4x2 Offroading?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
o hell yea man! a lot of times 4x2's are fun to watch b/c they usually try obstacles that they know they can't make.
just get a decent set of mud terrain type tires and get a selectable locker for the rear and you'd be amzed how far you can go!
-cutts-
just get a decent set of mud terrain type tires and get a selectable locker for the rear and you'd be amzed how far you can go!
-cutts-
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
it really depends on terrain.
deep mud is a killer on a 4x2 even with tire chains.
you can do ok in the woods, on hard packed dirt, rocky fields etc.
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
deep mud is a killer on a 4x2 even with tire chains.
you can do ok in the woods, on hard packed dirt, rocky fields etc.
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
it really depends on terrain.
deep mud is a killer on a 4x2 even with tire chains.
you can do ok in the woods, on hard packed dirt, rocky fields etc.
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
deep mud is a killer on a 4x2 even with tire chains.
you can do ok in the woods, on hard packed dirt, rocky fields etc.
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
you post ***** 
Actually the place where 2wd's will outshine 4's is in the high speed desert racing, less parts break, no high dollar fancy ifs suspension and transfer cases (you should look into the tc's they use, pretty cool) to break, and that money can be put into other parts of your rig.
Also probably the best route to go for 2wd offroading would the the ford twin ibeam equiped trucks (they still use this on the superduty's and e-series vans), as you can get insane amounts of travel thats extremely reliable to boot.
Actually the place where 2wd's will outshine 4's is in the high speed desert racing, less parts break, no high dollar fancy ifs suspension and transfer cases (you should look into the tc's they use, pretty cool) to break, and that money can be put into other parts of your rig.
Also probably the best route to go for 2wd offroading would the the ford twin ibeam equiped trucks (they still use this on the superduty's and e-series vans), as you can get insane amounts of travel thats extremely reliable to boot.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 0
From: Rep. of Texas
well, now that i have it bookmarked...I might as well post it...
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/....php?id=232414
Where 2wd got me. Hell, just go out and do it, and find your limits. just when I was getting used to 2wd, igot manual hubs. anyways, just go find some mud, not water.
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/....php?id=232414
Where 2wd got me. Hell, just go out and do it, and find your limits. just when I was getting used to 2wd, igot manual hubs. anyways, just go find some mud, not water.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
yep fritzblitz is my buddy that lives by me. I got the 2wd twin i-beam 67 f100 with 4" lift, soon to have 33's.... It will be ready for the road in about 2 weeks. Then ill see what it can do while off roading.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
A 4x2 and a winch and you are pretty good in MOST situations. Obviously, as stated above, you won't want to do any real mudding or anything, but for trails and other reasonable off-roading, you'd be okay.
4x4 tends to get you (well me anyways) into more trouble than it gets you out of.
4x4 tends to get you (well me anyways) into more trouble than it gets you out of.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Safford, Arizona
Originally Posted by oldhalftons
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
On a front engine truck, if the sand is soft, 2wd is not gonna get you far compared to a 4x4. Be prepared if there's sand around. You are usually fine for most stuff. Just don't turn your wheels too sharp, and try not to spin your tires. You want to stay on top, because once your tires start spinning, you are in trouble.
Of course I'm used to this AZ sand, no moisture at all, just deep soft sand that doesn't stick together... Like the dunes.
2wd offroaders are fun to watch, usually they have to use more skinny pedal.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
my old 2001 f-150 supercrew had 2wd and it did an AWESOME job in the mud just stock- may have been pretty good chance but i was amazed how well it did. With a little bit of lift and good tires you should have TOO much worry about- just make sure there's another truck (pref a 4wd) to pull you out just in case.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Duncan,OK
I usta work on iriggation systems and was in the mud and offroad every day. 2 wheel drive, long wheel base, moderate gears with a locker and wide aggressive tires work the best. With a 2X4 your biggest concern is scotching your front tires. A highlift jack is necessity and a winch is highly recomended. I would carry 2 strips of portable runway, axe, shovel, madox, 2 T-posts with driver and puller. Working by myself miles from help I never had a problem I could not handle.
Pat
Pat
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Newhall,CA
Originally Posted by oldhalftons
4x2s can do really well in sand (sometimes better than a 4x4) with wide drive tires and narrow steering tires.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
It just depends on what you plan on doing.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
To quote an old friend:
Him: "You know the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive?"
Me: "No"
Him: "Another 20 feet before you get stuck."
Him: "You know the difference between front wheel drive and four wheel drive?"
Me: "No"
Him: "Another 20 feet before you get stuck."
It's all about traction. If you have it, you are moving. If you don't, it does not matter how many tires you can spin. JMHO
Him: "You know the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive?"
Me: "No"
Him: "Another 20 feet before you get stuck."
Him: "You know the difference between front wheel drive and four wheel drive?"
Me: "No"
Him: "Another 20 feet before you get stuck."
It's all about traction. If you have it, you are moving. If you don't, it does not matter how many tires you can spin. JMHO
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: Fredericton NB, Canada
Two creeds to live buy when wheeling a 4X2.
"Momentum will take you where traction cant."
and
"Dont let fear and common sense get in your way"
Seriously though, even with mud tires and lockers, the problem with mudding 4X2's is the in the slippery stuff is that eventually the rear end tries to catch up with the front, and you end up running sideways and geting stuck when you correct. That even happens with many 4X4's with the same gearing front and back which is why many dedicated mud bog trucks run smaller gears up front.
-Matt
"Momentum will take you where traction cant."
and
"Dont let fear and common sense get in your way"
Seriously though, even with mud tires and lockers, the problem with mudding 4X2's is the in the slippery stuff is that eventually the rear end tries to catch up with the front, and you end up running sideways and geting stuck when you correct. That even happens with many 4X4's with the same gearing front and back which is why many dedicated mud bog trucks run smaller gears up front.
-Matt
