How to Convert Your Vehicle for Off-Roading

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Having a vehicle that is capable of going off-roading means there are no limits anymore. Purchasing a car that is already fully equipped with off-roading capabilities can be quite pricey, but this is not a good reason why you can’t have an off-roading vehicle. There are modifications you make to your current car that en able it to go off the road, which means you can have tremendously adventurous time with your car.

First, you shouldn’t try to turn an economy car into an off-roading vehicle; they just simply aren’t designed for that. Numerous vehicles are equipped with 4WD capability, but they are designed for mild off-roading, which means they have a long way to go before they can be truly put to the test off the road. If your car has 4WD or AWD, this would be a huge plus. There is a way you can convert your 2WD into a 4WD; however, the process is difficult and pricey, so it may be cheaper to purchase a car with AWD already. If you do decide to convert the 2WD into a 4WD, however, consider hiring a professional, as you will need to mount a 4WD box, make cross-member mounts for the new transmission setup, and perform much more work. Once you have the 4WD concern taken care of, there are other modifications that will ensure your vehicle can handle numerous types of terrains. If you are ready to convert your car into an off-roading machine, then read on to learn how to achieve just that.

Ground Clearance
Although lifting a truck doesn’t necessary make it handle well on city roads, it is an absolutely important modification when you’re off-roading. Raising the car means you will have enough space between the bottom of your car and the rough terrain you are navigating. Ground clearance isn’t only important for protecting the underbody of your vehicle from damage, but is extremely important for climbing over rocks and getting out of muddy terrain. Consider lifting your truck as your very first modification.

Your street tires won’t work off the road. Be sure to install off-road tires; even better, you can purchase off-road tires that are built specifically for a specific type of off-roading terrain, like mud tires. Off-roading tires feature deep treads, which allow for much more traction on rougher conditions. Also, the bigger the tire, the more traction it gains, so consider going a few inches bigger, as long as it is not too big for the wheel well.

The skid plates are critical to off-roading. Skid plates are installed on the side of the frame and the front of the car, as well as the rear, under the fuel tank. The skid plates’ first job is to protect your underbody, which is extremely important, as you will face situations where the car is literally stuck on giant rocks. The second job the skid plates perform is to assist in sliding. When you hit the bottom of the car, the skid plates work like snowboards to help the car slide off the rocks.

Having a cold air intake system can increase your power; however, this is not enough. It is critically important as you advance in off-roading and go on rougher conditions to elevate your air intake. This ensures no water goes inside the air intake, which would allow it right into the engine and cause some serious damage. You can purchase a kit that goes from the air box and routes up, which means your whole car has to be under water before water can go into your air intake.

If you are getting into off-roading, you will almost definitely get stuck at some point. And if luck is your best friend, you may not get stuck, but you are guaranteed to run into someone who’s stuck. Having tow points in the front and the rear allows you to help other people get their cars out of obstacles, as well as get yours out when you’re stuck. Install tow hooks on the front and the rear of your vehicle, so no matter what angle your car is stuck at, you can always get it out. Don’t forget to carry plenty of rope in your car.

These modifications are must-haves if you plan on taking your car off-roading. As you get more and more into it, you can modify your car more and make it more unstoppable, like by adding a locking differential, increasing the low-end torque, and many performing other modifications. But for now, it’s time to go off the road.