Off Road Tips

[787RubiconToys]

I thought I'd start a thread about tips for off roading. My wife and I currently have a JKU which we take off road all the time (Ouray and Moab are our favorites). We are selling it and taking delivery of our 2 door JL hopefully in a few weeks. I've read that the 2 door versions aren't as stable on steep inclines due to the shorter wheelbase. Anyone with some experience on really steep hills like you find in Moab want to chime in and offer me some advice? I figure that's a good place to start but throw in your off roading tips. Specifically, things that are different in the two door. Thanks everyone!

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[John VonJeep]

Weight distribution matters even more with a shorter wheelbase. Keep it low and centered.

The guy in this video didn’t really do anything seriously wrong, and yet… disaster.

 

[MrMischief]

Never had an issue with a steep incline with a 2 door in Colorado. Been Jeeping this state since 2003 with TJs and now a JL. I have also done a lot of offroading in Montana and Wyoming with a 1952 Willys, again no issue on inclines.

The only place I've felt concerned was in Moab and it was very extreme. Generally you'll run out of traction long before you're going to endo a 2 door. If you're dropping off of something steep enough to roll a 2 door ass over teakettle you'll know it and you've likely built your Jeep into a dedicated rock crawler at that point. But once you get on slickrock in Moab though, where traction seems to be infinite, all bets are off.

Side hills, I've never flopped a Jeep. It's my view that your ass will warn you before you're at serious risk. I've stood outside my buddies who are laying down in their Jeeps convinced it's going to roll over, and I'm just laughing at them because from the outside it's clear they are not at risk. Just avoid sudden sharp changes that would make the body get moving downhill. Like what you see in the video posted above. I'd say most Colorado trails you're running a stock Jeep on the more likely risk is rolling off of a shelf road than flopping a 2 door on an obstacle. On side hills I'm not convinced a 4 door is any less likely to roll than a 2 door, The 4 door will likely have a lift in order to get up the trail so it has a higher center of gravity than the 2 door. I'm sure we can find one offs but it is pretty far down my list of concerns when I'm running trails.

 

[fdFifty]

As pointed out above, weight distribution is a little more crucial with the short wheel base. You are essentially trading weight distribution angles/centers for better approach, departure, break over clearance, turn radius etc.

Most trails with lots of traction and steep terrain like Moab will have a number of lines up any significant obstacle. Some of these lines favor different wheelbases. For trails like that it can be really helpful to have a guide or someone who knows the trail well to point those out.

Like anything else, it's an acquired feel that you gain with time behind the wheel. Same principles of managing momentum, and knowing when to take it slow to keep the suspension settled apply no matter what wheel base you have. The way in which you apply controls and read the terrain is what changes and theres no substitute for getting out there and learning as you go. Enjoy the new jeep!

 

[guarnibl]

I ran up through a rated 7 in my JK (2 door) when it was still somewhat stock. I.e., I had 38" tires and a 3 1/2" lift (AEV) that couldn't flex worth poop. I made it, but there were a few climbs where I had to go the bypass route because it was too steep, whereas the LJ in my group went through with less of an issue, and the JK's went up even easier.

As others said, Moab is really the only place where the 4 door stands out. Otherwise, I actually prefer the two door. But yeah, I much prefer a longer wheel base in Moab -- even if it's just 8" more wheel base, it really helps.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Weight distribution matters even more with a shorter wheelbase. Keep it low and centered.

The guy in this video didn’t really do anything seriously wrong, and yet… disaster.

He did something seriously wrong. That TJ is a manual (Stick) version. He stepped on the clutch which resulted in a loss of engine compression and as a result the Jeep started rolling back.

Always stall in gear with a manual gearbox and do a reverse start to maintain engine compression.

 

[Reinen]

He did something seriously wrong. That TJ is a manual (Stick) version. He stepped on the clutch which resulted in loss a of engine compression and as a result the Jeep started rolling back.

Always stall in gear with a manual gearbox and do a reverse start to maintain engine compression.

Was just going to say that. Then he didn't follow the same line back down (granted, this was a little tricky), ended up sideways on the trail with his downhill rear tire in a rut, panic stomped on the brakes instead of rolling out of it. Goodnight.

Even though I've been a long time manual guy, I'm learning to really appreciate an automatic in certain situations like this.

 

[Rescue119]

Weight distribution matters even more with a shorter wheelbase. Keep it low and centered.

The guy in this video didn’t really do anything seriously wrong, and yet… disaster.

Ya he did he rolled backed. Not sure if he had a manual and stalled or not (hence why autos are better off road) he should have held and try to go forward again or wait for help. Asking for help is ok. And since he had a container on the back up high I bet his interior was full of stuff. Rear was probably heavier then front.

 

[Badfish]

Weight distribution matters even more with a shorter wheelbase. Keep it low and centered.

The guy in this video didn’t really do anything seriously wrong, and yet… disaster.

Don't be like this person either.

 

[Badfish]

Be more like this person.... kind of LOL

 

[qnet]

Don't be like this person either.

That looked bad. Hope everyone was ok. Looked like the dog got out ok. I'm a novice, and will probably never take my 2 dr up anything like that; but I'm guessing he shouldn't have gunned it like that.

 

[blnewt]

That lower center of gravity is key for most situations, sure there are specific-built Jeeps where ultimate clearance is needed, but for the majority of popular trails having good articulation and 35s should get you by. One place to "cheat" is at the fenders, a high fender kit or chopped Rubicon fenders gives you more room for your suspension to work but still keep your weight at a lower point.

Quality tires at the proper pressure for the task at hand is also important (and also the right kind of tires for the wheeling you're doing).

I run open diffs at the moment so that's a big limiter as far as tackling trails with higher difficulty, so lack of traction can also get your Jeep in a precarious situation. Ideally if you can follow a Jeep that's equipped similar to yours that's a plus. Trying to follow a fully decked out locked-up Jeep w/ superb articulation in your Sport S can leave you in some tough spots if you aren't well versed in what it can and can't do. I'm still trying to figure a lot of this out with each new trail, but it's a fun adventure for sure!

 

[eureka]

I just did off road in Utah with my 2D. Great performance! I’m super pleased. 46 miles total!! It was my first long off road trip.

 

[entropy]

Pick a line. and go SLOW and steady. Don't ever go sideways. Never go alone. And if pushing your Jeep go with someone with more experience and/or a better built Jeep. If you take it very slow chances are you'll be fine, if you get into an uncomfortable situation just ask for help (use a rope).

Dont feel bad. if you get yourself into a tight situation and you just dont feel comfortable with your current skill level, turn around if possible or ask for help. I've done it many times.

Going downhill on steep inclines is actually worst and I freaking hate it lol.

The JLs are surprisingly stable compared to older Jeeps. And as others have said. Keeping a low COG is always a good idea, be it a 2 door or a 4 door.

The 4 door with the same lift as the 2 door will be more stable. That's just physics.

 

[John VonJeep]

That looked bad. Hope everyone was ok. Looked like the dog got out ok. I'm a novice, and will probably never take my 2 dr up anything like that; but I'm guessing he shouldn't have gunned it like that.

The doggo always gets out.

Amazing how many rollover videos feature a dog yeeting out the back window mid-roll. Dogs are smart.

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