Rubicon snow/winter traction help needed

[InvertedLogic]

The newest Toyo AT3s are 3 peak snow rated and come in a narrower 35x11.5x17 which would perform much better since they're narrower and have the winter-based rubber compound. Have a 50k mileage warranty and are getting stellar reviews.
They are also C-load rated in that size
https://www.toyotires.com/product/open-country-at3

I've had my eye on these for a minute. It seems like the only place you can get the 35x11.50x17-C flavor is at 4WP. I was hoping to get them from @Discount Tire, but they do not even list them on their site.

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[panda234]

Here's a free option to try. Put the ESC into partial off mode by hitting the ESC off button once. This leaves the brake lock differential (BLD) functional, but eases off the rest of the traction control nannies allowing some wheel spin. The wheel spin often helps in low traction conditions and the TCS nannies tend to try and stop all wheel spin. In my experience the BLD works about as well in this mode as a decent mechanical limited slip differential. Locked differentials in snow and ice can be iffy if you're on a side slope; there's a tendency of the whole vehicle to slide sideways down the slope.

 

[agpthng]

I'm not to certain how to help, I really didn't see any issues last year through the snow even on mountain passes. Maybe it's your tires? I've had Wildpeaks(33's) and I am now on Patagonia's(35's) with no issues. I would maybe try to add some weight, I know when I used to have a truck I would through 2x75lb sandbag tubes over the wheels wells .

I was thinking the same thing - maybe it's your tires. I have Mickey Thompson, MTZ, BAJA's and have never had an issue in the snow.

 

[y2kcbr600]

I've had my eye on these for a minute. It seems like the only place you can get the 35x11.50x17-C flavor is at 4WP. I was hoping to get them from @Discount Tire, but they do not even list them on their site.

I bought my Toyo AT3 35x11.5r17's from Simpletire.com, an approved vendor listed on Toyo's site. Came in two days.

My CC company flagged the 4wd site you mentioned as fraud (they have a high fraud rating) and I emailed them four times and called at least that and could not get ahold of anyone.

 

[Need4Speed]

Tires play a HUGH part in winter traction, especially on ice. I had a 2002 Avalanche and had Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on it. Best winter tires I have ever owned. They even had the snow flake symbol on them.

Off topic, I have been looking at a JL Rubicon. Am I hearing correctly, that the rear dif does not lock in 2 or 4 High? My avalanche had the GM locking rear end. I believe at any speed when there was rear speed differences between the two rear tires it would lock, regardless of 2 or 4 High or Low. Can some one please elaborate on when the rear diff on the JL locks and does not lock?

Thanks.

 

[arcticaaron]

Advice from 25 years of driving in Alaska:

I run 37x12.5 Cooper STT Pros all year long. They were TERRIBLE on ice (as all mud tires with large tread will be) until I had a tire shop sipe the tires. They work great now and I rarely have to use 4wd unless going up steep hills. Get your tires siped and that will do the trick.

If you still aren't satisfied and drive a lot in the winter, then a set of winter tires would be your best bet. But I have not seen the need for winter tires on my 2018 JLUR. This is my 3rd winter with the JLUR on the siped coopers.

The other trick is to use a lower tire pressure. I run 26 - 27 psi all winter on roads. (way lower if wheeling in snow)

 

[InvertedLogic]

I bought my Toyo AT3 35x11.5r17's from Simpletire.com, an approved vendor listed on Toyo's site. Came in two days.

My CC company flagged the 4wd site you mentioned as fraud (they have a high fraud rating) and I emailed them four times and called at least that and could not get ahold of anyone.

That's odd. They are a pretty known name in the industry with several brick and mortar shops around here where I live in Denver.

 

[y2kcbr600]

That's odd. They are a pretty known name in the industry with several brick and mortar shops around here where I live in Denver.

4wd.com was the site I had trouble with.

 

[blnewt]

I've had my eye on these for a minute. It seems like the only place you can get the 35x11.50x17-C flavor is at 4WP. I was hoping to get them from @Discount Tire, but they do not even list them on their site.

Might contact @Discount Tire , they have so much buying power I'm sure they could make it happen, and price match. If not, SimpleTire is a good one too!

 

[InvertedLogic]

4wd.com was the site I had trouble with.

Ah yeah 4wd.com is different than 4 Wheel Parts that carries the 11.50 wide AT3.

 

[Discount Tire]

I've had my eye on these for a minute. It seems like the only place you can get the 35x11.50x17-C flavor is at 4WP. I was hoping to get them from @Discount Tire, but they do not even list them on their site.

Thank you for the tag, we would absolutely love to earn your business and can special order them from Toyo. We also guarantee the lowest OTD pricing on any product we offer. PM on the way with more details.

 

[BlackGenesis]

Wide tires have poor traction in the snow, more so on lighter vehicle.
Ideal tire for winter for your vehicle weight - 245 wide tire - get wheels from Sport and mount narrow snow tires. Will go thru anything.

 

[Headbarcode]

Tires play a HUGH part in winter traction, especially on ice. I had a 2002 Avalanche and had Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on it. Best winter tires I have ever owned. They even had the snow flake symbol on them.

Off topic, I have been looking at a JL Rubicon. Am I hearing correctly, that the rear dif does not lock in 2 or 4 High? My avalanche had the GM locking rear end. I believe at any speed when there was rear speed differences between the two rear tires it would lock, regardless of 2 or 4 High or Low. Can some one please elaborate on when the rear diff on the JL locks and does not lock?

Thanks.

Yes, you heard correctly. Lockers are only usable in 4lo, as a firm a factory stupid proofing. I, and many others, choose to use the Tazer reprogrammer for the body control module. It's primary use is resetting tire sizes, tpms thresholds, and not having to disable auto stop start every time you fire the Jeep up. It's side benefits are rear locker in 2hi, both lockers in 4hi, full traction control kill, adjustable rpm for winch mode, and many other clever features.

 

[cosmokenney]

I'm not to certain how to help, I really didn't see any issues last year through the snow even on mountain passes. Maybe it's your tires? I've had Wildpeaks(33's) and I am now on Patagonia's(35's) with no issues. I would maybe try to add some weight, I know when I used to have a truck I would through 2x75lb sandbag tubes over the wheels wells .

I've always been impressed by the jeep in 4 hi in the snow. Only time I've ever used 4 low is when I was on packed spring snow. Like @Jabarsetti says, the tires must have something to do with it. I am also using pats.

 

[GinjaNinja]

I just remembered Interco makes a Super Swamper SSR in 35x10.5R17LT. They claim to be siped for wet/icy conditions, but I'm not sure they compare to a tire that's more purpose-built for winter weather. This may be the narrowest 35 that's road legal.

I actually run these and I LOVE them. I live in the mountains east of Seattle and I have put them through everything you can think of. Offroad performance is expected but I was extremely surprised just how well they do on road. I have gone through tons of rain, ice, snow (dusting to 2+ feet), and mud and they have outperformed my expectations.

They are heavy and took some effort to balance but once balanced they are perfect. I also have about 12k miles on them and they are wearing very well. I am actually surprised more people don't run these. I know they are an older design and may not work as well in the desert/rocks but for the PNW or the south I don't think they can be beat.

Cheers

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