How far can you really go in a 4x2?

kjmurphy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:55 pm

So anyways I have a 4x2 KJ. I've seen a lot of posts about how some people are suprised about how far a 4x2 can actually go on an offroad course. I'm just wondering if putting some money into my 4x2 KJ is a waste of time and money or if it would be good for some light? offroading? I know i should have posted this in the 4x2 section but I thought I would get more answers in the 4x4 section. Can anyone give me some examples of some 4x2 capable trails when the KJ is properly equipped and what would be a 4x2's limitations.

Thanks

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:32 pm

My friends have 4X2s and they are fully capable on forest service roads, dirt roads, and some hill climbing. Not too good on rocks, but pretty good for muddin and spinnin donuts! My motto is if you have it wheel it. Go ahead and put some money into it. Just dont expect to be able to go all places us 4X4s go :wink:

MBeachKJ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:40 pm

Today I saw a 4x2 Explorer do some crazy stuff and not get stuck....in the mud that is. I dont really know what to tell ya other than if you wanna spend the money on it go for it...but I have always been a 4x4 guy

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:47 pm

"what would be a 4x2's limitations"

http://www.thefergusons.us/kj/kj.htm

I'll let you know when I find a place a unlocked 4x4 libby will go that my 4x2 won't.

It would have to be rocks nasty enough that I ain't gonna risk body damage on anyway. :lol:

So far, Deep mud, rivers, wet rocky river bottoms, long steep hills of over 50 degrees angle in both mud and dry loose gravel, there was a road there when I was done though :lol:

and sand dunes on the shore. I don't do "forest" roads.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:50 pm

just my .02 but you asked
if you enjoy off roading then i would sell the 2wd to some one who would use it for what it was built.....
take that money and buy a 4X4 you will enjoy it much more off road than the 2wd
remember it is a fact that a 4X4 is twice as good as a 4X2 and off roading a 2wd vehical will wear it out very fast

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:52 pm

"twice as good as a 4X2 " :lol:

Bull-lony funny man!! :lol:

Just my two cents

You mean an aluminum diff 4x4 :lol:

"off roading a 2wd vehical will wear it out very fast"

And that statement is hogwash! A 4x2 has less parts to break in the front, needs less alignments and better gas milage :lol:

So I guess if a fat man walked on his hands and knees, he would be less tired? :lol:

KJMurphy....Do it up baby....You'll like it !

The limitation would be...When you need a front wheel to pull you along, when that is I ain't found it yet, or didn't feel the need to push it $$$.

Everything has limitations & I think Clint Eastwood said "every man should know his limitations"

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:04 am

Gotta love Jeepin disputes! Who saw this coming...anyone...another 4X2 vs 4X4 thread that was started by a completely different question. Ayyy yaaayy yaay! :wink:

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:07 am

See, the liberty is a 4x2, that alum front diff is like one of those products on late night TV that says "But Wait!" :lol:

Then they throw in the free tow hook...but wait...trail rated badge...but wait :lol:

About the only thing most of the suburban KJ 4x4'ers are gonna need that skid plate for is running over road cones :lol:

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:21 am

the1jferg wrote:

:lol:

See, the liberty is a 4x2, that alum front diff is like one of those products on late night TV that says "But Wait!" :lol:

Then they throw in the free tow hook...but wait...trail rated badge...but wait :lol:

About the only thing most of the KJ 4x4'ers are gonna need that skid plate for is running over road cones :lol:

Why all the hostility towards the KJ and the 4x4 KJers, who make up the vast majority of this forum and all the LOST clubs. If you dont like the alum diff, then rip it out...I know I will and put in the SFA when I can, but in the meantime I dont piss and moan about the alum diff on my 4X4 KJ. Mine has worked just fine so far for over 30k miles, many of which are spent in 4LO and wheelin in hot weather...take a trip to the Central Valley in summer (out in California) and tell me otherwise...100+ for weeks in a row sometimes. NO probs here man...not sure where you are going with your comments but to each his own...thats the beauty of America, for better or for worse...

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:22 am

What hostility ????

"thats the beauty of America, for better or for worse..."

