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mustangs in snow
Does anyone here drive their mustang in the snow? I'm going to need to use my '84 5.0 as a snow car since i have no good snow car to use (my GT would be so much worse). I was wondering if i will be able to drive it in the snow without any major problems. I drive VERY slow when it's snowy out anyways and i'm going to have a set of 215/70R14 snow tires to put on. Will i be able to make it up and down a mountain pass this winter (I go snowboarding every weekend during winter) and it usually has moderate snow (1" to 4" and sometimes icy http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/frown.gif ) . I'm just concerned, i guess. Any other tips on how to make my car better in snow. I've heard sand bags or some weight in the back of the car helps.
------------------ previous name: 84stangLX '84 Mustang 5.0 LX my LX '89 Mustang GT my GT |
NOT ME>>>the last good snow I remember was in 1984. Been a while!! Now if you ask about flood waters, thats a WHOLE NUTHER STORY!
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Mustangs blow in the ICE!
------------------ 1989 GT, 3:55's, full exhaust, 4 in. hood, Pro 5.0, etc... etc... 1989 Chevy S-10, EX. Cab-383(500+hp on motor), trick flow heads, trick flow pistons, etc... autometer phantom gauges, "built" 700R4, roll cage, lexan back window, corbeau seats, R.H.S. 5 harnesses, Fuel cell, convo pro wheels, 15x14's with 29x18.5 M/T'S on back, 15x4's on front, nitrous, and so much more! http://www.geocities.com/i8urvpr/JM.html |
I don't usually drive mine in the snow, but a couple of times I got caught and had no choice.
You've got to be careful, cause being light in the rear end, and so much power, it's really squirrly. Just drive carefully like you have some sense and you should be OK with good tires. ------------------ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 Conversion Van |
drove mine in the snow before....there not bad for not getting stuck ....but there not that easy to control. if you have an automatic it'll be better ....you just have to be carefull the posatrack rear likes to stay locked so you wind up steering with the rear most of the time......put a sh1tload of weight in the back and it'll do well....
------------------ old guy with 87 gt....well not so old guy 87gt,T top -165,000 on odometer-mods-2 1/2 ex,cold air(home made),adj.clutch 5.0 shifter,kyb shocks,and a stereo that can overcome the wind noise at 100 mph with the T tops off(he he)......also got/78,6banger,mustang/80 capri(future project) |
i can't wait to attempt to drive my car in the winter.......get my license mid october and that gives my about a half a month before the good ole canadian winter starts up here.............my car is a 5 speed also so i think it should be really interesting.........i'm gonna take it easy when its icy and avoid roads with ditches
JAMES ------------------ Black 1990 gt cobra bonestock not for long |
Let's just say, you might as well just bring some skates or snow shoes. Last year I had my car in the snow a couple times. Not fun with gears, exhaust and bald tires. Didn't have a choice then. Now I've gotten a beater for the winter and possibly use that as a daily driver and make the stang a toy.
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I drove my 5.0 Stang through 2 Edmonton Winters. There are a couple things that you can do to help out.
1. Get GOOD snow tires. Don't cheap out on this! Good snow tires are key. 2. Increase the weight in the back end. I used 4 50lb sand bags. You'll need the wieght to help with the power. 3. Drive intelligently. With good snow tires you can actually steer better than some other cars. That 5.0 wights a lot and help with traction in the front end. You have to be real carefull with the torque in the rear. Pick your routes carefully and there are days when you should avoid driving. Always have patience when you drive, it will save you. Use your head and you'll have little or no problems. http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/smile.gif ------------------ 1995 Mustang GT |
i drove my GT in the snow for 2 years, no money for a winter beater. it really does suck, and i aquired a few scratches and such. i finally bought a 4 cyl mustang last year for 700 bucks. so thats now my winter beater. and since all i have ever driven is rear wheel drive cars i know how to handle them in the winter.
i would suggest not using sand bags in the back. yes i may give u more traction at a start, but the more weight will make it harder to control in a slide. they actually said on one of those hotrod shows not to put weight in the back of your car for winter driving. get good snow tires, and don't muscle it! ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims MY89GT [This message has been edited by HiFlow5 0 (edited 08-05-2001).] |
Another trick is to keep your gas tank at 1/2 full or more. Keeps more weight on the rears.
