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Will be hitting the beach this weekend and Would appreciate some advice on how to have my ‘460 set up. I’ve read the manual and various forum threads but see some conflicting info. I have installed the MTS module so would it just be as simple as leaving in 4 high and selecting ‘mud/sand’?
or should I also engage Center diff?
engage 4Lo?
turn off atrac?
leave in 2nd or 3rd gear?
combo of the above?
note that the beach I’m going to has fairly soft sand trails.
also, I will be airing down and bringing traction boards. My rig is stock, running Michelin defenders btw.
I don’t mind going the trial and error route and figuring out what works best, but would appreciate some insight.
Lower your tire pressure to 25 in hard sand about 18 in soft sand. Mud / Sand mode works good particularly if you are cruising slow.
4L might keep your transmission a bit cooler but 4H is usually what I use. 4L is more for rock crawling. There is also the option to start in 2nd which can be nice for 4L. No need to lock the center differential unless you are having traction issues. The GX is heavy lower air pressure is important. If you are entering something that looks particularly challenging traction wise I will lock the center until I’m through it. In soft sand center unlocked is better in my experience.
Don’t stop and kill your momentum. Stay on the gas and keep going until you feel you’re on firmer ground. If you feel bog down and you stop, you will get stuck.
Thanks all for the advice, I will let you know how I end up doing. I'll be happy not to end up having to dig myself out, although wouldn't mind that experience so I know how to handle that situation.
If you are going to OBX, the beaches require you to air down. I agree with the suggestions above to stay in 4H. But I also like locking the center diff on sand. Stay smooth on the throttle.
Agree 4Hi, mud/sand MTS if you have it installed. Air down between 20-26 and keep it moving unless the sand is packed. If you happen to get stuck, activate crawl control and sit back and watch the vehicle work it’s magic and if not then tread plates or some wood boards should get you out.
lastly I’d never recommend going to the beach with the stock rubber.... that’s the largest risk in my eyes. It’s not likely to be quicksand on a well traveled beach like SPI or OBX... been on both many times over the past 2 decades and the people I see get stuck have stock rubber, aren’t aired down and don’t truly have 4wd or have a clue what they’re doing. A stock GX should have no issues driving on the beach with some decent Aired down tires in 4Hi even without MTS or crawl control.
Post beach report: all good! Aired down to 18psi all round, MTS sand/mud, 4 high the whole time, kept moving. Surprised how well it handled in the deep sand. Had it loaded up with 4 adults and 3 kids, so it was sitting lower than usual. Locked the center diff on way back, seemed to ride better with less drifting, but maybe just imagined that. If only it was warmer, would have enjoyed more. Looking forward to next time.
sorry about the crappy quality pic btw
Cool. Good to hear it worked well.... I had to chuckle about weather.. I'm at my cabin with overnight lows still in high 20's and drove in on 2 feet of compacted snow & ice. :-)
03-09-21, 04:16 PM
Sand driving advice
