Need advice on mods for beach driving

[matt97]

I have a 97 xlt 4x4 4-door w/4.0 OHV.I'm running 30x9.50 Dunlop AT tires,when i drive on the beach (usually Corolla or Hatteras NC)my temp guage always goes close to the red and it seems like I lose a lot of power. Will a engine oil cooler help keep the temp down?What could I do to gain a little more power in the sand?I already have a K&N filter,I was thinking of adding a flowmaster,will this help?It also feels like i'm getting some wheel hop or axle wrap in deep sand what can i do about it? (was thinking of maybe trying overload springs to stiffen rear springs)Who else on this site drives alot on the beach?What works for you?Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[MEXEXP]

I have done it a couple of times but mine's a 2wd and to avoid the wheel hop just drop the air pressure of the tires to I think 15 psi, the tread pattern get's wider and it doesn't bounce that much.

 

[TarHeel085]

ive never done anything different when ive driven out on Corolla/Corova Beach. ive never noticed my temp gauge doing anything funny and ive done it 3 times and gunna be a 4th later this summer. also i feel like i lose power too, but you gotta realize that your sickin in the sand makin your engine work a lot harder to push you through.

 

[X~FACTOR]

The engine cooler will certainly lower your temp gauge but I don't think it'll be the fix that you are looking for.

Do you only get the overheating when you drive over deep sands? You might be on the border of overheating when you drive over pavements but overheats when over sands because your engine is working extra hard pushing through the sands.

You have to do the usual stuff when you overheat. Check coolant, change thermostat, change radiator caps, flush the radiator, and such.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Sounds like your fan clutch isn't working right. You shouldn't have heating problems. Do you air down your tires? You should. I assume that you are in 4wd. The engine shouldn't be laboring that much going through sand.

 

[matt97]

I have recently replaced my fan clutch because it had some play in it,is 15 psi a good pressure to run in sand?
I always use 4HI,should I be in 4LO on the beach?

 

[espnfreak]

Lowering the air pressure down a bit will definately help your traction in the sand. After going to Silver Lake Sand dunes several times, I noticed airing them down to 15-18 psi will definately help grip better, no matter what kind of tires they are.