2wd truck off-road?

Hey everybody, my 2005 is a 2wd truck. I know 4x4 is better in every way, but I'm wondering what can my truck do and are there any tricks to perform better? I live in Kentucky, so the terrain is hilly and I don't plan on rocks crawling. It would just be some trails and maybe some mud that I am wondering about. Thanks!

 

If you’re in the woods all the time just get a nice winch, good floor mats and some Muck boots. Larger dedicated mud tires will help too. If you’re with other people most of the time have a good tow strap handy and have the tow points all set up on your truck... and have enough variety of tow straps and hardware that you can safely hook up to whatever truck is going to pull you out. You’ll be surprised at what a 2WD truck can do with some momentum, there won’t be many places you can’t manage. But anyone who says the only difference between a 2WD and 4WD is that the 4WD gets stuck 50 feet further up the trail is wrong. A 4WD truck will take you to the end of many trails that a 2WD truck simply can’t manage, and do it more safely.. because you won’t be so worried about momentum and can take it slow and safe.

 

Do you have a factory lsd or is the rear open?

 

Yeah, I have heard momentum goes a long ways. I'm not working with a huge budget, but can someone explain a rear locker or LSD to me. I don't off-road much, but I plan on buying a 4x4 atv in the future, so my truck will see less trails. I would think that would be to overkill, so I think I may just get a winch and call it a day.

 

I believe I have an open diff. I haven't seen the sticker that would say it, but I haven't searched my Vin or anything.

 

What do you mean by drop it?

 

If you jack up the rear end, you can test. Chock the front wheels really good, put in neutral. Spin a rear tire. If the other side spins the opposite direction then you have an open diff. In a 2wd a rear positraction device is all but critical for any offroading. You wont get far up a dirt hill without one

 

Oh cool, I will try that. Thanks! If I don't have one, is that something that is fairly easy to buy and install? I have tried searching up lockers and lsds, but I really don't know what to look for.

 

From what I understand, installing a LSD or locker is a pretty complex project and fairly expensive. I’d personally spend the money on some nice tires, a good winch and some recovery straps / tow points / etc. There’s no easier way to get yourself seriously injured or killed than by using crap recovery gear or using it the wrong way. I’m no expert, I know just enough to realize I should find someone who knows exactly how to rig up straps and chains for a heavy recovery.... and where not to stand.

 

I drove the heck out of my 2wd 3rd gen keeping up with 4x4 buddies. (And... ventually got a used 1st gen 4x4 to play in, once I knew I live off-roading). But I live in SoCal and there’s not much mud. In my experience, mud stops a 2wd that will perform well in other conditions. In addition to the advice above, air down to get better traction (but be aware of diminished clearance) and carry a shovel, a taller jack than the OEM that came with the truck, and extra water and warmth for you, as insurance in case you ever get really stuck.

Every time my dad sees me, he asks if I’ve been ‘one-wheeling’ lately. Remember that when one of your tires loses traction, the other will stop spinning as well. So if you have 2wd, you have to plan your routes through obstacles to keep both rear tires firmly planted OR skinny pedal through, so the momentum carries you when the wheels aren’t working. Because of this, if you upgrade suspension for more down travel, so you can keep both tires on the ground in more conditions, you’ll have more capability.

There are several other threads on this forum you’ll find if you search.

 

Sell it and get a 4X4. You will be happier.

 

Yeah, safety is definitely top priority. I will look into winches. I've been thinking about a new bumper, so I will look for some with winch compatibility. I may have to get a custom bumper made, because honestly, a lot of the first gen options arn't appealing to me.

 

I honestly won't see much mud. I will try and play it smart, because I know for sure 2wd has it's weakness in that. Other than off-roading around our farm, I'm just looking into finding some dirt and trails with some buddies one weekend. I'm far to busy to do it a lot. I hope to get to that point, but that will probably be when I'm older and can afford a newer truck. Any suggestions for good brand lockers or lsd's? I would rather not go the air locker route, but I'm not sure what's the best for daily driving and occasional trails.

 

I plan on having this truck forever, as this is my first truck and vehicle, and I'm so emotionally attached already. Hopefully, I can buy something else in the future, but for now, I'm just seeing what I can do with what I have.

