Can 2WD perform off-road?

[Patton]

I have a 2001 sport and I really like it. It runs great, has good power, and does pretty good off-roading from the little I've done with it. However, it is a 2WD vehicle and I'm wondering your take on someone like me who likes taking their 2WD vehicle off-roading. Do you think it is useless to improve a 2WD vehicle's ability to perform off-road?
I have a place in my town called Twin Chapel and it is a little patch of off-roading that hasn't been developed. It has all sorts of bumps and obstacles and my explorer has managed to get through all of it with relative ease. It even got through a pretty big mudhole that a decked-out 4WD truck got stuck it. I just feel like I'm constantly using momentum to get through all these obstacles instead of power. At the first sign of any loss of momentum the tires start to slip (although not as bad as other 2WD vehicles that go through there do). Is there any use to making my explorer look and (at least engine wise) perform like an off-roading explorer if it has no hope of ever getting through a decent mudhole without momentum?
I'm not saying its useless. It does its job where it can and I love taking it off-roading because, for all intents and purposes, it's a beast. But it will never be able to do what a true 4WD vehicle can do and I'm just wondering everyone's outlook on what a 2WD vehicle is truly meant for, and whether it has its uses off-roading.
Heres a picture. I bottomed out. (good night other than that though)

Clear picture

 

[dkkne]

well 2WD is not ideal and will not get you places a 4WD can, but you can off road a 2WD and have fun! You will not be able to crawl through ditchs and rocks at all, but mild mud is a BLAST in 2WD as are trails. Make sure you have a nice aggresive tire and a strong limited slip at the very least, a locker would even be better.

 

[410Fortune]

yes:

just depends on the road

Try a search on this site, there are plenty of built 2wd Explorer's here

 

[Mexplorer]

Yes, the truck is important, but more important is a skilled driver. Yep, someone can get stuck his 4WD vehicle with ease, and a good driver with a 2WD can get trough hard terrains consistently, just use your common sense. My brother has an F-200 2WD with 31`s and he can outperforms other less skilled drivers with 4WD trucks, just know how to drive, and know where to have caution....

I second the idea of a strong limited slip or a locker diff....

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

limited slip a locker, good tires a lift and driving ability all effect the performence of your 2wd off-road.

 

[IZwack]

IMO - skip the LS - the Aussie Locker is much better and is only ~$250 <-- you cant even buy BigMacs for that cheap these days The clutch packs on most LS units are a pain.

 

[CodePoet]

agree...skip the ls, go straight to a locker

The can be awsome in the desert btw

 

[old mechanic]

Read AlDives posts. He has a 2WD that he has done many mods to with greater performance and mileage. Al is "superman" when it comes to performance mods. Also like said a locker and some good off road tires. When I had my 2WD Ford truck I put chains and loaded weight to it to go thru the same unplowed roads when hunting that I now use my 4WD. Well ALMOST as good. Just was a PITA to stop and put the chains on before going 3-4 miles in the woods thru unplowed roads.
Have fun!

 

[Patton]

I was looking at this aussie locker and I was wondering what the catch was... expensive to install? Something I need to change before buying it?
Looks too good to be true.

BTW I was wondering if a locker would have gotten me through that hole... that one I'm in in that first picture

 

[Stic-o]

Get a loker and some desent tires and you'll be surprised what you can do.

The Aussie or a Lockright, you can install yourself. Not that hard.

 

[Foggman]

I just ordered an Aussie Locker for my front end and according to the tracking # I shjould have it tomarrow. Are there any tips, tricks or traps I should be thinking about ahead of time?

 

[NHale623]

I don't know what your intentions are for your truck, but....

If it is 2 wheel drive and you are planning on driving it for a daily driver and the occasional offroad trip, I would think long and hard before about choosing a locker. I think you'll find that it will truly suck everytime you turn a corner, especially if you drive in a city.

It's your truck, for you to do with as you wish.

 

[Stic-o]

I don't know what your intentions are for your truck, but....

If it is 2 wheel drive and you are planning on driving it for a daily driver and the occasional offroad trip, I would think long and hard before about choosing a locker. I think you'll find that it will truly suck everytime you turn a corner, especially if you drive in a city.

It's your truck, for you to do with as you wish.

Not true! I have a No slip lock right in mine and it's a daily driver. I never even notice it's there until I get hard on the gas, or goose it.

 

[IZwack]

Definitely not true -- I have a detroit locker in my 14-bolt and it turns corners in my neighborhood fine Just dont stomp on the gas around corners as Stic-O said and a locker will be perfectly fine -- its not a spool after all, or at least its not supposed to operate like a spool.

I was looking at this aussie locker and I was wondering what the catch was... expensive to install? Something I need to change before buying it? Looks too good to be true.

My Aussie Locker is still waiting to go in (maybe this weekend?) but I'll post back on here how the install goes. But its a lunchbox locker so basically you remove the carrier and slide the locker in. Of course its always easier said than done but thats the basic principle

 

[chewy4x4]

I have a 2wd 2001 Ex Sport and I love the thing. I am installing a locker though. If you do a TT with a set of warrior shackles and a set of AAL's you should be fine. You need to have the lift and probably a set of mud tires (I am partial to BFG M/T km) If you combine all of that with a good tuneing you should be able to use your power and grip to get you through some decent mud holes. The Aussie locker is from what I have read becoming a force to be reconed with. Get it quick before the prices sky rocket. The thing is quiet and streetable. I will post a full install thread when I do mine. Hope this helped. Check ebay for some better wheels the stockers just arent good enough. Think black Steel 15" wheels (cheap on ebay I paid 250 for a set of 5 for my jeep) with 32" mud tires. You can Have your off road 4x2 making those 4x4's sweat when you come out.