I'm looking to use my 94 I6 2WD to haul a 4-wheeler into the back country through some creeks and a little mud. I can't afford to buy a 4x4 so I was thinking of maybe putting a small lift on her and a locker in the rear end. Is this advisable? Any idea what gears I might have? Or suggestions on a locker or lift? Thanks guys.

 

buy a set of chains, cost about $100

 

A nice strong winch might not be a bad idea.

 

Unless its deep mud/water your treading through, i wouldn't worry about a lift. Focus your money on a locker within your budget for the rear end.

 

And good meaty all terrain tires. I can't count the number of 4WD Chevy's and Dodges I've seen off the side of the road this last week since Chicago got pounded by snow.

Sure they have 4WD, but they're all street tires.

So there I go, puttering on by in a 15 year old 2WD without any problems because I've got good, fresh all terrain meats on her.

 

locker?? yes-good all terrain tires ?? yes- lift kit?? depends on the country-heck just get r close and ride the 4 wheeler in the rest of the way!!-I take my Honda 4 wheeler from my back door through all kinda stuff-my truck will not go there!!!why are you hauling a 4 wheeler deep in the woods???stop drop and roll!!!trick question right?? are you blonde??

 

2wd will get you farther than most people think. Especially if you have good all terrain tires on. A good limited slip or even better a selectable rear locker will help but are not always needed. A small lift wouldn't be bad. (2in) I agree with andy (in an other post) lifted 2wd trucks look bad (6-8in) plus they are expensive for the front end part, but if its a small lift it won't, even my 2wd 94 I feel is a bit too close to the ground.

If you really want to, a winch will help as well, although you have to know how to use it, it isn't a bandaid, let it cool down, and use a strap around the tree please. Most of the time on all levels of forest service roads in AZ including four number etc (which are unmaintained and often creek beds), I have never needed four wheel drive, except for in rain, snow, or certain sand/clay. And surprisingly in all my hunting/camping/fishing experiences all over AZ I can count the times that, that happend on my one hand! The only other way you would need 4wd in other circumstances is pulling a trailer that drags you down.

We drove the ATvs all over, but many times we drove a jeep or truck in the same areas and never needed 4wd

Nothing is a substitute for good driving (offroad) experience. 4wd isn't a magical thing that can get you out of everywhere. You have to learn how to use it. Many don't know how to use 4wd let alone 2wd properly. I think if manufactrers weren't in a hurry to sell 4wd beacuse its more expensive most would have 2wd and it would be like the older days where people learned how to drive with 2wd and could get alot of places you wouldn't believe.

Get some good tires, maybe a bit of lift, and then bigger good at tires on and that will be most of it. If you are still having problems, get a selectable rear locker, and/or a winch. But, I doubt it will get to that point. If it does, use the quad. Although if you don't have a good quad that could be some of it 250 won't get you a lot of places, you need a good 400-500cc with 4wd.

Later,
Paul

 

Well said!

 

Gotta go with 92mnfordtrk on this one.

I've driven past stuck Jeeps, monster trucks with giant tractor tires and gigantic engines in my little 100 hp (so I cheated a little) VW. Funny part was, I wasn't even spinning the tires, and they were street tread. It's more about where the weight is sitting, the approach to a slick spot, and driving ON the slick spot instead of THROUGH the slick spot. If you can avoid spinning the wheels to start with, you'll have much better luck getting through rough terrain. In the VW, the majority of the weight is sitting on the driven wheels, plus, with IRS each one can keep more of the tread on the ground, not just the corners of the tread. The largest advantage, however, is that it's flat and smooth underneath. Nothing to get hung on high spots or drag more mud/dirt up under the car. It's all about knowing where to keep the wheels and not just gouging the throttle because it spins a little. Spinning is bad in mud. It just digs deeper. If it's soft enough, 4WD won't matter. Once you sink it to the axle, you've lost your go-power. It ain't gettin put on anything that will keep the vehicle moving. WIDE tires do help distribute the load and prevent the digging. Larger diameter obviously gets the axle higher off the ground, but how much are you really going to raise it? Only half the increase in diameter. Do you have the low end grunt in your engine to pull without spinning? A lift kit will do NOTHING for clearance, other than make more ground clearance under the tranny pan (if it's auto). If it's the M5, the entire tranny is higher than the bottom of the frame anyway.

The winch is a good idea, probably the best of all of them, but you're going to want a winch rated bumper, and it wouldn't hurt to put some cross bracing right behind the bumper, as well as some gussets from bumper to frame to keep it from pulling the center of the bumper out, consequently pulling the frame together in the front. The winch will prove useful for a lot of other things as well, and it can pull you backward as well as forward. Winch bumpers will fit either 4x4 or 4x2. Alabama Power Company puts winches on all their rural duty vehicles, 4WD or not. Maybe they know something.

I don't have a winch, but I do keep a Come-along in my tool box, and have used it a few times on slippery mud in my 2WD. If you haven't really screwed up and simply buried the truck, moving it a few inches will more often than not solve the problem.

 

I have a 4wd drive truck, and when im goin somewhere, i will get out and lock the hubs, but not engage the transfer case. I use 4wd as a Back up IF i get stuck in 2wd. With proper driving and throttle control, you shouldnt have much problem, if you think you might get stuck, dont risk it unless you have a back up plan, and if you have to atleast keep enough gas to ride the atv out. Yea atv's can get stuck but there alot easier to get unstuck then afullsize rig is.

 

I personally hate lockers. I never had anything but trouble with them. The EZ locker is a piece of junk. You would be better off with a limited slip unit like a Ford traction lock or an Auburn limited slip or something similar. If you go with a Ford traction lock you can rebuild it yourself. You can also make it a little better by adding a couple clutches too it's clutch pack. This is especially true if the truck is your daily driver.

 

I'll say again ...chains...very cheap, very effective, that's what poeple used here in the winter 20 yrs ago, and many still do today....you'll break something before you spin

 

yeah the differential is first, at least make sure you have a good working limited slip if your mostly on-road you'll prefer a limited slip to a locker big time, then tires, then chains, and a come along can do wonders and is cheaper than a winch

 

Well said!!! Just follow this guys advise and you will do fine.

 

Hello again,

Just realized my first post was kind of confusing, sorry.

First get good A/T tires, when money comes available you might want to look in to a winch or a lift, (you can weigh what you want vs afford), get a lift with bigger (good brand) A/T tires on, I feel 2wd are bit low to the ground (and I have gotten them hung up), just get it around stock 4x4 height for these trucks, that is all you "should" need (we all want the bigger challenge though. Then as money is available add a winch.

That should be all you need. If you are junkyard savy you can look around for a Limited Slip rear end, but I would make sure you are at a 3.55 rear end ratio or lower. A locker is the most expensive and not needed for most stuff, if you are needing it then a 4x4 should probably be looked at too.

A winch on the ATV is a great idea, haven't always used it to get myself out, (alway go with people so they help), but its good for other things too. (Like hauling deer up a tree, pulling rocks off trails, and whatever else you can think of)

Later,
Paul