Dune offroading with a 2x4 2.7 Tacoma?

Hi everyone,

Could my 2x4 2.7 Tacoma be able to perform in dune offroading? For example at Pismo Beach, California?

Besides taking the air out of the wheels, what other precautions and preparation work should I do to take my Taco in light dunes offroading?

Should I even consider it?

Thanks,

 

Make sure you have recovery points and another vehicle with you for recoveries.

 

Some traction boards and a snatch strap would be great to have on hand

 

Bring wood along to help with recovery and jacking, recovery points are critical, dont go alone if unexperienced.

 

SHOVEL

Bring a recovery strap and one of those hitch shackles so someone can pull you out if you need it.

floormats can be used as traction mats in a pinch

use the skinny pedal to keep from bogging


Don't be like this angry little prerunner and get stuck in the sand

 

If you're going to stop, make sure you're not pointing uphill. Momentum is your friend.

 

Do you have a rear locker?

If it's just flat sand, you would prolly be ok, but as soon as you throw in an incline... it could be questionable.

Some recovery boards, snatch strap, shovel/hoe. Don't take anything you don't need (keep truck light if possible).

DO NOT GO WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE THAT CAN PULL YOU OUT. Expect to get stuck, but that's ok. I'm used to driving in the sand and still get stuck. Just go prepared to get out.

Recent trip to Florence. 4x maxtrax couldn't get him out, and he had 4wd (no locker). Had to use Snatch Strap.

 

Keep momentum going. When you want to slow down, let off the gas pedal(don’t brake). Avoid sharp turns. Try to follow tracks made by previous vehicles as the sand is more compacted.

 

2 WD, NO LOCKER, NO GO. Sand and dunes are tricky and challenging with 4WD. Without 4WD (and a locker) it won’t be fun, just a pita.

 

4WD totally necessary IMO. My friend did it in RWD and I was pulling him out of the sand every few minutes.

Sand is a completely different animal, especially loose sand like you find at the dunes. You even get stuck with 4WD. There were places I had to crawl out of a rut in 4LO on the transfer case and Low on the transmission very slowly.

 

This 100%.

But TBH, even with my v6, once im in the actual dunes of pismo, its 4low and rear locked aired down. 4Hi and 2hi are pretty much useless (4hi useless cus you dont get much past 1st gear speeds and will just burn up the auto trans or your clutch).

 

I'm going to say, that's a negative ghost rider... You can drive down Pismo Beach, and back, but once you venture out in the dunes you're looking at stuck city.

 

I rarely got stuck at Pismo when I had my 05 trd sport. Maybe the 33's had something to do with it. You do have to choose your lines wisely though and not be afraid to reverse down a dune to give it another go!

 

Uh, no; unless it’s in a Taco Bell parking lot

 

If you're going to be at Pismo anyway then why not just give it a try. Make sure you have recovery points and gear. A friend with 4x4 would be ideal and don't go in over your head. If you get stuck too much then get dragged to camp and park it.

 

Man I heard they’re outlawing any vehicles in the dunes and on the beach. I know groups have been trying for years but I heard something recently passed?

 

Also I’ve got stuck a ton at Pismo (not in the Tacoma) . There are so many people you won’t have to wait long for someone to pull you out.

I don’t think I would go without 4x4.

 

Pismo has always been a good time but the environmental groups have been killing any fun out there for awhile and recently have used coivd as an excuse to shut it down. I believe currently only street legal vehicles are allowed in the dunes. But don't quote me on that.

Many good memories out there. This was a buddy on one of the trips