Top 10 Mods in order of importance

[Kenny245]

Having looked on the internet and doing a little research I think I have come up with a game plan for mod's to my truck and any 4x4 for that matter in order of importance, and use it as a map to increase my enjoyment. I think I would go to about number 4 which I think is at an intermidiate level which I hope will allow me to cover a majority of trails here in the Ottawa area (2+/- hour drive). let me know what you think.

1. 4" Suspension Lift
1A. Small Body Lift? (to go with Suspension...

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[Kunker]

Good list and a great game plan for your truck.

A couple of questions, though:

Is your truck a daily driver? Do you care about how it will look after a few trail runs? If so, I'd put the body protection a little higher up the list.

Lockers. As John mentioned it's best to do this when you re-gear, but you can get some simple, cheap and easy to install lockers (Lock Rite, Aussie) that can be done in the driveway. This might be the single biggest improvement you will see offroad.

 

[Mitko]

dunno what is your truck, but assuming it is a heep you dont need body lift, 4" is good enough up to 35 tires. Consider axles strengtenes too.

 

[snippy]

Pretty sure Kenny is the pickup from the Carp run last weekend.

 

[blueguy]

#1 should read "Winch". Then lockers, then tires / suspension / gears all at once. But that is the opinion of a guy whose rig has been on jackstands since Aug. 2005

 

[Kunker]

<hijack>
Why should a winch be 1st? As a newbie, I wouldn't think about going out alone as:

a) I often need spotting from someone who knows what their doing
b) I really don't know where to go
c) I'd probably hurt myself or break something using the winch wrong anyway

Just curious as to your reasoning...it's on my list, just a lot further down. Mind you, I'm wheeling a Zuk that a few guys can pick up and carry if need be.

</hijack>

 

[bradleyfitz]

You'll get a lot of varied responses to that type of question, 'cause everyone is different.

My priority and order went this way when I joined the club:
1) Front and rear tow points
2) Lift and tires
3) A bit of armor

I wouldn't bother creating a top 10 type of list, as your needs and desires will likely change making it obsolete anyway.

 

[snippy]

Winch? Lockers? On 32" tires? A lot of it depends on what your vehicle comes with 'stock' (skid plates, tow points, etc).

1. Tow hooks
2. Tow strap/recovery gear (snatch block, d-rings, tree saver, heavy duty chain)
3. General purpose 'kit' (first aid, fire extinguisher, collapsible shovel, tarp, misc tools, etc).
4. CB? GPS? Cell phone at least.

5. After that, I'd go with bigger tires, at least I did, because I was honestly tired of smashing my skid plates into rocks.

6. If you get a suspension lift and tires, you may also want to pick up a new jack, since most stock jacks won't work very well after you're a few inches taller.

7. Power washer. Most local places will kick you out if you bring in a dirty off road vehicle, even if you're just washing the tires/brakes/frame/shocks, etc. Go figure.

A winch isn't *really* necessary if you're always with a group, and even solo they're definitely not 100% reliable.

8, 9, 10. Beer?

 

[aweber]

In order of Importance, but not necessarily order of doing them

Tow Points/Jack-all
Tires
Body/Drive-train Protection
T-Case gears
Lockers
Gears
Winch
Hydro-Assist

Personally, on your full size, your weak links are going to be Body Damage and because of long wheel base getting hight centered on the trails around here.

I would do body armor, and larger tires first, assuming your a v8 and an auto you can skip the t-case gears for now, then locker and a large winch, because being a full-size you most likely cannot rely on our winches to get you out, most of us only have 8K winches and a full-size will require 12K+

And now for the real advise, keep the full-size as a tow rig and start fresh with a smaller truck like a Heep, Toy or Sami. You will be happier in the long run. This is what most people end up doing after learning the hard way :flipoff::beer:

 

[blueguy]

<hijack>
Why should a winch be 1st? As a newbie, I wouldn't think about going out alone as:

a) I often need spotting from someone who knows what their doing
b) I really don't know where to go
c) I'd probably hurt myself or break something using the winch wrong anyway

Just curious as to your reasoning...it's on my list, just a lot further down. Mind you, I'm wheeling a Zuk that a few guys can pick up and carry if need be.

</hijack>

Other than my first mod was a winch, my reasoning is self sufficiency. There's nothing I dislike more than the "someone will help me out of a bind, so I don't need to be prepared" mentality.

Now, before the flaming / dogpile starts, I have no issues helping someone out of a jam; in fact I've busted up many parts, including my winch to yank guys out of places they shouldn't have been in the first place and gave up many spare parts to fix up busted diffs, t-cases, etc. But to build a rig with the theory of "why should I spend money on a winch, someone else will have one to get me unstuck" doesn't bode well with me.

If you wanna play, you gotta pay :flipoff:

 

[Farm Boy]

X2 , I just didn't want to be the first to say it. Most of our full size guys have converted over to smaller trucks. As Steve said, there are a few Zuks up for grabs.

