Beach Driving

Sureline

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2023
Messages
3
Location
Wa
Car Year
2012
Car Model
Forester
Transmission
Auto
Hi all,

Am about to sell my forester to buy a dual range 4WD but hoping someone here can talk me out of it.

I have the 2012 2.5 turbo SH Auto forester (stock) and so far it’s been a great car. Love it and have been successful on soft sand flat beaches with tyres at 12-15psi (although sand hits the undercarriage when the ruts are deep).

But I want to do more intense beach driving and need a car that’s capable of going up the many soft sand sand dunes here in WA.

Can anyone suggest what mods other than lift kit that will make it more ‘unstoppable’? Or can anyone suggest who in WA I can go to to discuss potential (legal) mods?

Thx in advance.
 
G'day & Welcome @Sureline

I'm not sure anything can beat the agility and power of a turbo'ed Foz on sand. I mean have a look at my avatar on a dune and it's not turbo! Yes, a lift kit makes a big difference; do you have a skid plate installed? What tyres are you running? Does it have a transmission cooler?

I'm not sure it will work on your SH auto if it's a 5 speed but there is an AWD lock-up mod more info here: https://www.offroadsubarus.com/threads/4413/

And here: https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/4wd-on-demand-from-4eat.3091/

Take_Off.jpg
 
Your avatar looks sensational. Extra impressive for no turbo.

Will definitely check out the links.

Currently have stock standard 215/65/R16's. I have zero idea what's best for sand dunes.

There's a great clip of Subaru's tackling Callcup Hill. The only ones that made it were the dual range manuals. I have not been able to find a dual range auto. (The wife says 100% no to manual).
 
Go Hatchie!

Part of the reason why those dual range subarus made it up that hill was momentum, driver experience and the rear lockers they are running.

Don’t get stuck on the dual range wagon because several dual range manuals made it up a hill like that - I’m sure there are still a number of the dual range manuals that didn’t make it there too.

Autos are good for their ability to change gears without reducing drive to the wheels unlike a manual must between gears. Autos don’t have a clutch to burn out when getting started, but they will need a big cooler to keep the auto fluid happy.

The next size tyres will have an impact due to rolling diametre. Tyre choice will have the biggest effect. Anything that can “bag out” well yet have a strong side wall from punctures will be better than a tyre that doesn’t bag out at low pressures. A wider tyre can be an advantage too but this can be debatable too.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Good comment. Thanks.
Yep - auto all the way for sand. And great video, hey?

So from the comments, I think

(1) lift kit
(2) rear locks
(3) auto cooler

And will look into different tyres when they need replacing.
 
and its about not loosing power not letting traction control kill it . so better turn that off if you have it . and for sand less agressive tires the better . could try use fixed gear too if thats possible on that gearbox. i think it should be .
 
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