1st gen new owner

[bsmithcummmins]

Hi, so I recenlty purchased my first diesel truck, 1989 cummins 2wd auto. I live in california and was wanting to use it on fires in the summer and also a dd. I was happy with almost everything about the truck till I took it off road, or what I figured a 2wd could do. Well I came to find out that with nothing loaded in the back it cant even go up a small hill or through a small mud puddle without getting stuck. 1 tire spins and it wont do anything. I know people with 4x4s with no front drive shaft or other reasons for the 4x4 not to work and yet they can go almost anywhere. I was wondering what I can do to my truck to make it better offroad so I can go on fires or drive in the woods without getting stranded. Also the front springs sag horribly so if I got spring spacers or heavy duty lift springs will that help even a little bit?
Please Help!

[ellis93]

Welcome. Pics of truck?
Yep 2wd is pretty much useless off of hard pack,wet grass usually can take mine down

[cmann250]

Welcome!

It's a learning curve driving these things of road. I was used to a big heavy 4x4 Power Stroke before I got my Dodge over a year ago. I can now proudly say that I can pull 300 bales of straw on two wagons off of wheat stubble without getting stuck. It's all about the controlled spin and momentum

[CumminsPower59]

Welcome!

[DodgeFreak]

If you put a lsd in the rear ( gets you high faster.....or so i've been told...lol I don't do drugs or drink or smoke...) anyways, and then get good gripping tires for it you should get around alot better,even with the open diff. good tires make alot of difference.
And like cmann said, learn to control your right foot at the right time and you'll be able to do more. also 5klbs in the back don't hurt either....

[ellis93]

Welcome!

It's a learning curve driving these things of road. I was used to a big heavy 4x4 Power Stroke before I got my Dodge over a year ago. I can now proudly say that I can pull 300 bales of straw on two wagons off of wheat stubble without getting stuck. It's all about the controlled spin and momentum

yep, he should ride around with a few hay bails in the back at all times

[cmann250]

20 bales of 3rd cutting alfalfa might add up to something The wagons put no weight on the truck that's why it's tricky. I rode around all winter with 4 hog slats in the back for weight. Smoothed out the ride too