[Sandman]

I've gone wheeling with some rigs that were in pretty bad shape and because of that, we had to do constant repairs to get through the trail. Since it seems that most people are on a progressive curve in the sport, there becomes a time when stock things need to be upgraded. I thought it might be a good idea to discuss what needs to be looked at and when.

I'll start it with the stock battery tray. When is it a good idea to upgrade to stock holdown to something better? Any other ideas?

 

[twistedjack]

Most people need to look at the cooling system that seems to be a major problem around here. I know of 5 rigs that had cooling problems on diffrent runs. :banghead:

 

[DougK20]

I am guilty of this, so I will speak up. I have had problems both with electrical and cooling systems. It's easy to get lazy about maintenance on these systems. But, it's amazing the problems they can cause on the trail!

 

[Sandman]

I think with the mass 4x4's out there, they are designed for street use with some towing and stuff thrown in. The rigs that are setup for extrqa cooling and like will never see the trail. Take my Dually for example, it has a huge radiator, auxilary electric fan, oil and even a power steering cooler. My light duty Blazer came with a radiator and it did have an oil cooler that leaked from the factory. Hardly enough for heavy trail usage.

I think yuo can only go so far in lift kits and bigger tires before other things need to be looked at.

And your right Doug, Cooling and electrical systems are the first overlooked untill it breaks on you. I have also been guilty of this.

 

[4x4Freak]

I'll start it with the stock battery tray. When is it a good idea to upgrade to stock holdown to something better? Any other ideas?

When the bailing wire rots in two. :mrgreen:


Another problem with the stock cooling system is that the majority of offroad trucks have engines that are hopped up a little and lower gears which raises the rpm level. Those two combinations can cause an engine to overheat pretty easy, I know from experience.

One of the biggest problems I've seen is people's rigging. They dont take the time or spend the money to build it right. Not only is it unsafe, but it's irritating when they hold things up because their junk broke. Honestly, I've done some rigging myself, but I atleast built it so that it will stay together.

 

[Sandman]

but it's irritating when they hold things up because their junk broke

This is true but I think some of that is also part of the learning curve.

 

[thedave]

sometimes it takes a wheeling trip or two to nail down all the weak points in a rig.

 

[Townsend]

This is a tough call and I think each individual truck manufacturer has their good and bad points. On my truck (Land Rover Defender) the battery tray/hold down is overbuilt for a M1A1 but the diff covers are paper.

Do I have diff skids? No. I'd be fawk'd if I punched one on a rock. Should I have them? Probably.

My problem with paritially completed projects, and this could be anything from gas tank hold down straps ( :finger: :rotfl: ) to electrical systems without tape, on the trail are when people build something stupid that even they know is stupid. The other is no spare or worse yet a spare in the wrong size.

 

[blt2krl]

I've gone wheeling with some rigs that were in pretty bad shape and because of that, we had to do constant repairs to get through the trail.

Damnit man why dod ya have to pick on me all the time... :finger: I personally have some work to do in keeping the beast running cool while crawling. Seems to be running alittle warm with 39.5 and 4.10's.

 

[Sandman]

Ha! :finger:

I think I was talking about myself. That last few trail rides are some of the first that I didnt have a major breakage of some kind. :roll:

The biggest thing that stopped the breaking was changing from 3:73 to 5:13 gears. Go figure. I have not blown apart a driveline or a transfercase adapter since.

I think its OK to have trail problems as long as its used as a learning tool and something is done to address the problem.

Nobody wants to be "That Guy"

 

[gripguru]

A prepared rig is very important, but my experience is that the driver adaptability is even more important. There a tons of parts that break that do not involve an unprepared rig, and the most important part of continuing the trail is the ability to make a repair. I have blown a rad hose in my blazer and repaired it with a bicycle tube and duct tape. Carrying tools is the most important part of wheeling to me. Spare parts for everything you could ever need is the 2nd most important.

The adaptability comes with the ability of the driver to use what they have to fix the rig... cause breakage will happen.


that being said:
driveshafts-mostly ujoints
batteries- carry jumpercables/boxes
overheating - carry H2O
tires - carry stem tools, tube, starting fluid, ratchet strap AIR (a spare is optional this way :finger: )
broken bolts - carry a bin of spare bolts and I always carry a cordless drill-with bits and easy outs - have used it almost every time out
x-case fluid
dif oil
motor oil

 

[Sandman]

I'll admit that I do not carry as much as I used to on the vehicle. Having a car trailor lets me get away with quite a bit as I always have a way home within a few miles usually.

I think its a good idea to have a cell phone or a CB of some type.

U-Joints, Fluids, Jack, some tools, tape and some wire would be bare mins.

 

[4x4Freak]

I think its OK to have trail problems as long as its used as a learning tool and something is done to address the problem.

I agree. Things are going to break, it comes naturally with the sport. But it's pretty obvious sometimes that someones booty fab isnt going to hold up or is dangerous.