crawler#976

Thanks to Chris V @

AZ Rockcrawler

His trail rating system is one of the best I've seen, and it has good pictures of what they look like from and Aridzona perspective.

Later

az4x4runner

Nice page, the pics help a lot

Flygtenstein

It wouldn't load for me, but I think trail ratings are often purely silly.

In the Well's book that I have, trails are rated at easy, moderate and difficult. Easy is carable, moderate is stock 4wdable and difficult starts at needing a locker and ends with needing a buggy.

As far as I am concerned, it should go as follows.
1-Passable in stock 4wd, low range needed

2-Stock height with one locker needed, body protection would help

3-Atleast one locker and sliders, some lift needed. Aftermarket bumpers may help. Steep hills and off camber

4-Two lockers needed, no stock bumpers. Sliders and skidplates are mandatory, at least 33's on regular rigs, bigger preferred. Steeper hills and more off camber. Lower gears

5-Lockers, at least 35's, winch, no fear of massive destruction. Must have big brass balls or no brain to drive. Complete faith in rig and spare parts galore. Still steeper hills and likely 3 wheel motion, maybe 2. Lower diff gears and crawler.

5+ Bring a buggy, don't bother with sheetmetal

Any climbers out there? Doesn't the scale go 1 to 5 with like 5.5 or 5.12 increments?

crawler#976

here's the text- he breaks the system down by weight.
Try his site again, he may have been doing some updates.
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1.0 Rated Trail
Improved dirt road
Small (0-2500lb)
Medium (2500-4500lb)
Large (4500+lb)

Passable by most two wheel drive vehicles. Passable by most two wheel drive vehicles. Passable by most two wheel drive vehicles.

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2.0 Rated Trail
Unimproved dirt roads. Potholes, minor wash outs, medium sized rocks and mud holes. Higher ground clearance helpful.

Small (0-2500lb) Stock 4x4

Medium (2500-4500lb) Stock 4x4

Large (4500+lb) Stock 4x4

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3.0 Rated Trail
Difficult Trail. Loose gravel, large pot holes, steep inclines, medium sized rocks, 4 wheel drive required, aggressive tread and lowered tire pressure helpful. See the list of recommended parts to carry.

Small (0-2500lb) Hi-Lift, 30" Tires, Roll cage

Medium (2500-4500lb), Hi-Lift, 31" Tires, Roll cage

Large (4500+lb), Hi-Lift, Nerf bars, 33" tires, Roll cage

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3.5 Rated Trail
Hard Trail. Same as above. Some rocky sections, go arounds at major obstacles. Body damage possible, mainly rocker panel or rear quarter panel.

Small (0-2500lb) Upgraded bumpers (Useable as a hi-lift point, Nerf bars, Skid plates, 31" Tires, Rear locker

Medium (2500-4500lb) Upgraded bumpers (Useable as a hi-lift point), Nerf bars, Skid plates, Hi-Lift, 32" Tires, Rear locker

Large (4500+lb) Upgraded bumpers (Useable as a hi-lift point), skid plates, Rear locker
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4.0 Rated Trail
Moderate rocky trail. Frequent ledges, crevices, large boulders, steep inclines and off camber situations. Body and or tire damage likely. Spotters may be needed for some obstacles. Low tire pressure required, good chance of loosing a bead. Possible component breakages.
Small (0-2500lb) Front Locker, T-Case Skid Plate, Lower Ring & Pinions, 32" Tires, Recommend spare axles, Recommend spare steering parts, Wider than stock track width

Medium (2500-4500lb) Front locker, 33" tires, Upgraded axles, Lower ring & pinions, Transfer case gear reduction (w/ manual transmission) Winch, Recommend spare axles, Recommend spare steering parts

Large (4500+lb) Front locker38" tires Beadlock rims Upgraded axles Lower ring & pinions Transfer case gear reduction (w/ manual transmission) Winch Recommend spare axles Recommend spare steering parts
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4.5 Rated Trail
Hard rocky trail. Same as a 4.0 but the obstacles are bigger, tighter squeezes and bigger risks to body and mechanical components. Few bypasses if any. Longer wheelbase vehicles may have problems with breakover angles, short wheelbase vehicles may have to use a winch or strap on some obstacles. Large vehicles will damage sheet metal. Spotter may be needed for all major obstacles. Rollovers possible. Plan for common component breakages (vehicle specific).
Recommend at least 10" under the differentials or lowest point on axles.

Small (0-2500lb) Winch, 33" off-road tires (Swamper/Bogger/MTR), Upgraded Axles, Aim for a 90:1 Crawl ratio w/ stock motor, Source for on-board air, Beadlock rims, Flexible suspension

Medium (2500-4500lb), 35" off-road tires (Swamper/Bogger/MTR), D44 or better axles, Source for on-board air, Beadlock rims, Flexible suspension, Wider than stock track width

Large (4500+lb), 40" off-road tires, (Swamper/Bogger/MTR), D60 or better axles, Source for on-board air, Flexible suspension
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5.0 Rated Trail
Extreme rocky trail. Same as a 4.5 but the obstacles are bigger, tighter squeezes and bigger risks to body and mechanical components. No bypasses. Body damage guaranteed. Spotters needed for most of trail. Rollovers likely. Some obstacles may require a winch for larger vehicles. Trail may be impassible when wet. Plan for major component breakages.
Small (0-2500lb) D44 or better axles, Remove all unneeded body parts

Medium (2500-4500lb) 38" off-road tires (Swamper/Bogger/MTR), Transfer case gear reduction (w/Automatic transmission), Remove all unneeded body parts


Large (4500+lb), Transfer case gear reduction (w/Automatic transmission) Some obstacles may be impassible.
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5.5 Rated Trail
Insane trail. Same as a 5.0 rated trail except all of the obstacles are bigger. Constant spotting required, vehicles will get hung up frequently, undercarriage will catch rocks. At some point a winch will be required to support the full weight of the vehicle.

Small (0-2500lb) 35" or better tires, Change of underwear

Medium (2500-4500lb) Change of underwear

Large (4500+lb) Change of underwear, Trail may be impassible

.

azredliner

Here's one we came up with...
http://www.yuma4x4.org/trail-ratings-h7.htm

It's very simple and descriptive.