Are there any other 2WD overlanders here?
- Thread starter Mr. Moore
- Start date
AlwaysExplr87
Member
My last rig was a lifted XJ with a locker in the rear. I rarely used the 4wd when I wasnt somewere that I could have avoided with smarter driving or in one of the ORV parks around. When the XJ decided it had enough I got a non-trd prerunner tacoma with the plans to add a locker. I still havent gotten around to the locker and have cruised the beach, explored NF roads and backcountry trails, chugged through mud, and climbed mountains covered with almost a foot of snow.
Maybe im just lucky but I think if your careful, drive smart, and plan your route your fine exploring in 2wd. I always have a shovel and a strap in my truck, but when I go exploring a hand winch and a few other recovery items (a friends always good for pushing, and my brothers usually on standby). Dropping tire pressure can go a long ways in the right situation too. I love my taco and while its not as capable as the jeep was, I know its limits and expect to change my driving style to fit the situation.
Maybe im just lucky but I think if your careful, drive smart, and plan your route your fine exploring in 2wd. I always have a shovel and a strap in my truck, but when I go exploring a hand winch and a few other recovery items (a friends always good for pushing, and my brothers usually on standby). Dropping tire pressure can go a long ways in the right situation too. I love my taco and while its not as capable as the jeep was, I know its limits and expect to change my driving style to fit the situation.
A few more comments about getting into "manageable trouble" using 2WD here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22217
One good point made in that thread is that 2WD tends to tear up the track more
than 4WD. That's because you tend to substitute power and momentum for traction.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22217
One good point made in that thread is that 2WD tends to tear up the track more
than 4WD. That's because you tend to substitute power and momentum for traction.
wanderer-rrorc
Explorer
Im in the same boat with my 2wd van...but when I got tires for it..I picked a good agressive street tread..(BFG commercial traction TA's..lovem!)
however 10yrs of 4x4 wheelin experiance..and 2 years competing in rock crawling...I feel confident with this...
in order of importance and cost effectiveness..if your by yourself..
the BEST thing you can EVER take with you is another truck!..we hunted for a buddy for OVER 14hrs a few winters ago...all he needed was a tug from another truck..or a winch..
1. Use your brain!!..if your not sure..take a little walk n see whats ahead!..if your really unsure..dont head that way
2. air down the tires..(you can air back up in town if ya need to) $40 compressors will get it done too..
3. highlift jack..48in will do amazing things!!
4. winch/comealong..the xrc8 winches are $300 and have great reviews! a $70 comealong from a hardware/tractor supply will get ya the couple feet ya need!
5. 2in towstrap...NO HOOKS!!..and a couple clevis's..a 2in and 2 clevis's will run ya $50...and worth every penny..but only if ya got a truck/winch to pull ya out!
I didnt list a shovel because in 10 years..I think I used one once...a winch or airing down woulda been a better help..not diving into that mudhole would have been an EVEN BETTER idea!!
a winch is a wonderfull thing...I will push my rigs further knowing I have a winch...the debate on one front or back is kinda preferance..I plan on one on BOTH ends...a winch on the back bumper would have been used more by me on trails than one on the front..but the kind that slips into a reciver tends to put the winch out into harms way..but adds to its versatility!
I plan on a locker for the back of the van..but the tires have proven they work BETTER than the MTR's I had on my old 4x4 truck..but its probably because the van has more weight..and I drive it diffrent KNOWING its 2wd..they can throw some mud and grass thou!
experiance counts more than all the equipment in the world!!...so get out there and play around...see what it will do when ya got a recovery truck closeby...you'll be amazed what they will do!! (and sometimes disapointed in what they wont do!)
however 10yrs of 4x4 wheelin experiance..and 2 years competing in rock crawling...I feel confident with this...
in order of importance and cost effectiveness..if your by yourself..
the BEST thing you can EVER take with you is another truck!..we hunted for a buddy for OVER 14hrs a few winters ago...all he needed was a tug from another truck..or a winch..
1. Use your brain!!..if your not sure..take a little walk n see whats ahead!..if your really unsure..dont head that way
2. air down the tires..(you can air back up in town if ya need to) $40 compressors will get it done too..
3. highlift jack..48in will do amazing things!!
4. winch/comealong..the xrc8 winches are $300 and have great reviews! a $70 comealong from a hardware/tractor supply will get ya the couple feet ya need!
5. 2in towstrap...NO HOOKS!!..and a couple clevis's..a 2in and 2 clevis's will run ya $50...and worth every penny..but only if ya got a truck/winch to pull ya out!
I didnt list a shovel because in 10 years..I think I used one once...a winch or airing down woulda been a better help..not diving into that mudhole would have been an EVEN BETTER idea!!
a winch is a wonderfull thing...I will push my rigs further knowing I have a winch...the debate on one front or back is kinda preferance..I plan on one on BOTH ends...a winch on the back bumper would have been used more by me on trails than one on the front..but the kind that slips into a reciver tends to put the winch out into harms way..but adds to its versatility!
I plan on a locker for the back of the van..but the tires have proven they work BETTER than the MTR's I had on my old 4x4 truck..but its probably because the van has more weight..and I drive it diffrent KNOWING its 2wd..they can throw some mud and grass thou!
experiance counts more than all the equipment in the world!!...so get out there and play around...see what it will do when ya got a recovery truck closeby...you'll be amazed what they will do!! (and sometimes disapointed in what they wont do!)
