When driving on forest trails and dirt paths, you’re going to encounter more than just a few rocks along the way. Heaps of leaves, twigs, and even a dead tree can be quite the obstacle. And since it’s going to be hard for your monster ride to mount something as large as a dead tree, you’ll have to find other ways to get rid of the obstacle lying on your path. So how do you get rid of fallen trees, large debris, and even a stalled vehicle that’s lying in front of your off-roading machine? Simple—enter the Nudge Bar.

What Is It?

The Nudge Bar is a favorite accessory for most off-roading drivers. That’s because this metal component does more powerful pushing than subtle nudging. It lets you move large objects using the front end of your vehicle.

Why Do You Need It?

Well, it certainly makes it easier for you to clear the path. With the nudge bar, you can easily get rid of large debris scattered on the road—all that without damaging your front bumper! It also offers you excellent protection in case you get into a front-end collision.

Where Do You Install It?

This component naturally installs on your front-end bumper. (Naturally—since it does the pushing when you step on the gas!)

Where Can You Get It?

Local auto parts stores usually carry nudge bars. But if you want a wide selection of nudge bars that come in different styles, conduct your search online.

Obviously, mud is just a wet version of dirt. And since dirt is one of the most common obstacles when it comes to off-roading, mud trails are also not an exception. However, there are different mud types. And with that comes different styles of driving through them. Some of these muddy trails require fast driving with a lot of wheelspin; while others ought to be driven through a bit more slowly.

Similar to snow, skinny tires can easily dig down to the harder, rougher dirt beneath the mud. On the other hand, wide flotation tires keep you on top of the sludge. Regardless of the mud’s texture, you should drive through mud at a steady forward pace. That’s because if you got off the gas, you may risk losing the momentum that your truck needs. If your rig isn’t moving forward as your wheels are spinning, then there’s a good chance that your ride is probably going down. Now don’t be afraid to back out of that type of situation, there are probably ruts that are already there—so use them to your advantage.

photo courtest of www.4wheeloffroad.com

Sooner or later you’ll be gunning it out on rocks, boulders, and crevices. So first you should make sure that you lower your wheels’ air pressure. Now when that’s done, try going slowly when you’re going through rocky terrain (especially if you’re in to hardcore rockcrawling).

Now when you’re already dealing toe-to-toe with rocks, make sure your tires are placed above them as this prevents your axle and undercarriage from hitting the boulders. Remember that your lowest speed that gives you momentum is usually your best speed. That’s because if you go too fast you might end up crashing your rig. And to say the least, you might also get yourself stuck.

Here’s a tip: one way to stay in control of your vehicle is by using one foot on the brake and one on the gas. That’s because on a stick-equipped rig the engine compression braking provides you better control, though you can use the two-foot method on an auto transmission to mimic this action too.

Also known as graded highways, fire roads, and two tracks—don’t ask me why—dirt roads are an excellent path to follow if you’re after an amazing adventure. From afar, the road may appear relatively smooth, but you’ll be surprised by the number of potholes and rocks that are hidden in this path. What may appear like a smooth-sailing ride is actually a bump-filled and rockin’ adventure fit for daredevils.

But be wary of the potholes, rocks, and washouts found in the dirt path. After all, hitting them (at all or at a wrong angle) can instantly send your ride veering to the left or right. When debris flies from your tires, these rocks can also produce significant damage to your car.

For better grip (traction) and a slightly-smoother driving experience, consider airing down your tires by just a bit. Not low enough that a rock can hit your rim and damage it, but just enough for your tires to absorb the rough parts of your ride.

Driving haphazardly through dirt roads can also damage your suspension system if your vehicle isn’t prepared for this violent assault. What you can do is tune your vehicle or conduct some modifications to your suspension for better ride quality and suspension performance.

As for your speed, slow down to the comfortable level. It doesn’t have to be a crawling pace, but if the road conditions are that bad (or rad, depending on how you look at it), a crawl ain’t that bad.

If you’re following another vehicle, set a safe distance between you guys to prevent your vehicle from eating the other driver’s dust. Literally.

Pic from ModernOffRoader.com

Rolling over hills is always a great adventure. It’s also one of the oldest types of off-roading adventures available. Traction is one of the most important things you must keep in mind when off-roading on hills. Most hills have dirt roads, so make sure you’ve got the right tires for the job.

As for your speed, let the road’s surface be your guide. If it’s a dirt road that you’re running up in, then try to maintain a steady speed. Avoid experimenting with your engine’s power (and speed) when running up, as this could lead to damage in your engine assembly.

