Offroad Tips for newbie

[kw_rc]

Flame suit is on so I'm ready for the keyboard bullies...I'm new to offroading and the Jeep platform. So I'm coming in a severe disadvantage. I want to be able to enjoy my JTM offroad but I really don't know what to do when it comes to using 4 wheel drive. I know how to engage it but just not the circumstances on when to use it. I read the manual and it seems conflicting to what I actually see in a lot of Youtube videos. For example, the manual states to use 4 wheel drive when is slippery such as mud and snow. However, the vast majority of offroading that I've watched happen on dry terrain.

Are there any tips that you can provide me on when is the proper time to use 4H vs 4L? How about the rear locker? Do you wait until 2WD isn't working and then go 4WD? Can/Would you engage the rear locker without 4WD??? Are there tips/tricks/best practices on using 4H/L?

For context, I'm not going to do any hard-core wheeling. At least, not on purpose . My intention is to do overland-style traveling and enjoying trails that are on the easier scale (1 - 3).

If there are other resources on the interweb that you can point me to, I'm happy to do that too.

Sorry for these questions but I'm Jonesing to use my Jeep offroad but just don't know what to do.

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[Fungshui]

+1 Jeep Adventure Academy has great introductory classes around the US. It was very informative and you can bring a friend along for free was well.

 

[Gvsukids]

Sorry for these questions but I'm Jonesing to use my Jeep offroad but just don't know what to do.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/offroading-for-noobs-help-tips-suggestions.31357/

 

[ARKGladiator]

I'll let others chime in here but just wanted to give some perspective.

Some of us have had 4WD since 16yo, others have it now for the first time. You'll learn when to use it and when not to. For me, its feel and how something looks. If you aren't wheeling heavily you'll learn over time what you need to do. I was out for hours last weekend and only "needed" 4WD a small amount of that time. Start out with easy stuff and work your way up, don't go out alone just in case you need help for a while until you're comfortable.

Nobody should be bullying you for asking questions. We all learned at some point. Feel free to DM me if you have questions. If you were closer I'd invite you to come out with me a few times. Enjoy, it's alot of fun!

 

[PsyRN]

Find some fire/forest service roads and drive around on them. Also put it in 4H and 4L and see what they do, and how it feels. If you can air down and back up, try that too and again see how it feels and drives when you do. If you can find a skills course nearby check it out. A lot will eventually come down to experience and finding yourself in different situations.

I recently went wheeling about in the snow. I suck at it. I only find myself in snow 1-2 times a year. And every time I go, I get stuck. My friend who lives closer to the snow and has more experience in the snow doesn't get stuck nearly as often. I learn a little more every time.

 

[kw_rc]

Thanks for the reference. I joined a waiting list. Sadly, no open spots but this is exactly what I needed!

 

[Elff]

Is there a local Jeep club around your area?
Clubs tend to have people very willing to help out and have club rides with seasoned veterans being trail guides and helping out people new to off roading.

 

[sass JT]

I say… “let her rip! Throttle to the floor and go”

But seriously, find some forum members or some friends and go to a trail/offroad park… and have fun… relax… enjoy your ride… it’s way more capable than you are.

 

[BUZZHEAD]

Like a lot of forum members been wheeling since the seventies .Sign up for a jeep academy class and look for a local 4x4 club.This vehicle is a whole different world then the k5 blazer I started wheeling in. Enjoy its an awesome ride.

 

[HooliganActual]

I agree with what the others have said; do an off-road class, find a friend/local 4x4 club, etc. I started wheeling in the early 80's when I bought my '81 CJ7 and really just went out and figured it out. The easier terrains are a good place to go "play" and learn what the vehicle will do.

To answer some of your questions, I'd say there are "guidelines' not rules:

For example, the manual states to use 4 wheel drive when is slippery such as mud and snow. However, the vast majority of offroading that I've watched happen on dry terrain.

Jeep has given you an operations manual on how to operate what you've purchased not a "How-To-Manual". They aren't going to take on the liability of teaching you how to off-road in their owner's manual. But with that said, here's some thoughts to get you started...

Are there any tips that you can provide me on when is the proper time to use 4H vs 4L?

Are there tips/tricks/best practices on using 4H/L?

4WD is really for any time that you have a low traction situation. As the manual said, snow and mud are good examples of low traction situations; but so is a dry dirt road (as you called out) when the surface is loose with dirt and rock or when there starts to be an incline/decline to it. I do a lot of overlanding which often means a lot of forest service roads which are loose, rutted, poorly maintained, etc. at times. You can probably do most FR's in 2WD if you choose, but often putting it in 4HI will help. Remember that 4WD means you now have four points of contact with rotational force working for you instead of just two.

