How to desagage low range on beach what to do

[flayflay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close flayflay]

I'm off to Fraser Island what gearing should I select thanks novice GXL Prado 2003

[cuda Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close cuda]

I'm off to Fraser Island what gearing should I select thanks novice GXL Prado 2003

Is this a V6 or diesel? Manual or Auto.

I would think unless your in really soft sand high range would suffice. You only need low range when the sand is really soft. Run your tyres at about 18PSI drop them as low as 10 PSI if the sand is too soft.

[flayflay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close flayflay]

its a 2003 GXL Auto

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

I did most of Fraser in High Range, Centre Diff Locked (HL)*. Just left the auto box to do its thing though left it in 4 and not D. The trans temp started getting a bit high on a long run up to champagne pools, early morning, damp soft sand so dropped it back into Lowrange until it dropped down a bit.

Auto Prado's are very capable in the sand. Just watch your tire pressure. I start at 20psi and drop to 17/18 or lower if required. If you've got normal highway tires don't go too low as the sidewalls aren't as thick as the Light Truck (LT) construction

*(I don't have a choice to engage HR without locking the diff in my GXL so lets not start the whole Centre diff locked / unlocked in Sand discussion again )

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

Never needed anything except 18psi and occasionally lock the centre (usually for Inskip and Hook when towing).

Sometimes I turn the VSC off but 99% of the time you forget it's on.

Tyre pressure will make more of a difference than only if the off road settings.


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[Bigben Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bigben]

Nearly the same as the others for me as well, I have 2011 GX Auto Diesel
Done Fraser, Moreton, Nth Stradie in the last 12 months & ran 18psi (down to 16 on Moreton) in High Range,
Centre Diff Locked with Traction & VSC turned off. Sports mode thru the gears & never had to pull out the recovery gear.

(Maybe I just didn't try hard enough to get stuck) but we didn't back away from any tracks !!

The Prado's are very capable in the sand.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Same as every1 else. I've used it once and prolly didn't even need to but I'd already been bogged.
If you do though stop car, put in neutral, engage low, back into drive and away you go. Reverse to disengage.

[flayflay Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close flayflay]

So I'm guessing HL and 2 gear is that right thanks for all your input

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Also of great importance is momentum. I've seen too many novices ease themselves into a big depression then having to get snatched. Try and keep to the ruts in soft sand rather than making your own. Also carry your own gear rather than relying on other people's dodgy stuff.

[robpados Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close robpados]

yeah mate the fellas are spot on, hight range leave it in 4 rather than drive and you'll be right......

Carefull dropping pressures too low as you run the risk of rolling the tyre off the rim but you shouldn't need to go below 16 on fraser its pretty tame.

[Steerpike Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Steerpike]

No sharp turns at speed when your tyres are at low pressure (especially, no "donuts"). That's how to roll off the outside front tyre off and roll the car. Have seen a few wrecks on trayback trucks making their way down the beach- rolled, with a front tyre peeled off.

[Oscartangotango Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Oscartangotango]

You'll know if you are working it too hard, the transmission temp light will come on.