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2wd off road?

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by tymeson, Jul 29, 2017.

  1. Jul 31, 2017 at 1:56 PM
    #21
    coopcooper

    coopcooper certified youtube mechanic

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    just hit every mud pit flat out at 40mph and you should get through it in 2wd
     
    flawdatacomer and jgill21 like this.
  2. Jul 31, 2017 at 2:00 PM
    #22
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    ...or you'll end up further into the deep part of the pit where you'll inevitably get stuck anyhow and make it even harder to get out, lol.
     
  3. Jul 31, 2017 at 2:34 PM
    #23
    coopcooper

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    only one way to find out
     
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  4. Jul 31, 2017 at 3:30 PM
    #24
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    :burnrubber::mudding::rain:
     
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  5. Jul 31, 2017 at 7:19 PM
    #25
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    Might also help with some bags of sand in the bed and don't put 12.50 wide tires, they will make it hard to steer on muddy roads because tacomas don't really weigh enough to sink down with them and grab.
     
  6. Aug 1, 2017 at 11:06 AM
    #26
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Going fast in the desert? Yes, 2WD it fine. But you might consider going long travel before too long...

    Anywhere where you basically need to go slow because of traction or large obstacles (rocks n stuff) or need traction (sand, mud)? Forget it.

    I sometimes play "first one to switch to 4wd is the looser" with some friends, but we have 4wd for when we need it.
     
  7. Aug 1, 2017 at 11:33 AM
    #27
    coopcooper

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    that's my favorite game. except when my buddy comes with his bronco. no buddy likes a cheater.
     
  8. Aug 3, 2017 at 9:50 AM
    #28
    Trident904

    Trident904 Touching Drum Sets

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    OP, good for you on wanting to wheel your very capable prerunner. As someone who has owned 7 Toyota trucks (6 being 4wd and 1 2wd) I can tell you that the prerunner when properly equipped and driven correctly can go most places. You will find that certain places are unreachable in 2wd but those are places you should not be attempting to go anyway in a 2wd rig. A lot of the nay-sayers on here will tell you that you'll get stuck everywhere you go which is false and those people are likely the ones who drive in 4lo as soon as their tires touch dirt. Experience plays a big part in off roading and the more you do the more you learn and the more you push your rig you'll learn what it's capabilities are. The skinny pedal is your friend in a 2wd rig.

    If you're looking to build your truck, here are some basic firsts to consider.
    1. Tires - Being 2wd, you will want the most traction you can get so i would recommend a quality MT tire.
    2. Lift - Because you are 2wd, leverage will play a big part in your off road experience. I played with lifts on mine and found that running 33's with about 4.5" of lift and a flexy rear end gave me plenty of ground clearance and the ability to keep both rear wheels on the ground during articulation. I would recommend getting suspension components that allow plenty of flex on the rear end (see my build page for the Chevy 63 swap) or get a quality replacement leaf pack. For the front, I would recommend MaxTrac spindles and a quality coilover setup. This would allow you to run an easy 4-5" all around. Remove your sway bar and put it in storage. You don't need it as long as you don't treat your truck like a race car.
    3. Rear Locker - You don't need an ARB air locker although some will say it is an absolute necessity (They are wrong). Invest in a TrueTrac and you'll be just fine.
     
  9. Aug 6, 2017 at 1:01 AM
    #29
    el_turks

    el_turks Well-Known Member

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    I off road all the time on my pre-runner. Joshua tree, Anza borrego, around Zion, death and saline valleys, around the Grand Canyon, and other places. The post above this one has it right. My 4low friends often are surprised I make it up the roads they use 4low on. Just go out there but take another off road vehicle with you and be safe.
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2017
  10. Aug 14, 2017 at 8:14 AM
    #30
    KapitanWalnut

    KapitanWalnut Well-Known Member

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    It's amazing you can go with a good set of tires, and maybe a bit of extra weight in the back to keep traction on your rear wheels. Since you're getting into wheeling, start gradual. Don't jump immediately into the most difficult stuff, build up to it and learn your truck's capabilities. As you get more comfortable, try some stuff in easily-recoverable places where it's no big deal if you get stuck. There are plenty of 4-wheeling "playgrounds" and OHV parks - areas where there are purposefully bypasses to nearly every obstacle so you can try out what you're comfortable with, and then push that comfort level (side note: don't go around obstacles on trails without a bypass, that's how roads get closed - get a buddy to pull you through it or turn around, but please don't go around where there isn't already a very well defined bypass).

    Spend your money first on the gas to learn your vehicle and some basic recovery gear, then on tires to expand your capabilities, then on a lift if you feel it is necessary. I personally think that upgrading to 4x4 should take priority over getting a locker in terms of capability, but it'll probably be cheaper to just upgrade the rear diff.
     
    tymeson[OP], jgill21 and Trident904 like this.
  11. Aug 23, 2017 at 11:07 PM
    #31
    7ender

    7ender Well-Known Member

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    You'd be surprised what you can do with 4x2, but nothing like a 4x4.

    I have a prerunner also, and commonly need to be recovered if having 5 guys in the bed isn't enough.
     
    4x2maury and tymeson[OP] like this.

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