Off-roading is the ultimate driving adventure for those looking to try something new. While you can technically take any car off-road, not every vehicle can handle the punishment that mud bogging, rock crawling and dune shredding hand out.
4WD vehicles find it easy to tackle all kinds of rugged terrain because the engine powers all four wheels, giving them better traction. 2-wheel drive vehicles, on the other hand, are designed differently and the engine only powers two of the wheels (normally the two front ones). While this doesn’t mean that that it’s dangerous to take your 2WD off-road, it will certainly be more difficult for it to navigate rugged terrain.
Equipping Your 2WD for Off-Roading Performance
In order for a vehicle to handle off-road conditions, it needs to have several things including:
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Sufficient ground clearance
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Exceptional traction
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Good suspension
The good news is that with a few upgrades and modifications, you can transform your 2WD truck to open up a new world of off-road capabilities. Here’s how:
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Upgrading the suspension and increasing ground clearance.
When it comes to upgrading your 2WD suspension, a lift kit can do the trick. Lifting your two-wheel drive vehicle will give you the increased clearance you need to avoid gutting your undercarriage on rocks or flooding your engine in case you go into any water. Additionally, the higher lift gives you enough space to fit larger tires to conquer the terrain.
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Improving 2 wheel drive traction.
There are two ways to increase traction on your 2WD. You can either get bigger, beefier tires with heavy treads or choose to get a traction enhancement device for your differentials. Tires come in different sizes, designs, and treads so you can choose the right tires to suit your vehicle and your budget.
Getting an effective locking system for your differential gear can also increase traction. Locking differentials work by locking the axle when one of the wheels starts spinning and delivers full power to both wheels so don’t get stuck if slogging through mud or sand. The extra power and traction also come in handy if you want to ascend a steep incline.
It’s also a good idea to have a winch, recovery strap and shovel available if you’re going to take your 2WD off-road. That way, your vehicle can easily be pulled or towed if you run into any trouble.
Remember no amount of upgrades or modifications can make up for the driver’s skill and good sense out on the trail. If you want to rack up some experience in off-roading, sign up for one of our off-roading training classes and get to learn with some of the best off-roaders out there. You can also bring in your 2WD to get it outfitted with the right mods to go off the beaten path.
