How To Find Your Perfect Off-Road Ride

What are your off-roading goals?

When it comes to off-roading, no vehicle can do it all. From splashing through mud to crawling slowly over rock, off-roading takes all kinds of adrenaline-pumping forms.

When shopping, think about how often you hit the trails, dunes, or rocks. Do you off-road every day, or is it more of a long-weekend trip? Some vehicles are more effective for one style than another, so keep this in mind when hunting for an off-road vehicle.

As you begin your search, consider your bucket list items and top priorities. By focusing on bringing your dreams to life, you can find a vehicle that fits your one-of-a-kind off-road ambitions.

One thing is clear: no matter your off-roading style, adventure waits for no one, so you need a vehicle that can keep up with your action-packed days spent off-roading.

What to look for in an off-roading vehicle

Most vehicles aren't equipped for splashing through creeks or plowing through mud. For this kind of fun, you’ll need something heavy-duty and specialized.

To simplify your search for an off-road ride, we dove deeper into features that get vehicles ready for adventure.

4x4 drive

• 4x4 systems give you extra grip when you need it, keeping your ride smooth even on slippery or uneven surfaces like snow, mud, gravel, or sand.
• All four wheels pull their weight in a 4x4 system because power is evenly distributed throughout them.
• In a vehicle with 4x4 drive, the remaining two wheels can still keep the vehicle moving even if others lose traction and get stuck.
• 4x4 vehicles offer good stability and control, so you can navigate tough terrain like a pro.

High ground clearance

• Love the rush of driving over boulders? A vehicle with high ground clearance can rock crawl without a hitch over harsh terrain and up steep inclines without undercarriage damage.
• Ground clearance recommendations: 6-8 inches might be fine for easier trails, but 10–13 inches is better for steeper inclines.
• Higher ground clearance = bigger tires and better traction

Torque

• When a vehicle has more torque, its engine is stronger, and the vehicle can move faster.
• For off-roading, you want high torque with low RPM (revolutions per minute), as this helps vehicles maintain control even when moving slowly.

Locking differentials

• Locking differentials lock a vehicle’s left and right wheels together, forcing them to move at the same speed and giving traction a boost.
• With a locking differential, other wheels still get power and can keep a vehicle moving when one wheel gets stuck or loses its grip.
• You may choose to add just rear differentials instead of front and rear differentials, because these provide plenty of stability, and front differentials might make steering feel more difficult.

Suspension

• Suspension makes rides smooth by absorbing bumps and shocks.
• By absorbing the brunt of jarring bumps, suspension provides vehicles with better grip and overall stability.
• Suspension helps vehicles maintain contact with the ground, keeping them stable even on challenging terrain.
• For off-roading, you’ll want your suspension to both compress and extend at least 4” from normal height. 

Lights

• Bright lights enhance visibility in fog or low-light areas and open the door to late-night exploration.
• Off-road vehicle lights should have high beam distance, meaning the distance they can project light.
• Round lights, cube and pod lights, and LED bar lights can all help illuminate off-roading trails.

Off-road tires

• When shopping around for an off-road vehicle, you’ll want tires that can stand up to some wear and tear.
• That said, if you plan to use your off-roading vehicle as a daily driver, definitely consider all-terrain tires. All-terrain tires offer the best of both worlds, providing a smooth ride on and off the road.
• For a specialized vehicle that doesn’t see as much daily or commuting work, you might want more off-roading juice from your tires. If you plan on off-roading frequently, consider rugged terrain tires.

Popular off-roading picks

There’s no shortage of off-roading vehicles on the market. While some enjoy the classic build of vehicles like the legacy Suzuki Samurai, others love the modern features that come with newer rides. Here are a few fan-favorite SUVs that deliver nonstop fun.

Jeep Wrangler

There’s no other word for it: Legendary.

First invented in 1941 for military use during WWII, the Jeep Wrangler is now a go-to for off-roaders. Not only does it look cool, but it also has a 4x4 drive that keeps it stable. With its Jeep Rock-Trac® 4x4 System, the Rubicon model helps off-roaders stay in control while rock crawling.

The Rubicon is named for California’s Rubicon Trail, a famously challenging footpath named for a river Julius Caesar crossed to declare war in 49 BC. “Crossing the Rubicon” has come to mean reaching a point of no return, and today’s Rubicon drivers harness the same fearless spirit as Caesar when he marched boldly across the Rubicon so many centuries ago.

