ramhacker
Junior Member
I'm getting into offroading for the quasi-first time... Tl;Dr - I'm wondering what are the absolute essential equipment upgrades and carry-ons that I should get for the RAM to do some lighter offroading.
I say quasi-first because I drove off road for years as a park ranger and also even in construction in the past.... But not with MY vehicles...
So, that being said, I've recently purchased a 2017 RAM 1500 SLT 4x4 and want to take it on some "lighter" offroading adventures.
I envision driving down off-road trails, maybe some dirt, sand, occasional mud. I'm not yet planning to do any type of rock crawling...
What are the essential upgrades and equipment you'd suggest both on the vehicle and to carry in the vehicle for a beginner?
My RAM currently has 4 coil springs in the suspension and it also seems to be lifted higher than the non 4x4 models. I've put a truck tool box on it, tint, a hitch receiver which I have a ball and hook attachment for (for recovery if need be), and I recently ordered tow hooks that I'm going to install when they come too.
I figure this will cover me in the event I get stuck, could at least get pulled out from front or back.
I also plan to put most likely aggressive A/T or maybe even M/T tires on it, and air them down prior to going over anything that will cause low traction. I have 17" wheels, but I've heard sometimes you want smaller wheels and larger tires for off-roading.
I also plan to carry a snatch strap or kinetic rope, I already have tools for the truck in the toolbox, and bunch of other hitch/strap/emergency related accessories.
Any other recommendations? Probably the area I know least about are the tires... I've heard M/T can be horrible for sand, and that sometimes bald tires perform well on sand. Not sure what to pick and if there is a point in trying to change my wheel size.
Thanks.
I say quasi-first because I drove off road for years as a park ranger and also even in construction in the past.... But not with MY vehicles...
So, that being said, I've recently purchased a 2017 RAM 1500 SLT 4x4 and want to take it on some "lighter" offroading adventures.
I envision driving down off-road trails, maybe some dirt, sand, occasional mud. I'm not yet planning to do any type of rock crawling...
What are the essential upgrades and equipment you'd suggest both on the vehicle and to carry in the vehicle for a beginner?
My RAM currently has 4 coil springs in the suspension and it also seems to be lifted higher than the non 4x4 models. I've put a truck tool box on it, tint, a hitch receiver which I have a ball and hook attachment for (for recovery if need be), and I recently ordered tow hooks that I'm going to install when they come too.
I figure this will cover me in the event I get stuck, could at least get pulled out from front or back.
I also plan to put most likely aggressive A/T or maybe even M/T tires on it, and air them down prior to going over anything that will cause low traction. I have 17" wheels, but I've heard sometimes you want smaller wheels and larger tires for off-roading.
I also plan to carry a snatch strap or kinetic rope, I already have tools for the truck in the toolbox, and bunch of other hitch/strap/emergency related accessories.
Any other recommendations? Probably the area I know least about are the tires... I've heard M/T can be horrible for sand, and that sometimes bald tires perform well on sand. Not sure what to pick and if there is a point in trying to change my wheel size.
Thanks.