I've had experience driving a 100% stock '84 TDI 90 (32" BFG ATs, manual trans), 100% stock '94 D1 (30" BFG AT's, auto trans), a very far from stock '96 D1 (32" federal courigia super swamper knockoffs, manual trans, detroit rear, trutrac front), 100% stock '04 DII (31" Goodyear Duratracs, auto trans) and a 2005 LR3 with the same Duratracs, all were very good in the snow with center diff unlocked and epic in the snow with it locked (LR3 not having that specific option, just using GSS setting).

2 things:
1) it depends on tires a lot more than any single vehicle's ability
2) your friend is crazy.

 

My 2¢.
1). Discovery is astounding in snow. I've still yet to get even close to stuck (in Ontario). I was driving around in 20+ inches of unbroken snow last year. No need for keeping speed up or anything all, very polite. Could have parallel parked.
2). Get undercoated! And not just "oiled". Pay the money, get the professionals and their fancy compounds. Every year.
3). Go find a deserted parking lot and practice skidding. All kinds of skidding. You want your reactions to be automatic when the **** hits the fan.
4). All season tires are a terrible idea in winter (again, Ontario). With the disco you may not get stuck, but your stopping distance will be much higher than with dedicated snows. The rubber is softer at colder temperatures.
When you are sliding that extra distance into the thing that kills you will you be happy about the money you saved?
A good way to think about it: you're going to use up two sets of tires in a vehicle's life: why not make them one set of winters and one set of summers.

Sorry if that's preachy, but I think it's an important safety issue.

 

are you two really debating a post from 2010?

 

Why not? There's still snow in 2015😄 And they're both wrong...siped tires are amazing, can be used year round (no need for long lines at the shops or 2nd set of rims) and are almost as good as dedicated snow tires. They supposedly make them last longer too but I can't confirm that.

 

General Grabber AT2 for when the snow gets bad. But I ran Continental 4X4 contacts all year last year, parked on a sheet of ice and never had a problem.
Discos are wonderful in snow.

 

I have run Duratracs on my Rover and my Ram. I think they are great offroad and in fresh snow and complete, horrible garbage on packed snow/ice. As in I hate them and want actual snow tires for the winter.

 

Good time for this topic again...

My Michelin tires (see sig) have been great in the snow. It's time to buy new tires though and I'm thinking of going 245/75R16 from stock. As I do 80% freeway miles and less than 10% snow the Michelin M/T or A/T seems like a great combination of attributes. I've got 90k miles on my current set, and luckily we should have a mild (but wet) winter here in the PNW so its time to change but i got time, no hurries... My other choice would be KO2's for the looks but it would not be optimal for my intended use.

I was just wondering though, If I only size up from 65 to 75 should I still buy 5 new tires so my spare always matches... I seem to remember something about that on these vehicles.

Also what is the deal with alignment. I searched quite a bit and found no consensus. I plan on buying at Costco, who does not do alignments. Some friends (toyota drivers) say you must get an alignment with every new set of tires regardless... But then these trucks have no camber adjust. Is getting an alignment on these one of those things tire shops like to sell you to maximize profits??? Do I need to do that if things are fine as far as I know?

A few of these basic answers would be good for other searchers since it seems challenging to find threads with complete answers.

 

Yes, get the correct size spare if you intend on using it if you get a flat. No, you don't need to get an alignment. I've never heard that in my life actually.

As for the KO2s... I've heard they're actually pretty bad in the snow and the tread won't last as long as your current Michelins, though I don't know about the Michelin A/Ts or M/Ts.

 

As Alex said, get 5. I just got 5 265/75/16 (2" lift). I am going to incorporate the spare in tire rotation to keep all the tires at the same wear pattern (and hopefully make them last longer).

It wouldn't hurt to have the alignment checked. I've had my alignment checked twice in the past 6 years. Once after I hit a curb at 20MPH when my **** poor tires lost it in the snow, and just after I put these tires on because I've been a bit aggressive on the trails. After the curb, it was spot on perfect. This time, one tire wheel was .05" out, and that wasn't enough to warrant action.