I find on washboard roads it smooths things out a little as the front wheels are "pulling" me along vs. the rears "pushing".

The difference between 4HI and 4LO is really the gearing. While there are certain features that become enabled or disabled when using either one, the main difference is that in 4LO your transfer case drops the gearing significantly and what you will notice is that you can't go as fast down that dirt road in 4LO. Often times, on more technical trails, I might engage 4LO even though I don't need it because it FORCES me to slow down...not a bad thing when the going is rough.

When going down a steep incline, putting it in 4LO can help save your brakes. Putting your transmission in a low gear (with a manual tranny put it in 1st gear or in an automatic, place it in manual mode and shift to 1st gear) will allow the engine to do the braking and will minimize heating your brake rotors up making them useless and potentially warping them.

Do you wait until 2WD isn't working and then go 4WD?

An argument can be made for or against this; however, my personal preference is to put it in 4HI as soon as I am off the pavement. My thought process behind this is that if I wait until I need it, it might be too late. As an example, if you hit mud/snow/sand (something soft), you might get a little stuck and dig a hole with your rear wheels in 2WD and by the time you decide to shift into 4WD, you may not be able to get out of the hole you've dug yourself. I've been in situations rock crawling in my JKUR where my transfer case popped out of 4LO and I couldn't get it back into 4LO because the gears wouldn't mesh and I couldn't roll slightly forward or backward to get them to mesh. Better safe than sorry IMHO. Put it in 4HI when you hit the dirt or at least before you get into anything sketchy...I mean, driving down a well maintained FR in 2WD is perfectly okay but if it starts to transition to a poorly maintained road, why not shift over?

How about the rear locker?
Can/Would you engage the rear locker without 4WD???

First off, I don't believe you can engage the rear locker in 2WD without the use of a Tazer, JScan, etc. which overrides the computer (I'm sure someone else might correct me on that because that might be a feature of your Mojave). For standard stock setup, you won't be able to...and I'm not sure why I would want to.

I tend to think of the rear (or front/rear) lockers as "Superman Mode". I only tend to use this when 4WD on its own doesn't get me over/through an obstacle. In fact, other than just trying it out to make sure it worked, I don't believe I've ever needed it when overlanding in my JTR. Even in my JKUR, which I use for rock crawling, I don't use it a lot. I've typically only ever used my lockers when I could not get traction in 4HI or 4LO. And even when I have used it, it's generally only engaged until I get past that obstacle. What you will find is that driving down the trail with your lockers on will make handling a bit difficult, especially when cornering.

Sorry for these questions but I'm Jonesing to use my Jeep offroad but just don't know what to do.

Hopefully, I've answered some of your questions and started to give you a sense of how to use your "tools". Nothing replaces experience so get out there and use some of these tips and start to understand what your Jeep can do. Someone already said that your Jeep is more capable than you and that is so true. I have been wheeling for 40 years and currently own 3 Jeeps and each time I go out I am surprised by what I was just able to do. Cheers!!

 

[Ole Cowboy]

Flame suit is on so I'm ready for the keyboard bullies...I'm new to offroading and the Jeep platform. So I'm coming in a severe disadvantage. I want to be able to enjoy my JTM offroad but I really don't know what to do when it comes to using 4 wheel drive. I know how to engage it but just not the circumstances on when to use it. I read the manual and it seems conflicting to what I actually see in a lot of Youtube videos. For example, the manual states to use 4 wheel drive when is slippery such as mud and snow. However, the vast majority of offroading that I've watched happen on dry terrain.

Are there any tips that you can provide me on when is the proper time to use 4H vs 4L? How about the rear locker? Do you wait until 2WD isn't working and then go 4WD? Can/Would you engage the rear locker without 4WD??? Are there tips/tricks/best practices on using 4H/L?

For context, I'm not going to do any hard-core wheeling. At least, not on purpose . My intention is to do overland-style traveling and enjoying trails that are on the easier scale (1 - 3).

If there are other resources on the interweb that you can point me to, I'm happy to do that too.

Sorry for these questions but I'm Jonesing to use my Jeep offroad but just don't know what to do.

I had some Jeep time out on ranches and deer leases, not much, did not go far and it was mostly on the way to a deer stand with the ranch Jeep. Then in 1967 I found myself in a Jeep ON THE BATTLEFIELD...YES literally talk about a learning curve. There I was with the Infantry doing something REALLY REALLY S T U P I D! And I have been Jeeping ever since.