Try to keep a straight path as well. When you’re climbing up a hill—that’s not really the best time for you to do zigzags with your ride. By keeping your car running as straight as possible, you get the most control out of your vehicle.

Remember that the slightest rock on the road, or slip in traction could cause your car to veer out of control. So be on the lookout for rocks or soft spots.

As for going down the hill, do it in the lowest gear possible. This way, you can maximize your braking power. Keep your foot light when it comes to the brakes. You don’t want your wheels locking up and your vehicle sliding. Your tires should continue rolling for you to have excellent vehicle control. If you slide, apply just a little gas and keep it easy on the brake pedal. Make the slightest movements on your steering wheel to have complete control over your ride’s direction. Remember, small movements on the steering wheel—not grand whipping.

It’s easy to lose control of your vehicle when on this type of terrain. So the best you can do is to stay on top of the situation by having full control over your ride.

Pic from 4wheeldrivesportutility.automotive.com

And it all boils down to this. The truth about your motor oil (or engine oil levels).

There are some of us who prefer to check our oil levels during tune-ups, and there are others who would prefer letting their engines tell them if there’s too little oil in their engine assembly.

Since it’s a given, that running with too little oil can cause an engine to seize and its rods to deform, there are some drivers who think that it may be better to top-off their oil supply, or to add too much oil to their engine. So, the question is, is it really better to have too-much oil in your engine as opposed to running with too little?

To keep it short. NO, it’s NOT. While running with too little oil will eventually lead to your engine burning itself up—and I’m not just talking about overheating here, running with too much oil in your car can have pretty much the same results. Different causes, same results—your engine burns up.

How? Well, if you have too much oil inside your car, then the exhaust gases produced during the fuel combustion process can become greasy clouds that hover in your engine assembly. Even if these oily clouds don’t escape your engine system, the heat generated by your engine can cause these gases to combust—leading to engine fire. So in the end, running with too much oil, pretty much yields the same terrifying results as running with too little—complete and utter engine failure.

So instead of relying on guesswork, settle for the happy medium. Keep a quart of oil in your car in case you need it, but only add the right amount of oil to your engine system. Use your dipstick to guide you on how much oil you should add to your car.

Pic from Ehow.com

With corporate team building activities becoming more and more popular these days, especially for big companies, it’s no surprise (at least to me and other off-road fanatics out there) that more and more executives are looking into off-roading team building. I mean, c’mon! What’s not to love about off-roading? Mounting their 4×4s over rocks, running over shallow streams–it’s solid fun for the entire group!

There’s the thrill of the unknown matched with the challenge of overcoming virtually all types of obstacles. It’s being one with nature with nature, the kick-a&& way.

If you and your company are planning a team building activity that involves 4×4 off-road driving, then here are some tips that may help you plan out your TBA properly. (That’s Team Building Activity folks, not To-Be-Announced).

1. Remember that it’s all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Off-road driving is fun in general. But it stops being all fun and games when people start getting hurt. Now, if you’re planning this activity, chances are, you’re an off-roading guy yourself. But remember, some members of your team will be doing this for the first time…so, be gentle. Instead of going for tougher trails, settle for trails that are midway between boring and extreme. That way, nobody falls asleep as they ride on the back seat of their 4×4 vehicle.

2. Find the right rides, and make sure everyone gets the same type of off-roading vehicle. If possible, don’t give other teams an advantage when you give them a Jeep or a Truck, while the other struggles with an SUV. As much as possible, try to keep things equal. Meaning, if you’re going on a Jeep, rent other Jeeps for your team.

3. Split the squad in small groups. Depending on the number of people that are a part of your team, split everyone evenly. Encourage everyone to participate and to get to know their squad members.

4. Have the squads follow more experienced off-roaders. Think of it as a convoy that stops other squads from getting lost or veering off the trail.

5. Bring First-Aid Kits and pray you won’t need them. ‘Nuff said.

6. Have a trainer come and explain the mechanics of the challenge and the challenges ahead prior to starting the activity. This prepares everyone for what lies ahead.

7. Employ the help of pros in setting this activity up. Safety first! Let the pros handle the planning, the obstructions, and the best path (safest) to follow.

Pic from Outdoor-Sport-Leisure.net

This is more of an auto annoyance than a problem. You know that squeaky, screechy sound your truck/SUV/jeep’s door makes when you open it or close it? Unless you’re willing to live with that hair-raising sound all the rest of your vehicle’s service life, now’s the perfect time that you do something about it!

