expeditionswest said:
For fun-
Hierarchy of overland needs for tractive/rugged track performance...
1. Tires (LT tires of appropriate diameter, tread design and construction.)
2. Winch
3. Rear Locking Differential (Driver Selectable)
4. Front Locking Differential (Driver Selectable)
Mr Scott, sir,
I'd like to respectfully amend your blanket statement as follows:
0. Experience driving your unmodified stock rig to learn it limits and capabilities. Too many people gear up right away with what is currently fashionable not knowing if the new gear will help or hinder. Get to know thy rig intimately. THEN and only THEN decide if you need to gear up beyond stock and know which vehicle parameters you wish to expand before spending any money on the gear de jour.
1. Tires (LT tires of appropriate diameter, tread design and construction.)
1.1 On board air so you can air up at the end of the trail or as needed then lots of behind the wheel time learning what the tyres do to your vehicle's limits at different pressures in different conditions on different materials. Sometimes airing down is better than having a locker and road inflated tyres.
2. Winch
2.1 go out and purposefully get stuck in different situations just to learn recovery skills. Learn what you winch can and can not do for you. Sometimes it is best to winch yourself over something you might be able to get through with lockers just to prevent a high probability of vehicle damage or undue damage to a delicate ecosystem.
3. Rear Locking Differential (Driver Selectable)
3.1 Go out and spend a lot of time driving those areas where you just could barely make it with an open diff and those that you could not quite make it. Try each open diffed then locked to learn what the locker can do for you and how an open diff can sometimes chew up the trail.
Beware a locked diff can become a crutch that masks poor driving skills. gain the skills before using a locker.
4. Front Locking Differential (Driver Selectable)
4.1 Go out and spend a lot of time driving those areas where you just could barely make it with an open front diff and those that you could not quite make it. Try each open diffed then locked to learn what the locker can do for you. And never forget a locked diff can be VERY hard on steering components, especially if you like to work the front wheels in the soft stuff.
And never forget, gear does not make up for lack of driving experience. Know thy rig and how to guide it through obstacles as damage free as possible. Any poser can spend lots of money for flashy gear and hang it on their mall terrain vehicle.