Some Tips for novice driver...

[Mexplorer]

Hi!

I´m planning to do some "light" offroading. Specifically, i want to drive over sand , near the beach, the "soft sand" and the "hard sand". I have tryed this one time but i got stuck after, because my driving skills are not good over this type of terrain, and had a very bald tires, ones with 235 75 15.
Really, when i engage the "4WD Auto" the truck felt very bad, many noises and clunks, and the front differential engages and disengages. Now i know this is a normal operation. I changed the transfercase fluid and Front Diff fluid, too...

Now i want to try again, in the same place. I have no mods for this, only a new 31x10.5x15 "Sport King All Terrain" set of tires mounted in the stock 15*7 rim. I heard about lowering the tire pressure but i dont know. Any advice would be aprecciated. Thanks...

My truck is a 96 V6 automatic with 4X4...

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

lower the tire pressure you get much better traction.

 

[sn0border88]

Really, when i engage the "4WD Auto" the truck felt very bad, many noises and clunks, and the front differential engages and disengages. Now i know this is a normal operation. I changed the transfercase fluid and Front Diff fluid, too...

Ummm.... that dosent sound normal at all. When 4x4 auto engages you MAY hear a small click, and then should hear nothing, and really feel nothing apart from the steering feedback when you are in 4x4. It also shouldnt just engage and disengage, it should do exactly as you tell it too.


Apart from that, air down tires to around 12-8 psi max, no lower. Also make sure to carry spare parts and fluid and stuff. Dont park facing uphill or sideways on a slope while on sand. Most of all really, if you think your going to get stuck, and cant avoid the area, keep going and dont slow down.

 

[Mexplorer]

Thanks for your responses...

sn0border88:

Yeah, the truck felt strange, but when i changed the tires for the 31´s i tested again and only sounded like something was gaining speed (tested in a slippery road with little rocks), but no more, both systems seems to work normal, or at least i think so....

Another question. For this purpose,should i need to use 4X4 AUTO or 4X4 LOW?
Which is better for this type of driving ? thanks in advance...

 

[DeRocha]

I agree with the other posters... you need to lower tire presssure to help the tires float on top of the sand instead of trying to dig to the botton which just burries the whole truck.. Pressure depends on the tire and weight of the vehicle, but 10-14 psi is average for running on sand.. Running lower than 8 psi increases the chance of blowing a bead (the tire separating from the rim). When running in sand you need to keep your momentum going.. If you feel the vehicle slowing down because of really loose soil you will need to go faster to keep the tires floating on the surface.. If you slow down the tires will sink and you'll most likely will get stuck. Always carry a tow strap, a shovel, a 3/4" +12x12 plywood base to use under a jack in the sand, and extra water...

I have run low range on sand and its fine on the loose stuff when going under 20mph.. Any higher speeds and you should be in auto or high..

 

[sn0border88]

if stay in 4x4 high, transmission in drive

 

[unclemeat]

4-low, tire pressure start around 20-psi, lower in necessary, stay above any high tide marks. Check all fluids prior to going offroad. Find a friend to wheel with. I would also check the 4x4 prior to when it is time to wheel.