I haven't taken my JK out to desert yet, but before I go, do you guys have any advice or mods you can recommend me for desert sand? I usually ask my old man about these things since he's been at it since he was a kid, but I was thinking I wanna impress for a first time around, so guys any suggestions?

 

For the desert needs, I suggest you keep your mods simple and consider the following:

• Go for short arms complete lift kit and not long arms with adj control arms & CV driveshafts (3" or 4" maximum lift)
• Tires are puzzle, you need flexible tires that once deflated they give the widest foot print possible i.e. mechlin siames tires they are fugly but excellent on sand! 33"/35" 13.50 on 16 or 17" rims..
• Keep your crawling ratio OE and avoid a Rubicon version for the desert
• Go for light stuff bumpers, skid plates, keep your vehicle weigh light
• Change the cat-back system and apply open air filter, maybe even new chipset "Jet"
• Fit front and rear lockers, they do wonders once you get stuck in sand
• Avoid body lift kit and make sure you have ultimate g-clearance
• Think of proper desert gear: extra g-can for water/fuel and hilift/winch

 

Well I have 17" rims, so I guess I'm okay, I know about the whole deflation thing, just didn't know about the width thing, but I couldn't find the Michelin tires of that name.

makes me happy to own a sahara, Rubicons aren't sold here in the UAE, maybe because of that reason.

thanks for the advice

 

When we go to the dunes some friends bring the big sprint car tires on their rigs (same for snow) low pressure 1-2lbs. big and bald, they floated anywhere they wanted. That is an extreme example but I have also seen some people (same people year after year) running BFG all terrains that were near bald or treadless...same deal, went everywhere. The foot print is the ticket, high HP or not.

Watch out on the intake...sand is a killer, make sure the filter is good, even an Outerwear over an aftermarket aircleaner.

Air down for sure, if you didn't already know, it is an amazing difference. Having a new CO2 tank would be a good thing, you could air way down and if you lost a bead it has enough air to pop it back on or run tools. A HiLift jack is always never bad, both a jack or come along. other than that ease into the throttle so you don't dig a hole (unless you have the HP to get the forward momentum as it's digging down) Having a strap and a clevis or two wouldn't hurt either.

Other than the recovery gear and some basic tools at first, go stock and grow with your mods (that's in any wheeling condition)....you'll be a better driver in the end, learn your rigs capabilities.....and when it's a built rig....

Nick

 

Well,

I have tried various tires for the sand

* BFG ( 6/10 ) They are not that bad but a pain to balance after a while
* Coopers STT ( 9/10 ) But they are heavy and need some power to spin them
But they were the best on my GMC pick on a TJ you will need to re-gear.
* Siams are good but not for a Jeep ( 5/10 )
* Good Year MT/R amazing but hard to get ( 9/10 )
* Intreco STS - The best sand tires i ever tried ( 10/10 )
* Yokohama Geolander ( 8/10 ) like the Good Year MT/R hard to find
* Mickey Thomson ( 10/10 ) but they wear out quick. All types are amazing but pricey

I got myself the Sahara 2 Dr and what i wana try now for the sands is Nitto they have some mean looking tires

 

A new Powerplant winch (great for airing up fast), a shovel, a flag mount!

 

If your out in the middle of the dunes there isn't much to anchor to.. I built something very simular to a pullpal.. Works awesome.. Here is the basic theory... Much cheaper to build one though..

http://www.pullpal.com/aboutPP.html

 

I know this thread is old but I’m just wondering why a Rubicon wouldn’t work on sand dunes?
Is it because of low gears on the axles or because it has more height!
I don't get it

 

LOL this is the Dubai thread now!

I wish I could wheel there, been there a few times but never with a Jeep.

Here are a few pics of me in Dubai. Maybe I can come visit when I go back this summer/fall.

 

Rubis don't got more height, but my guess would be weight. I think they got a good 500 to 700 pounds on us.... I think. Don't quote me on the numbers, but that would be my guess