Basic Mods for “easy” off-roading

[rubileon]

I want to use my Jeep to get to cool places to enjoy...

Where have you tried going but failed because you didn't have mods?

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[Stormin’ Moorman]

All this noise...join a local Jeep club. There will be group rides so you don’t have to go alone and the experienced members will know exactly what you need for each trail. Everything else is speculation

What you know is more important than what you buy

 

[aldo98229]

All this noise...join a local Jeep club. There will be group rides so you don’t have to go alone and the experienced members will know exactly what you need for each trail. Everything else is speculation

What you know is more important than what you buy

Good advise.

Although, I wouldn’t send a newbie blindly under the impression that all “experienced members will know exactly what you need.” A small number of those “experienced members” will genuinely have the well-being of their fellow rigs at heart.

The rest are there just to drink beer and see some carnage.

 

[terryb]

If you're just doing easy trails all you need are the air up-down, safety, basic recovery and communication gear people have listed. No need for bigger tires or a winch, you'll just be wasting your money.
Over time if you want to do tougher trails then you can start upgrading your Jeep. A stock Jeep is very capable off-road.

 

[ThirtyOne]

For my first year i got by doing just this:

better tires
Rubicon suspension
Rock rails
Fire extinguisher
Good experienced group of guys to wheel with

 

[gandk]

Different people will have different suggestions. I off-road fairly reasonable trails usually solo, and the Sport is stock with some rails for light protection. But I have added what I consider a minimum setup:

- communications, in my case ham, CB, and GMRS. I don’t count on cell service being a thing. I also benchmark the systems.
- recovery. I don’t have a winch but do carry a tow rope, D-links, gloves, folding shovel, and sand boards. Next step would be a winch but that requires a new bumper, maybe next year. Learn how to dig out and stack rocks.
- other safety gear including fire extinguisher, first aid kit, basic survival gear, clothes, food and plenty of water. Common sense comes in handy as well.

if you’re realistic with your expectations and learn the basics of off-road driving, you can run fairly stock. If you want to tackle harder terrain, that’s when more/bigger is better. But stock can get you from a lot of point As to point Bs.

So I have a CB and GMRS which channels do Jeepers use?
Greg

 

[jessedacri]

All of these suggestions are awesome please keep them coming....

Obviously tires are key based on everyone's opinions...

My Jeep came stock with Bridgestone Dueler A/T 255/70R18...will these do the trick or do you all suggest something else?

Kevin

Best thing you can do for the money is buy a set of Rubicon takeoff wheels and tires. They're a 33" (285/70R17) BFGoodrich KO2 and you can typically score a set of all five wheels and tires for around $1000 or under. My buddy and I wheeled his Sahara with those dueler ATs for a few months and it did okay but they're not very thick to prevent punctures and the tread gets chewed up easily if you're working them with trail use often. A proper AT (BFG KO2, Nitto Ridge Grappler, etc) will do wonders for you off road without increasing road noise - and will look a lot more appropriate on the Jeep.

I'd also pick up a decent air compressor, Viair 300P or one of the Smittybilt ones do great - you want to air down to ~15-20psi on the trail so your ride is much more comfortable and your tires can form to the terrain a bit better, a good compressor will get you back to highway pressure after the trail.

 

[nostatic]

So I have a CB and GMRS which channels do Jeepers use?
Greg

Should depend on the group and if you're staging somewhere you'd agree on a channel. As an alternaitve, I set my radios to scan pretty much all the time.

 

[Whiskey 13]

OP:

your stock Jeep will likely be perfectly fine UN-modified.

if I were you I would start with just a few basic recovery items:

1) shovel (foldable, good quality)
2) some kind of kinetic rope — bubba rope is a brand I have
3) some kind of tow strap or tree strap
4) a pair of tread boards .... you can go with the top brand (maxtracs) or buy the X-bull ones that I have from amazon for a fifth of the price.
5) get an air compressor to air up with. ARB or the portable smittybilt.
6) jumper cables and/or a battery jumper pack
7) first aid kit
8) a few tools
9) communication devices other than Cell phones (CB/FMRS)

depending On what brands and config you buy, this stuff will be Well under $1000. It will really help you if you get in a bind and it will also allow you to help others as needed.

for what you say that you want to do, you likely don’t need a winch or skid plates or or or or.....

IMO the basics are up above and will serve you well in a pinch

The above list are great things that will help avoid trouble. I just wanted to add a couple other ideas. If you don't have a winch I recommend a hi lift 48" jack, along with the above straps and ropes you can use the jack as a winch. I also recommend JL jack mount (Dominion Off-road makes a great one) I also would add there accessory bar to carry an axe and shovel, I prefer a Bond 28" non foldable shovel and Fiskars 28" chopping axe. I carry all of these and I do have a winch. Another option for air compressor is Milwaukee Fuel Battery Powered Compressor, it is not cheap but great quality. Quality flash light, survival blanket, emergency food and water and a camp stove like a whisper light, temperatures can go from one extreme to another when you are stuck In the wild.

 

[BlackGenesis]

Fill it with gas, full tank, air dow to 25....done.

 

[jakebrake]

One other thing you may want to consider besides just the mechanical, consider going with someone who has wheeled before. If you have an off-road park, there is a very good chance that there is someone who teaches it there. The sea is typically rather nominal. It is usually worth every penny.

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