Ask The Expert- Sand dune driving

[MickeyB]

Going to Pismo soon and need advice. As I go up steep sand dunes, what gear should I be in to maximize power (my JKU is automatic). Would my rear locker help? I'm planning on running 10psi.

2014 JKU
3" lift
35" BFG mud terrain's
4.56 gears
Rear locker


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[Brian]

Going to Pismo soon and need advice. As I go up steep sand dunes, what gear should I be in to maximize power (my JKU is automatic). Would my rear locker help? I'm planning on running 10psi.

2014 JKU
3" lift
35" BFG mud terrain's
4.56 gears
Rear locker


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sand can vary in moisture content and can be hard to judge. As for a year, i would manual shift and keep your engine rpms high.

With Jeeps being light and large tires having a high weight rating, sometimes airing down does not work as well as we would like! I had a set on an TJ that I could run flat and they would not run well in sand. Test it out and don't let the jeep bounce.

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[Todd Ockert]

Usually on the bigger hills, speed is your friend.
But not so much that you launch off the top, as you will break or bend the front axle or other parts.

In our TJ, on BFG 35" KM2's, we ran 8 psi, and still could not climb all the hills we wanted, or tried.
We have a 5 speed tranny in ours.
I was in second, and 4 high all day.

The sand was very dry and soft two weekends ago also.

As for your automatic, I think I would stay in second to climb the dunes. Just running around, you and let it find its gear on its own.

Todd

 

[Azomike]

Going to Pismo soon and need advice. As I go up steep sand dunes, what gear should I be in to maximize power (my JKU is automatic). Would my rear locker help? I'm planning on running 10psi.

2014 JKU
3" lift
35" BFG mud terrain's
4.56 gears
Rear locker


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have an 07 JKU with 33” MTR tires. I air down to 12 psi. I can handle most dunes with ease. One big thing to remember is “ Turn the traction control off”. I forgot to do this and lost all power near the top of the tall dunes. Tires do make a difference. Many of the mud tires like to dig if you spin them. Make sure you have a way to get unstuck.

 

[SilverLJ]

Usually on the bigger hills, speed is your friend.
But not so much that you launch off the top, as you will break or bend the front axle or other parts.

In our TJ, on BFG 35" KM2's, we ran 8 psi, and still could not climb all the hills we wanted, or tried.
We have a 5 speed tranny in ours.
I was in second, and 4 high all day.

The sand was very dry and soft two weekends ago also.

As for your automatic, I think I would stay in second to climb the dunes. Just running around, you and let it find its gear on its own.

Todd

This guy nailed it in my opinion.