So, you’ve finally bought your first 4×4? It’s spacious, shiny, and you probably want to get in it straight away to test out its performance, whether that’s taking it offroad or finding an isolated area to camp with your buddies for the weekend. Before you do that, consider limitations your truck may have. If you’ve bought it bog-standard from the showroom, it may not be set up for any serious action. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some key upgrades to consider for your brand spanking new beast of a machine.
Tires
The first and possibly most important upgrade you should consider is the tires on your truck. While they probably have a half decent set of tires on them now, they may not be built for offroading, and if you’re thinking of going mud bogging or trying to climb steep banks, you may not have much luck with your current tires. Look into mud bogging tires to ensure you can get the most out of your first 4×4 experience!
Lift
If you are planning to use your truck for some mud bogging, you may want to consider giving your truck a lift too. A lift is where the height of your 4×4’s bodywork is significantly increased to allow for larger tires. Those who enjoy any kind of motorsport also lift their vehicles to improve the approach angles and the ability to handle steep obstacles when offroad. Not only that, there’s something super satisfying about having to climb into your vehicle and being much higher than everyone else.
Roll cage
Safety should always be in the forefront of your mind when it comes to really testing out your new truck, especially if you’re taking it offroad. If you’re planning on using your 4×4 to drive around town, a roll cage probably isn’t needed. However, if you are planning to go a little crazy offroad, then it’s a good idea to have one installed. And don’t forget to wear protective headgear – going off road may throw you around more than you think!
Skid plates
You may have been thinking of adding skid plates and body armor to your truck simply for the aesthetics, but they’re actually really important if you plan on skidding around in the mud. Skid plates will help protect the more vulnerable components of your truck from any pebbles, rocks or other debris that you’ll inevitably disturb on your trails. Go for steel or aluminum alloy rather than plastic kits, as they can be unreliable and not really serve their purpose well.
One last word
The idea of being able to release any tension behind the wheel in your new 4×4 is incredible, but it’s important to remember the truck is only as good as the person driving it. Take time to get to know your new truck, learn tricks from professional off road drivers to make sure you can have the time of your life but stay safe at the same time. Finally, happy trailing!
