Has your 4X4 been a little noisier than usual? Have you noticed a wobble lately that wasn’t there a few months ago? Is your dashboard flashing warning lights? Don’t ignore these red flags! They may seem like minor inconveniences, but it’s your 4X4 telling you it’s time to visit us here at Axleboy.
I Haven’t Had My 4X4 Inspected In a Long Time
Offroading can impact your 4X4 vehicle’s chassis and suspension, and it’s not unusual for smaller parts, nuts, or bolts ...
One of the best parts about owning a Jeep or 4X4 is taking it out in the great outdoors with all your gear. Offroading and overlanding are fun ways to enjoy nature with your friends and family, but you should know a few things before heading out for summer 4x4 adventures.
Gearing Up for the Adventure
Take a look at your 4X4 or Jeep – you may already have what you need to get started.
Engine: Overlanding trips can be demanding on ...
You’ve bought your dream Jeep or 4X4, added some seriously cool mods, and now you’re ready to off-road – right? Wrong! Much like there are rules for traveling on paved roads, there is also off-road etiquette. Make sure you know the basics before you put tires to the dirt.
Do Your Research
Before you hit the trails, know where you’re going and how to access the land you’re traveling on. Research the area and understand the route you’re taking; there may be ...
It doesn't matter if your 4x4 has been holed up in the garage all weekend or you've been out enjoying the frosty trails – spring weather is finally here! Your vehicle is an investment, and it's essential to keep it well-maintained after every season of driving so you're not stuck on the side of the trail when you go offroading this year. Check out the spring maintenance tips for your 4X4 below!
Start With a Thorough Cleaning
Whether you're a DIY car ...
All you need is a single ride in a 4X4 vehicle to understand the appeal of owning one, but it's important for new 4x4 owners to understand a handful of essential tips and best practices before hitting the road.
Know Your Car
Genuinely get to know what your 4X4 is (and isn't) capable of, both on- and off-road. This means scouring the forums, talking to people who own the same vehicle, and reading the owner's manual. Take note of how much undercarriage ...
How long has it been since you replaced the tires on your 4x4? If you have a newer vehicle or one that’s new to you, likely, you’ve not yet had to replace them. Because the tires on your 4x4 are different from those on traditional cars, it’s important to do a little research before making a purchase – here’s what you need to know.
Stock and Lift
The right tires will not only maintain your 4x4 efficiency but will also protect the ...
Ready to start planning some entertaining winter offroading adventures in your 4x4 or Jeep? We have some excellent suggestions for you! We know our winter offroading destinations as well as we know how to mod and repair 4x4s and Jeeps, and we want to help inspire your next adventure!
St. Joe State Park
St. Joe is one of just two off-road vehicle parks in the Missouri park system and offers a variety of trails for a range of off-road vehicles (permit required). ...
Although the leaves are just now turning colors and starting to fall off the trees here in St. Louis, winter will be here before you know it. Even with a hearty 4X4 vehicle equipped with mods and upgrades to make winter driving safer, it’s essential to understand how to handle driving in winter weather.
If you remember anything about winter driving, remember this: avoid any abrupt turns, stops, and other potentially unsafe maneuvers. Below are some fundamentals on how to stay ...
When it comes to the vehicles we drive daily, it’s easy to tell when something could be amiss. It’s also easy to find a mechanic that can repair basic damage on a car that doesn’t do any offroading. However, 4X4 repairs are highly specialized and require an experienced mechanic to tackle the job.
Generally, 4X4 vehicles endure more damage than highway drivers based on the inherent nature of offroading. Owners need to follow the suggested maintenance for their 4X4 to lower ...
When it comes to buying or building the 4x4 (also known as 4WD) vehicle you’ve been dreaming of, it’s important to know about your options. From the history of four-wheel drive to the current 4WD systems in vehicles today, there’s a lot to unpack.
We couldn’t have said it better than Wikipedia when it comes to defining four-wheel drive (4WD):
Four-wheel drive, also called 4x4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axle vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all ...
