Gear

When building your truck or Jeep, there are a variety of suspension options to choose from. One of them that is seldom overlooked is what type of coil spring you’re going to get. Coil springs (aka helical springs) can be manufactured different ways, affecting the way they perform. There are two basic types that we refer to in the off-road world: linear rate (aka single-rate) springs and progressive rate (aka variable rate) coil springs. You can get variations of both from multiple manufacturers

If you are the kind of person who spends every weekend, holiday, and vacation going off-roading, you are probably familiar with what gear is needed for a successful trip. However, if you are new to off-roading or have been prone to unfortunate mishaps, you may be curious about what essentials to take when you head out. Fortunately, there are quite a few tools and accessories that you can bring along that will increase your off-roading enjoyment and minimize the amount of time you spend stuck in

The Mint 400, or as they like to call it, “The Great American Desert Race,” is one of the most popular desert races for American spectators to go out and watch.  It’s easy to see why: no international borders to cross, grandstands and safe viewing areas all over the course, and Vegas as the quintessential backdrop. You haven’t experienced offroad trucks until you’ve taken in a field of the world’s best racers and their incredible machines under the lights of Fremont Street in Las Vegas.  So w

For any trail worth exploring, you’re going to want to air down your tires when you get to the dirt.  Most of us are driving to the trailheads though, so when the adventuring is over for the weekend, you’re going to need to air back up.  Thanks to years of experience in offroading and overlanding adventures, we know how to choose the best way for you to do just that. Check out our eight favorite picks for the best ways to onboard air for your offroad rig: Air Tanks CO2 Air Tanks CO2 air

By Jerrod Jones If you've got a solid axle and links in the front of your 4×4, then you can benefit from upgrading your track bar. While new adjustable track bars are included in most link suspension systems for Jeeps and trucks, a stock a leveled truck can see the same benefits, too. A Track Bar was previously known as a panhard bar or J bar to the old school 4x4 crowd but that term has become uncommon. Don't be confused by sway bars, traction bars, they are not a track bar and are very d

Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the gorgeous state of Oregon, where the offroad trails and beautiful mountain views call your name. Bennett Pass As it turns out, the Oregon Trail isn’t just a cheesy video game designed for 90s kids throwback memes.  And the Bennett Pass will get you onto a stretch of this long-storied pioneer trail. At a little ove

Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the state of Colorado, where there are mountain views like nowhere else in the good old United States. Yankee Hill / St. Mary’s Trail About two hours outside of Denver in the Roosevelt National Forest, you can pick up the Yankee Hill trail.  Yankee hill is a fairly technical trail, so you’re going to want a small

Where to go? Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Starting with our home state of Washington, we’ll show you all the best trails near you, wherever you are. Walker Valley At about 3,200 square miles, Walker Valley is perfect for a weekend of offroading, and it’s pretty central in the state, about 70 miles north of Seattle.  Most of the trails are rated for moderately diffic

Where to Overland for Maximum Adventure If you’re just getting into offroading, you’ve probably heard a lot about overlanding.  If you’ve been in the game a while, you’re definitely aware of it. Overlanding can be really cool.  At its core, overlanding just means you’re relying on your own rig and what you have with you for an adventure, usually for longer than a couple of days.  Overlanding is offroading for the adventure of it, not necessarily for the most challenging trails. In this articl

Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going Next If you’re just getting into offroading, you’ve probably heard a lot about overlanding.  If you’ve been in the game a while, you’re definitely aware of it. If you’re aware of it, you’ve probably cracked jokes about the new breed of hipster overlanders.  We get it; we’re not exactly innocent. That doesn’t change the fact that overlanding can still be really cool.  At its core, overlanding just means you’re relying on your own rig and what you have wit

When you add larger tires, you can be guaranteed that your braking performance is going to be diminished. The inertia created by the increased mass of the tire, along with the larger diameter, requires more braking power to do the same amount of work. And so, you have a choice: You can ride around with worse brakes, making you and everyone around you a little less safe, or you can add some better brakes. The best plan: An entire brake package upgrade that includes larger calipers and rotors.

