KJ on sand

[banter]

Just about to collect me a 2004 KJ 3.7l with 80,000kms. I was looking for diesels but everything I inspected was rough with double the kms and more expensive. I decided to go for the 3.7 in the end as I'm really just intending to use the vehicle for fishing trips and towing the boat not as an everyday car so hopefully the higher running costs shouldn't hurt me too much..

I'm looking to take the Cherokee down south in SA on rugged beaches which often get washed-out. The sand is basically shell-grit and it can get hairy at the best of times. I'd like some ideas about the best tyres for the job, whether to raise the vehicle by 2inches or so?? Anything else I should be thinking of for beach trips.

Any info would be good Cheers

[Thommoed]

G'day mate,

I have a couple of freinds who have had the petrol, before i got mine (recently- havent been on the sand with it yet...) but both went more than ok. The one went all through shark bay and through some soft stuff as well.

One of my mates had the pirelli scorpions and that made a hellfa difference over the standard ( they were a little taller, not much though) and he ran fairly low pressures also on them.

one thing that i did notice is that he got a bit more stuck than the other one because he had the side steps on it also, and probably didnt give it the beans enoough where it needed it.

I will let you know how my deisel compares to the cruiser that i used to have, when i have a second to get it down there next week.

from what i'm guessing theres probably a few more opinions out there also..

cheers mick

[Thommoed]

http://www.4wdaction.com.au/articles/2011/waters-edge

this is also a good link for some tips and stuff

[cmohr]

The KJ loves the sand, 2in lift is a good start, will help with everything, as far as tyres goes, for sand a less aggressive tread pattern is better, wont dig as much in the soft stuff and will let the vehicle track straighter. As Mick said, drop down your pressures, and dont be affraid to drop it to 4lo for short periods to pull thru the soft, you dont have to go fast thru it, just keep a good constant pace, in as straight a line as you can and dont spin a tyre, thats when you'll bog down.

Lots of folks say the pirelli scorpions are great, theres also good talk about the Bridgestone 694's, with a 2inch lift you can pop on a 245/70/16s should improve alround.

Congrats on the KJ and welcome to the board.

[banter]

Brilliant thanks guys Will definitely keep in mind lowering the type pressure, straight lines and constant speed..

And I'll look into the Pirelli scorpions.

Mick I look forward to hearing about your experiences on sand in your diesel!

[Pipeliner]

Have you got an auto or manual gearbox? Assuming it's an auto (the majority are!) then you won't have any problems - if it's a manual (the Connoisseur's choice!) then remember to select the right gear before you hit the soft stuff and keep your left foot well away from the clutch pedal until you reach the hard stuff again. I've seen more guys bogged because they tried to change gear in the wrong place than I care to think about.

[cmohr]

Both the V6 and the diesel go great on sand, my V6 went all over Fraser Island, Noosa Teewar, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island, never had an issue. Theres a few old threads here of our KJ SEQ trips to Fraser ect.