If you are an individual with a serious passion for off-road driving, and finally managed to get your hands on ride that is fit for the purpose, you must now gather knowledge on what you must do to keep you priced possession in top shape to get you anywhere you want, no matter how rough the journey may get.
In this article, we will let you in on a few basic pointers that will help you make the best decisions for your 4WD vehicle, to keep it running for a long time.
Build It Right!
When modifying an automobile of this nature, the first concern should always be the safety if offers to you when driving it. Focus on improving the overall safety of the vehicle with recovery hitches and straps, a fire extinguisher, a tool kit and shackles located in all the right places.
Another very important factor for an efficient off-road drive is a proper set of wheels. The right tyres will grip the ground real tight and push you forward no matter how steep or rugged the ground may be. Although tyres that are big in size are generally preferred, to get the best performance, you should take several other factors into consideration.
Before you purchase the best motorsport wheels and tyres, consider the limitations which must be created by the lift and gearing of the vehicle. Purpose built mudders and rockers which do great on rough terrains will not do so well on your neighbourhood streets.
Tune It Right!
These are relatively small tweaks you can regularly make to keep the 4WD running smoothly with no unpleasant surprises. Tyre pressure must be adjusted to make sure that the right level of contact is made between the tyres and the terrain. This will of course depend on the kind of terrain you plan driving on and never let the air out of the tyres, unless you have a way to re-inflate them.
The shocks must also be maintained in the optimum level and adjustable shocks will provide you with more tuning options. Adjusting the shocks to the right level, depending on the drive you are about to make will minimize off-camber sway, give the ride more stability.
The engine is another component that needs your regular attention. The air filtration system must be clean and effective enough to keep the engine from over-heating and when driving through wet or muddy conditions, be sure to coat the electric connection of the automobile with dielectric grease.
The Right Driving Proficiency!
No matter how great the condition of your vehicle may be, if you are not a good river, none of that will really matter. Hitting the throttle, contrary to what many may think, requires experience and instinct to be done properly, and provide just the right amount of throttle at the right time. You should also have a basic understanding of the concepts of weight distribution and motion to understand the best way of pushing your off-roader up any kind of terrain.