I bought my first ranger this summer, 2wd 6 cyl. I plan on doing a lot of driving from the U. of Mass. to Vermont on the weekends to go skiing. I'm thinking of getting two snow tires for the rear wheels in order to be better equipped for inclement weather. I wanted to hear some testimonials about snow tires. How big a difference do they actually make in a 2wd when the roads get bad? Is it worth the money? Brands?
Can a broke college student get quality tires for <$100?

Thanks

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2001 6cyl 3.0 2wd Manual Trans.

Quality tires for under a $100, yes. Goodyear Wrangler Radials are less than a 100, somewhere 80-90 bucks apiece. I use them for winter and summer, no complaints about any Goodyear.
You may want to throw a couple hundred pounds over the rear axle though.

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

It was day and night for me when I finally put some on. We've had two feet here in WY already and my 2wd was just fine. Snow tires, some weight, and going easy on the gas make a world of difference.

I have these studded Amos for my 2wd.

ForumRunner_20131025_044406.jpg

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2000 Mazda B3000 SE 3.0l V6 flex fuel. Complete Rockford system. Work in progress.

Get them! I got 2 Firestone winterforce tires last weekend for 75$ a piece, but with mounting and balancing and road hazard program came to $200 total. I have 14 inch wheels though, so yours may be more.

Also, go to your local highway department and pick up some sand for the bed. Makes a night and day difference! AND KEEP A SHOVEL WITH YOU!!! Never know when you will get stuck!

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95 Ranger Xlt Supercab 2x4 Auto 4.0 128k
99 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 Auto 4.0 153k

imo if you're gonna get two new snow tires, might as well get all four & maximize control, that is if the money's in the bag lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

x2

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1994 Ford Ranger 4.0L 5 speed 4wd
2009 Ford f150 4x4 v8
traded 2009 Mercury Mariner 2.5L I4 FWD
Sold:1996 Ford F150 4x4 300 6cyl 5 speed
Traded: 2003 Ford Ranger XLT Auto 3.0L V6 Flex fuel Extended Cab 2WD

I bought four new standard tires for the truck this May when I purchased it. I asked my tire guy at the time about buying four winter tires and he recommended buying only two. I was surprised to hear this, but it makes me think that if they guy who would be selling them to me recommends only two, that 1. he's an honest tire salesman, and 2. it actually makes very little difference.

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2001 6cyl 3.0 2wd Manual Trans.

...or 3. He's an idiot. Snow tires make a difference stopping and steering too. 70% of your braking traction is on the front tires.

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2001 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab, 4.0, 5-speed, 4x4, 4.10's, 31x10.50 Duratracs

Having snow tires on the back of your 2wd truck will help immensely to get your truck going. Having snow tires on the front help you steer and stop. I like to be able to do all three, so I always put 4 tires on my 2wd.

that's cool, suit yourself. the guys at my tire shop told me that my rear brake cyl needed replaced asap. that was 3 years ago haha! anyway, i've had tires of all kinds in all configuration in all conditions lol - in snow, i prefer to have all 4 snow grips.

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i concur lol

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i concur again lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

i have a set of 4 goodyear ultragrip snow tires on my truck in the winter. that combined with weight in the bed thoroughly impressed me with how well the truck handled in a mean canadian winter. tires cost me about 500 for a set of 4. thats with an employee discount though.

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2011 Sport 2wd || Doestch Spindles || Shackles || Rancho RS5000 || 32" BFG AT KO2 || Method Holes || MBRP SS Catback || Airaid Intake || Hurst Shifter || BiXenon D2S Retrofit || LED Fogs || Detroit Truetrac || LED Conversion || Hella Supertones || Chrome on Black Emblems || Bushwacker Bed Rails || SwingCase Toolbox || In Bed Bike Mounts

IMO it is definitely night and day. I have had four Firestone Winterforce tires on a vehicle before and it makes a HUGE difference. I agree 100% with getting all 4. Two in the rear may help the ass end from getting loose but the front two make everything come together with steering and stopping so your truck actually follows your steering wheel.