Our Favorite Places to Offroad in New Mexico Once you’ve got your truck together, and the trails start calling your name, where do you want to go?  In this series, we’ve done the research for you. Today, we’re looking at the state of New Mexico, where there are mountain views like nowhere else in the good old United States. Rio Bonito Rio Bonito trail is located about an hour and a half west of Roswell, just outside of Alto.  The trail is short, at just 3.7 miles, and most trucks wil

It’s about that time of the year -- the weather is finally starting to cool down, and the desert trails are looking appealing once again. The desert is a unique world all its own though.  How can you be best prepared to take on the desert trails? We’ll tell you all our best tips - check out part one here! Run Some Preseason Maintenance Even if you’re a slacker who can’t be bothered to do basic maintenance and checklists before each time you head out for the trails, make sure you give your

By Grafton Pannell, OPP Ambassador Over the years I’ve had a lot of 4WDs. I first got addicted to Toyotas via Land Cruisers and I’ve never really looked back. Right now I’ve got a 2000 Toyota Tacoma that I’m in the process of building alongside Offroad Power Products. A few of my favorite parts we thew on are a Warn VR Evo 10 S winch, KMC Roswell 720 wheels and Baja Designs Squadron Sport lights. Oftentimes with a rig like mine it feels like progress comes with one step forward and t

So, what is a MAXTRAX Recovery Board? The MAXTRAX recovery Board is an anti-skid traction plate designed to extract or recover a stuck or bogged vehicle in a safe, simple, and quick manner. The technique is fairly simple: Clear the sand, mud, or snow from the front of one of the stuck tires using the shovel-shaped end of the MATRAX. Once the area in front of the tire is clear, wedge either end of the MAXTRAX firmly against the tire’s tread face. Apply the same technique to the other tire,

Tired of the usual flavorless freeze-dried camp food? Try this simple and delicious Asian-inspired recipe. These salmon cakes are ideal after a long day on the trail or while out camping. Only taking a short time to make, while still taking your camp kitchen skills to the next level. Perfect served with rice and vegetables of your choice.  Recipe Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 min Feeds: 1-2 people.  Makes 2 Salmon Cakes Ingredients: 7-

Camping with dogs is a lot fun for human and canine alike. All it takes is a little planning, some common sense, and the right gear.  Dog Camping Best Practice Don’t leave a dog unwatched at a campsite: It’s not only potentially disruptive for other campers, but it could also endanger your dog if wildlife wanders into camp.   Pack Ample Water. Your dog camping kit should include a lightweight/collapsible bowl for water. It’s smart to carry a dog-specific water bottle too.  Use d

Nothing brings people together like a great meal cooked outdoors. Get ready for your next adventure with these camp kitchen essentials. Tembo Tusk Skottle Originating in South Africa, a skottle is a large, circular cooking disc traditionally used straight over a fire. Tembo Tusk’s modern take on the Skottle adds the convenience of a gas canister and legs. If you're unfamiliar with the Skottle, think of a heavy-duty wok and you've got the basic idea. You can cook pretty much anything on

Get Ready for Springtime Off-Road Adventure  We all want to get outside more than ever. Winter is coming to a close. Spring is right around the corner. But when the opportunity finally comes, will you be ready? Don’t procrastinate. There’s no better time than now to go over your checklists, repair old gear, and update gear if necessary.  The following list of must-have off-roading essentials will guarantee that your next adventure is comfortable, fun, and trouble-free. Bubba Rope Tow

As Father’s Day approaches, children and spouses will look for ways to show their love for the dads in their lives. If your dad is fond of his Jeep, why not give him a gift related to his favorite off-road vehicle? Read on for five Father’s Day gift ideas for your Jeep dad. Jeep JK Grille One item you could give your dad is a new Jeep JK grille. A new grille has the potential to add a unique, aggressive look to your dad’s vehicle while also providing protection against the hazards one may enco

