There’s a huge difference between driving your truck on paved roads and taking it off-road. On paved roads, you can count on a smooth ride that doesn’t put undue wear and tear on your truck, SUV or Jeep Wrangler parts. When you get off of the paved roads, though, and out into the hinterlands, your truck needs to have certain alterations made so that it can stand up to the strains that off-road travel brings with it.
Lifting Your Truck
When it comes to off-roading, there are important differences to consider about how to lift a truck. A body lift, for instance, will allow you to sit higher and have better visibility, but it will not necessarily give you greater ground clearance. For that, you’ll need to invest in a suspension lift kit. This will actually raise the truck’s suspension system, which, especially when bigger tires are involved, will provide several inches of extra ground clearance. This is what allows trucks to roll over big rocks and uneven terrain without suffering punctures or any other damage to the undercarriage.
Tires That Can Match Performance
Experienced off-roaders will tell you that a good set of the appropriate tires are a game-changer. All-terrain tires are a big step up over stock tires. There are several differences between all-terrain tires and stock tires that come with your truck. For one thing, they have reinforced sidewalls, which not only support heavy payloads, but also help absorb the stresses of uneven driving.
Another difference between these tires is that all-terrain tires feature an open-tread design. This is what allows all-terrain tires to provide the traction you need for off-road travel, such as driving on dirt, gravel and even on snow and ice.
A Winch Can Rescue You
Winch systems provide trucks with the ability to rescue themselves from the potentially perilous situations that sometimes come with off-road adventures. If you slide off the road, get stuck in a muddy stream bed or on the side of a hill, a winch can likely pull you to safety, even if the vehicle has been somehow disabled.
There’s a big difference between winches and a set of straps that might be part of your vehicle’s emergency kit. Winches employ synthetic ropes or cables that are much stronger than ropes or straps and can pull greater weights without snapping. A winch system also has a motor that provides greater power and more control so that the operator can work slowly but efficiently to extricate the truck from trouble.
Taking your truck off-roading is one of the most fun and exciting ways to use it and it’s a pastime that millions participate in. There are many differences between a truck that rolls off the lot with stock parts and one that has been retrofitted for the off-road experience. Indeed, most off-road-ready trucks feature lift kits, winches and grille guards, among other things. Visit an auto parts store today to pick up the parts and accessories you need for the safest and most comfortable off-roading experience possible.