4 Wheel Parts You Need But Didn't Know About

off road suv driving through desert with dialog bubble that reads, honey, since you said we couldn't afford the lift kit did you remember to pack the axle lockers?

You've found all the 4 wheel parts you'll need but you might be missing something...

As soon as you get your first 4x4 you're going to want to put the right parts on it to get off road and start having fun with it. You'll also find some fun Jeep accessories and truck accessories too. Whether you want to go mudding, rock crawling or just have it set up for general purpose off roading there's a lot to do. Let's get the standard requirements for kitting out any kind of off road vehicle with 4 wheel parts out of the way first. 

Lift Kits

The lift is starting to lose its luster due in part to the "bro-dozer" otherwise known as a lifted truck/Jeep. You know what I'm talking about, you've seen the jacked up truck that's just too lifted. If the driver's serious maybe it's got some chrome blinging out the undercarriage too. For extra credit, they'll also have a train horn installed and will use it at will on unsuspecting drivers (sorry Nanna!).

All kidding aside the lift kit is going to get you that much needed clearance to prevent your undercarriage from being spread out across some hillside after you attempt a "sick crawl."  It'll also keep you safe from debris when going through mud or murky water. For the sake of time we're going to lump in the suspension here as well. What's the point of adjusting the ride height if your suspension is going to make driving feel like you're riding bareback down the freeway? 

Wheels/Tires

Once you have the lift kit, you've given yourself the clearance for the big tires as well. Giant tires allow you to clear almost any obstacle, beadlock those bad boys if you're serious about getting over difficult terrain. 

Fenders

Some people love to shave them down to nothing and some have to have even bigger fenders for legal reasons once they slap on the knobby tires. For those folks who are also owners of a Jeep Wrangler JK/JKU we have some great Jeep Wrangler fender flares to cover up that poke. They're made from T-304 stainless steel and feature a durable ABS stone guard and a faux carbon fiber skin. Want them painted? Just ask for a bare metal version in your order notes or place a call with sales (+1 813-644-3927).

Tune

If you want to mod your Jeep or truck you've got to keep in mind the forces at play. The factory tune does not take into account an increased ride height and weight of the tires and lift kits. The tune is important to make sure you have the proper amount of power and the right time. It's also crucial to make sure your transmission is geared for the off road activity you want to take on. 

GPS

You can't go too far off road if you have no idea how to get back. Finding the right GPS device for your off road adventures will insure you get back on time and don't have to play your own version of Survivor. 

Off Road Lights

I bet you didn't know this, but it's dark off road, like really dark. So dark that you'll ask yourself questions like, "Is that a snake, or just poop? But if it's poop what kind of animal pooped that!?" or how about, "Where's my damn flashlight?!" So in other words, you really need these, don't overlook a high quality set (or sets) of off road worthy lights. 

Winch/Bumper Combo

Make peace with this, you're probably going to get stuck or come across someone else who is. Do yourself and the other folks on the trail a real favor and get a winch. You're going to want the bumper upgrade for a solid place to mount the winch, not to mention it makes for one incredible looking front end. 

Axle Lockers

Why wrestle with your differential choices when you can apply and then remove axle lockers? They're great 4 wheel parts that helps get you out of bind and then can come off for tight turn capabilities. Most newer trucks have the ability to do this electronically.   

Skid Plates & Armor

Sometimes clearance won't matter and to deal with brush, debris and whatever else mother nature throws at you get some armor on the exposed parts of the paint and a skid plate for the essentials underneath to make sure you won't have an extremely expensive recovery and repair to take care of. 

Functional A/C Ducts

"Did he really just say A/C ducts for an 4 wheel parts article?!"

Yes, yes I did. Here's why. There are many parts of the world that are dry, dusty places. Beyond simply saying it'll get into your ducts and blow out onto you and your passengers there's a real medical reason you should always be able to close your vents before going top down and off road. 

Coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) are a nasty little fungi, that isn't at all fun, because it causes valley fever. These little fellas travel on the very dust you could be kicking up playing in the sand. The fungi is found all over dry arid regions like southern Arizona, Nevada, northern Mexico and California's San Joaquin Valley. It can also be found in New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Central and South America. While you might only end up with a cough or flu like symptoms, a much  younger or more elderly passenger can get very sick from this illness. (Breathing in a little dust really has hurt somebody, Kevin!) Valley fever can even turn into chronic pneumonia or meningitis. Talk about a raw deal just from taking the Jeep off roading. 

So make sure your vents can close and stay that way. If they're in working condition consider adding something to make it worth your while to close them. A Jeep Wrangler has the option to customize their interior with A/C Duct Trim Plates or even rear view mirrors for when the doors are off. Either way keep them closed when you're in parts unknown. Your passengers will thank you by not becoming deathly ill. 

a man seated on a hospital bed staring out a window.


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