4x2 FJ ... Total blasphemy. Trade it up for a real FJ!
What kind of off-roading can a 4x2 FJ do?
- Thread starter Butsu
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Dry dirt roads, fire roads, stuff like that will be no problem.
If you find yourself wanting to go farther, you will trade it in for a 4x4.
Enjoy your new SUV.
If you find yourself wanting to go farther, you will trade it in for a 4x4.
Enjoy your new SUV.
- Thread starter
- #23
calamaridog said:
I kinda figured as much. My FJ as a 4x2 could possibly provide me with some kind of light duty off road fun, probably even help me out in a flash flood situation - who knows. I'd still appreciate hearing about any ones' stories or experiences in 4x2 off roading - even if they are bad or boring...
4x2 off roading experiences.. in my high school days I owned a 87 chevy cavalier.. and I believe it or not went mudding with it.. off course.. it was just for being stupid sake but.. I with enough momentum.. I went through some stuff that you'd be like.. no effin way.
that's me with my FJC.. that same mudpit I went through with my RIP chevy.. off-course I was going like 40mph
that's me with my FJC.. that same mudpit I went through with my RIP chevy.. off-course I was going like 40mph- Thread starter
- #25
k_os - Top knotch man. That's what high school was all about. Thanks for the visual...looks fun...
woody said:
this thread was kicking around in my head today - so I figured I better add this other comment
airing down the tires works for 2wd vehicals just as well (might actually be more of a benefit to a 2by than a 4by) as 4wd........ I got a 2wd chevy half ton stuck one time - one wheel just spinning away like mad - dropped the air pressure & drove right out of the rut I had made
its nice to be able to air that tire back up when you are done though!
another thing - bigger tires for more ground clearance helps your 2wd FJ just as much as it does 4wd FJ's........ something to think about when it's time to replace the factory rubber
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I used to have a 4x2 Geo Tracker that I took off roading all the time. Stock tires, it was an absolute blast. I miss it sometimes, sure my samurai is a hundred times more capable than it was, but I miss blasting down dirt roads and sliding around turns, basically using it as a little rally car. I got through stuff 4x4s would get stuck in, the trick like others have said is to keep your momentum up, pick a line and make absolutely certain that you want to try the obstacle, because there is no backing out in 2wd, most of the time you either make it or you don't, you can't hesitate.
All that said, you will be missing a lot with a 4x2, and you will want find yourself wishing for 4x4 a lot, I know I finally got sick of being the one to get yanked out all the time. Now I do the yanking
All that said, you will be missing a lot with a 4x2, and you will want find yourself wishing for 4x4 a lot, I know I finally got sick of being the one to get yanked out all the time. Now I do the yanking
Dihnekis said:Now I do the yanking
Ahem. This is a family board.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
If you are serious about going on trails, my advice would be to trade it now for the 4wd version of what you have. You will be miles ahead later when you want to get out in the boonies. While it is true that many things can be done in 2wd, it tends to be harder on your truck due to the needed momentum and bouncing. Plus, even easy trails will often have one "spot" that will stop you with 2wd, but you wouldn't even notice in 4wd.
It actually disappoints me that Toyota would sell the FJC in a 2wd version. If you get that, then why not get a car? So much for the "trail tough" marketing created by the Trail Team. Fortunately, the 4wd seems to be a decent truck, but you really should consider trading up.
It actually disappoints me that Toyota would sell the FJC in a 2wd version. If you get that, then why not get a car? So much for the "trail tough" marketing created by the Trail Team. Fortunately, the 4wd seems to be a decent truck, but you really should consider trading up.
Cruiserdrew said:
Things may be different out west, but here in DC I'm fairly certain SUVs equal the number of cars on the road. Keep in mind we have miles of pavement and only a few days of snow a year. The SUV is the vehicle of choice right now, and the 2WD version serves that market well. It's silly, but that's the way it is. BTW, there are very few trails in the area - you have to drive a few hours to do any real offroading. It sucks.
I had a 2wd Toyota T-100. Had no problem sqeezing it thru the bush or back country. Would go down deactivated logging roads, and other rough stuff. In fact I bet I pushed it further than 90% of city 4x4 owners.
