Want to try 4x4

[James Morse]

Does anyone know are there any roads/trails near me? Closest I know is up towards New Castle.
Else I'll just find a dirt road somewhere but that's not much of a test.

 

[Blmpkn]

Does anyone know are there any roads/trails near me? Closest I know is up towards New Castle.
Else I'll just find a dirt road somewhere but that's not much of a test.

A quick Google of 'Virginia off road parks' came up with quite a bit. I'd just pick the closest one and go check 'er out.

There's usually all sorts of stuff for various levels of vehicle capability and likely someone to give you a tug if you manage to get stuck. Added bonuses to supporting a local business AND supporting your local 4x4 scene.

 

[Blmpkn]

Extra EXTRA added bonus of probably being able to buy a sticker from the off road park and slapping it on your rear window to increase street(trail)-cred.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Dip your toes in first before you go flat out. If your a newbie to offroading you can quickly get in over your head.

By all means have fun...just...use your headu

 

[97RangerXLT]

yeah go to a local ORP. I would find a buddy to go with you to help get you unstuck if need be, and even better have another buddy with his own rig and some basic recovery gear wheel with you. Going alone will probably be the time where you do need the assist out of some hole or off of a rock.

And remember the cardinal rule of driving to the Off Road Facility: "This is your ride home, doofus, don't do anything stupid"

And if we got to Attica Indiana for the 2023 TRS Trailride again, then you got a whole group of people to help you out and generally have fun with.

AJ

 

[James Morse]

It's great!! Wildlife Mgt area real close.

 

[sgtsandman]

A gravel road isn’t off roading. Time to step it up rookie!

 

[James Morse]

Well I know. Just remember a) this is a brand new vehicle to me and I just got done doing rad etc all seems to check out ok but not trying to beat on it and b) I never had a 4x4 vehicle. But it's a lot like having a Saab that has more clearance. It seems heavier but if Saab is 3500 lbs that's not much off the XLT.

There's another thing here and that is the truck's raison d'etre is to get places I couldn't get to in the 2wd. There are tons of roads you can go up and they get rougher and rougher. I never even thought about doing it as a sport. I mean, it's fun, but I see it right now as more a means to an end rather than an end itself. I suppose that could change.

I don't think I'm ever going to want to, like, beat on the truck. It's actually one of the nicest vehicles of any kind I've ever owned and that's perhaps a downside that it's sort of a princess. But it's like people always say, it just depends what do you want to do with it? So mine is daily driver but I know I can go a lot of places I couldn't in the B3 2wd.

I'm intrigued about the parks because I've never heard of these being common.

I'm going to get the 31" tires and I'd like to swap out the front/rear bumpers, just thinking about exactly what I want there. Almost for sure would go to AOR. Most extreme would be add a prerunner bar with a light bar. I don't know, but I think the aftermarket bumpers would give me the look and functionality I want with hitch front and back if I can do it and the D-rings and a way to mount the winch front/back. I think then I'd be done. At least I try to convince myself of that.

I think the truck is set up well enough for anything I'd be likely to attempt - anyway - at some point it doesn't matter what you have it gets impassable.

Speedo reads 4 to 5mph high per gps, at 60mph. That means going to larger tires will make it more accurate. If you can trust the GPS. I did a few readings - at 40mph it's 3-4mph high. So that sounds about right because it'd be proportional, I think.

Truck drives smoother on the highway after rough road, I think it loosened things up a little.

 

[Curious Hound]

Truck drives smoother on the highway after rough road, I think it loosened things up a little.

Plus, it's the immediate comparison. After an hour of bumping g along forest service roads, you get back to pavement and (unless it's full of potholes) you think " Oh. This feels nice!"

 

[Uncle Gump]

AOR has 15 percent off for black Friday sales event...

 

[97RangerXLT]

you definitely should bring it to a TRS or Curious Hound trail ride. Like you I don't want to beat on mine too much but I do want to enjoy the 4x4. you will be surprised at how much your stock Ranger is capable of.

AJ

 

[sgtsandman]

Most of us are using the same truck to get there and get back home. So we don’t get crazy but you’ll be surprised what the truck can do and not beat the snot out of it in the process.

 

[Josh B]

Looking very cool James

 

[Blmpkn]

There's quite a large gap between gravel roads and 'beating on things' territory, in my opinion.

When I took my truck wheeling at jericho mt state park in NH there were quite a few 3 wheel moments, a couple frame scrapes, and I gave at least 2 of my brand new 280$ a piece wheels some rock-rash.. I never felt like I was beating on it.. but I was being mindful & taking it easy.

If I were to try to do those same trails at an average of 5 mph instead of the 3 mph i did though... THAT would of beat some stuff up.

Idk how close you and eric are geographically.. if you two are close enough mabey you could bring him some steaks and a new dog toy and he'd take you out for the day

 

[Blmpkn]

3 wheeling seconds before some frame scrapeage lol.