2003 Ford Ranger 3.0L automatic 2wd
#5
#8
All you need to do is air the tires down to around 12-15psi and put the transmission in "2" so there is a lesser chance of spinning the tires, then depress the e-brake enough to make a difference, but not turn the light on (and in doing this, you may wear down your e-brake some).
You should be safe there... oh, and bring a 4x4 and a strap with you.
You should be safe there... oh, and bring a 4x4 and a strap with you.
#12
#14
It all depends on the type of sand.I know the sand in the gulf coast is nearly impossibe to drive on with a stock 2wd (been there, done that). However, if you air down your tires and have a greater surface area covered by your tires, you won't sink as fast. If it's like the sand here (powdery) I'd highly advise you not to do it. But I've never been to the beaches in NC so I don't know what ya'lls sand is like. Read up on the "2WD driving tips" thread that was made recently and keep some of those tricks in mind, some of them will help alot.
#15
Seeing how from the factory I have the same truck as you:
Engine/powertrain wise you dont need to do anything, but you may look into a new set of tires. A good set of ATs will do wonders in the sand (especially aired down to 12psi). That and adding Limited Slip to your rear end; is about all you can do.
Engine/powertrain wise you dont need to do anything, but you may look into a new set of tires. A good set of ATs will do wonders in the sand (especially aired down to 12psi). That and adding Limited Slip to your rear end; is about all you can do.
#17
I live an hour away from Carolla and Oregon Inlet (where you can drive on the beaches). I do Oregon Inlet several times a year.
You won't even make it ONTO that beach, let alone drive on it. The sugar sand at the entrance will entrap your rear axle. Trust me.
I can't make it onto Oregon Inlet in 4Hi, any gear, even 1st. It's a LONG sugar sand entrance. In 4Lo, slinging sand is required, rpm's must be kept hi and momentum is essential. I run it in 3rd with at least a 4000 rpm tune singing, frequently higher (25 mph speed limit, strictly enforced too). I can stop in it, reverse, etc (I even pulled a Taco out, his fronts wouldn't engage) but I'm telling you, 2wd is NOT gonna cut it unless you have very firmly packed sand at the entrance (you can rule out Oregon Inlet with 2wd - ain't happenin'). Up in Carolla, Duck, etc. you may find a good short firmly packed entranceway to the beach that you can make it through, but I wouldn't even try it.
Once you DO get on the beach, it's still pretty much mandatory 4wd or you're gonna bury your axle everywhere you stop.
The good news is, should you attempt it and get stuck, there are usually plenty of locals around who'll pull you out after seeing you stuck there for a couple hours or so. I try not to be that way, but when you look at it logically, they shoulda known better and their day required ruining to some extent just out of principle. Why should I quit fishing to help a dumbass?
To the Florida posters: (I used to live in Jax, btw) This sand isn't ANYTHING like what you have at St. Augustine, Daytona, etc. The only hard-packed smooth looking sand you can drive on is swept by the tide and trecherously deceptive. I'm not exagerating when I say you MUST spin your tires. You aren't moving otherwise.
There's jacked up, swamper, bogger, dually, etc. trucks going through this stuff. You WILL spin and you WILL sling sand and you WILL keep your RPMs singing or you WILL plow to a dejected stop (the SUV drivers are notorious for trying to poke along through it and getting stuck, and I've "talked" several out of the sand with reverse and happy rpm tunes advice. Most back out and never return, lol).
You won't even make it ONTO that beach, let alone drive on it. The sugar sand at the entrance will entrap your rear axle. Trust me.
I can't make it onto Oregon Inlet in 4Hi, any gear, even 1st. It's a LONG sugar sand entrance. In 4Lo, slinging sand is required, rpm's must be kept hi and momentum is essential. I run it in 3rd with at least a 4000 rpm tune singing, frequently higher (25 mph speed limit, strictly enforced too). I can stop in it, reverse, etc (I even pulled a Taco out, his fronts wouldn't engage) but I'm telling you, 2wd is NOT gonna cut it unless you have very firmly packed sand at the entrance (you can rule out Oregon Inlet with 2wd - ain't happenin'). Up in Carolla, Duck, etc. you may find a good short firmly packed entranceway to the beach that you can make it through, but I wouldn't even try it.
Once you DO get on the beach, it's still pretty much mandatory 4wd or you're gonna bury your axle everywhere you stop.
The good news is, should you attempt it and get stuck, there are usually plenty of locals around who'll pull you out after seeing you stuck there for a couple hours or so. I try not to be that way, but when you look at it logically, they shoulda known better and their day required ruining to some extent just out of principle. Why should I quit fishing to help a dumbass?
To the Florida posters: (I used to live in Jax, btw) This sand isn't ANYTHING like what you have at St. Augustine, Daytona, etc. The only hard-packed smooth looking sand you can drive on is swept by the tide and trecherously deceptive. I'm not exagerating when I say you MUST spin your tires. You aren't moving otherwise.
There's jacked up, swamper, bogger, dually, etc. trucks going through this stuff. You WILL spin and you WILL sling sand and you WILL keep your RPMs singing or you WILL plow to a dejected stop (the SUV drivers are notorious for trying to poke along through it and getting stuck, and I've "talked" several out of the sand with reverse and happy rpm tunes advice. Most back out and never return, lol).
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