Snow chains for front wheels

[alia176]

I'm curious if anyone has any luck finding a set of snow chains for their front tires. As y'all know the clearance is tight between the sidewall and the UBJ. I have SPC UCAs but even then clearance is tight with this set that I used to run in the rear, see the attached pics. You can see my red snowshoes leaning against the front tire. I tried fitting the Laclede chains shown below up front and the clearance is just too tight for comfort. It won't take much to destroy/damage the UBJ in short order.

Before anyone pipes up with useless commentary, let me say this:
- these aren't used on the hwys.
- No, i don't want silly cable chains. Those are for the hwy.
-I'm running Wildpeak AT/4s and they're awesome winter tires. But I'm going in deep stuff, and even those tires are no match for certain conditions.
- No, tall mud tires aren't good for these conditions either. While they're great for our egos, they're useless in deep snow/ice.
- i'm going into the woods to go snowshoeing or backcountry skiing, usually in the middle of a snow storm.
- I'm running aggressive ladder style chains in the rear, but wanted additional traction up front. i realize this may not be possible.

Thanks for your valuable insights.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Add a set of wheel spacers to the front for winter conditions?

 

[MrTom]

What brand ladder style chains in the rear are you using?
Thanks..

 

[alia176]

Add a set of wheel spacers to the front for winter conditions?

Hmm I hadn't thought of THAT angle. Quite ingenious actually. I wonder if my daughter would notice if I stole a pair of spacers from her 3rd gen while we're doing her HG?

Great idea. Any cons to this, other than the scrub radius? Would I hate it? i wouldn't need much, technically, but spacers come at a min of 1.25" I think?

 

[alia176]

What brand ladder style chains in the rear are you using?
Thanks..

This is one example of the ladder chains that I'm using but any will work in the rear since there's so much room. Tire chains come up a lot in my FB Marketplace feed, just a FYI.

Peerless | Quik Grip 2200 LT

My 80 has ladder chains front and rear with quality bungee tensioners.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Hmm I hadn't thought of THAT angle. Quite ingenious actually. I wonder if my daughter would notice if I stole a pair of spacers from her 3rd gen while we're doing her HG?

Great idea. Any cons to this, other than the scrub radius? Would I hate it? i wouldn't need much, technically, but spacers come at a min of 1.25" I think?

Shortest I see are 1" but maybe they make thinner hubcentric spacers that use existing studs like they use on cars.

KAX 6x5.5 1" Thick Center Bore M12x1.5 Wheel Spacers 2PCS

 

[alia176]

Shortest I see are 1" but maybe they make thinner hubcentric spacers that use existing studs like they use on cars.

KAX 6x5.5 1" Thick Center Bore M12x1.5 Wheel Spacers 2PCS

Thank you, this is good info to think about.

 

[alia176]

I was just thinking of changing out the rims for the correct offset vs using spacers, which I'm not a big fan of. I wonder if any of the fancy TRD rims would have the correct backspacing to push out the tire just a tad, we're talking 1/2" more than what I have now. I need to find out what the backspacing is on the factory rims and start with that. I'm not needing a massive spaced out stance; that's a Jeep thing, I wouldn't understand :lol:

 

[thennen]

Useless Commentary Alert - Aren't chains only to be installed on the rear tires? Not sure if that's just a clearance thing or a safety thing. I do know the owner's manual says not to do it.

 

[alia176]

Useless Commentary Alert - Aren't chains only to be installed on the rear tires? Not sure if that's just a clearance thing or a safety thing. I do know the owner's manual says not to do it.

Not useless at all, good question. The clearance is the main reason why I don't think oem wants you do it as that puts a huge liability on everyone.

What we're doing with our rigs is outside of the norm, in some cases we're being stupid so might as well go all the way!

For most conditions, rear chains will suffice. But I go play in deep snow where I'm plowing and I need to dig down to the native surface or the frozen ground under the snow, hence the need for chains up front.

 

[thennen]

Not useless at all, good question. The clearance is the main reason why I don't think oem wants you do it as that puts a huge liability on everyone.

What we're doing with our rigs is outside of the norm, in come cases we're being stupid so might as well go all the way!

For most conditions, rear chains will suffice. But I go play in deep snow where I'm plowing and I need to dig down to the native surface or the frozen ground under the snow, hence the need for chains up front.

Ah, I get you now. Well, enjoy the snow!