How to prepare for a long-term overlanding expedition? There are no uniform rules or templates here, and it all depends on the goals and capabilities. The Indy Auto Man car customization experts prepared a list of the main upgrades that may be useful on off-road trips.
Before any preparation, it is worth considering all aspects of upcoming upgrades: calmly think and weigh all desires and needs, communicate with experienced travelers, decide whether a truck or SUV will best suit, and only then proceed to upgrade it to the tourist shuttle. Haste in preparation can lead to a decrease in the reliability of the units and unnecessary weighting of the vehicle.
Locks
Most 4×4 car owners believe that when all-wheel drive is engaged, all four wheels work and drag the car. But that’s not true. If the vehicle does not have differential locks or traction control systems, it has all-wheel drive only as long as all four wheels have a reliable grip on the ground. But when at least one of the wheels loses grip, problems begin. Hard differential lock reliably solves this problem. Especially off-road, when even the traction control system is powerless. This mechanism ensures a rigid connection of the axle shafts and rotation of the wheels in any situation. The same cars, in different configurations, may differ in off-road equipment. However, mechanics can install rear locks in almost any off-road SUV.
Iron
There is no consensus on the absolute benefits of iron. The main mistake of all those starting to build expedition vehicles is overloading and, as a result, reducing their cross-country ability. A car with all the 4×4 arsenal turns from a relatively light SUV into a heavy behemoth that gets stuck in every puddle. The experts offer the following sequence for building an SUV: external tuning, accessories, weighing, and suspension.
Front bumper
Monsters with heavy metal bumpers on their faces are gradually becoming a thing of the past, occupying the niche of motorsport. Because on an ordinary trip, no one will hit trees or rocks in Badlands Off-Road Park with a bumper. Think whether you need an additional two hundred pounds on the front axle. In the modern world, an iron bumper is most often an aggressive sign of superiority in tight city traffic jams.
Rear bumper
But with the rear bumper, the opposite is true. Almost always, the rear power bumper is equipped with a bracket for a spare tire that does not fit in its regular place. And in addition, you can place a second bracket on it – for canisters. In addition, they allow you not to bother with an additional tank and not breathe diesel fuel all the way.
Thresholds
Power thresholds are a must-have for those who love mountains, difficult off-road conditions, and serious obstacles. It is vital to protect the body, and most experienced travelers prefer to make this upgrade to their vehicles.
Engine protection
Driving without protection is not recommended even on city streets, and a self-respecting motorist needs to install it on the gearbox/transfer case. Skilled tuning centers, like Indy Auto Man, have long-established work with protection for steering rods and other elements, so most travelers should give it a go.
Additional tank
A standard SUV tank holds around forty gallons of fuel. Installing an additional one, made of stainless steel, will cost a lot of money. But a range of more than six hundred miles on one fill is a huge advantage. In short, additional tanks are now even made from plastic. It is worth looking at the options for the exact SUV model and deciding whether it is easier to tinker with cans or fill 45 gallons and boldly go to the wild.
Winches
Powerful winches today are used only by those who compete for cups in various competitions. An average traveler will be quite happy with a winch of medium power, with a synthetic cable and a block that will double its traction. Another very convenient accessory is the remote control. The pilot himself, while behind the wheel, can easily control the operation of the winch.
Suspension: shock absorbers, torsion bars, and leaf springs
Recently, most off-road drivers prefer to replace the standard suspension with a special one. At least a dozen companies on the US market deal with suspensions designed for different operating conditions: there is almost the same as the standard, reinforced one, or with increased load capacity, and even for cars hauling heavy trailers. Sometimes even advanced motor tourists use adjustable suspension on their SUVs because driving on hard shock absorbers is very uncomfortable in urban conditions.
Of course, the list can be expanded indefinitely – these are only basic elements. The main thing to remember is that something that will last for many years usually costs more, but it is worth it. Start traveling, and very soon, you will understand what you want to modify in your car and choose the experts to realize your wishes without compromising on your car’s safety.
