Has anybody ever listed some off-road driving tricks? I was just hoping that it may save some of us new guys from tearing up too much stuff. I know that the best way to learn is by experience. I was just currious about things like: are there times that you should unlock your differential or an easy rule of thumb to tell if you are going to flip.

forgot bout the no flaming rule...

but, seriously?

First thing that came to mind:

If youre wedged inbetween a couple rocks, and your let out the clutch or step on the gas, the suspension will usually load up before you blow an axleshaft.

If youre asking this kind of question, you can usually lean a hell of a lot farther before you'll roll.

Youre gonna break parts and tear up your sheetmetal. Accept it. If your rig has a nice shiney paint job, go throw a rock at it. It'll hurt the first time, but whats another scratch/dent?

Buddy, if you ain't tearing it up, then you ain't wheelin' :rolleyes:

Wheel in a car or unbuilt 4x4 first. That will teach you how to pick the best lines. When you do actually get a built 4x4 with lockers and gears, you'll already have an eye for the best lines.

The skinny pedal is your friend, parts can be replaced, and you never have enough money for this sport.

Wheel in a car or unbuilt 4x4 first. That will teach you how to pick the best lines. When you do actually get a built 4x4 with lockers and gears, you'll already have an eye for the best lines.

True. I used to wheel with my dad's 2wd Chevy Astro minivan, way back in the day. :laughing:

Wheel in a car or unbuilt 4x4 first. That will teach you how to pick the best lines. When you do actually get a built 4x4 with lockers and gears, you'll already have an eye for the best lines.

I agree, this will teach you how to be a better driver.

an easy rule of thumb to tell if you are going to flip.
When your windows start cracking and you feel like you are upside down. OR you could glue a level to your dash when the bubble goes outside the line stop and try a different line.

if you have a manual locker in the front, try not to use it when the tires are turned sharp.

One thing that is common sense but often over looked is to keep in mind what side your front diff is on, and also an idea of how tall of a rock it can go over w/out dragging or getting hung up.
Also you will know when your about to roll when you find all the change that's been collecting under the seat's for 5 year's end's up smakin you in the face :D

Kevin

If you look up and all you see is the floor you've rolled.

Seriously, if a wheel starts to lift and you are headed skywards and think you might roll push the clutch in if you have a manual.

if your trying to climb up something, and you dont make it. dont freewheel down it, if you have a receiver hitch it can dig in and flip you one your top. put your rig in reverse, this way if you start to go over, you can tap the gas and bring the front down.

if your trying to climb up something, and you dont make it. dont freewheel down it, if you have a receiver hitch it can dig in and flip you one your top. put your rig in reverse, this way if you start to go over, you can tap the gas and bring the front down.

<Also new to offroading, figured I would read this thread to catch a few tips and while there were some good ones... personally finding this one to be GREAT advice. I prolly would have just put the clutch in and rode the brake enough to slow me down and keep the truck under control. Good tip there CJesse7

A couple easy ones:

The "poor man's locker": When you have zero forward momentum and have a tire spinning but otherwise good traction, stay on the gas (don't get crazy though) and depress the brake pedal enough to slow the tire that is spinning. This will usually serve to transfer power to the tire with traction and allow you to keep moving. Important to remember...just bouncing and spinning that tire without traction will lead to broken parts big and small. That costs $$$$$$$$$$$$$. That is why it pays to be prudent when you are learning and save cash for upgrades, not repairs!

For the next one you need a manual transmission....
The "other" motor: (the electric one) When you can't find enough traction to move forward because you are spinning too easily...shut the motor off and engage 1st gear. Then attempt to start the motor without depressing the clutch. Use the starter motor (in 15 second intervals to avoid overheating) to move the vehicle forward or reverse. Don't allow the motor to start. Also may need to add in a little "poor man's locker" if you are really screwed. if you have a Toyota you are in like Flynn. Any other and you may need to bypass the clutch start safety to allow you to do this.

It really is a good idea to just take a look under the bottom and get familiar with the location of your vital parts. It also helps if you get under the rig and do some maintinance yourself because then you will now how to fix it if it breaks on the trail (u joints, driveshafts, axle shafts). Go ahead and get some scratches, I have found that most people cause more damage when they try and get around an obsticle because they usually end up hitting something bigger.

I used to wheel with my dad's 2wd Chevy Astro minivan, way back in the day. :laughing:

:laughing: reminds me of wheeling in my grandpa's front wheel drive oldsmobile 98!!! good times! :laughing:

:laughing: reminds me of wheeling in my grandpa's front wheel drive oldsmobile 98!!! good times! :laughing:


My brother and I used to wheel the piss out of his 82 VW Rabbit with are own home made lift on 3 corner's :eek: . We even managed to roll it. :smokin:

Kevin

dont wrap you rthumbs around the steering wheel....

you would learned that one on your own though first time out.


wheel your rig like it is and when something breaks, dont just replace it, upgrade it.

had a 50 dollar 2wd courier, real momentum truck, hehe, that thing taught me to not care about body panels.

What a great thread! Lots of useful information here.

I'd like to add one of my own: Bring an extra set of underpants! If you're really wheeling, you'll need them. :)

had a 50 dollar 2wd courier, real momentum truck, hehe, that thing taught me to not care about body panels.

back in the day i use to wheel the shit out of a 2wd datsun pu :laughing:

Bring any non-precision (don't really need a mic or torque wrench on the trail) tool with you that you have ever used on your truck. The one time you don't bring a widget wrench, the widget will break.

The tool box I keep in my truck is better equipped than most home shops and weighs in around 75 lbs.

Also, if something goes wrong with your truck and smoke or steam starts coming out from under the hood DO NOT immediately shut the truck off unless your oil pressure is reading zero. If the smoke is from a major electrical part and you shut the truck off, good luck getting it started again. Such as if your battery gets a hole in it and decides to dump its contents on the exhaust manifold. Ask me how I know.

Justin

Here's a suggestion: Secure EVERYTHING inside your rig. Use lots of duct tape. If you get in a roll or other sudden change of direction, loose equipment can get flying and hurt you real bad.

I appreciate the input. As well as the safety tips. That is something that we all take for granted. I actually lost a hand in a dune buggy accident because I didn't have the proper restraints.

josh