How To Get Ready for 4×4 Off Roading in Utah This Summer

Getting Your 4x4 Vehicle Ready for Offroading

Ensuring Your 4x4 is Safe

Always consider safety first. We recommend ensuring you have solid recovery points installed on the front and rear of your rig. On the back consider a Class II or III receiver hitch. Here’s a checklist of safety gear to ensure you have on every offroading trip: recovery straps, two bow shackles, a fire extinguisher, a tool kit, a spare parts kit, a compressor or CO2 tank, a reliable winch, and a winch mount.

Choosing the Right Tires for Offroading

Having the right tires is key to your off-roading performance. While we always recommend bigger tires you will need to work within any of the limitations created by the lift and gearing on your vehicle. For Utah’s variable terrain of slickrock and sandy dunes we recommend rock tires for overall versatility. Be sure to consider lifts while deciding on tires- they are dependent on each other.

Balancing Lift Height With Safety & Practicality

When choosing your lift you will need to consider your tire choice and vice versa. These two are influenced by each other, therefore you will need to ensure proper compatibility before choosing. Many offroaders love the look and style of an immensely high lift but you should note that with many things in the 4x4 world, there is a balance here as well. If you lift your vehicle too high you can sacrifice ride quality, safety, and stability.

Gearing

Getting your vehicle back to stock gearing can take a bit of work, research, and some math. This is very important to ensure your vehicle is operating as it should. We recommend doing a bit more research on your own regarding this, as there are many things to consider.

We’ll help you get started with the basics. In general, you’ll need to change your axle ratio to suit your tire size. This is done by utilizing the equivalent ratio formula.

The Equivalent Ratio Formula for 4x4 Gearing Modifications

The Formula: New Tire Diameter / Old Tire Diameter X Original Axle Ratio = New Axle Ratio

Traction

You should have a traction aid in one or both of your axles. If deciding between the front or the rear, choose the rear axle. We recommend using a true locker or tight limited slip. Make sure to avoid factory or aftermarket slips as they won’t be of much help.

Tire Pressure

Proper tire pressure for the conditions is paramount to good traction, flotation for sandy areas, and a smoother ride. In general, you can reduce tire pressure (from the recommended amount on your tires) down by 25%.

Equipment Load

Make sure you have all the gear you need and not the extra gear that you don’t. If your vehicle is too heavy you will need more traction and will be more likely to sink in softer grounds such as Utah’s sand dunes.

Shocks

Consider quality adjustable shocks so you can set them up for the needs of your offroading trip. For Utah’s rocky areas we recommend a softer setting with more flex for example.

Engine

It is best to tune your engine for lower speeds and ensure it has a clean air filter with an effective cooling system.

Choosing the Right 4x4 Offroading Vehicle

Vehicle Dimensions

Typically in offroading, the smaller the dimensions of your vehicle the better it will perform. Look for a vehicle with short rear overhangs, steep approach angles, and plenty of open space underneath.

Vehicle Weight

In general, we recommend lighter vehicles over heavier ones. Lighter trucks or Jeeps will have better overall traction and flotation in addition to using less power.

Wheelbase

Choosing the right wheelbase is a balance between performance and stability. Look for a vehicle with a wheelbase of around 90-100” for the best balance. In vehicles with shorter wheelbases there will be less stability, and in ones with longer wheelbases, there will be less clearance and approach angles.

How Modifiable is the Vehicle?

Some 4x4 Jeeps and trucks are fairly easy to modify, while others can be quite difficult. If you think you’ll want to install extra features on your 4x4, consider purchasing a vehicle that makes this easier and/or less costly to do so. High-tech customizations can be particularly troublesome in many features- be sure to do your research before you decide.

Aftermarket Popularity for Customizations

Essentially, the more options you have from reputable aftermarket manufacturer, the better off you will be. If there are few options for some of the performance upgrades you want such as suspension, drivetrain, and recovery parts then you may end up spending more money on expensive one-off parts. In addition, these parts often haven’t been extensively tested in the market and may leave you being the guinea pig when a one-off part fails.

Recommended 4x4 and Offroading Trails in Utah

We’ve organized some of the top rated and most interesting 4x4 trails in Utah from the easiest to the hardest. Find more information on these trails at Trails Off Road.

Easy Offroading Trails in Utah

Cane Wash – Green River, Utah

Adams Corral – Providence, Utah

Tower Arch – Moab, Utah

Comb Ridge – Bluff, Utah

Ruby Christensen Well Site – Springville, Utah

Millville Canyon – Millville, Utah

Easy to Moderate Offroading Trails in Utah

Mary Ellen Gulch – Alpine, Utah

Forest Lake – Highland, Utah

Moderate Offroading Trails in Utah

Fins and Things – Moab, Utah

Moderate to Difficult Offroading Trails in Utah

Top of the World – Cisco, Utah

Mineral Basin – Highland, Utah

Let Your Local AAMCO Utah Help Get Your 4x4 Ready

Let your local AAMCO Utah take a look at your 4x4 Offroading vehicle for you. We are happy to check your system and performance any necessary alterations if needed.

Stop by one of our  ten AAMCO Utah locations for an assessment of your vehicle today.  Here at AAMCO we do it all-  brake repairs , transmission services , and more – contact your local service center or schedule an appointment online via the form below.

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