Just wondering if anybody could throw out the basic things I'd need or my truck would need to go offroading and make it home at the end of the day with my daily driver. I'm thinking so long as I've got at least a rear recovery point(bolt on tow hitch?) and a 4wd friend I should be able to at least go out and have a good time without worrying about not making it home. I know there are plenty of performance upgrades to do that will make things easier or more fun but is there anything my truck or I absolutely NEED to have?

I'm thinking so long as I bring along a friend with 4wd and have a rear recovery point(is a hidden hitch with d shackle receiver best setup?) and recovery gear(****** strap, come-along, gloves, patience) I should be ok so long as I'm not doing anything stupid(no hitting mud holes in a 2.3L with open diff and 2wd).

My main concern is making it back home since my truck is my daily driver.

 

Strap- not chain, gloves, extra fluids are good to have, like gas, oil, coolant etc., hi-lift...

 

All just in my opinion

Necessary for a basic 2wd that'll have another truck to help out

I run have a little 20' strap with hooks in my truck for general use. For recovery I have a 2"x30' strap with loops. I use the hitch pin to retain the loop to the back of my truck. Consider a front recovery point.

Things such as a hi-lift or a floor jack in case you need to change a tire, or whatever. I have a small 12v compressor if i puncture a tire and need to plug it (have a plug kit). 4-way as well. Break-down shovel is nice to have in some situations.

It'd be wise for first updates being tires and atleast a limited slip differential. Those two will get you the most bang for buck off road. Open diff is like trying to hike with one leg. Just not really gonna happen.

Given you seem pretty apprehensive in doing much, you shouldn't get in too much trouble. Mines a d/d with just tires and a lsd. I really don't worry about being stranded somewhere, or breaking (knock on wood). Just have some common sense, don't go too fast through places you dont know, watch your clearances for stumps/rocks/etc.

 

http://therangerstation.com/tech_lib...t_To_Pack.html

 

wheeling your daily driver is always a ballsy thing to do cause as soon as something happens it hits you that you need to drive it to work in the morning......think about that before you get too crazy......but ya have a 4wd with you and you'll be ok

 

I always wheel my DD :) lol

 

Me too. I guess I like to live dangerously.

 

X2 lol,

Use common sense, the cheapest thing to do.

Front tow hooks will help alot. The times you don't have them, you'll be wishing you did.
A come-along will be nice, but make sure it is rated properly (2+ tons), You should be good with a strap, front and rear recovery points.
Try airing down your tires to about 20-25 psi, this will help alot, and you are going to need every bit you can.

 

Good Set Of Off-Road Tires, some rope

 

haha me too, except i call mine my offroad truck that has to work during the week. people laugh at me when i throw lumber and scrap out jobs cause i tend to hit the bedsides now and again. my name is Jordan but im no Michael...

 

LOL!


I have in my truck at all times is:

Shovel
Tow Strap
Tie Downs
Bungies
tools


When I wheel I bring:

Axe
more tools
come a long
ujoints
wheel bearings
mostly misc parts that could break on the trail
air tank for power tools

A friend with a winch. lol And more friends with tow straps and stuff.

 

I don't wheel much, but do use for vehicle reovery and carry in my vehicle almost daily;

Full tool box and socket set
Tow ropes/straps
Jack
Shovel
Washer Fluid
Oil and Brake Fluid
Jumper cables
First aid kit
Extra bulbs (headlights,brake lights,turn signals)
GPS
Cell phone
Blanket
Gloves (winter & work)
Flashlights
Tie downs & Bungee cords
A couple bottles of water
Pen & Notepad

And don't recover a stuck vehicle like this guy.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=...a-17836d0e4850

 

Thanks a ton for the suggestions guys! I'm gonna install a rear hitch on my next paycheck and pickup any gear i don't already have and give it a shot in the next few weeks. I'll be sure to bring a camera. Woohoo this is gonna be a blast! :)

 

Be prepared to spend a bunch of money if you're gonna buy everything. Hitch and some good tow ropes are gonna cost you the most.

 

Oh and make sure your spare tire is accessible and inflated. Might even want to take it off and carry it in the bed. Never know when sometimes you may get stuck and have to use the spare tire as some extra leverage or as a temp. jack stand.

 

Class III hitch, 20' ****** strap, 2" clevis adapter are on there way here! Found out my dad had a hi-lift jack in the garage. Thanks again for the advice guys!

 

i also wheel my DD, you just have to be smart about it i had one oh **** moment when i was teetering on 3 wheels lol

 

Ok, got a little carried away... Summit has their 3" Body lift for $107 right now... That's on the way too. :-P

 

Wish a 3in body lift for my 97 was only $107 thats a great deal.

 

Tim: This is the kit I ordered. Only lists that it fits applications from 1998 to 2000 but I've read other threads on here saying the only difference for 05 is the filler neck tubing diameter.

I'm not sure if there's a big difference from 97 to 98 for the body lift kits, might be worth looking in to though as it is only $107.95 compared to the $300 something for the PA kit.

 

first..... if you already ordered the BL....... get better tires. soon as you hit any mud, the tires your running now, will become slicks. front and rear tow points and a strap. and of course never wheel alone.


also, while im putting my .02 in, wheel only durring the hours your local autoparts store is open. i had to make a few repairs myself while wheeling. had to take a trip in my buddies truck and leave my truck at the scene. smart idea and something to consider....

 

Wheels and tires will have to wait as I just dumped $400 into the truck... :-P When my stock tires are worn out I'll pick up some 33s and regear to 4.56. Once I get the body lift on I'll figure out how I'm going to get front recovery points(no front crossmember). At the moment I'm thinking I might just get a front receiver when the time comes. I'm also thinking a lock-rite will be a worthwhile investment but that it should come after wheels/tires.

I've got to get in touch with jcwhitney as I never got confirmation on my hitch order but summit says my lift will be here tomorrow.

 

lol i wheel everyday with my dd.. specially on the rainy season :P

i love working on farms XD

or u coud get a cheap winch to get u out. smittybuilt is around 300$ and has worked very well for me, even loaded uphill

 

Would it make any sense to get the lock-rite before wheels/tires? The only reason I ask is that I've got LOTS of tread left on my stock tires and plan to do either an automatic or manual locker for the rear eventually anyhow. Wheels/tires and the regear will probably be the most expensive mod I do. Summit has the lock-rite for the 7.5 axle for around $400. I can probably justify that come spring/summer time but my tires will still be good by then. I currently have an open diff. I would really prefer not to do an axle swap. This truck will still be my daily driver.

Which is better, 1) an automatic locker with stock wheels/tires or 2) waiting longer to get good tires and a regear while still having the open diff? Eventually both will happen but I think I can afford the locker sooner. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

here's a don't. use a tie town to have someone try to pull you out of even the slightest stuck. nasty dent in hood :( t.t