The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.
Car, Truck and SUV Forums at Roadfly
+ Bentley Forums
+ BMW Forums
+ Cadillac Forums
+ Chevrolet Forums
+ Ferrari Forums
+ Jaguar Forums
+ Lamborghini Forums
+ Lotus Forums
+ Mercedes-Benz Forums
+ Maserati Forums
+ MINI Forums
+ Porsche Forums
+ General Discussion
+ Marketplace Forums
Additional 4x4 advice (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ X5 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by ScottC on February 04, 2002 at 08:49:28:

In Reply to: 4x4 advice (LONG) posted by Imola Red M on February 04, 2002 at 00:34:33:


... Generally there are a few things everyone agrees upon as needed and they are...
1. Good recovery points...
2. This can be part of item 1. But vehicles with a box frame are much better than uni-body vehicles. You have a good place to anchor recovery points on a box frame. No matter how good a uni-body is like the X5 it will not hold up off road for long. Just ask any Jeeper about the JGC.
3. Live (solid) axles...
3. Transfer case. You need a low range gearing for use off road...
4. Suspension...

Since it was brought up, I should comment on the statement regarding JGC (Jeep Grand Cherokees) and recovery points. I have been wheeling a '94 JGC off road for 8 years and I have never had a problem with the uni-body construction and towing someone's truck or being towed myself. My class III hitch integrated into an after market Tomkin rear bumper is as strong a tow point as you could want. The two tow points on my ARB front bumper are also more than adequate and I've even helped LR Discos out of trouble. 8^)

Additional off roading needs:
1. Rocker panel protection. This is the area under the door frames on each side of the vehicle. They will get badly beat up very quickley without additional protection. I use "Rock rails" which are constructed of iron and are riveted to the body. There are many other alternatives.
2. Skid plates. These are very tough steel plates that protect the underside of your rig.
Generally they protect the radiator, transfer case and transmission, and the fuel tank from jagged rocks, etc.
3. Appropriate tires. There are many types suitable for various off road challenges. A good all purpose tire for most trails is the Goodyear MT (mud terrain). I'm on my third set and they have served me well for extreme rock crawling as well as mud wallowing.

For any one interested a lot of off road action
can be found on my Jeep Grand Cherokee web site...see link.



Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ X5 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.
Roadfly.com Logo © 1997 - 2009 Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.