b1gredek

Been shopping for a truck or suv,, just bought some quads,, and will be going to pismo beach often,, and snowboarding during winter,,, question is,, do u guys think that 2wd is enough,, or should i pay extra and get a 4wd truck,,, dont wanna get stuck on the beach,, but also dont wanna waste a few grand on a 4x4,,, i think i should be fine with a 2wd, locking diff, and mud tires,, what do u professionals think???

videcormeum

I'm not a professional, but you can get 4x4 drive without paying a whole lot of money. How much money are you looking to spend? Will you only be using the truck to tow your ATVs? If so, why not take a look at the following:

Jeep Liberty Limited 2.8L Turbo Diesel (5 spd auto) Full-Time 4WD - 5000 lbs maximum towing capacity:
- Limited "F" Package (no leather/upgrades)
- 2.8L Turbo Diesel w/ 5-spd auto
- Trailer Tow group
- Side Airbags
- Tire Pressure monitoring

$23,742 after employee pricing and rebates ...

I don't think you'll do any better than this.

If you decide to go w/ the standard gas 3.7L engine, you'll save an extra grand - around $23k for the truck.

M.

Tammy

A four wheel drive Tundra, few years old with reasonable mileage and a service history.

Lil4X

If you are planning to go into the boonies where few others go, a 4X4 would be most useful for getting yourself out of trouble. Either way, a GOOD tow strap should be considered required equipment. So long as you use a little judgment, and stay near other vehicles a 4X2 would be OK. Your selection probably depends more on your OTHER uses for the vehicle, if a daily driver, weekend utility vehicle, or serious backwoods explorer.

I drove 4X4 Suburbans for years because in my business I had to get off paved roads occasionally. Crossing damp pastures or traveling on "oilfield" roads (bladed and compacted mud, with wood planks laid into the deeper mudholes . . . usually), a few excursions into sand, or just unimproved backroads were all on my agenda. Of course, vacations in snow country were a great plus. I found you trade the slightly reduced mileage and slightly increased maintenance for keeping to a schedule.

I seldom traveled so far off the beaten track that sitting and waiting for a day for the rain to stop and the road to drain off . . . for it to be freshly bladed or plowed wouldn't eventually get me back to civilization. I carried food, water, blankets, pillows, and all the things I needed just to sit tight and wait for the situation to improve. In practically all cases, a 4-5 mile hike could have gotten me to help - or at least cell phone range. I opted for the 4X4 simply for the convenience of getting myself out of trouble . . . no lines, no waiting.

Driving on the beach presents a few special challenges. Avoid the dunes (in your truck) and stay near the tracks of other vehicles. Wet sand is smooth and stable. The dry stuff up the beach isn’t. All contain plenty of salt, so a thorough washdown, particularly under the fenders, rocker panels, etc. is in order when you get home. I know it looks good in the car commercials, but driving along the water line blasts saltwater into crevices you may never find, reducing your vehicle to a pile of iron oxide in only a few months. The guys that do the commercials don’t have to drive the cars to work for the next few years.

In any case, don’t drive where you can’t see. Get out and walk up to ridges, dunes, etc. to be sure what’s on the other side. Cliffs, vehicles, people, and lots of other surprises may wait on the other side.

If you are serious about going into the back country, find a local 4-wheeler club, or better, a club of off-road enthusiasts. You may not run the Baja, but even if you just want to explore the fire roads - or see what's over that next ridge, the expertise and advice they can offer, whether for your truck or your 4-wheeler, can be invaluable. Tire selection and pressures, emergency equipment, driving techniques, and specific safety precautions for your trip can be gained here too. A couple of good books or videos on light off-roading are available from folks like www.4X4books.com, or "4-Wheel Freedom" from Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...lance&n=283155 ), or even the "Jeep Owner's Bible" (published by Jeep)

One invaluable piece of maintenance advice I picked up from such a club: If you drive a 4X4 truck or SUV - a real one with locking hubs and all of that stuff, have those "automatic" hubs serviced every couple of years. It's a good idea to have your front brakes serviced regularly - and at the same time have them pull and repack the wheel bearings and clean and repack your locking hubs too. If they're going to be in there anyway, the extra work doesn't cost much.

Caution: NEVER EVER EVER let anyone touch these locking hubs who isn't a 4-wheel specialist. This can be critical. One auto shop clown installed the clutch dogs BACKWARDS for me during routine hub maintenance - as I discovered deep in a mudhole a few days later. From a 4WD, I became a 1WD as the locked transfer case and open axle diffs transferred power to one rear wheel and the free-spinning dog clutches up front. Thanks, pal! If it weren't for a kindly fellow in an old Datsun pickup, me and 3 tons of scrap iron would still be residing frame down in that pasture.

Enjoy those new quads safely!

b1gredek

thanks for all the replies,, especially lil4x,,, wont be doing anything that crazy to be honest with you,,, no crazy trails,, mostly driving on the beach,, and dont wanna get stuck,,, if i think i could get by with a 2x4 with a limited slip,, i will,, if not,, gonna go with a 4x4,,, my choices of trucks so far,, has been the new avalanche,, tahoe,, or a nissan titan,,, what do u guys think?? thought about the tundra,, but the new one is coming out,, and that is not for a couple of months,, then gotta wait for the premium to come down,yada yada yada,,,, thanks again

sc430blue

Maybe look into the Toyota FJ? I hear they are the top rated SUV. Interior is well suited for beach excursions.

Another thing to remember on your beach trips....air down your tires to allow for a bigger footprint. That way you are floating on top of the sand, not going thru it.

b1gredek

really really considered the fj,, i think its a bit underpowered,, wanted a v8,, also dont wanna pay full sticker for a car,, especially an suv...

Woogie

I've seen a whoooole lotta trucks and cars get stuck in the sand with their two wheel drive vehicles. The only solution is to either have someone in front of you with tow straps to your car or have a few friends get out and start pushing/rocking your car out. 4x4 is definintely the way to go.

STIG

I just picked up a Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Sport Edition for under 3500$ invoice. And I love my Truck!

calispyder

I would get a 4 wheel drive. I used to have a 2 wheel drive and get stuck at pismo all the time. Get 4 wheel drive especially if you are going to be pulling a trailer over there. Or I guess you could slap on some paddle tires on and a locker in the rear and have some fun. I went to pismo last month and had to pull a couple of 2 wheel drive trucks up to our campsite. They got stuck as soon as they drove off of the hard packed sand by the ocean. Heres a couple of pictures for the last time we went.

foofighter

did you get a Range Rover? that should be more than adequate to trailer your gear no?

b1gredek

cali,, that was probably me u pulled out,, we got pulled out twice,, but out tires were not deflated,, also didnt have the locking diff,,,,,, got the range rover,, but i dont see myself taking that through the sand,,, maybe trails,,, and to tow the race cars around

valgs350

iTrader: (1)

2wd can drive alright on the beach, it all depends on the driver! If you do go to pismo beach carry a HI-Lift jack with you to get yourself un-stuck. It works great to get the LX unstuck at the beach, since its so heavy!

You could also get a used 1999 or 2001 Land Cruiser at a good price! Around $18,000 - $24,000 with 100,000 + Miles!

Also, another good idea is to get a ARB rear Air Locker.

I joined the TLCA, great people with years of experience! www.tlca.org

valgs350

iTrader: (1)

videcormeum

That snorkel is pretty hardcore.

Oregon Trail wouldn't have been a very fun game if the oxen had been replaced by LX470s

M.