 

I differ from others here in that I drove a 2wd without a locker. By the time you’ve added a locker, upgraded tires and suspension, and added a bumper and winch... you’ll be in the same amount as selling yours and buying another with 4x4. Not everyone agrees with me, but I see no problem with you driving the heck out of that one you have, without adding a locker. Just don’t go straight over an obstacle: make sure you place tires atop any rocks (not your undercarriage) and pick your way back and forth side to side so you never sink both front tires (all that engine weight) into a trough that the back will have to push you out of. I say drive it like it is; it’ll make you a better driver. Plus the challenge will let you see if you like off-road driving enough to warrant costly upgrades. Seriously, if you’re gonna start on fire roads, just go. If it starts looking hairy, stop, run ahead on foot and see what’s ahead; if it doesn’t look passable, you can back out and try another route. Before long, as you get more experience with what you and your truck can do, you’ll find yourself going farther and farther. Seriously, that stock 2wd is a very capable truck for most off-highway conditions.

 

Great! I have a new lift and some 33s that need to be installed, but I'm hoping that can go a ways with some smart driving. I'm glad to hear some one else has had success with 2wd off-road. Thanks for your help!

 

Yeah, you can love one you’re with . As for your lift, you didn’t mention that. If you did a spacer lift (not coilovers), you’re in danger of breaking any shocks. But that’s another issue covered all over this forum....

 

Oh yes, I've learned a lot from this website. I've been lurking a long time before finally creating an account a couple days ago. I bought the eibach pro-lift and have the coilovers with a shim up front, and have the toytec AAL in the rear. Haven't been able to get it all installed yet, but I should soon. I'm waiting on my wheels to get here, then I can my tires on too, then hit some trails.

 

Race the mother fracker...heh...heh..

 

This^^^

 

Oh haha, alright, well I already do that.

 

You could buy an LSD (or full locker) for around $400 and have it installed for about the same. If you're mechanically inclined you can pull your 3rd member yourself (rear diff) and take it to a shop to have them install the LSD and it will only be about $200 labor.

I don't really agree with the idea that buy the time you set up your diff and get other off road goodies you'll be at the price point of a 4wd. Mainly because if you bought a 4wd youd get the same upgrades anyhow.

Tires and diff are your best things to get. Bring a shovel, bring straps, invest in recovery boards. If you go beyond the light trails you mentioned then start considering a strong bumper and winch.

 

I agree with darkness. 2wd or 4x4 you’re gonna want the positraction anyways.

Lockrights are an option too. Installs into your diff without removing the pinion

 

I appreciate the help! I'm going to look more into diff upgrades, and whether a LSD or locker would be better for me. I found one on the 1stgenoffroad website where I bought my lift. Is this a good brand and price?

 

Don’t go alone, and know the terrain. We have a 2010 4runner with no transfer case.....it still tears up trails and will impress people when I come up a steep hill and explain I only have rwd. A lot of it is driver experience of knowing when and when not to attempt something. Again don’t go alone, so when you do feel like your Superman, you can get pulled out of the rut you got into. We added a winch, mainly to help out other boobs, sliders are helpful too. Also, 4wd is just another component/s to fail, keep that in mind.
Also airing down below 20psi and good all terrains will make the world of difference, pics above are on stock Bridgestone duelers aired down to 18, but still eating up the trail

 

Wow, you did that in a 2wd? Very cool! Thanks for sharing that! Yeah, I bought my truck because I got a steal of a deal on a good, clean truck, but their were other perks like less things that could break, especially on my smaller budget. Hopefully here soon, I can go find some good trails around me. Some friends and I are planning on going to some local state parks and exploring the trails, and taking in the scenery.

 

I knew what you meant!

But I also know, if he’s got his heart on dirt wheeling, he’s not gonna slam it. (And, of course, I strongly disagree that 2wd’s are only good on pavement.)

 

I was gonna lower my truck when I first got it. Think nascar truck, low, loud, mean and black with big letters on the tires (which became a "cool" thing recently but I wanted in 2008).

Then I remembered how fun it is to smash around in dirt and I went up instead.

OP, check in with Justdiffs, they won't steer you wrong on the diff stuff. Depending on mileage you may want a new bearings kit to go with the carrier. I went through these guys for my gears, bearings and shims. Great company.

https://www.justdifferentials.com/category-s/3209.htm