Off Road: News, Information and Reviews
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Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:07:08 MST
Rubicon Express Jeep Wrangler TJ Lift Kit Wrangling A 3.5-Inch Suspenson If you own a '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler TJ then you know that there's no shortage of suspension systems in the aftermarket. With long-arm upgrades, coilover conversions, and wheelbase stretch kits all the rage these days, it can be a little overwhelming for someone who isn't looking to go all-out but still wants a quality suspension lift.inline_mediumwraptextright32259624/techarticles/suspension/131_1004_rubicon_express_jeep_wrangler_suspension_lift_kit131_1004_01+1997_jeep_wrangler_suspension_lift+rock_crawling.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Rubicon Express Jeep Wrangler TJ Lift Kit - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:04:00 -0700
April 2010 Nuts & Bolts General Motors Answers Your Questions GM Tech Questions Answered In Jan. '10 we decided to take Nuts & Bolts in a different, temporary direction. We have been gathering up your tech questions and taking them to the people who build new 4x4s. Last month was the Toyota truck guys, and before that Ford and Dodge. This month is GM's turn. Send us your Jeep questions next to nuts@4wheeloffroad.com. Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:04:00 -0700
Off Road Rollcage Safety An Insider's View Of Protection For Beginners After a few weekend trail outings with the family, you have the itch for some advanced four-wheel action, but that little voice in the back of your mind has you worried about safety. Now you're wondering: Should you beef up the factory rollbar in your Jeep? Should you install a custom rollcage? We'll tell you straight up: You bet!inline_mediumwraptextright27976588/techarticles/body/131_1004_off_road_rollcage_safety131_1004_01+rollcage_safety+rock_crawling.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Off Road Rollcage Safety - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:04:00 -0700
Jeep Wrangler TJ Evo Rocker Guards Bolt-On Boatsides Whether you're building your '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler TJ for hardcore rock crawling, light trail wheeling, or weekend cruises through the mall parking lot, it's important to keep the center of gravity low. This increases stability in off-camber situations and creates a safer and more controlled vehicle both on and off road.inline_mediumwraptextright32199255/techarticles/body/131_1004_jeep_wrangler_tj_evo_rocker_guards131_1004_01+1997_2006_jeep_wrangler_tj_rocker_armor+side_bolt_on.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Jeep Wrangler TJ Evo Rocker Guards - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:04:00 -0700
Repairing Winch Line On The Trail Saddles & Stitches Any 4x4's winch can break down in the field. Motors overheat, solenoid switches stop working, and mounting bolts break loose. But most of the time these problems can be overcome with preventive service and by not using the winch beyond its ability. inline_mediumwraptextright26810636/techarticles/trail/131_1004_repairing_winch_line_on_the_trail131_1004_01+simple_winch_repair_techniques+repaired_lines.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Repairing Winch Line On The Trail - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:04:00 -0700
Winch Cable Or Rope? Disecting The Differences When you buy a winch, 99 percent of the time it will have steel cable on the drum, but when you hit the trail at least 50 percent of the 4x4s with winches seem to be running synthetic winch rope. So why take off a perfectly good heavy steel cable and replace it with rope? And if rope is so much better than steel cable, why don't the winch companies supply rope in the first place? For one, cable and rope can be competitively priced, though some rope is more than double the cost of cable. Another reason is safety: Rope is less likely to store energy, making it hazardous should it break under load, whereas cable can. In the end we determined that cable is heavy, strong, and willing to take...
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:04:00 -0700
Installing Your First Winch Save A Few Bucks And Install It Yourself There is a starting point in all our hobbies and passions when we don't know a thing about what we're about to dive face-first into. After admiring the trick recovery winch on the front of your buddy's rig, you ran out and purchased one.Now you're concerned about installing the mechanical contraption yourself, and we'll be the first to say your concerns are justified. A recovery winch is a dangerous piece of equipment.inline_mediumwraptextright28023724/techarticles/trail/131_1004_installing_your_first_winch131_1004_01+4x4_truck_winch_installation+warn_winch.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Installing Your First Winch - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More...
