Off Roading Advice

[Shane]

1066177

Lots of cool stuff on this site/board about almost everything mechanical, yet there are no off roading tips sections... thus i created this post (and hopefully a hint to the site moderator to maybe put some of the information soon to be found in this thread in the 'How To' section). I am fairly new with my Jeep, and am still in the process of learning its limitations. I know fairly little, but would love all of your advice (as i'm sure others would) about Sand Driving, Hill Climbing, Mudd, and Rocks mainly. Please feel free to educate me (and like i said, i'm sure many others) on the 'correct' technices to manuver out monster machines;-) around this awsome terrains!![addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1066186

Just good ol Plain Horse Sence is the Key. You can take a good ez going trail ride and make it a life threating thing by just not thinking. If you do not know a trail and can not see an area, get out and walk it. If you are not sure about a section be it hill, mudd, water crossing, or most anything stop and survey the whole thing rather than rush in and break expencive parts both body and Jeep. Travel with a frien if possible. I know that you were not talking about this when you ask and you already know this but a reminder is always good. Can you tell I have been training rookies here on the home trails lately? Tug[addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1066187

I guess I´ll throw a few tips out there. Sand driving, don´t stop moving. Mudd same as sand, with a few extra mod´s to the old Jeep for the water, that usually goes along with the mudd. Rocks dent things, slow and careful, pick your path well in advance, use the lowest gear. Hill climbing, before you jump, figure out how, your gonna get back down, if things don´t work out. Backing down a steep incline, because of traction or mechanical failure can be catastrophic (along with steep sidesloops).
Four wheeling with a friend or two, makes good sense, really nice to have someone along to pull you out. Also following someone around, who has been at it for awhile, makes good sense. It´s a learning curve just like most everything else. Be safe, use your seatbelt, chickens live longer.
Give a thought to where your wheeling and any lasting damage it might do to the area.[addsig]

 

[Shane]

1066189

I plan to post additional questions as they come to me, like this one: How do i go about going down a massivly steep hill, and how do i back down if i dont make it? I'm talking huge huge hills...[addsig]

 

[DirtDevil]

1066192

Can I offer some advice??? Find a local jeep club. There's an endless amount of learning to be done when you learn from watching and listening to the pro's. And most clubs are quite happy with showing new jeepers the ropes. go to www.quadratec.com and go to 4x4 clubs in the USA, they have listings of clubs by state.[addsig]

 

[jps4jeep]

1066228

This old offroader told me this once and I never forgot it

"He who has no fear, Doesn't have enough power" I am not sure exactly what he ment but sounded cool![addsig]

 

[Jokera]

1066232

The first tip I ever got was "Never lock your thumbs around the steering wheel".

You need a recovery point on the front AND rear of your Jeep.[addsig]

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

1066250

Always put a rock or other obstacle under a tire, never straddle it.

Drive down hills in the lowest gear possible with the clutch out, and do not ride the brake. Use the brake intermittently if needed.[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1066264

its all about momentum to me... if you're gonna be going over a technical section, keep your speed up and you'll hover over the bumps rather than get hung up on them... makes for a much more enjoyable ride.

ride with a friend, preferably in another car so you can use eachother's rigs to pull the other one out of being stuck.

pack safety equipment and always carry a cell-phone.

be cognicent of tire pressure. [addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1066321

Like Bounty Hunter said, stay off the brake when decending a steep hill. I survey the decent, and look for traction patches (roots, rocks,vegitation) that will help slow me down if things start sliding. I treat most steep hills, mostly like I´d treat ice, constantly looking for escape routes and anything that will help traction if I get out of shape. Keep the speed down and stay off the brakes, over braking takes away steering. I´ve ridin out a few steep slopes at the edge of control, if you get sideways things get real hairy.
Backing down a hill, tip one, high back seats and headrests really mess with the process, as do passengers if they are all looking backwords (all you see is the back of there heads). Really dangerous stuff, using a big rock or tree to stop the process is authorized (better a dented fender thaqn a dented roof). I´ve switched ends a couple of times backing down muddy slopes, not advisable for people with weak hearts and/or bowels.
Like backing a trailer the more you do it the better you get. Best to practice in an open area, before you try it for real. Adrenlins rushing and your trying a seldom used, knack or skill, it´s real easy to get in trouble. Low gear, try and stay off the brakes (so you don´t lose steering) and don´t let the brake foot slip off, onto the gas pedal, while your turned around trying to see out the back window.[addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1066324

I´ve used the slide stop, slide stop technique, while backing down a slope. What you have to have, is a plan in your head, if it doesn´t stop. Pushing the brakes harder isn´t gonna help, if your already sliding backwords, the only thing that will probably save you is, luck, a plan, experience or good enough judgement, not to drive up there in the first place.[addsig]

 

[LGR]

1066325

so about this off roading advice..can somebody splane to me how exactly to get into 4 low smooth...i do the cha cha every time i try and loud noises..i'm just no good at puttin it in..any tips or anything? the jeep video that came with my broken TJ had it in there..and they really didn't help much
-Evan[addsig]

 

[Shane]

1066347

Your 4hi and 4low should be done on the fly with little to no sound/bucking. my 90 can switch freely between the three (2h 4h 4l) Thanks for those tips. I climbed this massive hill, and on the way down i was bouncing and got a little sideways, if i didn't correct the way i did, my jeep would have tumbled a lot! I kinda want to go climb it again, just getting down creeps me out some. Still deciding whether or not to go with it.[addsig]

 

[LGR]

1066352

putting it into 4 high is no problem..cause its just a pull, the 4 low..i do it while on the fly but what gear? frist right or neutral? thats what confizzles me[addsig]

 

[mandarrin]

1066363

well if you are like me you better take some u joints a spare tire.and ofcourse always go with a friend.[addsig]

 

[L33TJ33P]

1066372

4hi you can shift into at any "Legal" speed 1-50 I usually don't shift till around 30 myself. 4lo should be done at no more than 10 mph. I will come to almost a crawl just before stopping that I go for 4lo. I haven't had any bucking.[addsig]

 

[GreenReaper93]

1066380

My uncle always told me... Shiney side up, Rubber side down... The real question would be "What do you do if it's all covered in mud?" lol, sorry for the lame humor. Anyway, everyone has the right idea... I think Dingus mentioned one of the most important things though, and that's a safety kit. I've been in a few nasty situations where a well prepared safety kit would've come in handy. Stuff like:

Rope
Jumper Cables
First Aid
Blankets
Heave Duty D-Rings
CB

Ya know, those type of things. Someone on the site (forgive me if I can't remember the name) said that a $40 come along is a great investment (Poor Man's Winch) Also those High Lift Jacks that can be doubled as a Man Hand Winch. Those are great things to have with you too. Always double up with a buddy, and use the common sense your momma gave you. If your Gut questions it... don't do it. I'm no Veteran for serious offroading, but that would do ya. :-D [addsig]