4x4 performance reduced message after time in the sand

[crenca]

Huh really? That's too bad, but I didn't plan on going into super deep stuff like that again if I can help it so I guess it doesn't matter much anyhow, thought I could finally make use of one of the GOAT modes since I'm always in standard

I recommend you ignore that advice and use sand mode next time you're in sand. Goat modes are not "gimmicks", on the contrary the set up the driveline and (just as importantly) the traction/stability control for the conditions in a way that those with no or even moderate experience and knowledge would be pressed to improve upon. It takes an experienced driver in said conditions (like sand) to better the Goat mode...

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[Tom801]

I recommend you ignore that advice and use sand mode next time you're in sand. Goat modes are not "gimmicks", on the contrary the set up the driveline and (just as importantly) the traction/stability control for the conditions in a way that those with no or even moderate experience and knowledge would be pressed to improve upon. It takes an experienced driver in said conditions (like sand) to better the Goat mode...

Ok right on, I didn't try much in the sand with it not on so I didn't really have a basis of how it might handle without it. Sort of started having too much fun too think about trying and testing things prior to getting stuck

 

[SierraBronco]

I recommend you ignore that advice and use sand mode next time you're in sand. Goat modes are not "gimmicks", on the contrary the set up the driveline and (just as importantly) the traction/stability control for the conditions in a way that those with no or even moderate experience and knowledge would be pressed to improve upon. It takes an experienced driver in said conditions (like sand) to better the Goat mode...

There’s more to the GOAT modes than people realize. Going through the modules it also seems that some parameters for the airbags are disable/modified when in an offroad mode.

 

[crenca]

There’s more to the GOAT modes than people realize. Going through the modules it also seems that some parameters for the airbags are disable/modified when in an offroad mode.

Thanks for posting that, course just after I got all preachy I confess I don't use goat modes excepting sport on the pavement occasionally

Some of that surprises me a little bit, assuming I'm reading it correctly. Rear & front locker in sand? Rear ok, but front seems overkill for "typical" sand conditions - and "extra" traction control in sand? That is counter intuitive, but that assumes driver knows not to dig in so understandable.... No Rear locker in Baja? Also front locked in rock crawling by default? Maybe the driver is supposed to understand that they are to take it out of rock crawling mode between difficult obstacles/sections?

 

[Tom801]

Thanks for posting that, course just after I got all preachy I confess I don't use goat modes excepting sport on the pavement occasionally

I'm the same.
Tried Eco and saw 0 difference in MPG and it just felt worse to drive so kept off.
Sport I sometimes rip when I'm with friends and stuff but pretty much never use.
Slippery: lol, I've driven in snow in 2 wheel drive cars all my life so I don't really need it, 4x4 makes all the difference I need, maybe if I'm ever in a really bad situation but other than that I won't be touching it.
Glad I got use out of one of them though with sand!

 

[SierraBronco]

Thanks for posting that, course just after I got all preachy I confess I don't use goat modes excepting sport on the pavement occasionally

Some of that surprises me a little bit, assuming I'm reading it correctly. Rear & front locker in sand? Rear ok, but front seems overkill for "typical" sand conditions - and "extra" traction control in sand? That is counter intuitive, but that assumes driver knows not to dig in so understandable.... No Rear locker in Baja? Also front locked in rock crawling by default? Maybe the driver is supposed to understand that they are to take it out of rock crawling mode between difficult obstacles/sections?

Raptor guy could tell us for sure (pretty sure this is a raptor sheet based on exhaust) but I know on the Wildtrak rock mode doesn’t lock the front. Also don’t know what the “Extra” traction control is. I never used them until seeing the airbag settings and tried to research further if that assumption was true but could not confirm. After a buddy had his airbags go off on a mild obstacle I decided to use them I assume no rear locker on baja as the locker is turned off regardless above X speed. Hell, F-150 Rappy doesn’t even allow the diff lock in 2WD. And there are definitely times while on the rocks that it’s advantageous to use front locker but turn rear off. Or just leave them both off all the time until necessary.

Nothing is perfect, so I’m sure Ford is trying to appeal to a broad base of experience. And sell more bronco off roadeo tickets.

I also prefer 4L for sand, myself.

 

[Tom801]

I also prefer 4L for sand, myself.

I'll try that next time and feel it out. Was at Little Sahara UT and I remember going a few times as a kid and camping out on the sands, but I think that area was closed or the access for larger vehicles was restricted because I couldn't find a clear way in and roads were blocked.
I plan to go back when they open the rest up and go more over by the smoother looking dunes and sand, I went to the big sand mountain where all the ATVs were tearing it up and was riding around the base there and in trails which I think was just naturally a little less friendly for my rig.
Also might try airing down more, was at 22 PSI on 34 1/2 tires but saw comments of people saying to go lower, will look into it more though unless you got suggestions?

 

[crenca]

Hell, F-150 Rappy doesn’t even allow the diff lock in 2WD...

Say it isn't so...speed limited as well probably?...I guess "baja" just ain't what it used to be

Also that about airbags going off, yikes...maybe I will consider rock crawling mode and make adjustments if need be.

