I know we CAN but SHOULD we take a 2wd off roading

there's not too many places to go off roading (that I know of anyways) here in Oahu BUT if I find any do you think its ok to take my 2WD off roading?

 

Yes, just keep in mind it is not going to do as well as a 4wd. they can still be pretty good on the trails though.

 

We had a 2WD with a swapped rear axle to get a locker wheel before with us.

Where it does fine (locked). Moguls. Hard/wet sand. Gravel roads (lots of fun).

Where it struggles. Inclines, especially rocky and loose. Mud and soft sand are trouble. Expect to use a lot of speed to momentum your way through. That usually breaks stuff btw.

Good tires make an incredible difference.

2WD off road, get good recovery points, get a good winch, and some traction boards. You'll need to realistically understand the limits of the vehicles much better than the 4wd people.

The main downside is the lack of a transfer case. You'll work your transmission pretty hard in those situations, invest in a trans temp monitor.

 

Best you can prolly do is Kaena Point on a dry day.

2 of my friends have 2WD tundras and its fine. But we did get stuck in the rain once and they were all over the place.

Some places you won't be able to get up a small hill and whatnot but the good thing there is that you can always go around another way.

I'm not too sure if they are issuing any new passes. I just got notice my 2020 pass is good until end of 2021 now due to lack of funding/income due to COVID. They not going reprint stickers.

 

If you're the 2WD in a group of 4WD, consider the effort the rest of the group will have to do to recover you constantly. It ranges from "hey, it's all part of the fun!!!" to downright inconsiderate. The group would determine the effort and mood, just a thought.

 

Steep grades are a major limitation.

 

Go!

Frankly, I think 2wd makes you a better offroad driver in the long run because it makes you pay very close attention to the terrain and conditions rather than relying on 4wd all the time.

You're in a good position as a novice offroader because you'll learn your limitations very quickly.

 

I agree, nimby, when I worked in the Yukon many years ago, and drove in remote places as part of my work, often alone, I used to leave my vehicle in 2WD, and only engage 4x4 when it was necessary. It was amazing how far I could go in 2 WD! Usually, it was only the steep grades that had me reaching for the transfer case shifter, lol. I drove a variety of vehicles in those days, nothing as good as a modern 4 Runner! That's why the first time I drove a 4x4 Hilux p/u in 1980, that I was so blown away by how capable it was. All those Ford p/u's, GM Suburbans, Jimmies, and Jeeps were pretty rough machines in comparison, lol.