4Lo actuator

[faqoldschool]

Hi everybody, I have a 2006 V6 and was recently was hit with a seized actuator for 4Lo. I've tried all of the suggestions for quick fixes and no luck. I'm going to try pulling it apart or replace it down the road when i have the money.

But to my question, I'm heading down to the Outer Banks this weekend and wanted your opinion on running with only 4Hi on sand. Has anyone done it before?

Its not a necessity to head out on the beach but it would be nice to access the more remote beaches if its not too risky.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

You should be fine running 4Hi, center diff locked. Remember to air down so you have better tire flotation on the sand. Bring a shovel and an air compressor so you can air up again when you're back on the road. If you do get stuck, wet sand offers better traction then dry sand so it wouldn't hurt to pack a bucket in case you had to toss some sea water on the sand if you got stuck.

 

[faqoldschool]

Thanks for the tips Dawg. Last time I was down there, everything was working so I just ran in 4Lo most of the time but its good to know 4Hi with lock should get the job done. Of course the actuator would crap out a few days before heading down there.

 

[DC runner]

YEa. 4hi on sand. Since the issue in sand is in keeping the tires "floating" and not digging..

Spinning is something you want to avoid, since it digs you in. I think 4lo would be worse, since your getting so much more torque at a lower speed.

 

[ghostridr]

Just a heads up if you're planning on driving on the OBX beaches. Nags head now requires a ORV driving permit, while places like Corolla is still free. :fishing:

 

[M1911]

YEa. 4hi on sand. Since the issue in sand is in keeping the tires "floating" and not digging..

Spinning is something you want to avoid, since it digs you in. I think 4lo would be worse, since your getting so much more torque at a lower speed.

Since I got my '03, I've spent two weeks each year on the beach on Martha's Vineyard (Cape Poge). I run it in 4lo. I've never had a problem with it digging in. I run in 4lo not because I need the torque multiplication, but rather because it encourages me to keep my speed down. I've also run that beach in 4hi with no problem. I always lock the center diff and air down to 15 psi.

 

[faqoldschool]

Just a heads up if you're planning on driving on the OBX beaches. Nags head now requires a ORV driving permit, while places like Corolla is still free. :fishing:

Just got back tonight and had a blast. Drove down to Corolla, NC and then drove up the beach to Corova. What an awesome area! I previously had only been to Oregon Inlet and south for some off-roading. No off-road permit to buy or beach restrictions made the north the way to go. Too bad there isn't some sort of connection between VB and that section of the OBX, it would have been a much shorter trip (but I understand why they dont have it open north of the state line.)

Dropped the tires to 20psi, put it in 4Hi, locked the diff and down the beach we went. We had a bad combo of high tide and sugar soft sand that shows up during the summer season (everything is hard packed in the winter)but we made it no sweat with only a few spots where you could feel it bogging down.

Some of the ruts were crazy; I was almost bottoming out. All good though, just gives me an excuse for a tire and suspension upgrade once I fix the actuator. I'll get photos up soon. An awesome trip for anyone who can make it to that part of the coast.