Off-roading order of operations

[Frenchy]

any off-roading I tend to do is pretty mild. I stay in 2wd until I start getting slippage. so on dry dirt roads, I'm still in 2wd, even if they're a bit rough, so long as traction is otherwise good. I'll only use 4hi if those same dirt roads are wet or if there are spots with lots of dry, loose sediment.

one exception is that I might use 4lo so I can coast down really steep (but otherwise mellow) dirt roads and avoid using my brakes.

when I need the traction, I'll use 4hi most of the time, only dipping into 4lo when I need to deal with chunkier stuff. one thing I noticed with the ranger is that in 4hi, there's a pretty sharp throttle response. this can result in some jerkiness as I try to find the exact speed I want to go over a section. using 4 lo here really smooths out the power delivery to the wheels, so small changes in pressure on the go pedal don't automatically mean big changes in power at the wheels. 4lo definitely smooths things out a lot.

where I'm driving, it's twisty enough that even if conditions are good, I'm not speeding along on big straights. I've gotta slow down to deal with turns. on the tighter 4wd stuff, that's even more pronounced.

one thing that's smart to bring in my neck of the woods is an ability to cut out a tree that's down over the trail. whether that's a chainsaw of some kind or a handsaw or whatever, it's a good idea. I already have a chainsaw, so I bring it along when I go out. some of the 4wd roads I've driven, I wouldn't want to be stopped by a tree and then be forced to drive in reverse down the stuff I'd already driven.

I wouldn't mind a nice ARB compressor and quality gear, but I don't go out often enough or deep enough to be able to justify that. I have a basic little electric pump and a basic tire gauge. I can air down and reinflate with those things. even if it might take longer to do so.

no traction boards for me, either. when I learned to drive off-road, I learned to throw stuff like sticks and rocks under my tires when I need it. and I've actually used that technique to get myself unstuck before.

For me I went with an ARB single compressor that is in the tackle box. Great compressor and actually worth it. I still have a basic gauge that can deflate the tires of course as it works fine. As for traction boards, I feel they are only truly needed in thick mud and Sand of things get to dicy

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[mtbikernate]

For me I went with an ARB single compressor that is in the tackle box. Great compressor and actually worth it. I still have a basic gauge that can deflate the tires of course as it works fine. As for traction boards, I feel they are only truly needed in thick mud and Sand of things get to dicy

yeah, I can't deny that I want one of those compressors. but there are other things that rate higher on my priority list.

 

[Shoran12]

For me I went with an ARB single compressor that is in the tackle box. Great compressor and actually worth it. I still have a basic gauge that can deflate the tires of course as it works fine. As for traction boards, I feel they are only truly needed in thick mud and Sand of things get to dicy

Man all you guys got me pumped to go out and do some exploring! This would be a cool hobby to get into since I have wanted to for years but financially wasn’t the smartest decision until now. Biggest thing was getting the truck lol.

 

[Frenchy]

Man all you guys got me pumped to go out and do some exploring! This would be a cool hobby to get into since I have wanted to for years but financially wasn’t the smartest decision until now. Biggest thing was getting the truck lol.

Its not just for trucks, but more for vehicles that are actually suited for the job. For me the first 4WD I had was a 1992 Nissan Pathfinder. I got it for my winter 4x4 here in Colorado. Of course I started to learn really quick that I was doing some dumb shit. I also learned that certain tires would not do what i wanted(or needed). Unfortunately got into a roll over with it. After that I got my 2019. I did quite a bit of OffRoad with that. Last year I bought my 1993 Pathfinder(better setup than the 1992) because I wanted another Pathfinder. Well this year in February I lost the Ranger due to a cow in the middle of the road. Now i use the Pathfinder and I am enjoying it more. Certain things I like about it more over the Ranger, that said there are things I liked about the Ranger over the Pathfinder. Each vehicle has Pro's and Con's.

 

[Frenchy]

The rolled 92

The 2019

The current 1993

 

[Frenchy]

Also remember that this is something you can get into slowly. Its always best to take a dive into the Offroad stock before making modifications to a vehicle so you know what you need to buy.

 

[maxbottomtime]

For high will be used anytime you are off road.

