| From | Message |
TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
00:47:12
|
 Subject: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
I think the only bombproof/bulletproof vehicle would be a Sherman Tank. Everybody else has got to know the limits of their vehicle, its clearance, its power, its traction, and its abuse tolerance before they venture out.
I just got back from an extremely remote offroading trip in the high desert canyons. I realzed that the most important offroading concept that I've learned has got to be: "Know the limits of your vehicle."
What have you guys experienced from offroading? (that is mine)
|
Mac10
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
12:01:26
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Take your time. I've seen to many people tear up thier trucks by being in to much of a hurry. I have been through some pretty rough rock terrain in just a stock 2wd. Got through OK by slowly negotiating the trail.
|
Dakota
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
12:44:52
|  RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
A 98 Dakota does NOT float...hehe
-Dakota
Http://dakota2.4mg.com
|
J. C. Brandon
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
13:37:30
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
1) Tire pressure is key.
2) Momentum is more important than speed.
3) Technique is more important than equipment.
4) Having a second vehicle along is the difference between a small inconvenience and a very bad day.
5) If you have to drive 1,000 miles of Interstate to get to 100 miles of great off-roading, take a Dakota.
6) GPS is amazing.
7) You can get lots of free beer by taking a stock Dakota on a club run with 100 Jeeps.
-J.
|
y22man
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
15:36:25
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
I took mine out several times to test the limitations of my truck. Most important to learn how my truck reacts while wheeling and to get comfortable to it. I took mine to the south mtn. here in Salt Lake City. There is very easy to small streches of difficult.
Jay
|
TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
19:26:53
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
I agree so far with everybody. I think offroading is more about the driver's decision making and his/her talents, much more than it is the vehicle. I think this explains why a guy can get through really tough stuff in a 2WD, right alongside the 4x4 guys. Its in the decisions and where you place your tires.
I was able to do some wide variety of offroading conditions this weekend. Some rocks to crawl over, some high speed bumps, etc. I think an important concept that I find myself doing is where to place the tire. Should I go around that small rock? If I cant, should I place the tire right on top of it? All this, and I need to remember where the low points are on my chassis.
My rear axle got stuck once, but I made the decision to go through it. I neglected to remember I only have about 11" of clearance under my rear diff. But live and learn. The whole time I NEVER scraped the bottom with any rocks! You just need to place the tires in strategically.
|
Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/04/2001
19:36:40
|  RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Pretty much what has already been said. You have to know your truck really well. Dont push things past your or the truck limits. Use your entire body, eye's, ears, hands, everything to feel and hear what the truck is doing and telling you.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
|
TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
21:58:23
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah Hawk that reminds me. When I'm offroading, I hate to listent to music or any other type of distraction. Gotta turn everything else off, even if its the passenger, so I can hear cracks, pops, grinds, squeaks, snaps, and whatever else is gonna happen.
Music and other noise is not important and only takes away from the attention needed during that time.
|
J. C. Brandon
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
23:52:38
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Yup; tire placement.
Some of our clubs here in California put on intro to off-road courses. One of the exercises they have students do is tire placement. They take a bunch of small wooden blocks and place them in two staggered, curved rows. They idea is to place your tires on the blocks. Sounds simple enough but most folks have a very tough time at it. Afterward you have a very good sense of where your tires are and how to put them where you want them to be.
If you're interested, the next course is September 22 and 23 at Hollister:
http://www.espritdefour.com
and September 29 and 30 at Prairie City:
http://cal4wheel.com/events/events.html
-J.
|
shunpike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/01/2002
17:16:56
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
There is no one "most important".
1. Know you vehicle and it's capabilities.
2. Know and/or walk the route ahead to determine if the vehicle's capabilities will allow you to enter and escape.
3. Always travel with buddy vehicle.
4. Always carry emergency water/food/equipment, etc.
5. Take your time and concentrate.
6. Use 4x4 to keep you from getting stuck, not to
get you unstuck.
All of these and more can lead to memorable off-roading. I have stock QC 4x4 and have done considerable off-roading through creek wash-outs, desert and beach sand, washed out roads, etc. The only time/s I got in trouble was when I forgot one of the above.
