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THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO OFF-ROADING

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO OFF-ROADING

Posted by Off Road Rim Financing on Mar 1st 2021

Are you a hopeful off-road enthusiast in the process of customizing your Jeep®, truck, or another off-road vehicle? Off-Road Rim Financing is the best place to shop for off-road performance parts online regardless of what your skill level is. Whether you’re working toward the ultimate off-road machine that will crawl rocks like you’ve been doing it years, or you’re looking for big, beefy off-road tires to enhance the look of your vehicle, Off-Road Rim Financing has exactly what you’re looking for.

Off-Road Rim Financing is your source for all things awesome. Our helpful representatives are experts in the industry and can easily point you in the right direction for truck suspension upgrades, performance tire and wheels, and ordering rims online. Check out our site for brand name tires, quality wheels, truck lifts, and other performance parts.

Once you’ve found the best off-road package that you can’t live without, apply for financing through Off-Road Rim Financing. We make it easy to afford the best truck, off-road, and performance parts online through our flexible payment plans. Contact us to learn more about Off-Road Rim Financing.

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO OFF-ROADING

So, you want a little action and adrenaline in your life? As off-road enthusiasts ourselves,we don’t blame you. Fortunately for yourself, you’ve come to the right place. That is if you’re searching for advice on how to accomplish the ultimate 4WD adventure and, of course, getting the best off-road parts and accessories to make the adventure successful.

It’s one thing to have the parts and equipment on your off-road vehicle that will make it seem like you know what you’re doing, but it’s another to have the best off-road tires, wheels, and lift upgrades installed on your vehicle but you can’t talk the talk, or walk the walk. That’s what we’re here for. Continue reading to learn the basics from terminology to the essentials, and helpful tips that you will need to know about off-roading.

4X4 AND 4WD DOESN’T MEAN THE SAME THING

Four by four translates to a vehicle with four wheels, powered by all four wheels. Many people assume 4X4 and 4WD have the same meaning because it seems straightforward enough, you might be surprised to learn they do not always directly translate. However, don’t feel ashamed if you were led to believe they had the same meaning because they are commonly used to indicate the same thing. What’s the difference? To get technical and to keep it brief, here is an example: a three-axle truck with six wheels can be considered a 4WD because both rear axles are powered. Plus, there are so many 4WD systems out there that mean different things established by engineers and manufacturers. Two common ones you’ll see most often are:

4X4 High: All-purpose four-wheel drive mode is being used while the gear ratio is in “high”.

4X4 Low: The vehicle is in four-wheel drive mode with a low gear ratio engaged. This delivers higher torque to the wheels while lowering the maximum speed. This setting is useful in slower off-roading, rock crawling, getting unstuck—you know, the fun stuff.

MUST-KNOW OFF-ROAD VOCABULARY

Approach Angle: The maximum angle that a vehicle can climb (or descend) without the body or suspension making contact with the terrain.

Locking Differential: If you want to fit in with the experts, refer to the locking differential as “diff lock.” This term refers to the the speed the wheels turn. Most standard 4X4 modes allow the wheels to spin at different speeds to compensate for uneven terrain. When the differential is locked the wheels move at the same speed. A common and incredibly useful tool off-roaders use to get unstuck.

Rock Massage: The result of failing to take necessary precautions when attempting to rock crawl without being properly qualified.

Wheel Travel: The maximum distance that a wheel can move up and down while in motion. The greater the travel, the better the suspension system can perform enhancing off-road traction.

Wheelbase: A vital term every off-road driver needs to know. The wheelbase is the distance from the center of a truck’s front wheel to the center of the rear wheel on the same side.

OFF-ROAD ESSENTIALS

Now that you know a little bit of the lingo, you’ll want to know what essentials to bring with you on your adventures. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Full tank of gas
  • Tow rope strong enough to tow the weight of your vehicle
  • Spare tire and the proper tools to change a tire
  • Portable air compressor
  • GPS and hard copy of a map in case you don’t have cell service
  • First aid kit
  • Spare water tanks
  • Shovel
  • High-lift jack
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Two-way radios to communicate with other vehicles

Heading up the trails for some backcountry off-roading is a blast—but it’s also dangerous. Every off-road expert had to start somewhere, make a few mistakes, damage a few accessories here and there but none of that stopped them from getting their fix of adrenaline and you shouldn’t either. Be responsible, be alert, and most of all, be safe.

Start customizing your 4X4 vehicle with the best off-road truck rims, suspension upgrades, performance tires and wheels online and visit Off-Road Rim Financing. Our representatives will help match you with custom parts and accessories to turn your off-roading dreams into a reality. We make it easy to afford off-road parts—apply for easy and flexible payment plans through Off-Road Rim Financing.