Drove this all the way to Panama and back. We did get stuck twice, basically on top of the ground spinning in wet grass and black mud but got out easily. From my experience driving through Central America the key to the vehicle is good suspension! The roads are just rough and your vehicle really takes a beating. I'm planning on having dual shocks on the front and an extra leaf spring in the back before I go to South America in a year or so.
Sportsman Matt
Adventurer
Figured I would chime in also. I'm an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, and have owned more 2WD trucks than 4WD over the last 20+ years. I think I owned 3 4WD vehicles, 2 trucks and 1 SUV, and used 4WD maybe a total of 3 times ust to see if it worked. I've been driving 2WD trucks and RWD cars and vans for the majority of the last 20+ years with no problems. Biggest thing is use common sense. Don't be afraid to get out and walk ahead to see if there is an obstacle that may cause you to get stuck. I've only been stuck once, funny part is that it was in a 4WD I used for work, with a trailer that had iced in during a snow storm in January 2005. The tires were sunk in and the ground was frozen with 6" of snow on top, and the 4WD just sat there and spun it's tires. It took a second truck and a farm tractor to pull me and the trailer out.
Only other time I can recall getting close to stuck was on a heavy long snow packed hill, and I had to back down twice and make a couple extra attempts before I made it over in my old 2WD truck.
Just remember the only thing a 4WD has over the 2WD is less of a turning radius and one extra wheel to apply torque to push or pull the vehicle. They both have 4 wheels and both stop the same.
Only other time I can recall getting close to stuck was on a heavy long snow packed hill, and I had to back down twice and make a couple extra attempts before I made it over in my old 2WD truck.
Just remember the only thing a 4WD has over the 2WD is less of a turning radius and one extra wheel to apply torque to push or pull the vehicle. They both have 4 wheels and both stop the same.
AlwaysExplr87
Member
Oh, forgot to mention this but momentum is your friend. If things get slick or sandy try to avoid stopping. If you do stop, try to stop pointing down hill so you have gravity working for you when you want to get going again (this is really helpfull if you have a manual and are driving in the sand).
Mods I would recommend if you're truly wanting to go "off-road" , i.e. something more serious than gravel. :
1. mud-terrains or at least aggressive all terrains - tough sidewalls are important because with 2wd you won't be able to avoid some pointy objects that you could with a 4wd
2. selectable locker - 1 tire w/ no traction versus 2 w/ some traction - #2 better
- a locker allows me to avoid even needing my 4wd in numerous situations
3. winch - particularly good when going solo
4. hi-lift and other manual recovery gear - really hard to make this stuff not work
5. lift - might not need this and nothing too big but clearance is just one more thing that will make your truck more capable plus most aren't overly pricey for 2wd's
6. and most important - common sense - 4wd often times just affords you the ability to "play" a little, so if you can identify your limits and stay within them you'll be able to avoid many of the situations that will get you in trouble
There's a few more I'd suggest for specific terrain but that covers the basics for improving the general capability of your truck imo.
I've never owned a 2wd, but I've done a lot of stuff while in 2wd so I figured I could post. Have fun finding out what she'll do!
1. mud-terrains or at least aggressive all terrains - tough sidewalls are important because with 2wd you won't be able to avoid some pointy objects that you could with a 4wd
2. selectable locker - 1 tire w/ no traction versus 2 w/ some traction - #2 better
- a locker allows me to avoid even needing my 4wd in numerous situations3. winch - particularly good when going solo
4. hi-lift and other manual recovery gear - really hard to make this stuff not work
5. lift - might not need this and nothing too big but clearance is just one more thing that will make your truck more capable plus most aren't overly pricey for 2wd's
6. and most important - common sense - 4wd often times just affords you the ability to "play" a little, so if you can identify your limits and stay within them you'll be able to avoid many of the situations that will get you in trouble
There's a few more I'd suggest for specific terrain but that covers the basics for improving the general capability of your truck imo.
I've never owned a 2wd, but I've done a lot of stuff while in 2wd so I figured I could post. Have fun finding out what she'll do!
bajaharley
New member
2wd
Here is my rig. With good suspension and a full spool....I can go "almost" anywhere...a hard core 4x4's can go..........and in half the time. I love sand.. and we actually seek out the washes whenever possible.
Here is my rig. With good suspension and a full spool....I can go "almost" anywhere...a hard core 4x4's can go..........and in half the time. I love sand.. and we actually seek out the washes whenever possible.
Here is my rig. With good suspension and a full spool....I can go "almost" anywhere...a hard core 4x4's can go..........and in half the time. I love sand.. and we actually seek out the washes whenever possible.
That is BADA$$!!!!!I would drive that everyday if i could! Too bad it isn't street legal.......I want one!!!!!!!
bajaharley
New member
2wd
it is street legal...so far I have only towed it once to a location.
it is street legal...so far I have only towed it once to a location.
winkosmosis
Explorer
A 4WD truck in 2WD mode isn't going to break those parts anyway. There's no advantage to the 2WD besides lower weight.