HOW to drive liberty 2WD in sand or mud

[gygahert]

Hello ,im new in the forums ,i like it here it helps out a lot thanks,i don't know if this is the right section to post this but how or is it possible to drive my liberty that is only a 2 wheel drive on sand or mud etc. without getting stuck ,do i need some mod to do to my car ?i was thinking on buying a 4WD but not right now.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Welcome to jeepkj!! (welcome)

You are going to get the "buy a 4wheel drive," so get ready for that..

A good set of A/T or M/T tires would help alot. Maybe bump the size up to a 245/70/16 since its alittle wider.

Air down when you can and keep your speed nice and steady. Dont stop in soft sand.

A locker or LS would be the best thing you could do. The Powertrax noslip is a fairly cheap($400) and is easy to put in. The stock Limited Slip is also an option but it will not be as good as the locker. A locker also carries some baggage with it. It will cause the tires to squeal at certain times, cause the Jeep to fish tail in rain and snow, bang and carry on in parking lots, its really for the serious off-roader or someone that just likes having the ability to lift a tire and keep going.

 

[sevenhelmet]

I used to drive a 2WD car in the sand until I got my KJ and I got stuck more than a few times, but never needed a tow. Some CHEAP solutions from a beach bum:

1.) Air down more than you think. We're talking down to around 1/3 to 1/2 of your normal tire pressure (12-18 PSI.) I've even gotten unstuck by letting some air out of the tires. Stay in your comfort zone though, and don't drive too far on roads before airing back up, or it'll wear your tires and you risk a rim striking the pavement and getting bent or unseating your bead (aka FLAT TIRE.)

2.) Learn to dig if you get stuck. If a wheel slips and you feel your rig sink on that side, STOP power to the wheels, get out, and dig a trench on either side of that wheel with a gradual incline so it can roll up and out of the hole you just spun with your tire. Use water to pack the sand down if you can. See #5.

3.) Keep 'er movin. Once you get unstuck, keep your vehicle moving, if at all possible. If a wheel slips a little, don't worry just keep it coming until the rig loses all its momentum. Then get off the gas quick before you spin a big hole. See #2 and #5.

EDIT: This does NOT mean drive really really really fast! Take it slow and be patient, but don't slam on the brakes when you fishtail- ease up on the gas a little & let your momentum carry you through.

4.) Find the better path. Packed sand vs. Loose stuff. Bigger grains vs. smaller. Gradual slopes vs. steep. Grass vs. No Grass (make sure it's legal though, the grass is protected in some places.)

5.) Buy some traction mats. Make sure you have two, one for each back wheel or the wheel without a mat will slip and you'll get nowhere.

6.) Keep your rig light. Contrary to some people's belief, weight does NOT help you in sand! Think about it like you're skimming over the top. You want to sink in as little as possible. Leave the cinder blocks and sandbags (and any heavy gear you don't need) at home.

You'll be surprised as to how far you can get with just a 2WD. I live in South Texas, and 80% of the people I see driving on the beach here don't have 4WD and still don't get stuck much. You won't be dune-hopping or mudding anytime soon (unless you want to get stuck!) but you'll be able to get around on the sand OK.

 

[J-Thompson]

To avoid any issues I will say 1 thing
You can put a dress and lipstick on a pig it is still a pig

same goes for a 2wd suv it will still be a 2wd suv thus very limited

 

[o8k]

"sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken"

-- Fight Club

LOL

However non-chickens can drive sand just fine if u know what ur doing (get really wide tires and air em down!). since its all been said up above ^^^^ ill leave it at that...

Good thing w/ a 2wd is, where ever you get stuck, a a 4wd can come get you out.... 4wd stuck... could be more of an issue... hehehe..

Either way, welcome to the site! Ask, comment, listen, enjoy!!!! =)

I dont wanna come across all 4wd snob, they are great!!! but....

ive off roaded in everything from a

78Nova w non-radial tires,
to a 2001 toyota tercel,
to a 86F150 2wd,
to liberty,
47jeep,
4wd excursion v10,
H3,
2001 dakota 4wd v8,
ram2500 4wd,
87 isusu pup truck 2wd....

iv NEVER not been able to get where i wanted to go, tho i often found myself in some cases getting out and having to get creative to keep it on the road. So the reall issue is make the best of what you have and enjoy! =D only advice, Stay out of the mud! it pwns all vehicles big and small.

