Snow!

[Green1]

However, important to note that if you're going quite quickly in 4x4 - and gear down too sharply....you WILL run a high risk of going out of control completely instead of fish tailing

just a note, the same warning applies weather you're in 2 or 4 wheel drive, compression braking is great, but it comes on suddenly which is quite a disadvantage in slippery conditions, use it with caution. (use it to maintain control, not to re-gain it)

[coaxial]

Err.. I'm glad I have a 5 speed and this downshifting thing is just a way of life.

I'm loving the snow, as soon as it dumped on the weekend I promptly drove up cypress and drove around in the untouched knee deep powder .. it was so much fun I went over and drove up seymour and did the same thing :)

I've owned a few 4wd trucks and whatnot and done tons off offroading, and grew up driving them on snowy icy highways, and I am very impressed with the Delica's handling of winter elements. Great weight distribution I believe is a big part of why they handle so well.

I'm confused why you would engage the front diff, then partially disengage it? then when you need to engage 4wd you can engage it while moving? or?

[g_man1972]

Knowing my luck if I go out and buy a set of winter tires for the snow, last weeked will be the last snow we see all year . I don't really want the hassle of changing the tires twice a year for the three of four times we see snow in the GVRD, so I think all seasons would be better and I can keep the old ones for spares or something. Those of you that are raving about how well your Deli handled in the snow, what kind tires are you using? I keep hearing great things about the BFG A/T, how do they handle it?

Gary

[marsgal42]

FWIW, my Delica came with a set of Republic Ensign all-weather tires, which are apparently no-name Goodyears. They have an aggressive tread pattern and get the job done. The Shaken paperwork said the Japanese originals were worn out and would not have passed inspection.

I consulted with my usual tire suppliers (Kal Tire) and they recommended Nokian WR all-season tires ("Nobody makes winter tires like us Finns!") for Vancouver. If I lived up north I would use bona fide winter tires; most family vehicles up in the Cariboo use Bridgestone Blizzak tires in the winter. If I lived there I would too. If you get a 4x4 stuck with a set of those, you deserve it!

...laura

[marsgal42]

I'm confused why you would engage the front diff, then partially disengage it? then when you need to engage 4wd you can engage it while moving? or?

Because while the transfer case is shift-on-the-fly, the front hubs are not. So if the road is dubious you lock the hubs, leave them locked, and engage 4WD as you need it. I did this a lot last Saturday.

...laura

[BCDelica]

BTW - Her Delica has Nokians on it and mine has BFG AT's; there the same on ice but the BFG's are quite a bit better in the snow. Did lots of playing in the snow Sunday night; driving kids to work and driving deep into the backcountry. With the braking noticeable better on the snow I would get the BFG's again.

Pictures were taken with a fogged up phone!

[coaxial]

I've got nearly brand new "nexen roadiant AT II" whatever that means, and so far they are excellent in all sorts of questionable terrain - heavy rain, mud, sand, rocks, snow.

harrison lake in the summer


up on cypress sunday

[TardisDeli]

Hi all, very happy with our BFG AT 30's that came with The TardisDeli. We have used on decommissioned forestry roads, and on snow at Meager Creek on the Remembrance Day weekend, frost and steep icy local roads and highway driving and hydroplaning during my Vancouver morning commutes, and the snow storm last weekend including the toy run. The Tardis and I always feel in control with these tires (can't say same for tires on my Echo or on Jay's Chevy). Actually buying 2 new front BFG AT 30's soon as we can find them, as the front tires are badly worn due to the bad shocks etc. Apparently 30 is an "Oddball size" ?? Regards, Christine of the TardisDeli.

[coaxial]

I'm in whistler for the weekend and just arrived a few minutes ago - what is the first thing I did with my delica as I came into town? pulled someone out of the ditch :) it is snowing quite heavily here and they had spun out and gone over the embankment so were down in the ditch. Hooked up the tow straps and the delica had her out in no time

[sasquatch-hunter]

We should go check out 400 block East 19th Street in N Van next time when snowing. I think that they block the road every time when there was snow on the the road.

[coaxial]

Ah yes that one is good and steep (22% grade) not quite as steep as the hill in white rock (24% I think) but much closer and much safer to play on.