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PREPARING A VEHICLE FOR OFF-ROAD & TRAIL RUNNING |
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The following are specific recommendations, warnings and general information for preparing a vehicle for off-road use. These come from my 40 years of off-roading and from other reliable sources. There will be links to other pages, articles or references where further information can be obtained. It is my purpose here to save you from having to 'learn-the-hard-way' and saving you some embarrassing moments! If you have any special recommendations or warnings - let us know and we'll include them here (& of course - give you the credit) |
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Why is all this Preparation Necessary? As you probably already know - stock SUVs are not primarily designed and equipped for offroading. They're OK for short trips on easy to moderate offroading (trails rated up to 2). But they are not prepped adequately for extended trips and more difficult trails. Its up to YOU to fully prep your vehicle for truly successful offroading. |
Where to Start? Since most of us have neither the money nor the time to build a fully-equipped offroad rig all at once, we'll breakdown the process in steps. Your rig could be anywhere along in the process but please look over all the steps, you might find something that you've missed, could have done differently or just plain find interesting. |
Just a Guide! Use the information here as a guideline to get your rig to where you think you want it. One way to expand your budget is to start giving hints about what you'd like for your birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. |
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| First Step - up to Moab-rated 2 trails |
Basic Preparation &
Equipment - these are the basic items, most are required at
offroad parks and organized offroad events. Get on a serious scheduled maintenance program - this is the key to reliability and serviceability. Start equipping your toolbox with tools that you really need and spares that you might need offroad. Equip your vehicle with Tow Hooks or Tow Points, front & rear Get a Tow Strap Mount a Fire Extinguisher in an accessible location. Equip your vehicle with a good First Aid Kit Get a really good long jack. THINK Hi-Lift® jack. If you're not going to lift your vehicle immediately - equip your vehicle with good offroad shocks and a good steering stabilizer. If you're not planning on larger tires in the near
future - make sure you have a good set of tires, no "P" rated tires -
at least get "LT" (light truck) -rated All Terrain (A/Ts) tires and . .
. Start hardening your vehicle for offroad use (follow the links at the end of this listing for specific areas of hardening your rig)
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►Vehicle Maintenance
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| NOTE: If you're not planning to install a 'big' lift (i.e. 5 -8 inches) & need shocks & tires, an inexpensive lift that will allow you to run 31 inch tires can be installed. It is simply installing 1 3/4 inch polyurethane spacers on the front springs and 2 inch lift blocks, extended rear shackles or 'helper' springs in the rear (if your rear springs are reverse arched - helper springs may be your best bet). A little front fender trimming usually helps to keep the tires from rubbing. If you're changing shocks at this point, install bayonet-mount eliminators and install eye-to-eye shocks in the front. This lift will give you about 3 to 4 inches more ground clearance over stock and much improved entry & exit angles. This will not help articulation unless you also install swaybar disconnects. This can all be done for around $200 to $250 + $shocks + $tires + $wheels + $disconnects (this includes the price of bumpstops). This certainly won't look as 'cool' as a big lift, but makes for a pretty good general-purpose offroad rig without having to take out a second-mortgage. | |||
| Step Two - up to Moab-rated 3+ trails provided there is enough ground clearance |
Increasing Utility &
Offroad Capabilities - after completing Step One, you can
concentrate on enhancing offroadability. This is about all that can be
done with stock height and "stock" size tires. Expanded vehicle hardening add needed tools, spares & recovery capability Installation of lower gears. Installation of limited-slip or locking differentials Installation of roof rack, rear carrying rack Installation of rock rails Installation of skid plates and differential guards Installation of auxiliary lights - improved back up lighting, driving lights, fog lights, undercarriage lights, rack lights
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| Step Three - up to Moab-rated 4+ trails |
Building Toward A "Full-Blown" Offroad Vehicle
- this section assumes that you have
already installed or are planning to install a 'big' lift and larger
(32+) tires. This is the last step that still allows the vehicle to be
truly dual-purpose. Installing 'big' lift kits and larger tires will increase undercarriage clearance and entry & exit angles. Most 'high-end' lift kits will vastly improve suspension articulation. installation of a slip-yoke eliminator (SYE) kit and driveline installation of swaybar disconnects Installation of specialty aftermarket bumpers with integral 2x2 receivers, frame-connected tow points and frame reinforcing bumper mounting systems.
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►FbW Winch Bumper
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There is an interesting article entitled "13 Headache-saving Upgrades -
and They're ALL under $100" by Christian Hazel on page 26 in the November
2003 edition of JP Magazine - covers many of the vehicle
prep ideas described in the following sections and gives you the sources. He also authored another article on page 50 of a build-up of a '00 XJ for commuting and offroading entitled "Project JR Part 1". In this first article they install Edelbrock's IAS® shocks, Mickey Thompson's Radial MXT®'s, K&N®'s FIPK air induction kit, an Optima® battery and NOLOGY® Hot Wires. If you're considering installing a V8 in your XJ you might also want to read John Cappa's article in the "Trailhead" column on page 6. |
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Wiring, Batteries, cables, connections, etc. |
Engine Ignition, intake & exhaust, cooling |
Drive
train transmissions, T-cases, drivelines, axles, differentials, brakes |
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shocks, steering boxes, springs, sway bars |
tire & wheel types, air pressure, mounting |
Accessories and Misc. fire extinguishers, armor, winches, etc. |
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