When to use 4WD while off roading question

I understand that you're not supposed to use 4WD on dry pavement. What about at off road trails like Hell's Revenge in Moab? It's mostly slickrock (actually feels like sandpaper though). I'm assuming people are using 4WD out there because some of the sections are crazy.

Isn't that type of terrain similar to dry pavement? Has anyone here taken their truck on that trail?

I Mtn Biked slickrock and saw a bunch of hummers out there. One guy snapped his axel trying to bounce it up a huge rock. I didn't have my Tacoma back then and would like to try some parts of the trail when I go back out there with my truck.

Thanks.

 

Good question OP. I'm actually curious as well. Only surfaces I've ever wheeled on is dirt, gravel, and sand.

 

My understanding is: you generally don't want to use 4x4 on dry pavement because it will make steering difficult when going slow and it cause unnecessary wear on tires, transmission, differentials, etc. I would generally use 4x4 when 2x4 is not enough to get you where you are going. Personally I put it in 4hi on logging road to minimize spin which helps prevent unnecessary wear on the road. On dry rocks like you are describing a locks rear end would probably fair almost as well as 4x4.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks guys, that all makes sense. I just want to make sure I don't break my baby.

There was a highly skilled Hummer tour guide out there who was cruising around all over the place like a boss. I asked him which 4X4 was the best for Moab and he said all stock 4X4's suck, even hummers. Apparently he had a lot of aftermarket parts in his Hummer and an old Bronco. Then he told me about some dude who did parts of the trail in an old Crown Vic, here's the vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

 

I've seen many videos of this guy even doing water crossings in that crown vic!

 

U can use 4wd on the rocks, just don't want to do much turning, but going straight up and over is fine.

 

Ive done Hells Revenge and many other trails in Moab as well as some near my houst that are mainly slickrock. The trick is a light right foot. you dont wanna be gassing it hard on corners or over obstacles. I broke a front spider gear in my 2001 tacoma by bouncing up a ledge. Its harder on your drivetrain than a dirt trail, but if you take it easy you should be fine. I've seen everything from bone stock chevy tahoes to fully built rock rigs on hells... awesome fun trail.

 

My first off road vehicle was a 1965 olds 88 That's what I had, so that's what I used . Next was a baja bug. I learned to drive offroad in 2wd.

I use 2wd most of the time offroad, especially if 2lo is an option as it is for me. I move in and out of 4wd and use the arbs as needed. My strategy is always to use the least capability, and that keeps me in touch with how much trouble I'm getting into.

 

Ha! Badger you remind me of my uncle. I had a Titan 4X4, we were out in the snow going up a hill so I put it in 4 hi. He slapped my hand and said, "Not yet, you're not even slippin' son!"

 

Hey Joe, next time your headed to Moab to bike and wheel gimmee a shout if you need someone to split up gas with.........

 

Will do!

 

I use 4WD all the time and always 4lo for the offroading here in PA.

I've been to Moab with TTORA but I flew out and rode shotgun - that was many many years ago. You definitely want 4lo .....

Not necessarily because you 'need' it - those rocks are grippy as hell!! You can't be blasting thru there...SLOW and steady. The other reason - you don't want all the drive force on ONE axle - or else you will start breaking shit.

If you're climbing up a rock and you're in 2WD - all that torque and weight will be on that rear axle. Sooner or later, it's gonna snap!

 

as others have said take it slow on the turns. I also swing as wide as possible on turns to minimize driveline binding on the slickrock. You will hear your tires chirp at you though every now and then.

BTW...just gonna leave this here...it was an amazing trip last year and should be even better this year. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/moab/243311-2013-t-co-gathering-official-thread.html

 

Moab is lots of fun.

Here is an old jeep of mine from about 10 years ago. Only mods where 4" long arm lift and high clearance bumpers(no lockers). This thing went great on the poison spider/gold bar rim/the trail with the crack trail. I only scraped the bumper on this trail once. I still miss that jeep. But is sucked as a DD.

I would never take my newer stock Tacoma on those trail. I am not sure what it would take for a Tacoma but I would thing at least a 2" lift and a rear locker minimum. And you will be scraping a lot with that.

As for the 4low. The old jeep I would gun it in 4low with sharp turns no problem. Tacomas are a little heavier and longer so you might have to be a little more careful. But then again this is what they where made for.

On another note anyone know how to make a gif out of my photo's?

 

OH! What was that Mr. Locker! Not necessary? That's what I thought!




OP, for every trail out there the entire group was either in 4hi and usually 4lo, so no real issues, other than some excessive use on the skinny pedal which broke 2 cvs. It appears that there is a general fear from people who think that their 4wd system is as fragile as a toothpick, it's not. Just pay attention to it and if it is saying there is too much stress on it, weather it be binding or hopping (hopping is bad, if you truck starts hopping immediately stop or you will break something) then try a different approach. Does slick rock have incredible amounts of traction? Yes, bit it's really not a big deal. If you do turn the wheels really sharply and feel it bind (I hardly ever did) just back off a little bit and keep going.

 

Slickrock ate my side gear :|

I went to Moab and lost.