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Looking for advice on driving in sand...

TheBeast_88K5

TheBeast_88K5

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Taking the K5 to Sand Mountain, NV.

Just looking for general sand driving advice.

- Max speed in 4WD? (700R4/NP208, both rebuilt less than 1K miles ago.)
- Best time to use 4LO, if any?
- Shoot the hill in 2WD, or 4HI?
- Is hauling-a$$ trough the dunes, better in 2 or 4?

I am in NO WAY new to sand driving.
We treat the tundra like a pre-runner in Pismo.
We usually just leave it in 4HI, and put the skinny pedal down.... :thumb:

But,

A K5 is much different.

All advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance! :D

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When i've went to Pismo I aired down to 15 psi and threw the t-case in 4hi and let-r-rip.
 
4wd hi

air down to 20 since you have 16.5s

stick to the south ridge and send me a pic from the top!
 
well if you like getting stuck then digging yourself out then go 2wd till you get stuck then spend some time to dig yourslef out.
If you like to just drive around and have fun keep it in 4HI and pedal to the metal.
And your tires are not the greatest in sand so keep it moving, heavy truck and narrow stiff tires don't do great in Sand.
You at least have an auto right?
It sucked driving my manual K5 with a heavy (1300lbs) engine in Pismo.:doah:
My waggy did great though with the auto and lightweight.
 
I have always found that momentum is your friend. 4H and lots of right foot. Try to keep the tire spin to a minimum.
 
I have only been to Sand Mountain, once as a kid. I drive past it alot when I am going east to go hunting, though. I remember the actual mountain being really steep, but I believe there are a few smaller dunes and drifts on the north side. I never here about guys taking trucks out there, just quads and some dune buggies. I don't know if it is a really truck friendly place, or if I just don't know anybody with "sand" trucks. If you are going out there for the holiday weekend, take some patience with you, lots of people, little space.
 
hammer down. If you are always moving fast, you won't get stuck. Suspension I have found is the limiting factor in sand not so much engine.

I did great at the dunes with my zuk, but it had a pretty good suspension setup under it, I could go alot faster than most other 4 wds just cause the suspension would stay under the thing.

In your case though, HAMMER DOWN :D
 
chevydan3 said:
I have only been to Sand Mountain, once as a kid. I drive past it alot when I am going east to go hunting, though. I remember the actual mountain being really steep, but I believe there are a few smaller dunes and drifts on the north side. I never here about guys taking trucks out there, just quads and some dune buggies. I don't know if it is a really truck friendly place, or if I just don't know anybody with "sand" trucks. If you are going out there for the holiday weekend, take some patience with you, lots of people, little space.
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I agree. Holiday weekends BLOW. tons of ruts and jackasses.

Ive been going since i was in the womb... dads been going since he was 10 or so. Ive seen a few trucks out there. Its fun to take the south paths out to the windmill, or the north wall and try and make it to lookout point. Alot of the other cool areas that took you out towards pony express have been closed off. Did see a trophy truck out there once, as well as an h1. Couple drag type trucks.

Ive also only beeen one or 2 big weekends. I usually always go 3 weeks before or after a big weekend. I like smooth sand. :woot:
 
NorCal_Chris said:
I agree. Holiday weekends BLOW. tons of ruts and jackasses.

Ive been going since i was in the womb... dads been going since he was 10 or so. Ive seen a few trucks out there. Its fun to take the south paths out to the windmill, or the north wall and try and make it to lookout point. Alot of the other cool areas that took you out towards pony express have been closed off. Did see a trophy truck out there once, as well as an h1. Couple drag type trucks.

Ive also only beeen one or 2 big weekends. I usually always go 3 weeks before or after a big weekend. I like smooth sand. :woot:
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Just sent a couple quick texts to my brother, who has been out there a bunch of times. He said that he has only seen a couple of built prerunner trucks and one jeep with paddles.
 
I've taken the tundra out there, and it's essentially stock.
4" lift and Hankook Dynapro MT's....

I'm not trying to go up the mountain on 37's and 4.10's....
 
I can give you all kinds of advise if we are talking beach driving alas we are not so I will leave you with this.............................bring a long handle shovel!!
have fun stay safe Scott
 
Air down to 15 atleast. I air down to 6-8 with my 16's but my 16.5 I leave em at 12. As long as you remember you are in a K5 not an all out buggy, and don't roost and turn sharp, and whip ****ties you will be fine.
 
Interesting that the general consensus is 4hi especially with 4:10's and 37's.

I run sand here in the desert most of the time and I prefer 4low. I love to hear the motor scream though.

I find 4low gives you plenty of tire speed when you need it and quickly when finessing the throttle.

AIRING DOWN IS KEY! I'll usually drop mine to about 10 in rear and 12 in front for the weight of the motor on 16" rims. Good rule of thumb is to let air out until you see the sidewall start to flex. Once that happens you know you are improving the footprint in of the tread in the sand.

I ran 35's with 4:10's; 4low and 2nd gear and the scream up hills. Now I have 35's and 4:88's and sometimes I have to shift to 3rd but usually just let off the skinny pedal and keep it in 2nd to keep speed in check.

That's what works for me.
 
TheBeast_88K5 said:
How did I know know the general consensus would be, "hammer down"? :haha:
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cuz we are men? lol

TheBeast_88K5 said:
Stupid question, but you do lock your hubs, right?
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i leave em locked so that its quick and easy to pop into 4wd
jekquistk5 said:
Air down to 15 atleast. I air down to 6-8 with my 16's but my 16.5 I leave em at 12. As long as you remember you are in a K5 not an all out buggy, and don't roost and turn sharp, and whip ****ties you will be fine.
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be careful tho cuz he has non beadlocked 16.5

i went to pismo last weekend and stayed at 22-25 all four corners. no problems. i'm also on 16.5 non beadlocked rims which is why i didnt go lower. didnt want to be trying to reseat a bead in the sand.

stayed in 2 wd drive unless i'd start digging or knew i was going to climb a soft sand hill.
momentum is key to keeping you from getting stuck. once you get rolling keep it rolling. i had no problems with it as far as getting squirly. (helps to leave the top off so its less top heavy) just remember your driving a top heavy brick and dont try drifting to many bowls.

oh yeah, git pichers.
 
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the 2wd 'sploder i traded for my burb, did just fine at street pressure on bald street tires in the sand, as long as i kept it moving and WTFO!
 
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