Is it worth trying to off road with a 2wd?

[bolantej]

I searched for rwd and 2wd here.

Wasn't a big issue for me when I purchased it. But now I want to do some light off-roading in my 2wd. Is it a waste of time? I'm looking to get a4x4 beater some day so I can do more, but it'd be nice to a little taste. Any pointers?

 

[Bumbo]

Of course its worth trying to off-road in a 2wd truck...

Off-road means a lot of different things to a lot of different people... not all off-road environments require a 4x4.

I remember the first time I went off-road, it was basically a dirt fire/maintenance road and at the time I thought it was "wild" haha. Yes I had a 4x4 but any stock 2wd truck could have easily accomplished the same. It was enough to jump start the obsession, but the trails, driver skill, and your comfort level is only going to go up from there.

2WD with a good driver can still take you a long way, just be realistic with what you want to accomplish, Have the appropriate recovery gear and go with a friend. Stay out of the rock gardens, stay off things that require a lot of articulation where you might start getting a rear tire off the ground (unless you have a rear locker)

Even with a 4x4 truck I sometimes spend a good deal of time in 2WD when on the trail. I like to see how far I can get in 2WD. I switch into 4 after I get stuck or to get me out of a situation. If its obvious I need 4wd I switch to 4wd before the obstacle.

Bottom line, try it, enjoy it, don't go too hard right out of the gate.

 

[bolantej]

Thank you for that. I'll go ahead and give it a try, and I'll follow your advice. Much appreciated.

 

[jack333]

I go light off-roading with friends all the time and they all have 4x4's. I have a RWD and rarely will my friends need to use 4wd. You can get around pretty much anywhere in 2wd, just try and avoid heavy mud.

 

[clo_iam]

Twd off-roading is nice, but don't go unless you've got a good friend who can pull you out if you get into a sticky situation. I've seen some twd with fat MT tires get through some thick roads.

 

[85straight]

Hell yes it's worth wheelin with 2wd. My good friend [MENTION=117408]Oneluv13T4R[/MENTION] has gone places in his 2wd some drivers couldn't even make it in their 4wd. You learn a lot more about traction and picking the right lines. The key is some good tires and a locker. There will be some situations of course where you won't make it but you'd be very surprised. Seeing as your new to wheelin it may take a while before your experience level accommodates the need for 4wd.
Most of the trails here in SoCal can be done in 2wd. There are really only a handful where 4wd is an absolute must

 

[RonJR]

I started "offroading" with a 1972 Olds Cutlass. I took it on all kinds of Forest Service roads and old railroad grades in Colorado, but eventually concluded, after about the 3rd time I had to remove the oil pan and pound the dents out, that I really needed more ground clearance. Next step was a 1966 2wd F100 pickup, but as I pushed it on harder roads, it simply didn't have the traction to get up the steep grades I was attempting, so I swapped it for a 4wd.

But, I explored a lot of neat places in the Colorado Rockies with those first two vehicles, and had a lot of fun. Definitely go for it, remember your limitations, and you'll be fine.

 

[SS_Syndicate]

IMO, it depends on what your idea of off-roading is.

There are tons of forestry roads and light trails that are a blast and don't require 4WD. This said, weather can turn and drastically change things.

I never recommend wheeling alone, but the truth is we do it all the time. When we do, we often try to stay in 2WD and use that as a gauge of when enough is enough. This way we have 4WD to get us back out if needed. We also carry a ton of recovery gear.

If anything I would bulk up on this since it's the only real bail-out.

But is it worth trying? Sure!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Like above ^^^, especially re: mud
OK to go off-road with 2WD. However, best to go with others. I used to take a dirt road shortcut between home and work. But when i got stuck twice when road was muddy. Used tumble weed under the tires to get traction.
Speaking of traction, Traction / Recovery boards like the MaxTrax are highly-recommended; even 4WD vehicles need them. Great investment.
When it gets cooler, explore the Anza-Borrego Desert. Lots of places where 2WD can make it; even sedans go there - with caution.

 

[bolantej]

Thanks all. There's a local SVRA I may try out. I'll see what they have in terms of trails. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

 

[wanderMT]

Often, clearance is more important than traction. All depends on conditions - 2wd won't be worth damn in mud and snow. With good traction tires and emergency chains, 2wd can handle some pretty tough situations - probably have to drive much more aggressively. 4x4 can make situations easy as compared to 2wd but 2wd will still make it.

 

[rtinniste]

Stumbled on this today researching dirtking uca's

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rectified-prerunner-build.155157/page-162

His tacoma is 2wd and I'm impressed.

My ram was 2wd with a detroit locker, 4:88's, and 35's and that has gotten me alot of places. Only thing was loose steep hills and the long wheelbase on switchbacks and tight trails. And that's why I ended up buying my 4wd 5th gen to for peace of mind in remote areas in the desert or the sierras.

Just remember to air down and carry some traction mats, tow strap, and a shovel, and a buddy in a second rig. If anything 2wd will make you a better offroader you'll learn correct lines, learn to read terrain, and learn the limits, then going to a 4wd eventually will be almost like using cheat codes.

 

[bolantej]

I'm on a give it a go on my next day off. There's a local svra that I want to try out. I probably won't venture into the unknown without someone else or until I get a 4x4. Right now, I just wanna have some fun, even if it isn't that adventurous. Thanks again for the tips and info.

BTW, should I air down on all off road terrain?

 

[Bodie the Dog]

Ok, but...

My first OHV was a Tercel. It's been my experience that high clearance is more useful than 4x4 for 90% of the forest.

But be aware that in 2wd you will be spinning your wheels more, and probably doing more damage to the road. I know of a Jeep club down south which got fully aggro about some guy boasting about driving out Saline Pass in a 2wd, right after they had spent a week repairing the road.

 

[bolantej]

I probably won't be exploring the forest with my 2wd, just because I'd want to have a better chance of getting out of there safe. I never thought of the road before. That is a something to consider.

 

[ToyoT4R]

I probably won't be exploring the forest with my 2wd, just because I'd want to have a better chance of getting out of there safe. I never thought of the road before. That is a something to consider.

Tread lightly...

 

[jaybird93000]

My 06 was 2wd, and with a little lift and good tires, hung in there pretty well with all my buddies in 4wd on everything except deeper ruts and really wet days where we were pushing thru more mud than trail. Wheel what ya got :bigok:

 

[greatape]

I have over the years and know a lot that do..just get out there.

I'd beef up recovery options though if you plan on more challenging trails...

 

[Drunner97]

I probably won't be exploring the forest with my 2wd, just because I'd want to have a better chance of getting out of there safe. I never thought of the road before. That is a something to consider.

Get down into the So Cal section and watch for local runs. We're always doing stuff that's mostly 2wd friendly and those of us that are 4wd are no strangers to pulling 2wd guys up stuff if they can't make it. Right [MENTION=117408]Oneluv13T4R[/MENTION] ? I'd post some pictures of Miah, but photobucket sucks now and that's where everything is until I start putting my pics on my web host.

edit: If you're near big bear, there's a TON of 2wd friendly roads back in the hills that's forest roads.

 

[Traveler2]

I trekked some fairly decent 'roads' in my 2wd, never would mess with potential mud that would get me stuck but here in the desert not much of that around for long.