# 4wd tire chains **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 14, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065 "2008-11-14T13:49:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jamesdavidbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/34f0e0/32.png) [@jamesdavidbell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jamesdavidbell)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/1 "2008-11-14T13:49:42Z")
am going to do light plowing w/my 2005 wrangler up a steep hill. bought 1 set of chains. front axle 4wd or rear axle 2wd or rear axle 4wd? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/2 "2008-11-14T14:19:39Z")
Rear Axle. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/3 "2008-11-14T15:20:59Z")
Drive up and plow on the way down if at all possible. Plowing up hill is a recipe for disaster if you fail mid-push. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/4 "2008-11-14T15:40:41Z")
Dumb questions, why plow uphill with such a light vehicle? Lastly why not four chains? ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/5 "2008-11-14T16:25:29Z")
Chains in front will give you the most traction. Your Jeep has large enough front fender wells to clear the chains as well. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/6 "2008-11-14T16:34:40Z")
Having only one set of chains, you’ll get a smoother plowed path with them on the rear. If not plowing, but hill climbing/ mud bogging around your property, chains on the front will bite better. ( did this on a 72 Scout II, the thing was a TANK ! climbed a 40 degree snow covered hill.) ---
**Author:** ![silvergc1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@silvergc1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/silvergc1)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/7 "2008-11-14T16:51:52Z")
Depends on what size tires you have. All 4 is the best if you have clearance in the front. If you are running larger tires, you risk the chains hitting the frame in front at full lock (left or right). Otherwise, on the rear. ---
**Author:** ![METOO2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@METOO2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/METOO2)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/8 "2008-11-15T02:57:29Z")
owners manual. GOOD DAY OLE CHAP. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd-tire-chains/22065/9 "2008-11-15T03:30:22Z")
The rear axle is TWICE as strong as the front. And there are no steering knuckles or CV joints to explode if you are foolish enough to apply a lot of power with the front wheels turned at a sharp angle…Successful plowing is more skill than brute force or high power. Chain up the rear wheels and let them do most of the work…NEVER apply a lot of power with the front wheels turned more than 5 or 10 degrees. THAT mistake can get VERY expensive.