If you’re new to the world of 4WDing or you’re just starting your research into which vehicle you’d like, there’s likely been some mention of approach, departure, and breakover angles. Sure, there are other specs that you should consider, but these three angles are crucial. They all determine how much traction your tires will get when you’re off-roading.
Think about driving your vehicle onto an angled ramp. At a certain point, the ramp will be too steep for you to drive ...
If you’ve been driving a Jeep, 4x4, or truck for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard about and maybe even experienced the death wobble. It’s not just the shake or shimmy of your steering wheels when you go over a bump, either. Death wobble is an uncontrollable shaking of your entire vehicle, during which it feels like the driver might lose control at any second.
If you dive deep into Jeep and 4x4 forums and websites, you’ll find that many ...
Has your 4x4 spent most of the time on the road? Are you ready to test it on the trails? If you’re planning your first off-road trip, or if it’s been a while since you’ve gotten some mud on your tires, it’s time to check out our off-roading guide.
Your off-roading adventures can be as tame or challenging as you want, from simple muddy trails to extreme rock crawling, but one thing remains the same about any trip you take: Safety ...
The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and before you know it, you’ll be hitting the trails in your 4x4. Because your vehicle takes much more abuse than a typical car that does strictly highway driving, 4x4 spring maintenance is a must before you head off into the wilderness.
Is your 4X4 ready for adventure? Below are the 4X4 spring maintenance tasks you should tackle this season before you head off into a summer of off-roading fun.
Change the ...
All you need is a single ride in a 4X4 vehicle to understand the appeal of owning one, but if you’re new to the world of off-roading, you’ll need to do some research about the right vehicle for your lifestyle. While Jeeps are a go-to for the adventurous, it’s important to understand that there are plenty of other carmakers who have 4X4s vehicles in their lineups -- we want to help you find the perfect fit.
The definition of a 4X4 ...
We know you love Jeeps -- we do too -- but we also know that there are plenty of other 4x4s out there. Toyota, Chevy, Ford; the list of automakers that have at least one 4x4 in their lineup goes on and on, but the fun of off-roading remains the same. Regardless of your preference, you still need a handful of off-road mods for 4x4s to make sure they're ready for off-road adventures.
Winch
Before you get any other mod installed on ...
Summer is just around the corner, and that means the whole family can pile into the Jeep for some off-road adventures in the sun. But before you do that, it’s a smart idea to talk to our team of professionals about which modifications would be best for your vehicle.
As Missouri’s Jeep go-to guys, we are constantly studying the latest trends and researching new-product manufacturers because we own the responsibility of providing our clients with the highest quality parts and most ...
Jeep Overlanding Basics. If you love going off-road with your Jeep and you love camping, it’s time to take things to the next level with Overlanding. After all, one of the best things about owning a Jeep is the ability to travel just about anywhere! It may not be ideal if you’re new to the lifestyle but with some experience, you can overland for days, weeks, and even months.
What is Overlanding?
When you take your Jeep Overlanding, there is no real ...
Winter Weather in Your Wrangler! Winter weather has officially arrived in St. Louis, and while some snowbirds are flying to warmer areas, Wrangler owners in colder climates are getting ready to travel the snowy trails. Even if you have the gear to tackle snow, slush, and ice, it’s important to understand that the “rules” of winter driving still apply.
The fundamental basis for winter driving is to avoid any abrupt turns, stops, and other potentially unsafe maneuvers. Because climates are different ...
Jeep Wrangler Tires. Let’s face it: There’s a good chance you bought a Jeep Wrangler because you’re ready to explore the great outdoors with off-road driving. In order to navigate trails that lead to the best fishing (or mudding) holes, it’s important to have the right tires -- not only for your vehicle but also for where you’ll be taking it.
Knowing what you want to do and where you’ll be going is the first step in determining which tires will ...
The Dealer Told Me Aftermarket Upgrades Would Void My Jeep Warranty
We hear it all the time during Jeep-build consultations. Picture this: Clients considering the purchase of a new Jeep come into Axleboy Off-Road with questions about suspension upgrades, new bumpers, fenders, new tires, etc. (more…) ...
