89 Hardbody 2wd info needed.

[TCXJWAGONEER]

So This is my first post here. I have an 89 2wd D21. My main purpose of this truck is to kayak out of it. Drive 2-4 hours to the river WW kayak and then make it home in once piece. The 2wd and z24 make it great on gas. but I kayak year round here in TN and that includes driving in the mtns during winter. My previous kayak rig was a Fwd minivan. Never got stuck, but it lacked clearance in some areas. Anyway, I am wanting to make my little truck snow/ice capable as well as be able to handle the dirt (read very light off road) trails. Mainly clearance.

Here are my thoughts.

300-400lbs of sand over the axle.
2 or 4(not sure yet) fairly nice snow tires... if 2 they will be on the rear.
Shovel
50lbs of kitty litter
come along
2 tow straps

Now, any thoughts? I am comfortable driving in snow and Ice and am light on the skinny pedal, go slow and usually that helps. I need to find a 2nd set of rims for cheap or free.

Also, what is the biggest tire I can fit on a stock 2wd. it has 205/75 R15 on it now and I am thinking about 235 would be the max it could handle. Will I rub at that size?

Is their a limited slip available for my year? Can't seem to find anything but lunchbox lockers and that will do me no good on snow and Ice... LSD would be a good medium.

And final question is how can I lift it just a touch. maybe 1" or 1.5" Just enough for some clearance... not really for wheeling.

Thanks,

[Rev_D21]

A slight twist of the torsion bar bolts will get you some minor clearance but expect camber issues. We had another member who did this and it was catastrophic. I ran 195/75r14 Firestone Winterforce tires on my 96 2wd with no lift and it did extremely well for the 2 years I drove it in NY winters. I wouldn't go 235 on these trucks, you need to cut snow and a narrower tire will do that. You can do just fine with snows on the rear but if you are going in the deeper stuff I say do all 4 corners with snows because it's not worth f*** around in the dead of winter wishing you had.

[TCXJWAGONEER]

how did it hand with the snow tires? I am planning on 2, but may do 4... I want to find a second set of rims to put them on and just keep them in my garage.

I often find that the roads as I get into the mountains are a mix of snow and ice. I have paddled 6 years and only really got my old van(fwd minivan) stuck. I figure with my list I should be ok, but honestly i have never driven a 2wd truck in the snow and i am open to any and all suggestions.

Tommy

[RT22]

Buy a set of steel wheels from junk yard mount snow tires for winter work. A easier way than sand that we use to use is a few metal jerry gas cans like military uses, can be gotten at army surplus store pretty cheap. Fill with water wjhen the weight is needed and drain when not needed like when on hwy and traction is not needed, then you are not always carrying the extra weight. Buddy did this for mud riding, filled went mud riding as soon as he left the mud he drained them so ride home does not carry extra weight and water is CHEAP. Usually can be gotten close to the off road area at a gas station

[jdansmith]

I put 6 heavy wood pallets in the bed of the truck if I have to do much traveling in the snow. We got 14 inches this past winter that melted then froze over ea. night for a wk. and I didn't use anything getting around. These trucks tend to plow the front end if pushed in slick conditions. I drop the air pressure to 23lbs in the tires and motor on.

I've seen 225/70/15 on the D21 but I agree with a narrow tire to cut the snow, lager ones turn into skies in heavy snow.

[TCXJWAGONEER]

As far as snowtires I was looking at bfg at ko's. In the 215/75/r15. I currently have cheapo 205/75r15 and it seems to do well. I thought about switching to the BFG's full time as I am close to replacing my current tires. Anyone know how they are as a snow tire. I know the 215 is rated for snow/ winter weather.

Tommy

[Q451990]

Keep an eye out on Craigslist... Hardbody wheels usually sell pretty cheap on there.

Heath