off road driving tips
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
off road driving tips
hey, as some of you might know i got my bronco going a few weeks ago
and now that i've gotten used to what its like on road i would like to try it off road, any good off the road driving tips other thatn take it in baby steps(already know that) but all that i've don so far is go out and play in about 4" of snow.
and now that i've gotten used to what its like on road i would like to try it off road, any good off the road driving tips other thatn take it in baby steps(already know that) but all that i've don so far is go out and play in about 4" of snow.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
first you gotta find something a lil more challenging than 4" of snow! I got a nice mudhole back behind my house if you want some good experience....don't believe me? ask 85351ho.....broken yokes suck don't they?
just remember the more you break the more you replcae and the stronger it will be. Plus you will know your truck realy well
get the biggest tires you can and the smallest lift. lower center of gravity will help you always!
cut your tires....no matter what kind they are
have fun
one more thing, as I once heard from a good friend of mine.....Rev it till the valves float...Sidestep the clutch...and steer!
-jason-
just remember the more you break the more you replcae and the stronger it will be. Plus you will know your truck realy well
get the biggest tires you can and the smallest lift. lower center of gravity will help you always!
cut your tires....no matter what kind they are
have fun
one more thing, as I once heard from a good friend of mine.....Rev it till the valves float...Sidestep the clutch...and steer!
-jason-
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Trust me... biggest tires aren't always the answer... everything depends on your weight to tire size ratio and what you're up against.
Getting spanked by an underpowered '74 bronco with stock size tires made me a believer.
But I'll get 'em someday...
Getting spanked by an underpowered '74 bronco with stock size tires made me a believer.
But I'll get 'em someday...
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Dudley, GA
Tips? Have a good plan in case things go wrong, see my Bad Weekend post from today. Take with you all the tools you can carry, and as a general rule of thumb go with another 4x4. I almost got screwed this weekend, you should never venture into parts unknown alone.
Tools
Shovels
Hi-Lift jack
Some planks of wood for shoring
Spare parts, belts tubes etc.
Big rubber boots
Cell phone!
Water, for you and the truck
Extra gas tank
Winch... my next big purchase
If you think you might need it, take it. Stay away from water, unless you know exactly how deep it is. I got fooled once in my Jeep on the water/mud trap. If you come onto a section of terrain and it looks iffy, get out and walk it through, plan your path and don't get yourself to the point where you can't get out the way you came in unless you know there is an exit. It's fun, everyone gets stuck (me more than most), and like most hobbies, is expensive if your not careful.
When your all done, wash and lube the suspension of your truck, unless you like changing U-joints.
Hope this helps you.
Tools
Shovels
Hi-Lift jack
Some planks of wood for shoring
Spare parts, belts tubes etc.
Big rubber boots
Cell phone!
Water, for you and the truck
Extra gas tank
Winch... my next big purchase
If you think you might need it, take it. Stay away from water, unless you know exactly how deep it is. I got fooled once in my Jeep on the water/mud trap. If you come onto a section of terrain and it looks iffy, get out and walk it through, plan your path and don't get yourself to the point where you can't get out the way you came in unless you know there is an exit. It's fun, everyone gets stuck (me more than most), and like most hobbies, is expensive if your not careful.
When your all done, wash and lube the suspension of your truck, unless you like changing U-joints.
Hope this helps you.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
out here we have the bijue (i think its spelled that way) its a creek bottom that is trees, sand, and a bunch of hills about 20-30 feet tall, about a 70 degree angle, but i also plan on taking it to the mountains, i've heard of the whole thumbs out of the wheel in an earlier post, and thankfully broke myself of the habit, and wheelhop is a major issue cause i have already discovered that the bronco is infected w/ that terrible disease, but i am working on a cure, i will most likely be going with two other buddies and either a *******, or a gmc tahoe, and i have most of the items on 71_4x4_390's list, just need to do some packing, and i am currently trying to get my fingers around some 31x10.50's not very tall , but much wider than the stock size
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 181
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Blasting through deep water looks good on T. V. But it's not a good thing to do in the real world. Water does not mix well with internal parts..
The Slower through deep water the better (in most normal circumstances)
The Slower through deep water the better (in most normal circumstances)
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Brett Foote
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Judge your Angles Right in your Bronco, They are top Heavy lifted or not. Can't count the times my Butt had a tighter bite on my seat then I did due to angles. I always hated the Iffy places. Most of ours end up a cake walk and the Places that look easy is a bottomless pit.
Like staed above always have backup with you no matter how many times you've wheeled the place and didn't get stuck, There is always someone with a bigger truck who sneaks in holes and leaves ruts for others to find. That'll be when your alone. I've been a guilty of my boggers opening up once small hole to pits. Really when I've had to drag out Drowned out or downed trucks.
Since we run creeks quite a bit the water crossings in those are the ones to watch. Really if it's dry because if it's still holding water thats usually a maiin channel and will be deeper then they look.
Like staed above always have backup with you no matter how many times you've wheeled the place and didn't get stuck, There is always someone with a bigger truck who sneaks in holes and leaves ruts for others to find. That'll be when your alone. I've been a guilty of my boggers opening up once small hole to pits. Really when I've had to drag out Drowned out or downed trucks.
Since we run creeks quite a bit the water crossings in those are the ones to watch. Really if it's dry because if it's still holding water thats usually a maiin channel and will be deeper then they look.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally posted by swann79
Trust me... biggest tires aren't always the answer... everything depends on your weight to tire size ratio and what you're up against.
Getting spanked by an underpowered '74 bronco with stock size tires made me a believer.
But I'll get 'em someday...
Trust me... biggest tires aren't always the answer... everything depends on your weight to tire size ratio and what you're up against.
Getting spanked by an underpowered '74 bronco with stock size tires made me a believer.
But I'll get 'em someday...
-jason-
ps....one thing i did forget and is extremely important; take spares with you! mainly drivetrain parts b/c in the least you could be towed out if it at least rolls! you can make do w/o an alt belt or all 4 shocks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
If you're going out on mud trails, I'd have to agree that biger tires are better. Every time I got stuck it was my difs bottoming out. Only bigger tires will solve that.
Bring a tow strap, too.
Kevin K.
Bring a tow strap, too.
Kevin K.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 1
From: Des Moines, Iowa
i wish i could fit 53" with only 1" lift. that would be awesome. but that is what you want... biggest tires small lift and alot of fender trimming. i plan on 38" with only 4" of lift in the future.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
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From: Harrisburg, NE
oops, sorry, but i forgot to tell you, the creek is dry, but the water info is good for future reference, and the only problem is that it is me that has the most capable 4x4 in our group, but its not likely to get stuck in the bijou, and even if that happens we will go get the superduty or a tractor, like what i said its mostly sand and hills.