The suspension is one of the most integral parts of a true off-road vehicle. It must flex, twist and conform to the various contours of the ground, to ensure that the tires are in contact with terra-firma whenever possible. Stock suspensions are a compromise between cost and performance, and quite often, they are designed solely for on-road applications. A properly designed and installed suspension will not adversely affect the on-road experience, but will instead greatly enhance the vehicle's off-road ability, and therefore, your ability to go where you want to.
Body Lifts - The body lift is an inexpensive way to gain tire clearance. It should never really be used on its own, as it does not improve the vehicle's ability to maintain traction the way a suspension lift does. However, when combined with a good suspensions system, the body lift can allow for greater axle/tire movement (often called 'articulation'). The greater the articulation, the greater the vehicles ability to cross rugged terrain without tipping over.
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This is the part of the vehicle that everyone likes the most, and truly, tires are a very important part of an off-road vehicle. Tires and wheels can be purchased in all shapes and sizes, and it is important to fit your specific application with the best setup. Ill fitted tires (read: too tall, way too aggressive tread) can adversely affect on-road performance, and that can quickly become a safety issue for you and your passengers. However, larger tires with more aggressive tread patterns can allow a vehicle to claw it's way through obstacles that look almost impassible. Again though, it is important to install systems together, and to properly get the benefits of better tires, a true off-road suspension should be installed in conjunction.
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Think of your bicycle when you think of gearing. When you go uphill, you shift gears to gain mechanical advantage over the tires and continue along. A transmission works the exact same way, and is designed by automotive manufacturers to work in a specific way based on the vehicle's original purpose. As tire sizes are increased, the weight and outer diameter of these tires throws off these calculations on gearing and the gears in the axles of the vehicle must be modified to bring the drive ratios back to their original states. Gearing can also be modified to improve power at low speeds or give the vehicle 'crawling' ability, for slow speed, high power movements.
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Protection and extraction. Bumpers, skid plates and nerf bars, all of these give your vehicle protection from obstacles, especially ones that are more dense than your sheet metal.
Bumpers can serve multiple purposes, as aside from looking excellent on a 4WD, they also can allow for extraction from 'stucks', provide winch mounting points for self-extraction, or carry spare tires (full size off-road spares should NOT be carried on body mounted tire carriers). I should also clarify that the bumpers I am speaking of, are specifically designed for off-road abuse, not like the 'show-and-shine' pieces found at most auto parts stores. The 'show-and-shine' units look nice, but should not be used if protection is required, they will not hold up, and most have disclaimers on them explaining this. One last thing to consider is approach and departure angle, on-road we don't think about this much, but when coming down a steep bank, if your bumper is not designed for 'clearance' you can get stuck quite easily, a good time to break out that winch!
Skid Plates and Nerf Bars allow for easier vehicle access and protection to the undercarriage and body. If climbing over rocks or logs is in your game plan, you will want to upgrade your vehicle with some underbody protection to make sure nothing leaves your body panels looking like you've been in an accident or worse, emptying one of your oil supplies while you are miles out on a trail. Proper protection is a great advantage off-road. Click here to contact us
Once people start to get serious about their off-roading, they can end up over stressing the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) equipment. Remember, most vehicles today are designed for use on roads 99% of the time, and even when used off-pavement, most will only see a bumpy, gravel road. OEM companies know this, and design their products to suit. Once you start climbing rocks or rolling trails with bigger tires, you really begin to play at the limits of the OEM equipment. One common point of damage or failure is in the axles. Breakages internal and external are common, but with properly upgraded units, it is possible to 4wheel to your hearts content and not have to worry about how to tow your vehicle out of the brush. Axles can be designed for all levels of enthusiast and can provide for use of other improvements as well: bigger brakes, 4 wheel disc brakes (not common on 4WD applications), bigger tires, stronger driveshafts, and more. If you like that feeling of indestructibility, of being able to drive over or through anything that comes in your path, then I would strongly suggest ensuring that the right axles are under your vehicle before you head out.
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Lockers require their own section, as they are a topic unto themselves. Most people are unaware but OEM(original equipment manufacturers) purchased 4WD vehicles will not have all 4 wheels turning in slippery conditions.
Inside the axle pod of each axle is a differential. This unit allows the incoming motion of the driveshaft to transfer power to the two axle-shafts (inside the axle housing) that cause the tires on that axle to turn. Typically, in stock form, these units are setup with open or limited slip differentials, which are to perform 99% of their duty on the road. In this application they work very well, allowing the outer wheel to move faster than the inner wheel when cornering.
