Off-roading is an extremely fun driving sport, and one that attracts more and more active fans with every passing year. The off-roading scene is a niche one but a strong one, with a powerful fun factor and an extremely strong sense of community. But preparing to drive offroad requires more than just a driver’s license. For one, your car needs to be offroad-ready. What might you do to get your car up to speed?
#1 – Don’t
Ok, we’re not being completely serious, but there is a grain of truth here. Before you make a single step towards converting your car for off-road driving, you need to think long and hard about whether it is a good idea in the first place. Some cars – let’s be real, the vast majority – are utterly unsuited for off-road driving, and making the changes we’ll examine shortly could render your car even more of a danger to you for this reason.
In order to drive off-road safely, your car needs to be durable. The bumps and shakes could rattle something vital off of where it should be, leaving you in serious trouble. The ideal off-roader would also offer significant and comprehensive control over traction, to help you adjust and compensation for soil, mud or gravel. Your vehicle should also have locking differentials, which allow you to force the same amount of torque through each wheel for better traction.
#2 – Change Your Tyres
Assuming your car passes the sniff test for basic off-road functionality, you can start making the necessary changes to facilitate that possibility. The most obvious change will be your tyres. Conventional road tyres are unsuitable for off-road driving, being less grippy on looser ground. 4×4 tyres offer deeper treads and more structural stability, enabling you to hit gravel, mud and other slippery conditions with greater speed. These tyres are also better at lower PSI than regular road tyres, which can give key traction benefits.
#3 – Add a Snorkel
Off-road driving can often put you in some hairy situations with water, whether puddles of ill-defined depth or full-on fjords to cross. These pose a serious risk to your vehicle’s engine, which can drown and die if submerged. This is where the snorkel comes in. Your car’s snorkel provides a clear path of air to your engine air intake, preventing the ingress of water and ensuring your engine does not choke as you tackle the water.
#4 – Change the Suspension
You might benefit from investing in some slightly more in-depth changes to your car, particularly if it is newer and less well-designed for true off-roading. A new, loose suspension system can help keep your ride smooth, while mitigating the damage done by steep drops and uneven ground.
#5 – Safety Equipment
No matter how perfectly well-equipped your car now is, you will need to stash some safety equipment in your cockpit for the worst-case scenario. This might be an emergency kit that contains a glass-breaker and seat-belt cutter, in order to free yourself with ease if your vehicle rolls. You should have a spare tyre and tools in your boot, as well as a first aid kit, warm spare clothing and blankets.
