First time off-road ?

[Hogdreamer]

If the entire road you're driving on looks more like this shoulder than the hard packed surface in your picture, you may need to use four wheel drive. (used your photo to make a point, hope you don't mind)

Otherwise there really isn't any reason to engage four wheel drive if the traction is such that a front wheel car could navigate just fine.

You're not hurting anything in four wheel drive here though as the surface looks to be loose and straight enough to not cause any excessive wear on the 4 wheel components. Plus you're gaining some experience engaging four wheel drive.

Have fun, it only gets better from here!

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[Kryten]

What is pucker factor?

Pucker factor is that feeling you get when you lose control of the vehicle and you clench your ass cheeks together so hard you put a crease in your seat cushion.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Great advice! I appreciate that. I love the Jeep life already. I’m warming up! Now what if the dirt road has lots of hills? 2WD would be ok?

Hey OP. Lets keep it simple. Drive in 2H until you dont move anymore, then switch to 4H. If you're not moving in 4H, you could try 4L, but now youre' looking at a traction issue and only lockers can help. (Lockers force both wheels to turn regardless of which one has traction) My 02

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Hey OP. Lets keep it simple. Drive in 2H until you dont move anymore, then switch to 4H. If you're not moving in 4H, you could try 4L, but now youre' looking at a traction issue and only lockers can help. (Lockers force both wheels to turn regardless of which one has traction) My 02

And congrats on your Jeep and taking it "off-road".

 

[Buckzona]

2 WD is fine for roads/trails such as shown. 4 WD Hi when you encounter snow, mud and similar. 4 low for nasty stuff, crawling over rocks, etc. as long as you’re on stuff like shown your current tires are fine. If you’re getting into mud, much snow or similar you’ll want more aggressive rubber. You can shift in and out of 2 to 4 Hi “on the fly” at speeds up to 55 ( though I seldom do above 40). 4Lo, only needed for low speed stuff (crawling along). Need to be stopped or movin at Very low (1-3 mph ) speeds. Do NOT engage 4wd on paved, dry surfaces-it is NOT designed for that and will cause binding/excessive wear and dangerous handling. Good luck, welcome to Jeep life. Enjoy the adventure?

When shifting into 4 low you need to be in neutral. I find it helps to be on a decline that let's you slowly roll. The gears sync better. Also, if you hear some grinding when in low 4, especially in turns, you may want to go out and then back into low 4. Have fun!

 

[EXPFDR]

Welcome to the 4x4 world. Enjoy the trails and just wait till you do that ride with the doors and top off.

 

[Megawatt]

Hey, those rocks look familiar. Hi neighbor.

Chapman Jeep sponsors a group called “Desert Wranglers”. It is free to be a member and it is only for wranglers. Catered to new owners and they run trails in the area. They can be found on meetup.com you just search for desert wranglers. They don’t use Facebook, they use meetup.com

The trail runs fill up very fast and limit to small groups about 8 wranglers. Free membership and they give members 10% off parts for sale or repairs.

 

[eureka]

Hey, those rocks look familiar. Hi neighbor.

Chapman Jeep sponsors a group called “Desert Wranglers”. It is free to be a member and it is only for wranglers. Catered to new owners and they run trails in the area. They can be found on meetup.com you just search for desert wranglers. They don’t use Facebook, they use meetup.com

The trail runs fill up very fast and limit to small groups about 8 wranglers. Free membership and they give members 10% off parts for sale or repairs.

I will check that out! Thank you! The dirt road is by Corn Creek ? See pics.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

Everyone starts somewhere OP. Once you get that first taste, you'll be looking for more trails to wander.

 

[Megawatt]

Top of Mormon wells road is a nice free to use camping area with about 13 sites and permanent bathrooms. Cars can not make it up there, off road vehicles have no problem. Place is seldom used. Learned about it on one of the DW trips years ago.

 

[eureka]

Top of Mormon wells road is a nice free to use camping area with about 13 sites and permanent bathrooms. Cars can not make it up there, off road vehicles have no problem. Place is seldom used. Learned about it on one of the DW trips years ago.

Wow! Is it about 40 miles from Corn Creek to get there?

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

You are fine in 2WD there. If you start to loose traction on a surface then go to 4WD.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/lose-loose.3275/

 

[At Risk Ute]

Looking good. Miss my steelies.

 

[CTMopar]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/lose-loose.3275/

Auto correct there professor

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Auto correct there professor

Just messing with you. ?

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