You love your Jeep, and you can make modifications that fit your personality and give you more advantages. These include lifting your Jeep, which will allow you to drive on larger wheels and get more ground clearance. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of this process and determine if it is really worth it as a Jeep owner. What Are the Benefits of Lifting My Jeep? You will enjoy many benefits after lifting your Jeep, including an enhanced appearance on the road. If you put larger wheels

Off-roading through rugged terrain can be a fun, exciting activity, but the debris you encounter can hurt your Jeep. Because of this damage, you will have to pay extra costs to repair your vehicle. Fortunately, you can avoid this by following these tips to protect your Jeep when off-roading. Inspect Your Tires One way to protect your Jeep is by inspecting your tires before you go off-roading. Examine them and see if you spot any areas of leakage or things stuck between the cracks that will cau

Spring is here, and summer is on the horizon. The weather will warm up soon, making it a good time to take road trips in your Jeep. Don't hit the road without properly preparing your vehicle. Read below for tips on how to prepare your Jeep for a summer road trip so you can have fun and stay safe. Inspect Your Tires One of the most important things you need to do before hitting the road is to check your Jeep’s tires. You don't want to travel a long way and experience a blowout you could have ea

At the very front of a Jeep sits one of the vehicle’s most iconic parts: the grille, which helps create the “face” of the vehicle. Behind it lies something that helps ensure the vehicle stays running: the radiator. If you have ever wondered about the partnership between these important components, read below as we explore the relationship between grilles and radiators. What Do the Grill and Radiator Do? Before discussing how the grille and radiator work together, it is important to define each

If you are a new Jeep owner or soon to become one, you’re probably familiar with the rules of the road. However, there are other rules you may not know about—the unwritten rules Jeep owners should follow. Read below so that you’re not out of the loop when you hit the road in your vehicle. The Story Behind the Wave A well-known, unwritten rule that Jeep owners should follow is “the Jeep Wave,” which involves Jeep owners giving each other a wave to show respect. There are multiple theories about

After a fun off-roading adventure, you should perform some maintenance on your Jeep. That’ll ensure it’s ready for whatever you plan to drive through next time. Here are tips for maintaining your Jeep after off-roading. Wash Your Jeep One thing you’ll want to do is to clean your Jeep thoroughly. Not only will you make it look shiny and new again, but you’ll also cut down on the debris and dirt that can damage your Jeep. Make sure you take the time to wash the undercarriage and the engine compa

As people have become more concerned about the impact of their vehicles on the environment, electric and hybrid vehicles have become more commonplace in our society. One company that is moving with these changes is Jeep, which is taking steps to meet environmental concerns without sacrificing vehicle performance. Read below to find out how the rise of electric vehicles is changing Jeep products. Jeep’s 4xe Hybrid Technology One way that the rise of electric vehicles has changed Jeep products i

Fans of the Ford F-150 love the vehicle for its combination of capability and function. But drivers also appreciate that the vehicle gives them opportunities for customization so that they can add their own touches to the vehicle. Here are five modifications to make to your Ford F-150. Make Your Grille More Aggressive One modification you can make is the addition of an Armor Grille with LED Off-Road lights. The grill conveys a mean expression that will add to your F-150’s aggressive appearance

One of the most recognizable features of a Jeep is the seven-slot grille at the front of the vehicle. This feature has caught Jeep fans' eyes and intrigued them with its rich history and mystery. Read below to discover what's so special about the Jeep's seven-slot grille. The Origin of the Jeep The birth of the Jeep begins at an important point in world history: World War II. The car companies, Willys-Overland Motors and Ford, manufactured the Willys MB and the Ford GPW Jeeps, which acted as w

If you own a Jeep Wrangler, you likely have a lot of pride in your vehicle. That pride inspired the design of the Jeep Gladiator truck. As a Jeep owner, you may be on the lookout for additions that will enhance its look. Here are four must-have exterior accessories for your Jeep Wrangler. LED Fender Side Marker Lights One accessory that will add to the look of your Jeep is a set of LED fender side marker lights that display an amber turn signal. They will add an element of coolness to your Jee