 

[SierraBronco]

I'll try that next time and feel it out. Was at Little Sahara UT and I remember going a few times as a kid and camping out on the sands, but I think that area was closed or the access for larger vehicles was restricted because I couldn't find a clear way in and roads were blocked.
I plan to go back when they open the rest up and go more over by the smoother looking dunes and sand, I went to the big sand mountain where all the ATVs were tearing it up and was riding around the base there and in trails which I think was just naturally a little less friendly for my rig.
Also might try airing down more, was at 22 PSI on 34 1/2 tires but saw comments of people saying to go lower, will look into it more though unless you got suggestions?

Really I only go through the sand when it’s part of getting to the trails. Sand Hollow, for example. So we’re already aired down to ~8 psi in back and 12 or so up front. (On beadlocks) You shouldn’t have any problems at 15 psi with conventional wheels.

 

[SierraBronco]

Say it isn't so...speed limited as well probably?...I guess "baja" just ain't what it used to be

Indeed not. I had a 2018 and 2020 F150 rappy and both of them turned off all the driver aides in baja mode. First time I took the 2022 out I went to drift a corner and…traction control was still on! Daheck? The 2018 had the best settings for Baja mode. The whipple tune might have had something to do with it but it really seemed like it had more effective engine braking in that mode. Lift-off drifts into a turn were no problem with that truck. 2022 not so much, even after tuning.

But yeah-no rear differential lock in 2wd and definitely not above a certain speed. First gen guys were able to put a switch in that would fool the truck and leave it locked for as long as you wanted. Not sure if that ever happened on jennies and up.

 

[crenca]

I plan to go back when they open the rest up and go more over by the smoother looking dunes and sand, I went to the big sand mountain where all the ATVs were tearing it up and was riding around the base there and in trails which I think was just naturally a little less friendly for my rig.
Also might try airing down more, was at 22 PSI on 34 1/2 tires but saw comments of people saying to go lower, will look into it more though unless you got suggestions?

Yeah a two and a half ton truck definitely has disadvantages in dunes compared to ATVs. If it was me I probably would lock the front axle in a situation like that (at least at first) and be in 4L as well.

I would also long press my traction control button to make sure it and "advantrac" stability control was as fully disabled as possible, and be sure to not dig in when the going gets tough. Thing is there's plenty of evidence that you cannot actually fully disable Fords stability control, especially in sand. There's a thread here somewhere about pulling a certain fuse that seems to help and guys that run dunes in particular seem to like doing this. I wonder If part of the error code and overheating you experienced has to something todo with traction control not being fully disabled??

Yes there's a difference between going down to 22psi instead of something like 15 particularly in sand. Even though below 15 on these stock SAS goodyears would make me nervous... a thicker sidewalled D or E tire however maybe a little lower...

 

[KP7]

I was just on the beach the beach yesterday and I'm always reminded that while it's tempting to just switch to 4H, I want to also confirm that GOAT modes are definitely not a gimmick. I've done both... full pressure or at 1/2 pressure and air downed between 15 and 20 psi in sand mode is the best experience. I have a manual '22 Bad'squatch. In my sand mode throttle response feels more aggressive and only my rear locker is on so I don't think that GOAT chart is correct for regular Broncos (we don't have exhaust modes).

The overheating issue I was going to point out as well. Once you get stuck unless there is life at risk, it usually better to accept the situation and work your recovery plan. That'll naturally take thermal and mechanical stresses down. I would also suggest taking your vehicle in to have them check everything. When I got stuck in some very deep mud I did that after I started hearing a weird sound from my rear diff and 4th gear wasn't feeling right. There ended up being problem with the rear diff and it had to be rebuilt. All warrantied work so Ford is standing behind customers who off road. It's worth the peace of mind even if nothing is alerting now.

 

[Hemisfear]

Huh really? That's too bad, but I didn't plan on going into super deep stuff like that again if I can help it so I guess it doesn't matter much anyhow, thought I could finally make use of one of the GOAT modes since I'm always in standard

You really have to watch out what info you use/believe on this site, there is lots of great info and experience, but there is even more BS, be careful what and who to trust!

 

[crenca]

You really have to watch out what info you use/believe on this site, there is lots of great info and experience, but there is even more BS, be careful what and who to trust!

Your central point about verifying any info/advice is very true.

That said I find the "signal to noise" ratio here pretty good for a forum. Certainly better then "social media" sites such as Facebook and Reddit and other forums I have been a part of. Stuff that is just flat out wrong (like the post about GOAT modes being a "gimmick") is corrected fairly quickly here, at least in the subjects I pay attention to...

 

[Brian_B]

like the post about GOAT modes being a "gimmick"

A bit off topic, but

I also share the opinion that the GOAT modes are a gimmick

But

I have to admit they do things that you can't manually accomplish, such as affect throttle and steering sensitivity. I wonder if they make adjustments to the ABS as well for some modes, rather than just blanket on/off (or, for the Bronco, the on, off and Really Off). I've heard rumors some modes can even disable the airbags from deploying, but not sure about the truth to that.

If that stuff is helpful or not, I dunno. So I think both things here can be true. They can be gimmicky, but maybe they can do some useful stuff too. If you didn't know anything at all about the Bronco and just wanted an easy "Get me through this o lord for I have wandered out where I do not belong" - GOAT may be your ticket back home.

A lot of the old GOAT charts aren't entirely accurate, but they are at least close to the mark. Many of them are from pre-release.

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