I echo the comments about getting good snow tires. They will make all the difference in the world for traction. All 3 of my cars are RWD, and the winter car has a set of 4 snows. Really helps a lot. Although it is true more weight in the rear will make it hard to control a slide, you'll be much less likely to slide with the weight already in place. Friction is directly proportional to weight applied. Also, sand bags/tubes are nice, since you can use the sand to get out of a low traction area if needed. Roofing shingles are good for this too (put them under the drive tires). --jp |
Throw a couple sandbags in the back, get some blizzaks and forget about it. Mountain passes will be no problem. Just don't ram any slow moving Chev 4x4's on the way up.
If you've never put Blizzaks on your cars, don't even comment. I've been in before and after. Before: Stuck on 1% grade drive way with 3" of snow. After: Plowing snowbanks and driving through yards with 6" of snow. |
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http://members.mustangworks.com/95mu...images/lol.gif ------------------ 1995 Mustang GT |
Cool, thanks for all your helpful replies! I'll see how my snow tires do (they did good on my zephyr but that car was WAY different in terms of weight proportioning and power). If not, i'll probably get some Blizzaks, those are awesome snow tires from what i hear. I've never heard anyone complain about them in snow, but they wear out REAL quickly because of the sponge like tread. I'll throw some sandbags in back and keep it gassed up and it shouldn't be that bad. It sounds like i won't have that much of a problem unless it's snowing heavily. Thanks again!
------------------ previous name: 84stangLX '84 Mustang 5.0 LX my LX '89 Mustang GT my GT |
In North Dakota, I drove mine in the snow all the time. The main thing is good rear tires and avoid hills that have ice/snow on the road.
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I tryed to move my car with about 1/2 of snow and I could not move it any where at all I let the clutch out and no gas and the ties were spinning http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/frown.gif I hope the tires help you out!
------------------ 14.62@96.9 Engine: Steal Mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, Home ported Lower Intake, No power steering, No A/C Drive Train: 3.55, World Class T-5, Lakewood Bell housing, Adjustable Clutch Cable, AL Driveshaft Suspension: MAC Control Arms, Maximum Motorsports Front Grip Package, H&R Sport Springs, Bilstein Shocks Exhaust: 1 5/8 UN-Equal Length Mac Headers, X-pipe W\cats, Edelbrock cat\back Cooling: 3 Core Radiator |
I drove mine last winter thinking it would be fine. The very first time out it was a d@mn nightmare. I am pretty good at driving in any condition (never been in a wreck) and this was a challenge. After I stopped by a local farm supply and picked up some sand bags (400lbs worth) it did much better, but it still needed to have some good snow tires on it.
------------------ Gunning for 12's! http://www.indianastangers.com/2Fast..._brd_logo2.gif Buy your parts here ICQ# 42269241 |
Before I modified my Mustang it was my daily driver. I had to drive it in the snow. I did that for 9 years. I did get Eagle M&Ss for one year and it helped. Now with Blizzaks I think it would be even better.
If you're pushing more than stock HP, I wouldn't advise you do it. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible |
1. I used 215/60/16 BLIZZAK'S last winter and they were GREAT!!! YOU HAVE TO GET THESE! I had better traction than most front wheel drive cars in snow falls.
2. I did not use extra weight in the rear and I rarely fish tailed. 3. I still have 2.73 gears though! After I get my 3.55's installed it will be interesting. ------------------ 91 LX vert, T-5, ported/polished/milled .030 stock heads, 1.6rr, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys and A/C Eliminator kit, short belt, K&N panel w/no silencer, ported MAF, battery in trunk, glasspacks w/dumps, 225/50/16 Re730's |
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I have a 2wd Ranger to drive in the winter. It sucked in the snow til I put Blizzaks on it. I drove it up I 70 out of Denver in a snow storm and didn't even spin the wheels. Get some for your stang and you won't have a ny problems.
------------------ 89 GT convertible, Kenny Brown level 5, 14# Procharger, Best ET 12.92@112.74 |
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