Hitting the open road is exhilarating, but heading out on an uncharted trail is truly a thrill. Once you finally invest in a vehicle that can take you into wild territory, you’ll never go back to simple, run-of-the-mill rides again. Before you jump into overdrive and take your jeep out on the gravel and sand, there are a few boxes you need to check off first. From finding the right jeep lift kit to packing your off-road safety kit, here’s what you need to know in the beginner’s guide to jeep off-roading.
Check Your Suspension
One of the reasons you can’t take just any car off the road is that the suspension on everyday vehicles isn’t set up to take the shocks and bumps. While you’re gearing up to start your off-roading journey, explore your options when it comes to suspension.
If you’re hoping to achieve a relatively smooth ride with more precise control on the trail, then you’ll want to look into independent suspension kits. But if you’re in the market for durability and ease of installation, then a dependent suspension should make the grade just fine.
Suit Up Your Exterior
Getting to deck out your jeep is one of the joys of off-roading, and you could spend weeks exploring each and every option. To make the process easier on yourself, identify what your priorities are right away and what kind of terrain you’re going to start with. This will help you narrow down your first picks when it comes to jeep exterior accessories.
Some accessories may seem like a no-brainer from the beginning, including these common early add-ons:
- Bike rack
- Hitching and towing kit
- Bumpers
- Rocker guards
- Jeep tops
Raise Your Clearance
If you’re getting into off-roading for the long haul, then you’ll want to consider raising your jeep’s clearance. When you drive a jeep off the lot, there’s no guarantee that the vehicle will come with the amount of clearance you need to navigate obstacles out on the trails. By installing a lift kit for extra clearance, you can avoid those nasty scrapes and collisions that impact your vehicle’s undercarriage when you’re traversing rough and rocky terrain.
Put Together an Off-Road Kit
All the jeep accessories in the world won’t do you much good if you run out of gas while you’re on the trail. It’s important to prepare for every kind of situation when you’re exploring wild destinations far from society’s reach. Keep your jeep fully stocked at all times so that you aren’t caught in a sticky and unsafe situation.
Here’s what you’ll want to include in your off-road kit:
- Spare tire, tools, and a tire jack with extra reach
- First aid kit, water, and snacks
- Tow rope and shovel
- Emergency blanket and solar-powered lantern
- Two-way radio for emergency communication
Don’t let the preparations overwhelm you, because you’ll be on and off the road in no time. After a few weeks of fitting your vehicle for jeep bumpers, suspension, and extra lift, you’ll be ready to conquer the wilderness of your dreams. Find everything you need to suit up your jeep so you can head out to the trails today.