08 gc off road question

tbta02 · 04-17-2008, 02:34 PM

i have the loaded 08 gc with the stock 18 inch wheels and stock fortera low profile tires with quadra drive II . on my old 4x4 i used to air down but these tires dont have much of a sidewall . can i drive this truck on soft sand at my beach ? and did anyone air done these tires ? i dont want to find out the hard way . is this set up as off road friendly as the 08 with the 17 in wheels ?

RFisher · 04-17-2008, 02:58 PM

All I can say is, I took my 08 4x4 off road up to Grand Canyon West. It has 18 inch chrome wheels, with Fortera tires, I stayed in high 4 wheel mode the entire time, and never went over 40mph. I did not lower air pressure, they were at 35 psi cold all 42 miles off roading. Roads were mixed soft dirt / rocks. Driving on the beach however is a lot deeper and softer than soft dirt roads. I suppose you could try it without lowering pressure, and simply lower if you find it is needed. Some how I doubt it will make a difference. Take a emergency tire pump with you just in case. I got one for 20 dollars a few years ago, works great.

nick500ss · 04-17-2008, 05:42 PM

The Quadra-Drive II system has electronically controlled limited slip diffs front and rear. Traction in soft sand without airing down your tires should not be a problem.

z_gilligan · 04-17-2008, 07:44 PM

I live in the desert and sand and the only reason I have ever aired down was for a long washboard road. It helps to cut down on the bumps and makes a smoother ride. I have been in sand up to the axle and the Jeep just crawls through it. If you are starting to spin, stop and put it in 4 low.

**Texas ZJ1** · 04-17-2008, 10:52 PM

Do you have front and rear tow points? DO you have a tow strap? If not, get one. You'll probably either have the opportunity to pull someone else out or get stuck yourself. It is a learning process.

Hunter

jeepheller98 · 04-20-2008, 02:55 AM

yeah, learning the hard way is greatest way to never make a mistake again.. its alright but only if your prepared for any situation

greggblue · 04-20-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepheller98

yeah, learning the hard way is greatest way to never make a mistake again.. its alright but only if your prepared for any situation

I don't know about desert sand, but if it's beach sand, I would take your tires down to 25 PSI at a minimum before going on the sand... I've make the mistake in the past thinking QD II would get me through the sand, only to get stuck. the 25 PSI should be ok to drive on the highway for short distances.

Gregg

tbta02 · 04-20-2008, 04:32 PM

ive been on the beach alot with my 95 cherokee and always aired down . never had a problem . just looking at the sidewalls have me wondering . thanks for the advice .

NDSU_Bison · 06-23-2012, 11:59 PM

I finally got to break out the tow strap on the beach today. Someone in an F-250 was parked up high on the beach in the soft sand and forgot to put it in 4WD before parking.

He had started shoveling and it didn't look like he was going to get anywhere so I gave up my chance to get some good sunset photos and give him a tug. I was just hoping that I wouldn't dig myself into a hole and he finally made it out after about 30 seconds of me spinning my tires in the sand.

In this scenario, does it make any difference if your in 4-hi or 4-lo? I just left it in 4-hi since I figured I would just end up spinning all 4 wheels with the traction control turned off just like I would in 4-lo.

FWIW, I've driven an XJ, Durango, and my current WK on the ocean beaches without ever getting stuck although I usually stay out of the softer sand.