I Just took the 4runner out in the sand north of Corolla in the Outer Banks. We drove up to Corova, and all around the sand roads between the ocean and the sound. To get to Corova, you drive 10 miles up the beach... its really an awesome drive, complete with wild horses, beautiful sights, and, as the tide comes in, increasingly difficult "roads." Well, moral of the story, the 4 Runner did great in the sand. We went through some of the softest stuff I have ever been in with little trouble. Sure, I crested a few hills at under a mile per hour in 4 low with the pedal to the floor (glad I got the manual V6), but I got over them... We even pulled three less fortunate beach goers out of the soft stuff, all the while not getting stuck ourselves.

With highway tires (265/70/16) aired down to 18 psi, my bone stock 98 4 Runner was much more competent than I ever expected it to be in deep soft sand. It didn't let us down, and even when coming to a complete stop in the real soft stuff (thats what happens when you are behind a tool in an X5 who tries to go offroad then gets stuck 1/4 mile down the beach) I was able to work the wheel and get out without any trouble. This is one tough truck.

 

Nice! I've always wanted to go to the outer banks, the surf there gets real good.

 

I spent most of my summers in the outer banks back in high school and college.... the surf does get nice before a hurricane rolls in. It was small this weekend, although Corova had some nice breaks... I didn't have my board though.

 

Way to go! Soft sand is a different animal but when you drive it right a stock vehicle can handle it very well.

When I go to the dunes I almost always end up pulling out other people. Kinda cool to do it in a mostly stock vehicle. Something satisfying about it.

 

I know what you mean, I took my 4Runner to the outer banks for the first time last summer and it really tore the sand up!! Inevitably I always see at least one passenger car trying to make its way onto the driving beach, which always provides a good laugh.

 

Miss that the most from growing up in NC. Good memories. Glad you had fun.

 

I'm having a hard time seeing the pictures......can you try re-posting them?

 

Sounds good!! I was there the same weekend..perfect weather. Saturday I was on the beach out in south nags near oregon inlet. Only saw a FJ60 out there, no T4R's

 

i fish on the outerbanks once or twice a year.. what a wonderful place.. now the tree huggers are trying to close the beach down for drivers.. that sucks! they claim we run over turtles and birds.. i dont know about you guys, i have seen those large turtles, why would i run over them?? also i have seen those rare birds and going 15pmh on sand leaves the bird plenty of time to fly off. if the dont fly off well then we get into darwinism


btw, if some jerk off is infront of you and stops or slows down on soft sand, lay on thehorn and wave your hands telling them to keep moving.. thats some hard stuff to get out of.

 

Yeah, they have a similar problem up near Corova. People, for whatever reason, have been shooting the wild horses from their trucks. It really is disgusting what people do. Not only is it just senseless, but it ruins a really unique experience for the rest of us.

I have been down to the sand in south nags head (by Bonner bridge) plenty of times, but haven't taken this 4 runner out there yet. Maybe next time. In that sand you MUST keep moving.