Locked 2WD on the beach?

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:32 am

What does everyone think? Is a 2WD KJ with a locked rear diff relatively safe driving on the beach?

I'd love to hear educated thoughts and I'd love to hear people's actual experience too.

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:33 am

Oh, by the way, I do not have a 2WD KJ. I am asking on behalf of a friend.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:05 pm

It would be better than a straight 2WD. I guess it would depend on the sand conditions but probably would be okay.

Terry

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:52 pm

Sure it would be ok.

Nothing beats 4wd on loose sand though. You need those front wheels to 'pull' you through the sand. If the front wheels start to get some sand built up then the rear wheels will just spin.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:33 pm

Go with the widest tire you can fit, and I'd say it'd be alright.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:00 pm

2 wheel drive ...locked... and paddles on the rear should do great what some 15.50 X15s or so should get you through the sand pretty good :wink:

Lower the rear pressure just like in a 4X4 and enjoy ...until it gets stuck, depends a lot on the condidtion of the sand etc as well!

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:45 pm

I'd suggest upgrading the rear tires. The wear and ride sucks on pavement, but you can't beat the soft-surface traction!

jason thompson · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:07 pm

My experience tells me that it will not be much better and probably get stuck
remember that the sand we see gets heavy stock 4X4's stuck ,FJ's ,CRD KJ's and the like can not climb the little bank at the beach and even wider tires does not help ,I run 11.5's on my TJ and almost need to "baja" up it to make it
a 2wd would not even make it to the bank to go down let alone up
I would tell him to sell it and get a 4X4

shaggyislandboy · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:33 pm

jason thompson wrote:

My experience tells me that it will not be much better and probably get stuck
remember that the sand we see gets heavy stock 4X4's stuck ,FJ's ,CRD KJ's and the like can not climb the little bank at the beach ...

Are you talking about me again, Jason??
Yes, I was at least one of those CRD's that had a bunch of trouble with the sand. I had to get up as much speed as I could
and still only made it up after half a dozen attempts. Of course, my stock street tires didn't help but
I agree that there would be no way a locked two wheel drive liberty would be able to make it... at least not with any tire size that would
fit under it. But, that is the type of sand that is there. I agree with what some of the others have said also, it really just depends on
the conditions and type of sand. I drove in 2 wheel drive on the beaches of Gulf Shores years ago when I had a '92 Jeep Wrangler.

Its a case by case issue.

Scott

L.O. · **Posted:** Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:40 pm

True, the Liberty would be a bit too heavy. I have driven an UNlocked Cherokee ( with way aired down rear tires) on a beach with good results. The lower weight seems to be the real key.

htkrph · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:46 am

i'm no expert or anything. but yesterday i did my first beach driving down in corrolla beach in obx (i'm pretty sure you know where i'm talking about) and they had all sorts of vehicles down there. i even saw a freaking chevy impala (the newer ones) follow along the tracks that where already made back and forth out of the beach. depends on the sand, the beach and all that. they had hyunday tucsons, rav4s, santa fes, all mid size suv's where there. i drove most of the time in 2wd and driving on and off the tracks and i was ok. my tire pressure was down, that helped a lot.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:48 pm

I have never had any issues in sand. I live on the beach.

Locked 2WD on the beach?

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