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:04:00 -0700
Winching 101: Basic Use & Safety Your New Winch Now that you have a fancy new winch bolted to the front your 4x4, you need to know the ins and outs of safe use. As cool and trick as they look, recovery winches are easy to use, but they aren't toys and can be extremely dangerous. inline_mediumwraptextright27983905/techarticles/trail/131_1004_winching_101_basic_use_and_safety131_1004_01+basic_winch_safety_tips+winching.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Winching 101: Basic Use & Safety - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:04:00 -0700
Massive Winch Buyer's Guide All You Ever Wanted To Know About 6,000- TO 12,000-Pound Winches There comes a time in every wheeler's life when he must make that all-important plunge into winch ownership. But how do you know which winch is for you? There are so many brands and models available with all sorts of options and widgets that it gets confusing very fast.inline_mediumwraptextright28058905/techarticles/trail/131_1004_massive_winch_buyers_guide131_1004_01+massive_winch_buyers_guide+winch_hook.jpgTrue Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:04:00 -0700
Off Road Truck Wheel Bolt Pattern Guide The Rims That Fit Your Ride The most primitive part on any given vehicle is the wheel. It's the one invention that changed the face of transportation as we know it and got things rolling to where we are today. So why do these simple round masses confuse so many people? While backspacing, beadlocks, steel versus aluminum, hub centric, and lug centric are all part of the puzzle, the first and most basic item that's crucial to understand is wheel bolt pattern.inline_mediumwraptextright32255559/techarticles/wheels/131_1004_off_road_truck_wheel_bolt_pattern_guide131_1004_01+wheel_bolt_patterns+rims.jpgTrue Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:04:00 -0700
Inside the '84-'01 Jeep Cherokee Hip To Be Square The '84-'01 Jeep Cherokee, also known as the XJ, is one of the most affordable and competent off-road vehicles ever produced. Few other 4-bys offer the room, off-road prowess, and aftermarket attention that the Cherokee does. From the introduction of the square-bodied SUV in 1984 to the end of its production run in 2001, the XJ has created an enthusiast following unlike any other SUV.inline_mediumwraptextright26552768/techarticles/trail/131_1003_jeep_cherokee_xj_build_advice_information131_1003_01+jeep_cherokee_xj_build_advice_information+jeep_cherokee.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Inside the '84-'01 Jeep Cherokee - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to...
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800
Tips and Tricks For Your Tow Rig Truck Hauler Basics Building a tow rig is very similar to building a trail rig, as the goals of strength, reliability, and power are high atop the list. Whether you have a 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton tow mule, the basics of beefing up a tow rig are all similar throughout.inline_mediumwraptextright26647616/techarticles/131_1003_tips_and_tricks_for_your_tow_rig131_1003_01+march_2010_towing_hints+dodge_truck.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Tips and Tricks For Your Tow Rig - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800
You Want A Weight Distributing Hitch! Level Loader We know what's right, but we're notorious for doing what's wrong. For example, when towing we've been known to hook a trailer to the back of a truck that isn't quite equipped for the weight. Of course, we make sure the engine and transmission can pull it, the brakes can stop it (trailer brakes are a must), and the weight rating is within spec. The problem arises when hooking a heavy trailer up to a half-ton truck or SUV with a soft rear suspension (rear coil springs especially). The next thing you know the headlights are pointed to the sky. This is where a weight-distributing hitch saves the...
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800
Fierce Attitude M/T Tire A New Mud-Terrain Tire We are always up for testing new tires. In fact, it's one of the highlights of our work. So when we heard that a new brand of tire had a mud-terrrain, we jumped at the chance to run it through its paces. The Fierce Attitude M/T is designed with large, unique tread blocks and wide voids to be an aggressive mudder.inline_mediumwraptextright32061999/techarticles/wheels/131_1003_fierce_attitude_mt_tire131_1003_01+fierce_attitude_mt_tire+jeep_grand_cherokee.jpgTrue Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800
March 2010 Nuts & Bolts Toyota Answers Your Toyota Questions Toyota Tech Questions Answered In January we decided to take Nuts & Bolts in a different, temporary direction. We have been gathering up your tech questions and taking them to the people who build new 4x4s. Last month was the Ford truck guys and before them, Dodge. This month is Toyota, but send us your GM and Jeep questions, as we'll be knocking on their doors next. Send your questions to nuts@4wheeloffroad.com.inline_mediumwraptextright32061387/techarticles/nuts/131_1003_march_2010_nuts_and_bolts131_1003_02+march_2010_nut_and_bolts+toyota_land_cruiser.jpgTrue Read More Digg It Add to del.icio.us
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800
Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Steering Upgrade Better Steering For 3/4- And 1-Ton Rams Since the day our '06 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 drove off the lot, the factory steering has never given that tight-on-center feel. Factor in 60,000 miles, a 3-inch suspension system, and 35-inch tires and we've only aggravated the steering situation. Until late 2007 the Dodge Ram 3/4- and 1-ton trucks were equipped with a Y-link (also known as a Haltenberger) steering setup. One of the drawbacks of the Y-link is that it allows the toe to change as the front suspension cycles since the tires are connected to the steering box through two separate links, in the shape of an inverted...
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:03:00 -0800