Any tips for a first time off-roader?

[gearchick]

Hi,

I am offroading this weekend for the first time! Recently got my Wrangler Sahara (98) 6 cyl, 4.0L 5-speed manual...

I know I'm supposed to check the fluids before I go out but does anyone have any other tips? I don't want to damage my beautiful car!

[mpd295]

Make sure you're with someone who has been before. If you're not sure about terrain get out and walk it first. As far as your new vehicle, if you worried about getting it scratched or damaged then you might as well leave it at home. Some sort of damage will occur unless you're pretty much mudding in an open field and even then something could still happen.

[gearchick]

Well, I'm obviously not worried about scratches or cosmetic damage- Just want to make sure I am prepared so I don't break anything I can't fix! I am changing the oil before I go camping this weekend- anything else I should check out before I leave? Should I let air out of my tires before I go offroad?

[Death_Valley_TJ]

Letting some air out of you tires will make your jeep ride a little better off road and give it more traction. However, your jeep is very capable and if you are going to go on terrain that requires you to let air out of your tires then I hope you are going with someone with experience. Just driving off the highway on dirt roads does not require lower air pressure. Also, make sure you have a way to reinflate to the proper pressure before driving very far at highway speeds.

Have fun,

DVTJ

[breckboarder55]

Deflate tires, Un-bolt the front sway bar

NOW two big items...

FRONT REAR TOW HOOKsattached directly to the frame...

kinetic tow straps at least a 15k pound 20 foot strap, you can pick one up at O'reileys, exc for about 25 bucks... Make sure the tow strap has no metal hooks! People have died from these, no joke.

[missrebel713]

Your beautiful car isn't a car...it's a Jeep...embrace it.

[SpoiledRotten]

Originally Posted by missrebel713

Your beautiful car isn't a car...it's a Jeep...embrace it.

Maybe he has a beautiful car sitting next to his Jeep. How do you call a Jeep a car? You may not need to go offroading. You'll probably destroy your "car". Good luck and have fun. Don't do something just because an experienced off raoder does it. You'll mess up.

[Diehard]

A few more Important items:

First aid kit
Fire extinguisher, (you'll be happy to have it than not if you need it and some places require you to have one).
Jack & spare tire, (another item some places require you to have).
Water (for drinking)
CB radio, not necessary, but cell phones do lousy in the woods/mountains.
Cell phone

Less important, but nice to have:

Some basic tools, (wrenches, socket set, screw drivers, hammer, etc.).
Rags or some old towels.
Bug spray.
Sunscreen.

Once you get more into it:

Spare fluids, oil, coolant, gear lube.
Spare axles, bearings.
More tools.

One of the most important items is your common sense.
SAFETY FIRST.
Don't do something if you don't want to no matter what someone says.
It takes a combination of experience and the Jeep to get good at offroading.
Be patient and learn your Jeep's limits and your own.

Have a SAFE trip and enjoy your Jeep.

[Diehard]

This also is a good set of guidelines:

1. Never be afraid to say "NO".
2. Remember it's your vehicle and your well-being.
3. Just because someone else can, you might not. If someone else can't, you might.
4. The vehicle is only half the battle - the driver is the other 75%. (Yes it adds up wrong, but I left as is).
5. Making it look easy takes experience and experience takes time.
6. Skill can never be made up for with equipment.
7. Know your vehicle and it's limitations - AND YOURS.
8. Don't drink and drive (on the street or on the trail).
9. Stock vehicles can have fun too.
10. It ain't what you bought; it's how you build it. (Of course the part of the saying that they never finish is: How you build it depends on what you want to do with it - which might simply be to get down to your favorite fishing hole!).

[rqukrawler]

Most stuff got covered above and much good advice has been dispensed, but I'll add something I've seen many newbies do.

When you come up to a rock in the road that looks tall enough to catch your undercarriage, you want to keep your tires on it. Don't center up on it and drive into it. One misplaced rock can catch drive shafts and cause the damage you're trying to avoid.

[TellicoTJ]

When muddin, get out and see how deep the water/mud/ruts is and compare that to your ground clearance. Doing this will usually keep you from getting high centered.
Also if you lose forward momentum in mud, try backing out of the hole since there isnt nearly as much mud blocking you.

[briguy3030]

[QUOTE=breckboarder55;5631535]
kinetic tow straps at least a 15k pound 20 foot strap, you can pick one up at O'reileys, exc for about 25 bucks... Make sure the tow strap has no metal hooks! People have died from these, no joke.[/QUOTE

I was planning on purchasing 20' of recovery chain, grade 70 w/grabber hooks.
Is this not recommended? I use rigging every day as I am a Union Ironworker.
We use straps & wire rope chokers w/ the cranes.

I understand the logic of a failed piece of rigging & the metal hook/chain flying back @ somebody . . . however, couldn't one merely put a blanket, something with a little weight on the rigging to absorb/dissipate the energy in the event of a rigging failure?

[briguy3030]

Another Tip I'm sure you've heard before but it must be said . . .

Always let someone know where you will be going & how long you intend to be gone.

[nicolas-eric]

If it´s your first time.. never go wheeling alone with only one Jeep.
Better buy (kinetic) recovery straps than a chain.

[CMARJEEP]

[QUOTE=briguy3030;5642587]

Originally Posted by breckboarder55

kinetic tow straps at least a 15k pound 20 foot strap, you can pick one up at O'reileys, exc for about 25 bucks... Make sure the tow strap has no metal hooks! People have died from these, no joke.[/QUOTE

I was planning on purchasing 20' of recovery chain, grade 70 w/grabber hooks.
Is this not recommended? I use rigging every day as I am a Union Ironworker.
We use straps & wire rope chokers w/ the cranes.

I understand the logic of a failed piece of rigging & the metal hook/chain flying back @ somebody . . . however, couldn't one merely put a blanket, something with a little weight on the rigging to absorb/dissipate the energy in the event of a rigging failure?

Most people don't like chains for a couple reasons. They are very heavy and take up more space than a regular old tow strap. They can't be jerked if you are really stuck and regular pulling won't get you out. Chains are just as safe as a tow strap when used properly. In fact if chains break they technically should just fall to the ground unless you are yanking with them. I prefer a good old tow strap though.