You are right there my friend...Thats why I gave 20 years to protect that right. :wink:

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:25 am

the1jferg wrote:

About the only thing most of the suburban KJ 4x4'ers are gonna need that skid plate for is running over road cones :lol:

Ummm......that, maybe not hostility, wrong choice of words by me, but it is kinda a bashin comment and you know that its not true

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:27 am

the1jferg wrote:

"thats the beauty of America, for better or for worse..."

You are right there my friend...Thats why I gave 20 years to protect that right. :wink:

I commend you man, I am Army Reserve right now and when my 4 years are up, its straight to the Bakersfield Police Dept. for me

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:28 am

Ok you are right, they may need the skid for an ocassional raccoon or dog :lol:

and I commend you too

Jason Thompson....This is all your fault :lol:

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:36 am

KJMUrphy,

I would give you some other examples of 4x2 KJ trails but I don't "tread lightly" or recycle...I'm a republican :lol:

Troysterr · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:38 am

So...um...back to the original question...

The nicest thing about a 4x2 is that it is going to be lighter than a 4x4, and obviously the front end is simpler.

The biggest disadvantage is that they don't come with a 2-speed transfer case, which means that, for rock climbing, you don't have anywhere near the low gearing you have in a 4x4.

Having said that, I went rock climbing at Moab with a friend who had a full-size 4x4 Bronco, and he chose to climb everything in 2WD, just to see if he could do it. Had a great time. But he chose fairly easy obstacles, where he didn't need the front end to do any pulling.

In most cases, you need the most traction when you're climbing a hill, where there isn't enough weight on the front tires to help that much, anyway. That's probably why Ferg has success w/ a 4x2 w/ a rear locker--in that situation, the locker is going to help way more than front traction, anyway. But you still lack the low gearing.

If I were you, I'd lift it and see what you can do with it. You may be surprised.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:45 am

Troyster is correct KJmurphy the weight shifts back during a hill climb and there is a certain advantage "crawling" that the low gearing gives.

I think you'll be suprised, especially when climbing stuff so steep that your brakes won't hold you and you slide back down for another try.

Its going down stuff like that, I don't care for.

P.S. I'm just funnin with you 4x4 folks :lol:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:58 pm

When I get this locker in Ill tell how much better a 4wd is than a 2wd. The stuff I do a 2wd would never make it. Going up really steep muddy hills requires 4wd. Sure I could get a run-&-go and kill the front of my jeep when I hit the bottom of the hill but who wants to do that?

2wd would be ok with a locker and good tires. I do not think it would do good in deep mud or sand be the front sinks and then your pushing mud around. It would be good for mild trails and rocks.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:43 pm

I agree.

Here's the deal.. first of all I do moderately technical trails in my KJ. I've even lifted the front tires off the ground while cresting hills..and had my front tires land while spinning...and I have never had a minute worth of trouble out of my aluminum diff. I know some guys on here have had their diffs explode...but I've been pretty tough on mine and it hasn't even had a hiccup yet.

Second...I've grown up around trucks all my life, and four wheeling all my life, and I've owned six trucks now. Some 4x2 and some 4x4. And I can tell you right now that anyone who says a 4x2 can follow a 4x4 down muddy trails is crazy.

If you put a true locker in a 4x2, and some mud tires, it will be OK off road. Not great...but OK. With the right amount of throttle it will surprise you how far it will go. I know this from experience.

But even a locked 4x2 will not keep up with an unlocked 4x4. And I know that from experience too. Once you hit the mud with a 4x2 it's game over. Anyone here who drives through deep mud and has "no trouble" with a 4x2...please explain to me how you are defeating the laws of physics.

I say if you are going to go off-road and you are going to be on dirt roads only then you'll be fine. If you are going to hit mud, sand, steep hills, etc. then you definitely will NEED 4x4.

recon · **Joined:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:28 pm **Posts:** 90

the1jferg
I think you need to buy a Subaru and hang out on the side of the road and talk about all the 4x4's going by. Good luck with the program.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:20 pm

recon wrote:

the1jferg
I think you need to buy a Subaru and hang out on the side of the road and talk about all the 4x4's going by. Good luck with the program.

Grumpy old man. :wink:

How far can you really go in a 4x2?

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