Contrary to popular belief, your vehicle need not be in the vintage class to have this problem. My friend has a 3-year old truck that whines each time you open its door.

Good Ol' Machine Oil

Why You Should Do This Now:

Well, you don’t have to oil your squeaking doors right this moment, but you wouldn’t want friction to cause damage to the door, would you? Plus, if you wait too long before you oil your door hinge, it could make it extremely difficult for you to open or close your doors. So, act now! (Or this weekend.)

What You Need:

Machine oil. No specific brand for this kind of job, but hey, any type of machine oil would do!

What to Do:

Simply apply a few drops of machine oil to the door hinge. Make sure you get the corners. And you’re done! Simple, right?

Pics from: PD-Go.com and Pothierenterprises.com

Even the roughest of off-roading rides requires maintenance once in a while. Otherwise, you’ll end up pulled over to the side of the road, or in the middle of the forest trail (if you’re out having fun), with a vehicle that won’t start or move no matter how much you prod it. But sometimes, emergencies happen. The biggest emergency for any driver being having an overheating engine.

If you’ve never had an overheating vehicle, then you’re in luck. Since more and more drivers are dealing with this problem. Maybe it’s the heat, or maybe you’re pushing your vehicle too much too soon. But either way, the moment you have this problem, better be prepared for it.

Symptoms that your car is about to go into overheating mode include:

• rougher engine performance
• the temperature gauge on your dash indicates that your car is running at a hotter temperature
• trace amounts of white smoke are starting to escape from under your hood

When these symptoms appear, pull over!

Should your vehicle overheat while you’re on (or off) the road in the middle of nowhere, follow these simple instructions.

1. Keep your cool. Instead of releasing your frustration by immediately opening your hood and diving straight for your radiator, take a few minutes to calm down. That would also save you from getting your hands burned by the intense heat radiating from your engine.
2. Pop your hood. BUT don’t do anything just yet. Let your engine’s components cool down before you start touching anything under your hood. A 10-15 minute break should be good enough. If you think your engine’s components are still too hot to touch, use a rag or wait a few minutes more.
3. Check your coolant levels. You can do this by locating your coolant reservoir, coolant overflow tank, or slosh tank. This unit is situated near your radiator. If you can’t find it, check your owner’s manual. (They usually have diagrams that tell you where to locate the various parts of your car.) If your coolant overflow tank is empty, then you know why your car overheated.
4. Fill the tank up to the proper level with just water. On your next stop, make sure you buy another bottle of water just in case your vehicle overheats again.
5. Recheck the water levels once in a while and add more water if necessary until your vehicle starts running normally. If your vehicle continues running at fever range, take your car to the nearest garage. It’s possible that your problem lies in loose radiator hoses, a broken thermostat, or a busted radiator.
6. When the emergency is over, fill your tank with coolant-water mix.

Remember, when your vehicle gets too hot to handle, or if the temperature doesn’t go down even after you’ve finished all these steps, it might be best for you to contact a tow truck, or to have another vehicle bring your ride to the nearest garage.

The winch is probably one of the most underrated yet highly-useful accessories needed by your off-roading vehicle. That’s because during times of trouble, like when you get stuck in a sand dune or in soft dirt, this accessory can be a real vehicle (and life) saver.

What Is It?

The winch is essentially a mechanical device which you can use to “pull in” or “let out” an object. It usually comes with a cable or wire, and is commonly used by tow trucks.

Why Do You Need It?

As I’ve said before, in case you or your off-roading companions get stuck somewhere, you can use your winch to reel in your companion’s truck, or he can use his to pull your truck out of a troublesome spot.

Where Do You Install It?

Most off-roading Jeeps and trucks have winches installed on their front bumper. Though you can also spot a number of vehicles with winches on their rear bumpers. I guess it depends on where you need your winch to be.

Where Can You Get It?

Online stores usually carry various types of winches. So if you’re after variety, shop online. But if you need the winch right away and can’t wait a few days or a week to get it, then head on to your local auto shop.

How Much?

Well, if you’re just after a replacement winch cable hook, you can get one for less than $20, shipping not included. But if you want the actual winch (electrical; with cable lines and hooks), then prepare to spend up to $1,846, shipping included. That’s one of the more expensive brands–but the good thing about these pricier winches is that they come with approximately a year’s worth of warranty coverage.

Brands, Brands, Brands:

Some brands you may want to check out include Warn, Mile Marker, Aries, Body Armor, Rugged Ridge, and Superwinch!