My advice to you is to start slow and easy. You might also want to pick an off-road niche. There are Rocks, Mud, Sand, Overlanding, and the Jungles and rice paddys of some stinkin country. Since '67 I have hit trails all over the world, Latin America, Alaska, Hawaii, half the states in the US, Mexico, Baja, Sea of Cortez, Europe and they all have their challenges.

The takeaway is to challenge yourself and your build, pick a niche or 2. But you cannot build for everything. My niches are Rocks and Overlanding and Overlanding did not show up on my radar until about 2010.

DO NOT OVER estimate your Jeep or your skills! I will assure you, your Jeep, no matter the model you have exceeds your skillset for many many moons to come. Your abilities you to chase the ability of your Jeep and that takes a lot of trail time.

Want a fast course, then head to Moab (MECA for real Jeepers) do not go during Easter Jeep week. Only because its 7000 or more Jeepers crowded on to the trails and no room at the Inn for newbies trying to learn the ropes. That said you can go any time in the year and find Jeepers there. Moab has trails from box stock to EXTREME modified rigs. Start at the bottom and work your way up. NOTE Moab is ROCKS! If that is not your calling do not go.

When to use 4wd? If its a dry dirt trail 2 WD works. When you get off the driven trail and on to the obstacles then its time for 4 WD. But find in the 3++ trails then it's 4 WD Lo. Better to go sooner rather than later and be stuck needing a cable or a strap to get out. NOTE: Your Jeep will tell you when it is time to take it out of 4 WD. 4 WD is NOT happy on dry high traction. Your front axle will speak to you as the tires scrub hard and fight each other. You will know! PAY attention to the Jeep FEEDBACK, you will come to understand and know your Jeep because it will tell you went 2WD, 4WD, 4wd Lo. Listen and my your Jeep and extension of you!

Since you want to do the Overland you need to understand that brings with it a lot of challenges, Rocks, Mud, Sand all of it are there at some degree.

There are 'things' that become all-important:

Ability to Air UP and Down...OBA, On-Board Air. https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ez-install-12v-extremeaire-kit/

Tires: For the past 20 years I have only run Goodyear MTRs and BFG KMs. I have been on runs where My BFG KMs were the ONLY tires that were not shredded from shale or other sharp rocks. I ran the KM2s, for Overlanding I recommend the KM3s: https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tire-highlights/mud-terrain-t-a-km3
(before you buy into new tires puts miles and experience on yours, get to know YOUR Jeep first)

Winch: I have 2 Jeeps and an F 450 truck, they ALL have winches and they all have WARN! There is a reason for that! I have saved lives, Jeeps, winch underwater on a full 80' pull, Warn has NEVER let me down over 20 years. I recommend this: https://www.warn.com/vr-evo-10-s-103253

These are the basics. Its one to show up on a run and be a newbie who is trying to learn from others. But at some point in time, you are expected to be able to carry YOUR OWN weight and totally depend on other to air your tires, extract you from mistakes etc. I used to lead runs and found all too often I was the ONLY guy with a winch or OBA, yet a half dozen showed up with trail rigs on trailers, but not fully prepared.

One more: Lift kits: I personally do not do lift kits albeit I recommend them for most folks. Kits are always a compromise and I build my own from various components from top Mfgs (AEV, JKS etc). I am other JT forums and the trend is towards high and higher lifts, starting to see 6 and even 6.5 in lifts. Mostly IMO to compensate for the 6 in you don't have! You can do 99% of the trails with a max 3.5 in lift. Why not more? Well, CoG is NOT your friend: Here is the formula: For every inch, you go up you need to go OUT L/R +1.5 inches to keep your CoG. So if you go with 35/37 x 12.5 tires you are good to because you will air down. (do not go below 15 psi on non-bead lock wheels). I ran bead locks at 3-5 psi.

Hope this has helped! Listen and learn and NEVER stop learning, I still learn...

 

[BUZZHEAD]

I had some Jeep time out on ranches and deer leases, not much, did not go far and it was mostly on the way to a deer stand with the ranch Jeep. Then in 1967 I found myself in a Jeep ON THE BATTLEFIELD...YES literally talk about a learning curve. There I was with the Infantry doing something REALLY REALLY S T U P I D! And I have been Jeeping ever since.

My advice to you is to start slow and easy. You might also want to pick an off-road niche. There are Rocks, Mud, Sand, Overlanding, and the Jungles and rice paddys of some stinkin country. Since '67 I have hit trails all over the world, Latin America, Alaska, Hawaii, half the states in the US, Mexico, Baja, Sea of Cortez, Europe and they all have their challenges.

The takeaway is to challenge yourself and your build, pick a niche or 2. But you cannot build for everything. My niches are Rocks and Overlanding and Overlanding did not show up on my radar until about 2010.

