Moving from GA to NY, have question

Hey guys, this is kind of a re-post, but I figured this was the better section after I posted the first one. My fiance and I are teeter-tottering on possibly moving to NY south of Buffalo. My truck is a static-dropped 4"-4" 2wd Tacoma with 5speed. Naturally, it has the stock open diff. I have enough of a hard time with traction up hills in rain here in GA. My question is: If we move to NY, would I benefit from keeping my truck and welding the diff for winter traction (and occasional drifting) up there, or should I consider selling my truck and getting a Subaru or something AWD? I can do the work myself, I was just curious if it would be worth it? I love my truck, and I hate the thought of getting rid of it

 

I have a 2010 regular cab. Mine is only 2 wheel and it was fine in the horrible winter we just had here.

 

Really good snow tires all the way around and smart driving you'll be fine.

 

Not sure if the lowering will be a huge issue though..I had 3 50 pound sandbags ready to strap in the bed if needed but never had to.

 

Moving TO NY? You must be insane.

 

^ This

 

^^that... You couldnt pay me enough to move there

 

I've been to Albany several times. Living there wouldn't be bad. Plus NY knows how to take care of their snow.

 

I lived in Albany for a couple of years (only because my wife was stationed there as a recruiter. My '08 is only a 2WD and it did fine. Drove to work in Schenectady every day during the heavy winter that happened then...They really, and I mean really, salt the hell out of the roads and all. I took mine to one of those touchless car washes once a week. I hated it up there - could never get used to the cold. Hell, went to see the Blues fly on Jluy 4th and it was cold! Damn that weather!

But, otherwise, the truck did fine. Never got stuck or whatever. Just be prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the rust off the frame!

 

what town you looking at moving to? I have family about 25 min or so south of buffalo. IMHO 4wd would be best. the area i know does have hills, and snow storms can be pretty bad. like 6 or 8” of snow over night. or when i was up back in jan they got about 10-12” of powder in 1 day. I had to have my truck in 4wd, even with the A/T tires. other wise i could hardly move.

 

THIS! they will still be going to school with 2 or 3 feet of snow. it takes A LOT to close the schools and work.

 

OP, I'll tell you the same thing I said in your other thread, do not weld the differential. A locked rear end for traveling in the snow will make the truck handle worse. The tracking tire from an open differential will help keep the truck in line.

To you guys, there is a big difference between Albany's snow and Buffalo's lake effect snow. I grew up in Albany and it's nothing like what they get in western and northern NY. I had a 2wd Ranger from the time I was 16 until I was 21 and I went to college in way, way, way upstate NY where they get pounded with snow. New York does know how to handle their snow so, if you're smart, just wait for them to plow you out and you'll be all set with a 2wd pickup. Make sure you have good tires, put some weight in the bed and drive like you have no brakes.

 

IT F!@#$%^& SNOWS in Buffalo.....

Moved the daughter out there for a (thankfully) short teaching gig and their weather changes on a heart-beat and NOT like New Englands...Feet compared to inches ...She went to school in Burlington ,VT and even their snows don't compare....Pugga nailed it with "Lake affect"...( dam it, did I agree with Pugga again )

OP, best bet find an FWD or AWD car and try to keep your p/u....

 

yeah that area’s weather changes like every hour.

i know i went of for a wedding. i went up for like a week or so. and i know on a tuesday it was like 90* then that say(day of the out door wedding) it was like 58* and raining and windy as hell. they had to tie the tents down to trucks(like 3/4ton and 1ton) and they also tied them down to tractors and they still wanted to blow away.

 

I have 17" mustang GT rims. You think i can get 225/235/45/17 in snow tires?

Hmmm... I dint think about that. I guess sand bags and tire chains would work decently?

My fiance is going to be coaching softball in Houghton starting in Aug. I know it sounds insane, but it just feels right, like we're supposed to be up there.

How do you mean? Like quick to respond when they start to see a few flakes?

yah i thought about before we go maybe clear-coating the entire underneath of my truck several layers worth to pre-pare it.

We're thinking about either Avon or Mt. Morris area. My fiance is going to be coaching @ Houghton college, and I'm going to try to get a Service technician position closer to Rochester. We're trying to equal commute for both of us.

I havent read the other thread yet, sorry. I'll check it out shortly. We were out of town this week.

I talked to the fiance about getting a cheap 'beater" older subaru or something, but we'll honestly only be able to afford our 2 cars

 

Op, then find the "right amount" of ballast for that bed,definetly GOOD snow tires ( I think you can stud in NY still) and "Be Smart"...

Gut feelings are usually the BEST... I moved my Young family 1300 miles south on a Job Op and never looked back...Great 8 years of Florida living BUT " Home" does pull at you....

 

I may just go with selling the truck and getting a Jeep or Subaru.
If it was between a Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee or a Subaru Forester, what would you recommend? I'm leaning towards Subaru because of the better fuel economy and "sport car" feel. I like low and stiff versus tall and sloshy, lol

 

Subaru hands down BUT then again I dispise JEEP ...

 

What is NY like as far as Emissions and registering for tags (license plate)? For instance, In GA, only the counties directly surrounding Atlanta require Emissions. Right now I live on the line of an emissions county and non-emissions county. Of coarse the county I live in wants the extra money, So I have to get a "sniffer test" every year, and my tags are due on my bday

 

Not really sure how quick they are. More like streets are clear, even the sidewalks. As far as I know, they have more equipment to deal with it.