Can my 2wd handle beaches?

[Brans Freestyle]

First off this forum is nothing short of an explorer owners dream for finding out anything. Ive got a 97 xlt with a v6 ohv, but its only 2wd and I wanna start doing some minor beach running and stuff. so i was wondering, i live about 2 hours away from pismo and me and my friends want to go down there, but would be truck be able to handle it? its got stock suspension and everything, but im looking into getting a locker. and mabye if it can be modded enough for trails and such, like a body lift and new tires.

 

[Alec]

I'd definately have at least a good limited slip in the rear end, or a locker. If the sand is decently packed and coarse you should be fine. However, hit a soft spot and you're just diggin holes.

Take along some long 2x6's or 2x10's to shove under your rear tires if you get stuck, and have a good jack and jack platform.

I've never gotten stuck on a beach, but I have gotten stuck many times on riverbanks. Just don't be surprised if you get stuck, and have emergency equipment and another vehicle to strap you out for free. Good luck!

 

[yob_yeknom]

Don't know anything about Pismo, but if the sand is packed you'll be okay. If the sand is soft, stay away. Even 4wd can get into trouble in soft sand.

 

[SaleenEXP]

Some beefier tires wouldn't hurt, and like Yob said - stay away from soft sand, I've seen some trucks get stuck in Daytona where you can drive on the beach and that sand is packed pretty good.

2yrs ago some friends threw a part in this Forresty area near where I live, needless to say everysingle vehicle got stuck. Mainly b/c the whole damn place was made of that kind of sugar-sand dirt, I had 6 people in my Explorer (2wd) and hit the sand at about 10mph and basically got stuck right when I got into it. My friends Sport Tack (he was a little drunk) ended up on the point of a rock teetering cause he decided to do some jumping/pre-running . And another friends got his dad's brand new suburban stuck in there and that truck was a motha f#@%a to get out, took forever. Another kid had a 4X4 Ram there and he couldn't even get the Suburban out.

We got rescued by the cops!! They were mad cool, my friend is telling the cops everything is cool and they weren't drinking - guess he forgot about the beer bottle in his hand.

 

[Rhett]

sugar-sand dirt

yeah I've seen that stuff you guys have there in Florida. I guess it kinda flies everywhere when you try to go thru it.??

Here you can play around on the Mississippi river bank and sand bars, but you have to be careful as the sand can have soft spots.

 

[JLP]

Brans, at Pismo with 2wd BE CAREFUL. You should be ok on the packed sand (beach near waterline) but if you venture into the dunes you will get stuck. I used to 4wheel (Ranger) and MX bike there and we had to air down the tires and KEEP MOVING in many places in the dunes. We still got stuck many times. Also be careful and scout out areas before just driving over that ridge..... many times the backside is almost a straight drop. Finally no matter how hard you try to keep the sand out it will end up everywhere in your vehicle.

Finally at the entrance/exit point (I forget the name of the street) WAIT TILL YOU HAVE A CLEAR PATH TO THE BEACH HARDPACK.... I have seen many people follow someone and have to stop when they gut stuck... many times this results in you getting stuck as well... there are always tow trucks waiting there to yank you and relieve you of $20.

Have fun.

 

[Fischer]

AIR DOWN. That is key. When I go to the Sand Dunes here in CO. I take them down to about 15psi. It is also nice to have a pump to bring them back up while everyone else in in line for the $.25 a second pump.

That sand there is dry, soft sand; bottomless. You have to air down in order to float on the top. Works well in snow as well.

 

[Jason_25]

WIDE tires are good too. If you wanted to get new tires soon try to get some that are wider than your average 31x10.50. A 31x11.50 would be ideal with a TT and shackles and stock rims.