need some help not sure what gear to run in

[kittyhawk32]

I have a 2001 TJ jeep and went out on the beach this weekend. The sand was real soft and I was in 4hi. The jeep had to work hard to get through some of the soft sand. I did'nt let the air of the tires. At one point she was getting hot and the gauge was getting up there. When we got to pack sand she went on the cooling came back down. But she was hot. I need some advice for the next time I go out. Do I put it in 4lo when the sand is so soft or what do I do. New to this need all the help I can get. thanks for all your help.

 

[HiHood]

I'm out here in the desert and when I hit a sandy wash it's all about momentum. I keep it running 4hi until she starts boogging then start dropping transmission gears.8)

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I would start by airing down your tires, that will make the most difference. Then keep it in 4hi and keep as much momentum through the soft stuff as possible. 4lo will not do much for you in soft sand.

 

[xt master]

I have not had the privilege to drive in sand yet.From what the other post say sounds a lot like mud,where I do have some experience at.I would stay in 4hi and air down.4lo would only make it worse and cause you to get stuck.5th gear at 3000 rpm doing 15mph you will not make it through the soft stuff.What may help you some is to get an electric pusher fan for the radiator.

 

[buckshot500]

Back in the day, folks used to cut a spare set of rims & weld a ring in between the halves. This made them extra wide, so they could fit really wide tires.

A set of four drag slicks, or some dirt track tires would work well. Run them at about 12-15psi.

Flotation on the sand is the general idea.

A Taurus electric fan swap should improve cooling.

 

[jfrabat]

I agree on the e-fan for cooling, as it will make the fan speed and engine speed independent of each other. Aluminum radiators also cool faster, but those are pricey... (my FoMoCo fan was $28 at the Junk Yard).

Sand and mud are a bit different, in that in mud you want wheel speed to clear the tires, but in sand this would only make you dig in and leave you stranded. The best thing you can do in sand is air down as much as possible (with enough air to leave the bead in place!) to increase your contact patch to the greatest extent and have the most flotation. Then try to keep your momentum (avoid either accellarating or braking), as accellaration will cause you to dig in (and after you brake, you need to accellarate, right?).