HAHA! Good times indeed, I drove the M113 many time in the Mech infantry, as for the M816 that was a workhorse but didn't hold a candle to the M88 VTR, that thing was a blast, thank you for your service also!!
So glad to hear someone else say this!
thank you and VERY sound advice !!After 6 months on this forum I can see that there are lots of potentially new off-road enthusiasts looking to get into Broncos! This is exciting and itāll be great to see the 4x4 community grow in general.
I also see lots of āwhatās this doā, ādo I need this or thatā type questions, so I thought I would lend my 2 cents on my general philosophy after having been heavy into off-roading the last ~15 years or so. With my below suggestions, I will assume that you may someday want to do some serious trails - not just gravel roads and an occasional mud rut.
In summary - Iām part of a Jeep Club and I CONSTANTLY see people buying expensive D44 crate axles, paying for lockers with install labor, etc., and generally speaking they always wish they would have just bought a Rubicon to begin with. It can eliminate a lot of headache if youāre think you might get serious. Starting with the best available hardware to begin with has a lot of advantages.
- Get a good driveline. The number one thing I want to tell you is that I believe it as FAR more advantageous to pony up as much money as possible to purchase the stoutest factory driveline that you can get in your rig - if you even remotely think you may wheel aggressively. Iām talking about making sure you spend your money on things that ARENāT easy to change or add on in the aftermarket / used market world.
- The prime example of this would be axles. If you think you will someday want to run 35ā+ tires, do everything within your power to get the M210 axles. An example of this in the Jeep world would be the Dana 35 axles - which are a serious drawback when one wants to get serious about wheeling. Especially with lockers.
- Which brings me to my next point - lockers! The #1 single biggest improvement I made to my ā79 Bronco was adding a rear Detroit-style locker. Itās simply AMAZING what happens when you get all tires turning in all conditions. Therefore - I HIGHLY recommend putting down the cash for lockers. Lockers are both difficult and expensive to add aftermarket. Adding a front locker also takes you to a whole other level.
- Transfer Case. Swapping or modifying transfer cases is VERY difficult post-purchase. Therefore - get the best transfer case you can afford. Specifically, lowest available gearing is what you are after. Secondary transfer case features like automatic engagement are also highly valuable, but may not be justified as needed on it's own (if it were separate from the gearing).
- Sway-bar disconnect. You NEED a sway-bar disconnect. You do NOT need the fancy-pants electronic disconnect Bronco offers as there will be aftermarket versions available cheap, but you cannot underestimate the value of this extra articulation. Adding an aftermarket version will likely be a nice intro to DIY vehicle modifications. Disconnects I think will be even more important with the Bronco due to the already lesser articulation compared to a solid front axle.
- MINIMIZE any lift that you add. Itās amazing how much fun you can have on a small lift and 35ā tires. You likely do not need >2in of lift in this Bronco to keep you happy and entertained for a LONG time. Honestly, I would recommend stock Badlands height and no lift for as long as possible. The primary reason for this is keeping your center of gravity as low as possible. High CGs equate to bad off-road handling. Good driving skills overcome lack of lift in many situations.
- You do NOT NEED BEADLOCKS! I regularly run 12psi in the rear, and 15psi in the front. This is plenty low to get adequate deformation of the tire (see above picture). I have only had 1 problem with unseating a bead, which was due to winch operator error (I winched myself sideways when it wasn't necessary). Until you're doing expert level stuff, save your money for those lockers
Important Contributions From Other Members (Paraphrased)
MIOBI (Make It Or Break It) - Knoxville, IA (private owned park)
- Trail Etiquette @Ramble_Offroad
- Never go wheeling alone
- Stay on designated routes
- Always pick up your trash
- Tread lightly
- Don't be an asshole
- Pay it forward
- Leave it better than you found it
- https://staythetrail.org/
- Wheeling Advice @Ramble_Offroad @Bronco @WillisCāonnors @BLTN @broncoenthusiast @BAUS67 @395N @pan-y-cerveza @RevealItAsap
- Understand and stay within the limits of your equipment and skillset
- Be realistic
- Don't let anyone (especially cute girls/guys) talk you into exceeding your limits
- Carefully select your line and read the terrain. Walk the critical sections first. Walking the next obstacle section of the trail is a VERY helpful.
- Too much throttle + hopping = broken shit
- Join a local club. They will have access to private wheeling ground you won't. Also a great deal of experienced people.
- Anticipate the effects of poor weather. A moderate trail can become nearly impassable after just a few minutes of rain/snow
- Don't be afraid to use it. Part of wheeling is occasional damage. Obviously don't trash your rig, but using your common sense know that damage can be fixed.
- Traction is everything. Minimize wheel spin wherever possible. Tire placement on obstacles is very important.
- Gear advice @Ramble_Offroad @Gr8Hortoni @Blksn955.o
- You NEED a first aid kit. It can be simple.
- Tire puncture repair kit & air compressor = gold
- Great way to pick up 4x4 chicks err I mean friends
- LOCKERS BEFORE LIGHTBARS!!!
- When the rubber meats the road, ONLY functionality matters.
- A blanket - girls love them and so do you
- Roll of toilet paper. Definitely necessary - keep a full roll in a plastic bag. Leaves or a sacrificial sock are your alternative...
Strike Ravine - Moab, UT
Iron Range - Gilbert, MN (Public DNR run park)
Ha, I grew up playing hockey and was... a goalie! I never once called myself a "netminder"...
If you didn't want the MGV, the Big Bend with locker could probably do the same for a couple grand less.
STOP RIGHT THERE MISTER!
Why not just look at the tires and do the math? Hopefully I'll do this right...Okay, I admit it. I don't know what the heck I am doing. I plead total ignorance, and I offer up my most humblest of apologies to the Bronco6g community.
But I will try to redeem myself! With HoosierDaddy's help, I can right this wrong!
Here are the tires. Help me dig my way out of this terrible mess I've created. Let me and everyone know, HOW TALL ARE THE TIRES?! HELP ME, BRONCO NERDS!
??
Not factory option, but on a badlands it should have clearance in stock form.
Cool. Thanks!
Yeah, my F250 has 33's (275 70 x 18) which look large, but not huge, on my F250, I think the 315's on a Squatch will be just too big. Being able to chain up is important to me and I'm not sure I could with that wide of a tire, I'd have to buy new huge, heavy chains for sure. My Rubicon has 32's which are probably about right. So my dilemma: Basquatch (get 33's later) or BB (32's, but not aggressive enough) with locker. I do like the lift of the Squatch, but like the narrower stance of the BB and it would be chainable (I think). Time to decideSo I was out today and ran across a Jeep Rubicon (4 doors) and a Ford Raptor parked next to each other. Looking at the wheels, I thought that must 33s on the Rubicon and 35's on the Raptor. I borrowed a tape measure and went back to the parking lot. Nope. The Rubicon had 31s and the Raptor 33s!
Man, there is no way I need 35 inch tires. The 33's on the Raptor looked massive. The 31's on the Rubicon looked plenty big and I liked the thinner look of the tire. And I can't imagine there is anything I want to do that that Jeep couldn't handle. I still may order a Badlands with 33's, but I'll be overdoing it for sure. Maybe I should downgrade...
This is all weird because I have 30" tires on my Xterra and they hardly stand out at all. Nobby tires and one more inch seem to make all the difference.
(Notice how in the third picture the Raptor tires actually look shorter than the Rubicon's. All in the perspective I guess.)
"NO SQUATCH FOR ME! " : )
