Let's Go 4 Wheeling

As in any sport, 4 wheeling has various levels of play and a myriad of equipment. The participant can choose to stay at any level of accomplishment and know there is a plethora of trails at that level, at least in the west and southwest. The popularity of the sport has "raised the bar", so to speak, and competing at the upper levels is more exacting of drivers and equipment than it was 10 years ago! The rising number of after market suppliers attests to increased popularity and the equipment offered attests to "raising of the bar" of difficulty.

To start out you need to buy a 4 x 4 vehicle. You may not know to what level you want to play. Many people get hooked and end up at a higher level than they imagined existed - what fun!!! As in any sport, the participant as well as the equipment determine the level obtainable and the ease of playing. Don't sell yourself short by buying limited equipment. The field is dominated by jeep vehicles and a respectable percentage of Toyota's and Samuri's. Jeep probably has 80% of the market. Because of Jeep's position, there is a huge volume of after market products available for their vehicles. Toyota and Samuri are not lacking in this area though. Some of the less popular brands are fairly well represented by the after market suppliers also. Keep in mind that the cost of the vehicle is just part of the cost of the equipment. A Jeep T.J. with a 2" lift, 31" tires and a rear axle traction aid can do as much or more than most small 4 x 4's with the same amount of total $ spent. Plus the derivability (power and ride) are normally much better. The Toyota pickup and older land cruisers were in the same category as Jeep until the coil spring suspension on the T.J.'s came out.

If you move up to the extreme end of the scale you can start with any vehicle, as you will completely rebuild it to perform a specific function anyhow. The hardcore level is probably 90+% dominated by Jeep, for good reason. Most trails are traveled by a preponderance of Jeeps, were laid out and built (if necessary) by mostly Jeep owners, due in part to the fact that for many year Jeeps were the only game in town (or on the trail for that matter). Don't get me wrong, this is not a Jeep commercial, but you don't have to go on many trails to realize these facts. If you don't have a vehicle yet, ride with drivers of various brands on different trails of mixed levels of difficulty. Pick out your "vehicle of choice" and come along and enjoy! Remember - at least 50% of what the vehicle can do is dependent on the driver's skills. An amigo in the hands of a skilled driver can do more than a built Jeep in the hands of a poor driver, and do it safer. So get input from various people, sort out the wheat from the chaff, take a few test rides, fill'er up and head out.

P.S. Join a 4 x 4 club and get a concentration of like interests and information.

Revised: January 14, 2001