 

[desertkj]

First off, I know of quite a few people who prefer 2wd in sand. Anyways, momentum is your friend. Do not let off the gas until you are absolutely certain that you are in a firm area. Also, get used to some pretty high RPM's most likely. Oh, and be careful. You never know when that sand will grab and try to roll you over.

 

[azmotoman]

Both times I got stuck in sand, I just rocked it out and backed away. Afterwards, gained a little forward momentum and plowed right through.

 

[DougBenn]

To avoid any issues I will say 1 thing
You can put a dress and lipstick on a pig it is still a pig

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tjkj2002]

To avoid any issues I will say 1 thing
You can put a dress and lipstick on a pig it is still a pig

same goes for a 2wd suv it will still be a 2wd suv thus very limited

I would highly AGREE!!!!!!! In sand 2wd is okay at best(at very high speed,Baja 1000 speeds),but in mud,worthless.Your best bet to drive a 2wd in sand and mud is on the way to the sand and mud stop by a dealer and trade it for a 4wd.My 2 cents.

 

[JeepJeepster]

I agree that 2wd is pretty much pointless in mud. Im the one that leaves it in 2wd just to see how far I can make it and even with my locker its usually not very far. Although I only have A/T's, anything that is deep and thick will leave you stuck. You for sure cannot go up a muddy hill with 2wd.

Im sure some good M/T's would help alot over my A/T's, but not enough to matter with it being 2wd.

 

[2wdjeeper]

I have a rwd 99 Jeep cherokee with stock everything on it. I have 26" street tires on it and only got stuck once. and that was b/c of my limited slip differencial. But i go through the same places these lifted Gmc Z71 with boggers go . it just go to show you it's all about technique and common sense. and remember that momentum is your friend. if your crossing a mud hole and someone has gone in front of you watch to see if there are big ruts logs bumps etc. if not put er in reverse about 5feet away, (or whatever is enough for you to gain momentum with) abd gas it about halfway and stay constant with it if you feel like your starting to spin stay on it but turn your steering wheel left and right . if that doesn't help... stop... and put er in neutral and tie up the chain. lol .. just today my buddys were muddin with me and they all kicked it in 4wd and i drive by em in rwd like it's nothin. :Bye:

 

[loves_off_roading]

Well I don't know how a 2wd would do in the sand. But I do know from experience, it can do okay in mud. But your gona need good tires such as AT's or MT's. I really like my Yakohama's. What year is your KJ? If it's and 02-05 you might want to invest in a locker. The 06+'s already come with a limited slip feature in the back (which I've found to be very helpful).

Whenever I drive off road with my 2wd, I like to drive it in second gear and give it some gas.

Also I wana note that if you get stuck, you can easily rock it out by quickly shifting between 1st and reverse.

It can be done!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

06 and up didn't have limited slips, unless added aftermarket. They have traction control/ESP.

 

[kjweston]

Well begin by thinking of your kj as a JEEP instead of a CAR. Then when in sand keep your momentum no sharp accelerations no heavy brake. keeping steady and moving is the best way to stay afloat (on top of the sand..)

 

[J-Thompson]

look like I said earlier
knowing how to drive or not
my 3 year old could drive my TJ further down the trail
than some of the best drivers out there could drive a 2wd
granted I would have to help her to not hit trees
but even at idle speed it will go further

 

[loves_off_roading]

"06 and up didn't have limited slips, unless added aftermarket. They have traction control/ESP"

The Traction control acts similar to a limited slip differential.

From the 06 owners manual: "A feature of the TCS system functions similar to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin accross a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will alow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning".

 

[kjweston]

I have a rwd 99 Jeep cherokee with stock everything on it. I have 26" street tires on it and only got stuck once. and that was b/c of my limited slip differencial. But i go through the same places these lifted Gmc Z71 with boggers go . it just go to show you it's all about technique and common sense. and remember that momentum is your friend. if your crossing a mud hole and someone has gone in front of you watch to see if there are big ruts logs bumps etc. if not put er in reverse about 5feet away, (or whatever is enough for you to gain momentum with) abd gas it about halfway and stay constant with it if you feel like your starting to spin stay on it but turn your steering wheel left and right . if that doesn't help... stop... and put er in neutral and tie up the chain. lol .. just today my buddys were muddin with me and they all kicked it in 4wd and i drive by em in rwd like it's nothin. :Bye:

Not always the best idea. Here is my first offroad adventure with a local jeep club: http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd124/dpheller/Bonita 3-15-09/?action=view&current=CIMG1291.flv