It actually did quite well in snow too. With an open rear end.
I always carried chains and a shovel.
So you really can use your 2wd pretty good. Carry chains in winter areas. But stay out of the mud. That is where you will get stuck. Rocks and dirt don't really need 4x4 unless you want to do crawling type driving.
I know a few guys who leave there front hubs unlocked and shift into 4lo just for the gears. But they would rather not be in 4x4.
Thats why the twin stick is very popular. On my to do list........but low on the list.
It actually did quite well in snow too. With an open rear end.
I always carried chains and a shovel.
So you really can use your 2wd pretty good. Carry chains in winter areas. But stay out of the mud. That is where you will get stuck. Rocks and dirt don't really need 4x4 unless you want to do crawling type driving.
I know a few guys who leave there front hubs unlocked and shift into 4lo just for the gears. But they would rather not be in 4x4.
Thats why the twin stick is very popular. On my to do list........but low on the list.
- Thread starter
- #32
I suspected that this 4x2 FJ of mine could do more than just pavement. Hearing it from other individuals that know from experience is very helpful. Cheers!
- Thread starter
- #34
I must have broke a rule or something somewhere. Right on Poser - thanks for checkin' me. I will try to keep my enthusiasm to a minimum next time I post on a 4x4 enthusiasts website.
Butsu said:
Nah, you didn't break any rules. Everybody's first offroader purchase is a blast - you just wanted to tell the world!!! It's a fantastic vehicle, and you deserve to be happy with it.!!!
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Butsu said:
Butsu-Poser is a good man who has helped me and others on this forum more than once.
You should be enthusiastic about your FJC! Just remember lots of guys here have been 4 wheeling for years and are a bit jaded by rookie over-the-top enthusiasm, espcially when you want to hit the trail in 2WD with no 4WD option.
I'm serious about my post earlier-you will like offroading! But you are going to hit a low traction hillclimb sooner then you think, and your 2WD will struggle. You really need to think about the friends you will hold up, and the situations they will have to pull you out of. You will simply not have the capability you need. Really think about upgrading to a 4WD FJC now. The low range and the 2 extra drive wheels make all the difference. The sooner you do that, the happier you will be.
- Thread starter
- #37
Cruiserdrew - I appreciate your experienced words of wisdom in the realm of off-roading and will definitely bear them in mind when I get out there. For the most part folks here have been extremely helpful and kind on this forum and I have enjoyed being here. I would like to take your word that Poser is a "good man" (he probably is) - but his first impression was troll-like from my standpoint. I am not sure that I should just take a backhanded insult from someone simply because they have been 4-wheeling for years - even if I don't have a 4x. I now realize that I might be in the wrong place - which is cool. No hard feelings people...enjoy your adventures and thanks for all of your advice!
Butsu said:
I'm not sure what you mean by "slippery road conditions". Just in case you're not familiar with a locking differential, I would like to clarify: if one engages a locking rear differential on a slippery paved road, this will make it difficult to steer effectively. The locking rear is intended for low-speed use on trails or for traction in mud, but not for rainy, snowy, or otherwise slippery pavement, where it impedes steering and makes it easier for the rear end to suddenly lose traction and skid sideways under acceleration.
If you're interested in further reading, here is a link for some reading material about 4wd systems, including differential locks.
Happy trails,
Jon
Butsu said:
Butsu:
You're not in the wrong place. You are right where you should be. I live in an area where SUVs are not for offroading, but for driving on the miles of pavement. They are everywhere, and I bet less than 1% have ever seen dirt. It's not like that everywhere, and those folks tend to take offense. Some people are more sensitive than others. Just take it for what it is. The vast majority of people here are very nice and very helpful - don't let the very few "sensitive" ones get to you. Believe me, a seemingly innocent post can be taken badly.
All of this talk of 2wd rally car action makes me want a tacoma pre-runner to rally around in. I take my 'trade it in for a 4wd fjc' comment back. Instead, just make sure you have a 4wd buddy ahead and/or behind you and go for it. Shoot, at the end of the day, somebody probably was stuck anyway. It's a better story if it was you in a 2wd going for what the 4wd guys were.
