Even IF they MIGHT be strong enough, I would suggest investing in a beefy front bumper that's securely bolted to several points on the frame. Get some d-links and hook up your recovery strap to it via the d-link with the bolt of the d-link facing out.

High strain+Metal Parts=High Velocity Metal Parts=Pain and Gore

 

This is my '92 stock XJ...a slight incline...a little mud and a little snow. Fun! These things are sweet even stock, just do a little bit as you can afford it to make it more offroad friendly following the advise given my our cohorts.

 

don't turn going down hill , probe all holes for depth,don't go alone carry supply a day can turn into night. news paper for starting a fir and spare tire.don't ask me how i know lmao

 

Try to stay off trails that aren't designated wheeling areas. We've all done it before but tresspassing is a crime and people do get caught as tempting as it may look...

Always wheel with a buddy with another rig. That's the best advice anyone can give.

Always take some recovery gear. Hi-Lift jack with a tow strap and a tree saver is a great inexpensive alternative to a winch if a winch isn't in your budget yet.

Install a CB in your rig so when you do go on trail rides with a group, you can hear the trail guide talk. it's also fun to make fun of your buddies on the radio when they get stuck.

 

Bring a boy scout (vet or current) friend of yours. Whatever you forget for survival, chances are they have it.

 

there are so many things to do and not do...all of the previous advice is indispencable. take many things to heart and apply them to your individual wheeling style.


short storie time...i was wheeling by myself one time (bad idea) in my little suzuki samurai. great little rig but at the time i had no meats (specific off road tires), no winch (that would have saved me 250 euro), and i had not judged the area i was attempting to traverse with any intensity. getting stuck to the point that i had high centered myself by trying to rock it out was another kick in the jewles. so what started as a short, on the way home from work, romp in the mud, turned into a 4 hour lesson in ratchet strapping. after that i had to call my wife and explain the reason i was missing dinner with my mother in law(not that i really minded). 6 hours into this hole i was cold, wet, and friggn' pissed. . i called a tow and the guy came out at 1 am to assess the situation, in his volkswagen. i asked him what he was going to do with that. he just laughed and said he was going home and wanted to know if he could do the job...the next day. so what did i learn from this?: Tires are invaluable-if only i hadn't been running streets that day. winches usually help-where i was i only had anchor points behind me. friends WITH YOU are great-i called my buddy with a TJ, and at the time new baby, and i was too far at an hour away from him.

The moral of my story is this. what you got might not work all the time, but be prepared for it. learn from others mistakes and make your own too, they will teach you not to do that again. head the word of more experienced wheelers than yourself, because good advice is worth your weight in gold, and bad advice ain't worth $H!T

 

Reiterating what someone said about securely attaching your beefy bumbers to the frame of your vehicle. VERY important. I know a guy who thought welding his from bumper on would be fine. Bad idea lol he tried to pull his Old Dodge out of the mud with his winch, and SHUNK the winch took the front bumper right off haha. I couldnt stop laughing until i had to help him fix it later that night. So moral is attach tow points securely!

 

you live and learn. just use your head. you will learn your rig's limits and it will surprise you too at what it can do. i have yet to get it stuck since i tried getting it stuck last year when it was stock just so i could say ive gotten it stuck..haha

 

common sense, listen to the little guy on ur sholder, he wont lie

 

I would suggest maybe going with a vet wheeler on your first couple trips.

As for some basic wheeling advice:
Straddle the small rocks (as in will easily clear your axles and undercarriage)
Try to "step" on the larger rocks.
Straddle holes as much as possible (safety over convenience)
Stay on the high side of the trail
Stay out of ruts
Try to make each wheel hit a new obstacle individually (ex: hitting a curb at an angle instead of straight-on)

 

little guy tells me to go through the 4 ft mud puddle every time....and i do.

 

I ripped out my interior, sanded down the bed and laid dynamat up to the back seat support strut. I also detailed my interior. Unless I can come up with some watertight sealants around there (that still allow my door to open), I think I'll stick to rock crawling/adventuring

 

If you lift it high enough, water/mud won't be a concern. My ex tj was at 5" with 33's and i went through mud that deep without getting a drop inside...except when i left the drain plugs off...

 

This thing is my baby doll...and my DD.

 

Understood