Can my 2WD/Locking Diff. Keep up in the off-roading world?

Let me start out by saying, I love offroading, And my truck, and I am a very experienced and smart off-road driver. But I feel I am handicapped by the fact that my tacoma is only 2WD, with a locking differential. I usually dont have a problem going "up" things (due to differential), but when it comes to harsher terrains (mud..snow.. ect) I always have wondered how my truck will stand up to them, because i've never gotten the chance to try. I have also put many modifications on my truck that would make it a formidable off-road vehicle, but am I too crippled by my non 4x4 capability's? Are my efforts futile? Hmm..

Any thoughts?

 

Agreed

 

and remember.... skinny pedal down! unless in snow.

im sure you know this, but im going to throw it out there anyways, airing down helps alot. go to like 18psi. but dont go lower than 12.. my personal opinion.

 

Very true, you will have limitations with a 2wd!

 

Just don't wheel without someone with a 4x4 and always keep some good recovery equipment on board.

 

You'll be limited, but don't let it get ya down! I've taken my 2WD through some pretty cool/fun stuff. The extra challenge is worth the feeling of win after an obstacle has been cleared in 2WD, but sucks when that challenge is too much lol.

 

Haha, I completley agree!
Got up a hill that a 4x4'er said I couldnt! Felt great!!

Is your truck in your sig. picture a 2wD?

 

Is there anything I should think of besides tow straps as "recovery" equipment??

 

locker engaged + airing down is night and day for a locked prerunner.
I did just fine out in ocotillo wells when I had my prerunner.
But...I got bit by the 4x4 bug as well and ended up in a chubby 4x fj cruiser

Get some tire deflators and a good portable air compressor and you will enjoy offroading in your 2wd. Also, as mentioned, try not to wheel alone...

 

Someone's being a Negative Nancy.


But, Very good advice! haha

 

i have 4x4 but i like keeping it in 2wd just to see how far i can get

 

Best of both worlds! haha

 

maybe some bumpers with recovery points on them. Also a hi-lift jack would be useful once you get those bumpers/sliders. It all depends on how serious you want to get.

edit, looks like you have a front bumper. Does it have a place to hook up a strap to that wont get ripped off?

 

Everyone talks about climbs. At least on a climb, the weight transfer is to the rear driving wheels.

What about engine braking on all four on those steep descents, especially with the weight transfer to the front wheels.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

never thought of this. Also the low range is extremely helpful in a lot of situations including steep descents.

 

Please explain?

 

Youcan have low range.to all tires that way u dont have to ride ur brakes and worry about them locking up. Unlike a prerunner where low.range.is only on the rear.wheels and u have a chance of the rear sliding or skipping.

Sent frum mobul fone soe don't freek out about my speling and grahmar.

 

Sure is! Didn't even air down for that one. Guess I could have aired down just to soften the ride a little. I'm pretty proud of my 2WD- Even if I had a 4WD, I'd drive in 2WD more than 4x just for the fun of it. I love the feeling of almost getting stuck and them boom you're out of it with a steady foot. It's like, "Ooooh boy that was close, but I made it!!"

 

^^^^^^Pffffffffffffffffff^^^^^^^^^^Whatever Nancy Your truck sucks! Hahahahahahahahah Jk A 2wd is more capable then you think. ya just have to know how to drive it and take good lines. I live in the mountains and have no problems in Mud, snow, or whatever mother nature throws at me, but i also no when im way to deep and need to rethink the situation! 2WD FTW Plus we can bomb the desert like no other.

 

prerunners dont have low range at all.

OP, In low range, also known as 4lo in a 4wd, the total gear reduction is increased a lot (not sure exactly how much) so that basically top speed in 1st gear is about 3mph. In this mode it is way easier to crawl over obstacles as well as go down steep hills using only engine braking to slow down.