Many people buy trucks and SUVs that come ready to hit the trails. But for intrepid adventurers, nothing beats the thrill of making their factory truck or SUV uniquely their own.
Functional upgrades like spray-on bedliners serve a practical purpose, while other enhancements such as LED lighting, UTV Whip Flags, or a suspension lift kit add a unique visual appeal.
Custom Seats
We often take seats for granted, but they play a serious role in both comfort and safety. Sitting for extended periods of time in an uncomfortable seat can cause back pain, and poorly designed seating can leave you vulnerable to injury during four-wheeling adventures. High-tech off-road seats offer comfort and ergonomics that make for a more enjoyable ride, while quality restraint systems help offset fatigue and deter injuries during sudden stops or rollovers.
Whether you’re slalom, autocross, dirt track, road race or drag racing, the right seat can mean the difference between winning and losing. FIA-approved bucket seats provide the support and position you need to maximize your performance while avoiding back strain and fatigue. Different designs feature adjustable features like lumbar support to customize fit and positioning.
Unlike traditional suspension seats, these seats mount to the factory seat mounting tabs on your vehicle’s frame. That means they install in a fraction of the time and are less expensive to maintain. You’ll have more space behind your seat to install an auxiliary cooler, which is handy for keeping drinks and snacks cold during long drives.
Auxiliary Lights
The rugged terrains and unsurfaced roads of off-roading require a powerful, high-quality light to illuminate the way. LED auxiliary lights, which are available in various brightness and beam pattern options, can be mounted to the front or rear of a vehicle to improve visibility when driving off-road. In addition to enhancing a vehicle’s aesthetic, these lights also help increase safety by allowing off-road enthusiasts to spot obstacles or pedestrians on the trail and avoid collisions.
Choosing the best off-road lighting system for your vehicle depends on your individual preferences, as well as the type of off-roading you plan to do. For example, if you’re planning on exploring rugged terrains and unsurfaced roads at night, you’ll want to choose an LED light that can be used for both long and short distance illumination. This means looking for a model with both spot and flood beam patterns, as well as a variety of power levels to ensure you have enough illumination to tackle any adventure.
When evaluating auxiliary light kits, you should always consider the product’s construction and IP rating for water and dust resistance. Also, since off-road lighting systems will be subjected to a lot of vibration and shock while traveling over rugged terrain, it’s important to opt for a sturdy LED kit with a strong, reliable mount.
Some off-road light kits come with a mounting base, while others allow you to mount them wherever you want on your vehicle. The latter option can be more convenient, as you don’t have to worry about drilling into your vehicle’s bodywork. Additionally, these light systems tend to be more affordable than installing a full off-road LED light bar.
Auxiliary lighting kits are available in a wide variety of designs and configurations, so you’re sure to find one that matches your vehicle’s style and personality.
Regardless of which off-road light kit you choose, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding their usage on public roads. This way, you can be sure to use them responsibly and safely on the road and respect other motorists’ privacy.
Suspension Upgrades
There are dozens of suspension upgrades available for your offroad vehicle, ranging from a basic lift kit to a more comprehensive suspension system. You can find kits by reputable brands such as Fabtech, Pro Comp, and Rough Country that are designed to provide maximum clearance and articulation while improving ride quality on-road and off.
When it comes to suspension, there are two important factors to consider: ride height and ground clearance. A suspension lift raises your truck or SUV by suspending the frame, engine, body, and powertrain above the wheels. This increases the distance between the bottom of your vehicle and the ground, allowing you to clear taller tires and overhanging obstacles with ease.
A sway bar is another common suspension upgrade, which reduces the amount of movement your suspension makes as you drive over rough terrain. These bars are often made of urethane and use a series of springs to create a stable and controlled feel on offroad tracks. They are popular among 4WD enthusiasts because they can help to stabilize your vehicle when you hit bumps or holes in the road.
Other suspension upgrades include coil springs and heavy-duty shock absorbers. These replace your original components and improve performance, articulation, and load-carrying capacity. Coil springs are a popular choice because they offer better articulation than leaf springs. They also increase ride height and allow for larger, more aggressive tires. Heavy-duty shock absorbers are a must for offroading, as they are specially designed to handle the demands of rough terrain.
Suspension upgrades can make a big difference when it comes to your offroading experience, but it is important to consult professionals before changing your suspension. When done incorrectly, a suspension change can have negative consequences such as uneven load distribution, poor handling, and unsafe operation.
Other things to keep in mind when choosing a suspension setup are the off-road intensity you will be doing and your load requirements. Mild trails may require a different setup than extreme rock crawling, for example. Additionally, if you are towing heavy trailers on a regular basis, you should select a suspension system that can accommodate this weight.
Wheels & Tires
When it comes to modifying your offroad vehicle, there are a number of key components that must be considered and carefully selected. The first is the tires, as they can make or break how well your vehicle performs in a variety of offroad situations.
Unlike regular passenger car tires that are designed to grip a relatively smooth paved surface, off-road vehicles need special tread patterns that can handle a variety of challenging terrains, including dirt, gravel, mud and snow. Some of the most popular options for offroad vehicles are all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, which have deeper and wider grooves that allow them to provide superb traction in the aforementioned conditions.
Other options for offroad drivers include running larger tires, which can improve the appearance of your vehicle and increase ground clearance while also improving traction. However, it is important to remember that larger tires can cause your ride to become unbalanced, which may result in a lack of control and potentially damage your undercarriage. Therefore, it is recommended to only use offroad tires that are specifically designed for your vehicle.
As for wheel selection, off-roaders are often interested in upgrading their factory wheels to larger ones that offer a more aggressive and rugged look. Some even opt for a lift kit, which raises the body of their offroad vehicle one to two inches higher than the factory configuration to provide better clearance when crossing difficult terrain.
Many offroaders also choose to run a different type of wheel, such as steel or aluminum. Steel wheels tend to be more durable and cost less, while aluminum wheels are lighter and offer a greater strength-to-weight ratio. However, when choosing a wheel for your offroad vehicle, it is important to know that its load rating must match or exceed the load rating of your tire.
If you are looking to upgrade the capabilities of your offroad vehicle, speak with the person from whom you bought it or a high-quality mechanic about some of these additional options. They can help you select the best equipment for your specific vehicle and explain how each will impact its performance.
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