How To Prepare Your Jeep for Off-Roading
While Jeeps are highly capable vehicles that inherently have what it takes to tackle tough terrain, that doesn’t mean you should just head out on an off-roading trip without any preparation. Prior to hitting sandy, muddy, snowy, or dirt-covered trails, it’s important to take a few precautions to help ensure your safety and avoid vehicle damage. To learn how to prepare your Jeep for off-roading, continue reading.
Ensure Everything Is in Working Order
Prior to driving your vehicle to a remote location where it will be placed under more stress than usual, it’s important to make sure everything is in working order. Otherwise, you might find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down Jeep.
Some of the most important areas of your vehicle to inspect before going on an off-roading adventure include:
- The battery
- Fluids and fluid filters
- Belts and hoses
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
If you notice any issues concerning the above components, make sure to resolve them before off-roading.
Consider Decreasing Your Tire Pressure
Prior to going on an off-roading trip, many people choose to air-down their tires. Decreasing the air pressure in your Jeep’s tires will increase the amount of surface area that the tire maintains with the ground. In doing so, your Jeep’s traction will improve, and your risk of slipping or sliding will decrease.
If you choose to slightly decrease your Jeep’s tire pressure before heading out on the trails, just make sure to keep a portable tire inflator with you. That way, you can increase the tire pressure to the recommended level before driving back home on paved roads.
Adjust Your Jeep’s Suspension
Another tip on how to prepare your Jeep for off-roading is to raise your Jeep’s suspension. If you plan on taking on larger obstacles or scaling steep inclines while off-roading, adjusting your Jeep’s suspension can prove highly beneficial.
By lifting the suspension of your Jeep, you will be able to clear uneven ground more easily. In addition, you will decrease your risk of experiencing undercarriage damage. If you choose to lift your Jeep, make sure you’re aware of the laws and regulations in your area before doing so.
Remove Your Jeep’s Top
While everyone has their own preferences, many find that taking on the trials without their Jeep’s top provides a superior off-roading experience. If you have a soft-top, removing your Jeep’s top to enjoy the fresh air and an unobstructed view of the scenery is easy.
If you have a hard top, the removal process is a bit more challenging—that is, unless you use Top Lift Pro’s Jeep top removal tool. Using our innovative tool, Jeep owners can easily remove their hardtop without any help in just two minutes or less. To learn more about our unique product, contact us today.