Backroadranger

[Frenchy]

I definitely don't want that, and the truck will mostly see dirt, what would you suggest as an alternative?

Factory Ford Filter is going to be best for OffRoad Use. Later if you wish to change the intake design I would look into a Snorkel of sorts. That I am aware of you han get one from ARB, Dobinsons and Mishimoto. Since you also deal with snow you can also look into SnorkelUpgrade.com and get a Syclone PreCleaner. I have one of those on my 93 Pathfinder and it helps keep the intake clean and no worries with snow either.

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[Backroadranger]

Welcome to the forum from rainy Central California! I will throw in my 2 cents. I have thought about a tune, but the truth is, our trucks have quite a bit of power in their stock form. I have had the truck for a couple of years now, and since its my daily driver, there isn't motivation for me to do tons of mods to make it more off road capable, or performance enhanced. If I did, I would just pound on it and ultimately shorten its life and spend money fixing it. It is a fun little truck to take out on the beach and occasionally do fire roads with, which it was designed for. I had to ask myself a couple of questions - how much funds do I want to commit to it (remembering tax, licensing, insurance, gas, and maintenance counts too) and if I still have it in 5 years, what shape will it be in? If it's a second vehicle for specialized use, quite frankly, this truck wouldn't be the one I would buy. They are too much of a financial commitment upfront - I would buy a used Jeep or Tacoma and build it. I have had a few money pit hot rods and they are fun but ultimately a luxury.
On the other hand, if you live where all the roads are secondaries or dirt, and your job is made easier and more fun by modifying your truck, and those mods make your truck more durable to the elements, go for it! I live in the land of paved roads and freeways (mainly). Glad to see you finally joined and am looking forward to reading your posts.

I appreciate that, I'm in BC so lots of service roads, and I'm going to be using the truck as basecamp for wildlife photography wherever I can squeeze it into the bush near the wildlife I want to shoot.

 

[Frenchy]

Welcome to the forum from rainy Central California! I will throw in my 2 cents. I have thought about a tune, but the truth is, our trucks have quite a bit of power in their stock form. I have had the truck for a couple of years now, and since its my daily driver, there isn't motivation for me to do tons of mods to make it more off road capable, or performance enhanced. If I did, I would just pound on it and ultimately shorten its life and spend money fixing it. It is a fun little truck to take out on the beach and occasionally do fire roads with, which it was designed for. I had to ask myself a couple of questions - how much funds do I want to commit to it (remembering tax, licensing, insurance, gas, and maintenance counts too) and if I still have it in 5 years, what shape will it be in? If it's a second vehicle for specialized use, quite frankly, this truck wouldn't be the one I would buy. They are too much of a financial commitment upfront - I would buy a used Jeep or Tacoma and build it. I have had a few money pit hot rods and they are fun but ultimately a luxury.
On the other hand, if you live where all the roads are secondaries or dirt, and your job is made easier and more fun by modifying your truck, and those mods make your truck more durable to the elements, go for it! I live in the land of paved roads and freeways (mainly). Glad to see you finally joined and am looking forward to reading your posts.

Being in California is the biggest factor for you with all those things to consider. That said when it comes to making a vehicle more OffRoad capable, it really comes down to what the exact goal is. Even I have learned that it is possible to keep a vehicle as a daily while making it more cable for OffRoad, but there is a fine line for that. Once you cross that line it's no longer a practical daily.

 

[Backroadranger]

Factory Ford Filter is going to be best for OffRoad Use. Later if you wish to change the intake design I would look into a Snorkel of sorts. That I am aware of you han get one from ARB, Dobinsons and Mishimoto. Since you also deal with snow you can also look into SnorkelUpgrade.com and get a Syclone PreCleaner. I have one of those on my 93 Pathfinder and it helps keep the intake clean and no worries with snow either.

Good to know, looks like I might be changing to the ford performance chip and filter and getting an ARB snorkel.

 

[Frenchy]

I'm in Canada, this makes me think I should swap the k&n and racechip for the ford performance chip and air filter then add a snorkel

Just plan a trip LOL! Two or Three days to get there should suffice!

 

[Backroadranger]

Just plan a trip LOL! Two or Three days to get there should suffice!

Haha I'd love to, might have to wait abit though lots of other trips planned first ?

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I hope it's not garbage, originally I wanted the livinois but being in Canada this seemed to be one of the only ones I could find without the cost going through the roof. Though you have made me think I should maybe just switch to the ford performance tune.

I am happy with my Ford Performance tune. Its a great tune.

Really? Why would it compromise the engine with doing offroading?

I'm very green to doing this so have a lot to learn.

My thinking with adding the weight was to try and up the HP (intake and tune) and hopefully also help the fuel economy.
What would you guys suggest to help with that, snorkel and ford performance? Or something else entirely?

I know these engines have alot more capability then what they leave the factory with so I want to tap into that, if that makes sense.

Its less about the actual offroading and more about the dirt.

I have a snorkel and it really opened up the intake track. Your main restriction is that little mouth that leads from the front to the airbox.

 

[Bob902]

I went for wild peak at 4 255/80r17 should be going on this week.

I put Wildpeak AT4 on about 1000 miles ago. Really like them.

 

[Backroadranger]

I am happy with my Ford Performance tune. Its a great tune.



Its less about the actual offroading and more about the dirt.

I have a snorkel and it really opened up the intake track. Your main restriction is that little mouth that leads from the front to the airbox.

Which snorkel did you put on? Our summers are hot and very dry so lots of dust which is what got me thinking about a snorkel.

Thinking this is the way to go.

 

[Backroadranger]

I put Wildpeak AT4 on about 1000 miles ago. Really like them.

Good to know, I'm stoked for them.

 

[Frenchy]

Which snorkel did you put on? Our summers are hot and very dry so lots of dust which is what got me thinking about a snorkel.

Thinking this is the way to go.

My Ranger did not get a snorkel since it meet a horrible end with Ground Beef 2 years ago. That said my Pathfinder has a Air Flow and I added the Syclone from Snorkel Upgrade. Huge difference in filter cleanliness just from the PreCleaner.

Here is one filter from after the Pre Cleaner install

Here is one from before the Pre Cleaner

Mind you both are technically still good filters. It's the amount that is not hitting the filter any more that makes a difference. Also I never had an issue with snow here in Colorado

 

[Rinn69]

@Backroadranger -- Check out this video....it really puts how well an air filter works into perspective...

 

[BDUb]

I have used K&N filters on all my vehicles and never had any issues. I also have seen both for and against videos of these types of filters. There are videos that show the i take track after using K&N filters in the desert offroading. The K&N I take track was clean with no dust or debris. The human factor of not oiling properly is going to be the biggest factor. However, if oiled properly I see no issue with using a K&N. Also, it takes two seconds to swap a filter. I live in San Diego and have been hitting the desert my whole life. So far I have not had any issues with properly maintained K&Ns.

 

[Backroadranger]

@Backroadranger -- Check out this video....it really puts how well an air filter works into perspective...

Well guess I'm never ever going near K&N then.

 

[Backroadranger]

Small update on the build, away from filters ?
https://www.instagram.com/stories/backroadranger/3315050642426051183?igsh=MWg2b3UzYnMydmV1NA==

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