However, once taken off-road, this becomes a problem, the reason being that power is transferred to the tire with least traction. The 'limited-slip' differentials are slightly better than 'open' type, as they use a clutch pack to overcome this problem, however in slippery mud or with a tire lifted, the limited-slip unit will still provide power to the tire with least traction.
We can replace these factory differentials with a wide variety of aftermarket components that will rectify this problem. In the end, you will have a system that will allow you to use all 4 tires for traction, no matter if one is in deep mud or no longer in contact with the ground. These systems will keep you moving wherever you point your vehicle, and that can prevent 'stucks', body damage and ensure you get home safely.
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Along with the transmission, 4WD vehicles have transfer cases. Essentially, these are small transmissions that allow for two outputs instead of one……one to the rear axle, one to the front. A transfer case can literally make or break a 4WD vehicle. A strong T-case will provide years of tireless service and can ensure you make it home every trip, while a weak transfer case can be the Achilles Heal of your vehicle and leave your service when you need it the most. Transfer cases can be swapped, upgraded and adapted to fit almost any situation, so there is no reason to be 'left out in the cold', it simply needs to be examined as part of your 4WD system and made to be bullet proof.
Additionally, transfer cases usually have a low range or 4WD Low, which is a second set of gears in them that allows for high torque, slow moving situations. It is possible to change these gears in most units to allow for steeper gearing, and thus slower 'crawling' speeds, beneficial for climbing rocks and steep hills. The benefit of doing this in a transfer case is that the 4WD High and 2WD High settings are not modified, so your on-road driving is not affected at all. All the benefits, no hassles, too good to pass up? I think so!
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More power! Who doesn't want it? No one. The best way to get more raw power is to change engines. This is a major modification and should not be undertaken without a lot of forethought as other drivetrain modifications will also likely be required. Bigger displacement motors produce lots of power and torque, which is good for all driving conditions. If a new motor isn't in your budget, there are lots of ways to extract power from existing engines: new manifolds, better air intake systems, upgraded ignition, custom exhaust, changing camshafts. I love engines and engine upgrades, call me and we'll talk! Click here to contact us
Upgrading a transmission can be done for a couple of reasons: More gear choices or more strength. Sometimes overdrive is needed (read: 5 speed tranny) to not hinder on-road driving with off-road gearing, and other times, the stock transmission just won't hold up to that 300 HP motor we just installed for you. There is also the ongoing debate on auto vs. manual, and swaps can be performed either way. There are tons of options out there, and just like engines, tranny upgrades are very application dependant. Click here to contact us
If you are into off-roading then you should be into safety. Nothing will end your fun faster than a serious injury. Imagine how upset you would be if you damaged your vehicle in a roll-over, now imagine that you just broke your neck as well. Safety is key in any 4WD, due to their very nature, they are more top heavy than cars and must be driven with care at all times. One of the very best additions to any vehicle that you are taking off-road or lifting to stuff bigger tires under, is a roll cage. A properly designed and installed roll cage can save your life and the lives of your passengers. Stock cages (as in short body Jeeps) can be built upon to provide greater protection. You will not find a smarter way to spend your money than to install a roll cage in your 4WD.
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There are lots of body modifications that go more than skin deep. Extended fender flares for instance, can maintain compliance with local laws while giving your vehicle a much 'beefier' look. Add extra driving lights, trim body parts for better tire travel or ground clearance, add tool mounts, use stainless steel components to replace your old rusty ones, switch your roof system over to a soft system, or back to a hard system. All of these and more are examples of the type of body modifications that we can do for you to ensure your vehicle looks and behaves the way you want it to. Click here to contact us
Let's not forget who is in charge here…..you! Why upgrade your entire vehicle into a tremendous off-road machine and then ride all day in an uncomfortable old seat listening to an 8-track. Even the newest vehicles interiors can be upgraded for better sound, improved gauge visibility, and let's not forget, comfort. Keeping tabs on how your vehicle is doing is essential, most stock vehicles do not have the gauges necessary to do this, but they can be installed and made to look like they were installed at the factory. And don't forget yourself, a nice stereo system and a comfortable set of seats will make your experience superb and that's just the tip of the iceberg, give us a shout and we'll get started on ideas for your vehicle right away. Click here to contact us
