears to have square profile for longevity.
The taller, the wider- you break this fundamental and they seem to rip off of the bead easier.

ARB's or any lockers on snow suck.
Rear lockers are fun, great donuts, spin around on a dime.
But the fish tailing scares novice snow drivers (my wife).
I always found it fun.

Front lockers suck on slick roads.
Causes the front end to fish tail or hunt. You can't turn, you can't even go straight while spinning. A definite killer for a novice.

Driving my Zuk on slick roads is comparable to riding a greased beach ball down a flight of stairs. I rarely use 4WD on the road for the above reasons.

ARB's have a problem with condensation in the air lines in freezing weather. It freezes.
I don't know if this problem has been fixed, it's been several years since I wheeled with one.

OOPS, sorry guys I thought I was on ORC:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by SilverZuk
Is this for real.:confused:

I'm laughing out loud now because we are seriously discussing snow tires.

Delete this thread:flipoff2:

Skinny is better, unless you have a "bottomless" surface
or big horsepower to turn them so fast that they won't sink into bottomless mud.

The apparent magic appears to have square profile for longevity.
The taller, the wider- you break this fundamental and they seem to rip off of the bead easier.

ARB's or any lockers on snow suck.
Rear lockers are fun, great donuts, spin around on a dime.
But the fish tailing scares novice snow drivers (my wife).
I always found it fun.

Front lockers suck on slick roads.
Causes the front end to fish tail or hunt. You can't turn, you can't even go straight while spinning. A definite killer for a novice.

Driving my Zuk on slick roads is comparable to riding a greased beach ball down a flight of stairs. I rarely use 4WD on the road for the above reasons.

ARB's have a problem with condensation in the air lines in freezing weather. It freezes.
I don't know if this problem has been fixed, it's been several years since I wheeled with one.

OOPS, sorry guys I thought I was on ORC:flipoff2: :flipoff2:



Wow, this is a long ass post of nothing but gibberish. Teh one I really like is that lcokers suck in the snow. Just try and follow my ruts without one:flipoff2: Hell the rigs in my group with rear lockers only couldn't even do it yesterday.
it all depends on what type of snow you are driving in. Back east you do not get nearly as deep of snow as we do. there is a huge difference between a couple inches to a foot of snow, vs multiple feet to 20+ feet. Out here, open diff's get you stuck.

Btw, 38 Pj's are the shit, but since it was a Vitara, probably a DD, I figured 36's should fit the bill.:D