Hey guys I'm new the forum and it's also my first season driving on the beach. I have a 98 xj with a 6" lift on 35's. The tires are interno thornbirds. Pretty wide not sure exactly. Beast on trails. But on the beach it doesn't drive so well. Slow and limited control. I've driven on it with and without airing down. Drives the same. Any suggestions?

 

Interco thornbirds*

 

Drag slicks with sidebiters. I hear they make a good planter. Those tires are a joke.

 

You should talk to SteveMongr, he is a beach runner. He knows all about beach wheeling.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/members/stevemongr-41460/

 

x2. Stevemongr is the authority on beach wheeling.

 

On the beach you are going to have poor control on loose sand. This is my 4th season on the beach and I just stay in the trails made by others. Don't think there's anything else you can do.

 

soft sand it always hard to maneuver in without paddles. my suggestions from best to worst

1. get a set of paddle tires on some steelies and swap them out when you're there
2. stay closer to the water line, as the sand is harder
3. air down almost completely, beadlocks highly recommended, and try to maintain momentum until you get back to harder pack. stopping is what screws you

every time I go out to ocean shores, I try to stick near the surf as much as I can. (driving along the end of the waves is always a good time) .. if I'm going to pull up into the softer stuff to picnic or whatever, i try to find patches with a bit of grass/reeds. the root ***** give you a firmer spot to start off from when you're ready to go

 

I agree, the tide-line is the most fun, and also the most risky. On the right coast in Carolina, do this only on an outgoing tide. The incoming tide works its way under sand to saturate it and create quicksand. The more coarse the grains, faster the sink rate.

..Torque is the ticket for soft sand. Mud tires have a very stiff carcass, when airing down the tire does not flatten out well, and lugs like to dig.
Have to use lower pressure, start at 15 psi and experiment. Keep tabs on automatic transmission temperature. Low-range works well.
An excellent beach tire is a worn out 'P' tire.

 

Always loved your beach pictures, Steve

 

Thanks, around here don't even have to leave home to loose your vehicle.

 

lol that's crazy. Somebody could come out the morning after the storm and think their car floated away. Would be really surprised when the sand goes away and the car magically reappears

 

Divorce knows no bounds.

Sweet pics. Devastating, but sweet.

 

Steve CONGRATS on the new status as a Mod it was a good choice IMHO.







Yes Steve is the go to guy on the beach sand deal.

 

My question is driving in 4hi but putting the trans in 1st or 2nd gear does this still create a lot of heat for the trans.. Is this bad for the trans... Also other than more tq what is the benefit of 4lo

I have a 96 auto with 31s

 

There are times when 1-2 or 3 can be used to help hold a gear range or keep Torque Converter locked. But heat will not really be reduced. The most heat is created when transmission is allowing slip (when TC is unlocked). Seems to me that 1800 RPM is when TC locks.
Using 4-Low when in deep sand helps keep TC locked, reduces load on transmission and engine, keeps RPMs up which helps circulates fluids. If you notice engine temp or tranny temp rising to high, using 4-low will quickly drop temps to operating range.