While large off-road vehicles are popular in many countries, few drivers actually get much opportunity to test out their full off-road capabilities. That is not the case in Australia, where there are vast uninhabited stretches of land which are ripe to be explored on four wheels.
However, because most vehicles will only be used on roads, this tends to be what they are optimized for when they leave the factory. Therefore there are a few upgrades you might wish to make if you are planning to take your vehicle off of the road and into the wilderness.
This little guide will explain some of the common off-roading upgrades that drivers make and why they make them.
1. Brake pads: Some extra stopping power is an upgrade that can help you both on busy city streets and out in the country. You probably won’t notice much difference in the former setting, but when your vehicle is heavily loaded up and you’re flying along the open road or an empty track, that is when you will notice the difference.
A strong new set of brake pads will help your vehicle to stop in an even shorter distance than usual, even with the added weight of all your gear.
2. Tyres: These can make an enormous difference to your off-road driving experience. Think about the kind of tracks you see on the machinery in fields and on muddy building sites. They’ve usually got large, deep grooves unlike road tyres. There’s a reason people driving vehicles in these environments every day choose these types.
Make sure to get a decent, durable set of off-road tyres, and ensure that your wheels are aligned properly when they are installed. If the alignment is off, the tyres will wear out unevenly and this can make your vehicle harder to handle.
3. Snorkel: If your off-road trip is going to take you somewhere with deep water or which is prone to floods, you might want to consider getting a snorkel fitted. This stops water getting inside the engine, but it has benefits in dry conditions too.
For example, some drivers upgrade their Toyota Land Cruiser with a 79 Series snorkel which improves the quantity and quality of the air reaching the vehicle’s engine by stopping dust and water from getting in.
4. Lift kits: Another useful way to keep water and dirt out of the engine and to keep things running smoothly is to use a lift kit. This boosts the height of your vehicle using springs so that the body of the car will be higher off the ground.
The type of springs that are needed depends on the weight you expect your vehicle to carry, so it is a good idea to estimate this first.
5. Coilover suspension: On the other hand, you may want to consider getting coilover suspension for your vehicle. This is a type of sports suspension which gives you as the driver a lot of control over how the suspension feels.
Driving off-road can be great fun, and these upgrades can make it even more enjoyable and safe. Remember to always pack some emergency kit and an offline map, and stick to permitted areas for off-roading.
