Tires stuttering in deep snow

[Steelrides]

I was out wheeling in about 1ft+ of Pennsylvania snow last weekend and had a problem with the wheels stuttering and the body shaking when I would get stuck breaking fresh tracks. It was only in 4wd, 2wd would just spin nicely (but of course no traction). Locking the axles in 4Low seemed to make it more a little more pronounced. I thought it might be worn control arm bushings but now I’m wondering if it’s the clutch slipping under the heavier load of 4wd since it would happen pretty evenly to the front and rear tires.

I have a 2006 TJ Rubicon 6spd with stock lockers front and rear, 35” tires, 5.5” long arm lift (4 arm rear, 3 arm front), 4.11 gears and the 4:1 transfer. I’ve replaced several bushings/heim joints over time as I’ve noticed problems since they’re all pretty old (installed well before I bought it), but haven’t noticed any other problems on the road or even rock crawling on dry trails the weekend before.

I wish I had taken video, but I did find an example of what I’m talking about at 1:45 in this video, although mine might have felt more substantial.

Any ideas what the issue might be or how to troubleshoot this?

Thanks.

 

[never monday]

Got no bite
Need chains

 

[Steelrides]

Got no bite
Need chains

Why aren’t the tires spinning smoothly? They’re stuttering like something is winding up and then slipping.

 

[Goatman]

They are trying to catch traction and then loosing it. I've had it feel like each tire would individually try and then fail to grab. It's just the way gears can act sometimes. With the suspension loading a bit and then unloading it looks and feels oddly.

 

[Mrhp]

They are trying to catch traction and then loosing it. I've had it feel like each tire would individually try and then fail to grab. It's just the way gears can act sometimes. With the suspension loading a bit and then unloading it looks and feels oddly.

Airing down more would help your traction due to the larger footprint you would have. What traction devices do you have? Locker, spool, etc... that will also affect snow wheeling. Another thing usually overlooked is weight placement. Try to even out the weight on each axle. This will make the vehicle more apt to float and not dig. Snow is real similar to sand, but colder!

 

[Steelrides]

Airing down more would help your traction due to the larger footprint you would have. What traction devices do you have? Locker, spool, etc... that will also affect snow wheeling. Another thing usually overlooked is weight placement. Try to even out the weight on each axle. This will make the vehicle more apt to float and not dig. Snow is real similar to sand, but colder!

Oh, forgot to mention tires were at 12psi.

 

[Mrhp]

Oh, forgot to mention tires were at 12psi.

Drop pressure more. We usually set the pressure in the beginning of the run, and then keep dropping it until it’s good. We range from 3 psi to 8 psi depending on tire size and weight of vehicle. My 78 Bronco with 35 inch tires weighed 5600 pounds loaded and I would run 8 psi with no beadlocks. Never an issue. My old cj5 with 34 scampers we ran 4 psi no bead locks either.