Common sense should prevail over all decisions.
|
biggoof14
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/22/2002
02:38:14
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
dont expect tp only go offroading for an hour...if you go, keep your entire day free just incase something happens! learned that many times by getting stuck and being late for work!
|
Superbee
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/22/2002
17:54:30
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
lets go back and bring some more almsot year old threads :-P
|
TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/22/2002
22:46:05
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah. We've all come a long way this past year, havent we? I think with all of our combined experiences, we could put together a pretty useful and informative offroading 4x4 tips thread.
|
stacy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/14/2002
16:11:41
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
hey i was wondering if anyone knows a good place to offroad in socal that is woods instead of all sand. thanks.
|
forexfour
GenI
8/14/2002
16:24:16
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1192
Someone was asking if I had been to this place and since I had not they asked me to go check it out with them.
Have you been to this place? I know the equivalent in my area is Hollister hills. When Hollister gets muddy it can be allot of fun. check out the site maybe there are some other places that you have not been to if you have been to this one.
FXF
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!! FourXFour's Web site
|
Bryan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/14/2002
17:04:39
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
One thing I learned, ALWAYS get out and use A stick, limb, or A pole to see just how deep the puddle/ mud hole is and or if there is any hidden rocks ( tree ) under the water.
After reading "the worst stuck of the month " in every 4X4 mag. I can find, most will say " IT DIDN'T LOOK THAT DEEP "
|
Jerobiemon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/15/2002
16:58:37
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
There is a lot of great advise here. I agree w/ everthing posted so far. I'd like to stress how important tire pressure is (specially on sand). Lowering your tires down to 16#'s helps a great deal by providing much more surface area for your tires to plant. It let's your truck "float" taking a lot of stress off of your drive train and motor. I've seen so many people break stuff because they having to romp through the same stuff I "just crawl" through. I've seen more people get stuck by simply not letting any air out or thinking they have let enough air out and still sitting on 25#'s.
I really agree w/the music thing. That is one distraction that I can't stand. I have 1800 Watts of stereo in my truck but it is hushed while wheeling. Most "break downs" or problems usually give you some sort of warning first. Not hearing or feeling them will only get you deeper in the trails before something goes wrong.
The "driver technique" and "experience" are probably the most important though. Experience of what your truck can do will keep you from having to find that excellent spot to get yanked from on our 'Oh-So-Tow' friendly Daks. (don't you love how our Daks are all set up for getting towed from the front. I love those Mopar tow hooks they come with...ha ha. can be very NOT FUNNY- by the way, KNOBBY, have you tried those tow hooks you put on yet. How do they work?)
Oh yeah, the GO W/ ANOTHER TRUCK rule is totally correct. It can be the difference from a minor inconvenience and a really bad day(with ya on that J.C. Brandon) very true!
Well I better get back to work now...:) This is a great post! Keep it alive. And to all the young inexperienced wheelers (and everybody for that matter): TREAD LIGHTLY! A trail can be taken many times, even w/ a mud puddle in it. You don't neccissarily have to romp through it eveytime to get through it. All you will achieve by that is making a trail impassable. We all know what happens to and impassable trail. Trees get cut down to make another trial. Keep your Wheeling spot nice. Ruts and mudding are great, just do it somewhere you know you can go around, or you might find yourself on the wrong side of that "impassable trail". Oh, and one more thing, DON'T LITTER! just remember, wheeling is supposed to be fun, for everybody. Man, I sound like a tree hugger. Oh well, preservation is important. We can do our part, or the government will do their part: Close it down for good-pedestrian use only-National monument~that kinda $hit, and that aint fun. Ok, sorry if I sound like a jerk or your dad growling at you, but most experienced concerned wheelers out there will agree w/ me.
Have fun and dont get stuk!
|
Steve
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/16/2002
13:57:27
|  RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
One thing i found out the hard way from doing ALOT of hardcore wheelin' when i first lifted my Dak and put Swamper S/X's on it is that "Front supesion parts can only take so much abuse before they self destruct.
http://hometown.aol.com/getchasome224/ <--my truck
|
Jimmyc
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/17/2002
14:08:28
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
When I'm in the mud alone, I always start out in 2wd and shift into 4wd if I get into trouble. This has saved me quite a few times. It's nice to shift into 4wd and pull yourself out rather than look for a buddy (somehow never around when you need 'em) or a farmer with a tractor. The only time I start out in 4wd is sand or snow. For the sand I always air down to 15-20 psi. Not too many rock around here to play with.
|
Dodster
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/19/2002
07:32:11
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Buy a Jeep. Our trucks are built for towing and hauling. They have plenty of power and torque. But the susp just wasn't designed for serious off roading. If you want a tough work truck buy a Dodge. If you want to go wheelin buy a Jeep.
