That pickup truck that you have in the driveway now may not fare well in an off-road setting. After all, factory parts are hardly ever as tough as they need to be to take a beating even if they are affixed to a 4x4 vehicle. However, if you feel like your pickup could use a new off-road attitude and a few upgrades to be off-road worthy and capable, don't get too stressed out about the idea. You can easily take your boring pickup from completely basic to an off-road machine with just a few additions and extra auto parts.
Swap out your regular headlight bulbs for blue LED bulbs.
Those cool looking bluish headlights you see on some vehicles are more than just for aesthetic appeal. These bulbs are designed to provide even light that provides a greater perspective in dark places and even light up shadowed and shielded areas. By swapping your regular headlight bulbs for the blue LEDs, you will have a much easier time seeing clearly ahead when you are on an off-road path.
Give your truck a wider stance with wheel spacers.
There is no need to go all out and have custom axles built and installed to give your wheel base a wider stance; wheel spacers can provide you with the same effect without all the hassle or expense. Wheel spacers are steel rings that slip onto the axle bearing between the boot and the wheel itself, adding anywhere from just an inch to several inches of extra width to your existing axles. A wider stance means better traction when you are zipping around tight curves on rough terrain.
Add a push bar to your truck's front end.
Zipping through not-so-well-worn paths can lead you through some pretty tough brush, limbs, and thickets. The grill of a regular truck is not capable of withstanding such rough treatment without coming out on the other side with dings, scrapes, and scratches, but a push bar can change that. Push bars are made of stainless steel and installed on the front end of your truck for protection.
Install a tow hook to make sure you are rarely truly stuck in an off-road situation.
Having a tow hook installed beneath the undercarriage of your truck means one thing: in a sticky situation, your buddies on an adventure with you will not have a hard time tugging you back to traction. Tow hooks can be situated under the vehicle, but can also be attached to your rear end or front bumper.
Share13 April 2016
Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.