Toyota 4Runner

Behind the wheel of a Toyota 4Runner, you’re sure to explore like never before. Boasting a ground clearance of about 9.6 inches, it’ll conquer tough terrain without breaking a sweat (for context, that’s significantly higher than the 7.5 and 8.7 inches of ground clearance you’ll find on most SUVs). The 4Runner also includes a Multi-Terrain Select feature that lets drivers choose from four modes:

• Mud/sand mode: Maintains momentum, keeping vehicles from getting stuck in mud or sand
• Loose rock mode: Maintains traction, keeping the vehicle stable on stray rock and gravel
• Mogul mode: Enhances grip, helping vehicles climb slopes
• Rock mode: Enhances grip and control, allowing vehicles to crawl over solid rock

While the Toyota 4Runner always crushes it off-road, it’s also an outstanding pick for daily driving. This versatile SUV wows on trails and highways alike. 

Ford Bronco

Since its 1965 debut, the Bronco has been a rough and tumble mode of unforgettable off-road travel. With 13.1 inches of ground clearance, the Ford Bronco has no problem with nailing breakover, departure, and approach angles and avoiding undercarriage damage.

The Ford Bronco is built for adventure, no matter where you go. The Bronco can splash through creeks and rivers with ease because its water fording capabilities let it travel through up to 37 inches of water.

For extra off-road power, opt for the Sasquatch Package, which includes 35-inch rugged-terrain tires, advanced 4x4 drive with automatic on-demand engagement, and high-clearance fender flares, among other handy features. 

Common modifications

Don’t stress if you can’t find an off-road vehicle that checks off every box. With just a bit of imagination, you can make your dream off-road vehicle a reality. Here are a few common after-market modifications to consider:

Lift kits

If your vehicle is a bit too short for your off-roading lifestyle, a suspension lift kit can make a big impact. Lift kits enhance vehicle ground clearance, and most can raise a vehicle anywhere between 2 and 6 inches.

Suspension lift kits work by swapping out springs or shocks for longer components, adding extra height to help your vehicle navigate things like tree roots and stray rocks. 

Roof racks

Need more room for gear? Roof racks are a set of bars you can attach to the roof of your car for extra space. Campers and off-roaders love roof racks because they let you store extra gear, and that means extra fun.

If your version of off-roading involves camping (or even if it doesn’t!), a roof rack will let you carry items like tents and coolers along on adventures. 

Skid plates

Skid plates are basically armor for your vehicle, usually made of steel or aluminum. They also lower a vehicle’s center of gravity, enhancing stability and handling. As a small bonus, skid plates can even reduce the drag caused when air flows under a lifted vehicle moving quickly. This can improve gas mileage on highway trips.  

Mounted on the underside of your vehicle, skid plates protect the engine, transmission, and fuel tank from rocks, debris, and impact. This is a big deal because a ruptured engine or damaged transmission can spell disaster for off-roaders.

Off-road tires

Want better traction and more fun? Start by checking that your vehicle has the right tires. All-terrain or rugged terrain tires don’t come standard on all off-road vehicles, and adding them can heighten the experience. 

If getting messy in the mud is more your style, you can make off-road days even better by adding mud tires to the mix. These maintain traction even on slippery surfaces, so you can maneuver through mud without spinning endlessly in place. Most vehicles don’t come with mud tires, so aftermarket mods might be a better option than a vehicle’s original tires if you do a lot of mudding.

Winches

When an off-road vehicle gets jammed in the mud, the rest of your day’s plans can quickly get sidetracked.

A winch is a metal device that can solve this kind of sticky situation by hoisting your vehicle out of mud, sand, or snow. Once a winch is attached to a vehicle, you can yank yourself out of trouble by attaching its cable to a stable object (like a tree or another vehicle).

Winches can also help out fellow off-roaders, quickly turning you into a hero when someone’s vehicle gets trapped.

Off-road with Transwest

Ready to fuel your free-spirited shenanigans? You need a solid vehicle you can count on. With our wide selection of trucks and SUVs, Transwest has plenty of off-roading options to choose from. Swing by a Transwest location or view our online inventory before hitting the trails.