Also, keep the high spots under your tires that will help you from hitting vital parts.
|
DAN
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/19/2002
22:56:40
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Always bite off more mud than you can chew.
Tow-hooks are essential, but bumpers are equally effective.
Try to straddle the ruts, but if you can't, just go like hell!
If you can't make it through at 70 mph, you can't make it through!
And remember . . . Never let the mud overcome!
|
GRiD
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/20/2002
11:13:29
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Turn the cell phone off. That's kinda what burnt me last time. And if you are getting towed from the rear, spend the extra time and find a way to tow from the frame. The bumper just ain't gonna hold up every time. (I'll post a pic when I can to prove it)
|
Jeff Warford
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/22/2002
11:36:16
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey, I'm just starting to get into offroading. I bought a 97 Jeep TJ (4 cyl). Excellent tips and hints on this page, and trust me I could learn from them. Basically the only one that I can add to this is that it's fun to go fast, but crawling over obstacles is probably the best way not to beat the crap out of your vehicle. I've learned that! Also bog can be fun, but make sure you test it out first, the only two times I had to be towed was when I went up to my windows in the stuff. And being from Newfoundland Canada there's lots of it up here. If anyone has any tips or ideas that I can do to my Jeep let me know. jwarford18@hotmail.com . Here's a web page with some offroading pics from Newfoundland. http://nfld-offroad.com/ this is a great site for a look at some terrain that we have here. have a good one!
Jeff
|
Toby
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/24/2002
11:46:05
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
One thing to add about the mudding. Make sure that you clean out the undercarriage before the mud has a chance to dry. Pay special attention to your brake drums!! If the mud hardens in the drum you can easily mess up the brakes (I found this out the hard way) Now I always remove the wheel and the drum for a good cleaning after any mud trip. Another good idea if you plan to do serious mudding is to replace the vent tubes on all of the gear boxes (front end, rear end, transfer case, transmission) with long tubes ran to a spot up high in the body. A short tube can allow mud in and these are not good places for mud to be!!
If there are any people from the Phoenix area interested in putting together a wheeling trip
e-mail me at chucky2@cox.net or post a reply here. I was thinking of either doing the road to Crown King or or Table Mesa road to from I-17 to 7 Springs or possibly Schnebly Hill Let me know im itching to put together a trip
Toby
|
Knobbyman
*GenIII*
10/24/2002
13:22:20
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
WASH YOUR UNDERCARAGE!! OMG Toby so isn't kidding..
Go straight from the mud hole to the local carwash and spend about $5 in quarters spraying off the underside of your rig. Otherwise you'll never get it off.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
|
forexfour
GenIII
10/24/2002
13:53:42
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
that is a good way to piss off the coin op guys.
I know where I live you can not clean muddy trucks in thier bays. They now have video survalence due to the high cost of having to remove the clogs in the drains contiually.
I am forced to clean on my front lawn now since the city does not want the mud flowing in thier drains.
Agreed though you MUST rinse your truck after wheelin prefferebly with a power washer.
Brakes are the key area's to really get good. After rinsing the brakes I immedialty got out and try and dry them out by use and I have found this helps prevent squeeky brakes.
FXF
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home page.
|
TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/24/2002
21:35:20
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Whenever I've needed to wash off the undercarriage, I just take the hose with one of those lawn sprinkler things that shoot up with a large spray, and just sit it under my Dak and turn it on FULL BLAST!!! I drag the hose slowly while its on so the whole underside gets wet. I dont know how else to do it when I'm at home and it covers the whole area and seems to work well.
|
Knobbyman
*GenIII*
10/25/2002
08:01:34
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
OMG that's brilliant.. no more mud in the face...
:-) ***Runs to Wally World to get a sprinkler***
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
|
hemidakota97
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/25/2002
10:18:20
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Toby and knobby are right, gettin' the mud out from under your truck is key. If it's left there too long it will do alot of harm to sensitive parts. I have a question for everyone, does anyone else have problems with hub assemblys on your trucks, i'm on my third hub assembly on the left side and on my 2nd on the right side. just wondering if anyone else is constantly having this problem.
If you can't be good, be good at it.
|
99blkdak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/25/2002
12:07:08
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
I just replaced both sides before memorial weekend and I had about 77,000 on mine.
|
xplikt
GenIII
10/25/2002
12:23:35
| RE: offroading 4x4 tips....
IP: Logged
Message:
Snow! Put some seep snow tips if you know of any. Mine is not to stop, ever.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