I'd encourage you to leave it in 2WD next time. 2WD cars are shockingly capable. I do a fair bit of mud, rut driving and 4WD is on maybe half of the time.

Now there's no harm in using and not needing, but... If you think you need 4WD the second you hit gravel I'd suggest you stick to pavement.

 

[Dereku]

I'd encourage you to leave it in 2WD next time. 2WD cars are shockingly capable. I do a fair bit of mud, rut driving and 4WD is on maybe half of the time.

Now there's no harm in using and not needing, but... If you think you need 4WD the second you hit gravel I'd suggest you stick to pavement.

2wd off road equals more fun too.

 

[Frenchy]

I'd encourage you to leave it in 2WD next time. 2WD cars are shockingly capable. I do a fair bit of mud, rut driving and 4WD is on maybe half of the time.

Now there's no harm in using and not needing, but... If you think you need 4WD the second you hit gravel I'd suggest you stick to pavement.

Its one thing to go onto a basic dirt road or gravel road if you have to inorder to get to your home or someone elses home. Its another thi g if you are going OffRoad on a trail. When going OffRoad as already specified it is best to go into 4WD. 2WD is for street, simple as that.

 

[Dereku]

Its one thing to go onto a basic dirt road or gravel road if you have to inorder to get to your home or someone elses home. Its another thi g if you are going OffRoad on a trail. When going OffRoad as already specified it is best to go into 4WD. 2WD is for street, simple as that.

The picture will be my light hearted way to say its not that simple. 6wd is a thing.

 

[Highlander]

It will not.

I abuse the shit out of my locker.

In fact quite the opposite. It will remain engaged under stress. Up to at least 80mph or so.

Wow! So does your disengage at all; and what speed, what driving mode? Are you talking about your Ranger? I've used mine at least once a month to ensure everything is still in working order, and to disengaged and re-engaged, when it should have according to the manual.

Frank

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Look for some local off-roading clubs and check out their social media pages - some are hardcore, others are not and they might have some meet ups where you can learn the basics while someone has your back. Family-friendly kind of stuff.

You and your kids will probably make some great friends at the same time. Good luck out there.

This
I joined a local club that wasn’t Jeep exclusive ( note: hard to find). Great family oriented group. I had limited offroad experience and they were extremely helpful.

 

[D Fresh]

Wow! So does your disengage at all; and what speed, what driving mode? Are you talking about your Ranger? I've used mine at least once a month to ensure everything is still in working order, and to disengaged and re-engaged, when it should have according to the manual.

Frank

For the most part it operates as Ford says it should.

However, there are times when having the locker on can be usefull for shenanigans. Wet pavement, snowy parking lots, controlled contests of speed in Mexico, etc.

The locker is not just a tool for traction, it is also a tool for hooning.

I've found that if you've got the locker on from zero and you put your foot in it all the way, the locker will remain engaged until you let off the throttle. No matter the speed.

Also, if you long press the locker button when driving above the speed threshold the locker will engage when you dip below it. Same for disengage. If it's on, and it disengages due to speed, a long press of the button will turn it off, it will not re-engage when you dip below the threshold.

I "test" my locker monthly too. Just a little differently.

 

[Shoran12]

Wow! So does your disengage at all; and what speed, what driving mode? Are you talking about your Ranger? I've used mine at least once a month to ensure everything is still in working order, and to disengaged and re-engaged, when it should have according to the manual.

Frank

So I don’t have the different drive modes in my truck but I saw this table when reading the manual and I took it as you only have a 5 mph range when in 4H for the differential to be engaged? Looks like with 4L it will engage the whole time. So seems like it’s only really beneficial in 4L. It would be hard to stay between 20-25 mph in 4H, especially if the terrain calls for a different speed. Or am I looking at this table wrong?

 

[D Fresh]

So I don’t have the different drive modes in my truck but I saw this table when reading the manual and I took it as you only have a 5 mph range when in 4H for the differential to be engaged? Looks like with 4L it will engage the whole time. So seems like it’s only really beneficial in 4L. It would be hard to stay between 20-25 mph in 4H, especially if the terrain calls for a different speed. Or am I looking at this table wrong?

Table is wrong/confusing

Locker will engage at any speed below 25. 2H, 4H, 4L, doesn't matter.

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