Ill chime in/

Proper recovery gear. I dont know how many times weve come across stuck or broken people on the trail that just didnt have the right stuff.

Hookless tow strap or 2 (not a chain), a hi-lift (can be used as a winch) , proper tow points!!!!! spare tire, Shackes. prybar, tools, fire extinguisher, air comressor...im sure theres more,

Heres one of our outings, were using the hi-lift to pull flashkl out of a little soft spot. Im in the brown sweatshirt/blur jeans opperating the hi-lift.





That whole area was super swampy. What a long day.

Honestly to start off-roading you just need to go!! after your first couple trips youll figure out what you need.

 

 

Air compressor. There's something I need. I have a tire patch kit and 2 spare tires, but no air compressor.

As for regular maintenance items that may need replacing after 250k, where's a good place to get heavy duty parts? I'm thinking tie rods (i think mine are stock off the assembly line) and things like this. Are off-road tie rods from places like chaosfab or wherever better than OEM? And what makes them better than OEM?

 

Are you tied off to the tow ball?

 

Good point

 

Muddpig- negative. Shackled to a class 3 hitch! Never pull off the tow ball!!

 

A locker has been on the to do list for ages. I had a thread a while back with some questions I couldn't find online. I think I settled on the ARB locker, but definitely won't be doing the install. I'd take it to a shop or anyone local willing to do the install.

 

I didn't think you would. Looked like a swampy mess by the pics.

 

I just put my tow hooks back on the front of my truck. They were off for a bit while I tried to fit a grill guard on the front end. I Have a small problem. One of the bolts for the smaller hook will not catch the first few threads and won't go in. I know this is way off topic, but I need a few suggestions (other than chasing the threads). Are the bolts on the body especially difficult to thread back in place? Any methods that could help get it back in place? (wd-40, grease on bolts, etc...) It doesn't look like the threads are stripped and the bolt is fine. In fact, both bolts are fine and neither one will thread in.

 

Go to your local hardware store, in my case lowes, and find a longer bolt. I had the same problem.

 

Why a longer bolt? I can't even get the first bit of the bolt started.

 

Sorry, misread your post. On mine the bolt was only catching by a thread or two so it wouldnt hold any torque. Thats what i thought you meant

 

Try cleaning the bold ant the hole with a wire brush. Might just have dirt in there. However if the thread are bent or damaged, a tap an die might be your only option.

 

I think this whole thread can be summed up by RE-RE's sig

 

Because thats whats all about!

I got it off a Petersons Ultimate adventures dvd. haha.

 

you should check out the "Tread Lightly" site if you plan to offroad on public land. The more people who get into the hobby the more important it is to use common sense and off road in a manner that keeps trails open.

 

Good point muddpig. Also check out your local clubs. Most of the time (at least all the clubs around here) dues go towards preserving trails for the off road community and raising general awareness about proper off highway travel.