DO NOT OVER estimate your Jeep or your skills! I will assure you, your Jeep, no matter the model you have exceeds your skillset for many many moons to come. Your abilities you to chase the ability of your Jeep and that takes a lot of trail time.

Want a fast course, then head to Moab (MECA for real Jeepers) do not go during Easter Jeep week. Only because its 7000 or more Jeepers crowded on to the trails and no room at the Inn for newbies trying to learn the ropes. That said you can go any time in the year and find Jeepers there. Moab has trails from box stock to EXTREME modified rigs. Start at the bottom and work your way up. NOTE Moab is ROCKS! If that is not your calling do not go.

When to use 4wd? If its a dry dirt trail 2 WD works. When you get off the driven trail and on to the obstacles then its time for 4 WD. But find in the 3++ trails then it's 4 WD Lo. Better to go sooner rather than later and be stuck needing a cable or a strap to get out. NOTE: Your Jeep will tell you when it is time to take it out of 4 WD. 4 WD is NOT happy on dry high traction. Your front axle will speak to you as the tires scrub hard and fight each other. You will know! PAY attention to the Jeep FEEDBACK, you will come to understand and know your Jeep because it will tell you went 2WD, 4WD, 4wd Lo. Listen and my your Jeep and extension of you!

Since you want to do the Overland you need to understand that brings with it a lot of challenges, Rocks, Mud, Sand all of it are there at some degree.

There are 'things' that become all-important:

Ability to Air UP and Down...OBA, On-Board Air. https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ez-install-12v-extremeaire-kit/

Tires: For the past 20 years I have only run Goodyear MTRs and BFG KMs. I have been on runs where My BFG KMs were the ONLY tires that were not shredded from shale or other sharp rocks. I ran the KM2s, for Overlanding I recommend the KM3s: https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tire-highlights/mud-terrain-t-a-km3
(before you buy into new tires puts miles and experience on yours, get to know YOUR Jeep first)

Winch: I have 2 Jeeps and an F 450 truck, they ALL have winches and they all have WARN! There is a reason for that! I have saved lives, Jeeps, winch underwater on a full 80' pull, Warn has NEVER let me down over 20 years. I recommend this: https://www.warn.com/vr-evo-10-s-103253

These are the basics. Its one to show up on a run and be a newbie who is trying to learn from others. But at some point in time, you are expected to be able to carry YOUR OWN weight and totally depend on other to air your tires, extract you from mistakes etc. I used to lead runs and found all too often I was the ONLY guy with a winch or OBA, yet a half dozen showed up with trail rigs on trailers, but not fully prepared.

One more: Lift kits: I personally do not do lift kits albeit I recommend them for most folks. Kits are always a compromise and I build my own from various components from top Mfgs (AEV, JKS etc). I am other JT forums and the trend is towards high and higher lifts, starting to see 6 and even 6.5 in lifts. Mostly IMO to compensate for the 6 in you don't have! You can do 99% of the trails with a max 3.5 in lift. Why not more? Well, CoG is NOT your friend: Here is the formula: For every inch, you go up you need to go OUT L/R +1.5 inches to keep your CoG. So if you go with 35/37 x 12.5 tires you are good to because you will air down. (do not go below 15 psi on non-bead lock wheels). I ran bead locks at 3-5 psi.

Hope this has helped! Listen and learn and NEVER stop learning, I still learn...

VERY WELL SAID

 

[Gvsukids]

DO NOT OVER estimate your Jeep or your skills! I will assure you, your Jeep, no matter the model you have exceeds your skillset for many many moons to come. Your abilities you to chase the ability of your Jeep and that takes a lot of trail time.

But then why buy a winch or bigger tires? I know my Jeep can do a 20° hill but at the same time I can also get stuck off the road in deep snow where my driver's side wheels are on ice and the passenger side are in the snowbank.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

But then why buy a winch or bigger tires? I know my Jeep can do a 20° hill but at the same time I can also get stuck off the road in deep snow where my driver's side wheels are on ice and the passenger side are in the snowbank.

You buy a winch to have a winch, so as your not some guy who depends upon others to get you out.

So leading a trail run, on a fairly tough trail and I put out a sheet on the trail, its level of difficulty, things you bring, etc.

17 Jeeps showed up that morning and not a single one had a winch. About 2 pm we reached a point on the trail where we bypass the rest of it. I exited it, got tired of winching all day.

Bigger tires, note I suggested that you stay with the OEM tires until get some experience, then make a move based upon your niche so you are not buying the wrong tire for the wrong trails. The BFG KM2 is a Rock tire, the KM3 is an all-purpose tire. Tire for many uses. I ran the KM2 and best rock tire I ever used.

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