NEW TO OFF ROADING? START HERE!

[Brody]

NEW TO OFF ROAD DRIVING? THEN THIS FORUM IS FOR YOU!

Introduction:
Welcome to Front Range 4x4 and the wonderful and confusing world of off road driving!

This thread is a basic introduction to this world, terminology, a general introduction to the sport, what a 4x4 is, does and can do, driving techniques for driving off road in all sorts of conditions, and many other informative articles that will help you understand your vehicle and a new sport.

It is not meant to be the ‘be all/end all’ of articles by any means, but a help to answer many questions that people new to the sport have. I have tried to organize it into a relatively simple format, starting by a list of commonly used 4x4 terms and definitions, and going from there.

This thread will not answer questions such as “What lift should I put on my vehicle?”, “What tires should I run?” , "What trails should I run", or “What locker is best and do I need/want one?”. There are other threads on this forum that deal with these questions and you will have to make your own personal choices based on information on those threads, the make and model of vehicle you own, plus the kind of off road driving you expect to do. There is general information in this thread explaining tires, lockers, gearing, lifts, etc, so that you will have an idea what everyone is talking about, why it does or doesn’t work, and so on.

Also note that there is a certain redundancy in a lot of these articles, almost all concerned with being prepared, having the right mental attitude, and having spent the time to check out your vehicle before you go. There really is a reason for this...

Information in this thread was compiled from a great many sources (listed at the end) and was then edited down to be a more concise information source. If you happen to be reading this and recognize a familiar article or reference, then please accept our thanks!

'Author', in italics, are my comments or additions.

CONTENTS:

4x4 Terms And Definitions (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11838-4x4-Terms-and-Definitions)

Basic Introduction To 4x4 Vehicles (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11837-Basic-Introduction-to-Off-Roading)

Different Types Of 4x4 Vehicles (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11836-Different-Types-of-Four-Wheel-Drive-vehicles)

When To Use 4 Wheel Drive (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11835-When-to-use-Four-Wheel-Drive)

Safety (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11834-Safety)

Before You Go Off Road (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11833-Before-you-go-off-road)

Packing Your 4x4 For Safety (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11832-Packing-your-4x4-for-safety)

Surviving An Off Road Emergency (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11831-Surviving-an-off-road-emergency)

Driving Your 4x4 Off Road (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11830-Driving-your-4x4-Off-Road)

Trail Etiquette 101 (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11829-Trail-Etiquette-101)

Airing Down (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11828-Airing-Down)

Spotting And Hand Signals (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11827-Spotting-and-Hand-Signals)

Basic Trail Repair Guide (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11826-Basic-Trail-Repair-Guide)

Hi Lift Jack (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11825-High-Lift-Jacks)

Winches And Winching Winch Techniques (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11824-Winches-and-Winching-Techniques)

Modifying Your Rig….Or Not (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11823-Modifying-your-rig...Or-Not!)

Locking Differentials (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11822-Locking-Differentials)

Tires (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11821-Tires)

The Trail Rating System (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11820-The-Trail-Rating-System)

Trails And Trail Resources (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?11819-Trail-Resources)

[Aaron]

Information was used for this thread from the following links. My thanks to all the people who put the original information together!

http://www.4x4trailinfo.com/ShowRating.php?system=5

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/off-roading/off-road-vehicles.htm/printable

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/AT-MT-Tires/Pick_the_Right_Tires.htm

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/brandnew4x4wdrivers/Off_Road_Driving_4Wheeling_Tips_For_New_4x4_Truck_ or_4WD_SUV_Owners.htm (http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/brandnew4x4wdrivers/Off_Road_Driving_4Wheeling_Tips_For_New_4x4_Truck_ or_4WD_SUV_Owners.htm)

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/howto/3308/index.html (http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/howto/3308/index.html)

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_openwiki&Itemid=60&id=wiki:guide_to_offroad_modifications (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_openwiki&Itemid=60&id=wiki:guide_to_offroad_modifications)

http://www.4x4now.com/4whtbcr.htm (http://www.4x4now.com/4whtbcr.htm)

http://www.4x4offroads.com/4x4-driving-tips.html (http://www.4x4offroads.com/4x4-driving-tips.html)

http://www.4x4tirereview.com/airdown.html (http://www.4x4tirereview.com/airdown.html)

http://www.kent4x4offroading.co.uk/basic_off_road_driving.htm (http://www.kent4x4offroading.co.uk/basic_off_road_driving.htm)

http://www.leisurewheels.com/content/4x4/tips/singlepage.asp?id=149 (http://www.leisurewheels.com/content/4x4/tips/singlepage.asp?id=149)

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/techniques.htm (http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/techniques.htm)

http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Safety/EmergencyPacket.html (http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Safety/EmergencyPacket.html)

http://www.g2axle.com/axle-gear-guide/encyclopedia-a-z.aspx (http://www.g2axle.com/axle-gear-guide/encyclopedia-a-z.aspx)

http://www.4x4now.com/bb0997.htm (http://www.4x4now.com/bb0997.htm)

http://www.4x4wire.com/on-the-trail/how-to-survive-in-your-vehicle-stuck-in-snow (http://www.4x4wire.com/on-the-trail/how-to-survive-in-your-vehicle-stuck-in-snow)

http://www.alpharubicon.com/bovstuff/offroaddrive1schtoo.htm (http://www.alpharubicon.com/bovstuff/offroaddrive1schtoo.htm)

http://www.lieblweb.com/offroadtips.html (http://www.lieblweb.com/offroadtips.html)

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Offroaders_Checklist.htm (http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Offroaders_Checklist.htm)

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16 (http://www.toyota120.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16)

http://www.offroaders.com/info/winterdriving.htm (http://www.offroaders.com/info/winterdriving.htm)

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/eventcoverage/131_0809_perfecting_your_off_road_driving_skills/index.html (http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/eventcoverage/131_0809_perfecting_your_off_road_driving_skills/index.html)

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/131_0808_rock_crawling_spotting_hand_signals/index.html (http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/131_0808_rock_crawling_spotting_hand_signals/index.html)

http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Safety/10SafetyRules.html (http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Safety/10SafetyRules.html)

http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/technique/spotting99/ (http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/technique/spotting99/)

http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/UserManualSRC.US.readers.pdf (http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/UserManualSRC.US.readers.pdf)

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/brandnew4x4wdrivers/a/OffRoadEtiquett_3.htm

Note: a very great deal of information is available on all of these links. Please take a moment to visit them.