Hey guys,

I'm looking to do a little off roading, nothing too extreme, just playing in the mud, snow and some light trails. I'm getting a Lariat 4x2 couldn't afford to get the 4x4 (and I don't really need it), but I did get the locking RR diff, so I know I'm good there. I was just curious to some basic things I could do that would allow my truck to still perform well in non paved conditions/situations. Any thoughts?


Thanks!

 

All-terrain, mud or snow tires are what you need.
Get as much grip as you can.
Get rid of the all-seasons.

Or carry chains ...

 

A winch is the only thing you will need as 2WD in mud or even wet grass is a sure way to get truck stuck. Don't even think about ice or snow. That will send you sideways into the nearest fixed object.

 

what kind of off raoding are you looking to do (what type of terrain)
there are diff mods for diff types of wheeling. but a recovery strap and a come-a-long/winch would be a good place to start.

 

Like the others have said you will need:

1) Good aggressive all terrain tires
2) Recovery strap
3) Winch
4) Good common sense

I drove a 2011 4x2 for a couple years and I got in and out of my family hunt camp without any issues with the stock tires and regular rear end. Its a grated dirt road with some muddy spots, steep inclines / declines but nothing too extreme and it handled it just fine.

Just keep in mind if you try and take the truck through mud holes, aggressive lose inclines you will more than likely get stuck so be prepared....good luck

 

Good advice here with the strap, winch, aggressive tires and certainly good common sense.

One thing I haven't seen is to get as much ground clearance as you can. A levelling kit may be all you need, and if you go up a size or two in tire diameter, it will also help. The locking diff is a huge benefit.

My wife wheeled her Jeep TJ for years with no locker and went places that guys with the fancy Rubis or rear diffs had trouble going. Comes down to common sense and picking your line to match your abilities and the trucks ability. Now that she has a detroit locker in the back, it's even crazier.

Enjoy the wheelin.

 

With a 2wd speed is your friend. When in doubt gas it out!

I attend every BITD race as part of a class 1 team and I went 2wd with a locker. 99% of 4wd trucks are never put into 4wd. My last truck went into 4wd probably 1 time in the 7 years I had it in Phoenix. When I lived in the snow country, I would use it more frequently. I just couldn't justify it this time around, especially now that you can get an electronic locker for the 2wd's.

 

Good tires. I got some LT (10 ply rated) AT tires for a trip to Death Valley last month. Took a lot of the 4x4 roads, never even used the elocker. Mine is also 2wd. Attachment points and a ****** strap are good idea in case you ever do get stuck. Have fun :-)

 

Well, this is all very interesting.

Maybe I really don't need to upgrade to a 4x4 after all.

I guess a front mount winch and tow strap is on my wish list now, as well as the all-terrain tires.

EDIT: the only trouble is that when I get stuck, it's with an 8000# trailer. And I don't really want to disconnect it and drag it out separately (ripping off all the underbody plumbing and stuff). My GCW is 15000#. That's a HD winch. And I doubt if the standard front mount can handle that. Oh well, I wanna get a new truck sometime anyway, so a 4x4 is back on the table.

 

Excellent recommendations guys. Thanks!