I already said it yesterday:

The 3" lift with 33s will look good. You'll also quickly realize that you'll want something smaller and to keep the Dodge for towing duties. I think I lasted 4 runs before I bought my Toyota.

We all know how long I wheeled my Dodge before I got the first Toy. :flipoff:

 

[Farm Boy]

Having looked on the internet and doing a little research I think I have come up with a game plan for mod's to my truck and any 4x4 for that matter in order of importance, and use it as a map to increase my enjoyment. I think I would go to about number 4 which I think is at an intermidiate level which I hope will allow me to cover a majority of trails here in the Ottawa area (2+/- hour drive). let me know what you think.

1. 4" Suspension Lift
1A. Small Body Lift? (to go with Suspension Lift)
2. Tires and wheels 33x12.5
3. Gearing
4. Protection and extraction. (Bumpers, skid plates and nerf bars)

I think this should cover a majority of trails here in Ottawa with the following upgrades for more serious off roading.

5. Axles (Lockers or Not?)
6. Transmission and Transfer Case Upgrades
7. Engine Upgrades for more power
8. Roll Cage
9. Body Modifications

It all depends on exactly what you want to do. A 4" lift is Way more than needed for 33s on a solid axle Dodge. They fit with minor rub stock height.

By the time you get to #4 you will have spent a few thousand dollars. For that much you could have a very capable Zuk that could wheel almost anywhere without worry. There is a lot of comfort that comes from being able to wheel to your heart's content without worry of getting to work Monday morning.

As someone already said above, priorities change as you progress. You are on the right track thinking about it and asking questions. Coming from a guy that started with a fullsize, get something smaller to wheel, you'll have way more fun.

Then again, if the Dodge is just a beater, cut the fenders, slap on some bigger tires and beat the snot out of it. :flipoff:

 

[Kenny245]

Great Tips

Thanks for all the advice. Looking forward to the next run/meeting.

 

[Dirk]

Opoinions as to order of importance obviously vary with personal preference, application, driving style, terrain most driven, etc.....

But I will throw mine in anyway. :stir:

If I was to start new into wheeling, time warp back 20 or so years, and would have my future self give advice......

And assuming for this discussion I would have a full size pickup, and that recovery gear like a Hi-Lift, tow strap, chain, hand winch, shovel, first aid kit, extenguisher, etc... are already available, (this should almost be standard equipment for any car :lmao.

1 - Tires, trim fenders to fit 35's, or 33's should just fitput up with rubbing, loss of power and poor articulation for a while
2 - tow points, may as well make bumpers at this point, plan for your winch now.
3 - Gears and lockers, this should be a package deal.
4 - Suspension Lift. Body lift only if you need to clear drive train parts.

At this point you have a solid rig.

5 - Winch & bigger/dual batteries. Go big. For a fullsize 12,000lbs and 2 x Group 31 batteries..
6 - Drive train. I like standards so would already have a "bull-low" first gear. Lower T-case gears if available and/or dual T-cases (doubler).
7 - Engine upgrades.....more power breaks stuff easier. Having Had over and under powered rigs, I am really undecided on this.
8 - Skid plates
9 - Body armor, roll over protection
10 - CB, GPS, Stereo, Gauges, etc.... are nice, but not essential, put them on your birthday/X-mas list and install when you get them.

8 & 9 are late on purpose. Hearing things smash into rocks and being afraid to roll, should have made you a better driver by that point.


There ya go, my opinion, for a beginner to build a solid truck to build and grow with. Of course once you are done, you'll realize that you want something completely different than what you build, as your off road experience grows ..... good time to pick up another project projet ... :flipoff:

 

[Root Moose]

Dirk, I'm beginning to think we are twins that were separated at birth. We think a lot alike. For your sake I hope I got all the "baggage". LOL

 

[Farm Boy]

7 - Engine upgrades.....more power breaks stuff easier. Having Had over and under powered rigs, I am really undecided on this.

The ticket is enough power for the rig you have. You want to plan in the weakest link of the drivetrain to be one of three items: power, traction or something easy $ cheap to replace.

Personally I'd go for more power than less. It's easier to break shit and replace with better parts than to curse endlessly that " If I just had a bit more power.....)

 

[Grumpy]

Personally I'd go for more power than less. It's easier to break shit and replace with better parts than to curse endlessly that " If I just had a bit more power....."

Of course you'd say that.....(damn underpowered Toyota truck!) Speaking of which, did you pick up that motor you talked about getting??

 

[SuziCrazy]

First things first, I'd stop by the Zooklounge and have them build it!!!! J/K

Tow points, lift, tires, gears, lockers, then replace anything and everything that brakes with bigger better parts. In this hobby, you get what you pay for... cheaping out on the initial build will only result in more money in the long run. Save up and do it right the first time. (I've learned this the hard way) oh and by a Zuk!

As many have already said, it`s personal preference... (by a Zuk).

 

[Farm Boy]

Of course you'd say that.....(damn underpowered Toyota truck!) Speaking of which, did you pick up that motor you talked about getting??

Nope, didn't have the time. I'll get something from Harry's this fall.