New Member with stock truck needs advice

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Boostpowered

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Major differences in trying to winch with a hi lift vs a electric winch or a come along.
Hi lift you only winch 4ft at a time you have to figure out a way to detach then reattach the hi lift without your rig sliding down hill to go further and you are getting all sweaty and worn out, come along you get maybe 10ft of winching line still doing it by hand getting worn out, electric winch you get 95ft of winching line and i sit in the cab of the truck in the ac just pushing a button ill take that any day. On the hi lift im no stranger im a farmer and they are the only way to change a tractor tire aside from that i dont use mine unless absolutely every other option has failed.
 

MidOH

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The Hilift winch uses an extra chain and a hook to keep tension on the main chain, while you reset the foot of the jack. There's youtube vids of it worth watching.

If you have 50' of 3/8" chain, you can winch 40' easy. I've never, ever, needed to winch ANY vehicle more than 10 feet on a trail or dirt road. And never more than 100' on a snow covered hwy. (old WW2 vet slid off, and needed a lucky break)

I don't recommend a come along unless it's synth rope or chain. I hate steel cables.
 
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The other Sean

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Don't bother with the front or rear bumpers. Get one of the rear hitch mount D ring adapters.

Tires. Go with the Pro-4X size of 265/75/16. The ABLS system your truck has is pretty decent, it modulates the brakes to help with traction.

Don't bother with spacer lifts, it will limit your wheel travel which will make it more likely you hang a wheel, which with 2WD is NOT what you want.

Look in to traction boards. I have Maxtracs, but, the other cheaper brands seem to get decent reviews.

With stock bumpers and no sliders, I'd NOT spend money on a hi lift jack and go with the already mentioned bottle jack or the jack/jack stand combo thing ( I have one, works well). Everyone is talking about winching and or winching with a hi lift, but, your 2wd will probably not get you any deeper than some shoveling and or traction boards will get you out of. The shovel you have in your shed will work fine, no need for a fancy $200 off road shovel .
 
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smritte

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With stock bumpers and no sliders, I'd NOT spend money on a hi lift jack and go with the already mentioned bottle jack or the jack/jack stand combo thing ( I have one, works well). Everyone is talking about winching and or winching with a hi lift, but, your 2wd will probably not get you any deeper than some shoveling and or traction boards will get you out of. The shovel you have in your shed will work fine, no need for a fancy $200 off road shovel .
This ^^^
I go places most people wont. What have i used the most? Bottle jack, small block of wood for it, traction boards, compressor, tire plug kit. Mud will be the big killer or high centered on a rock. Sand....well stay away from deep sand. I've rescued people stuck in situations where we cant get a winch cable or strap on them. Very rarely have I had to use a winch. Use traction boards more. Chains for snow.

2WD is fine with a good set of shocks, tires and paying attention. Drop the air pressure and call it a day. No need to over think it.
 

Dilldog

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Tires and a rear locker would be huge priorities for me. But really the biggest thing is to just get out there.
Otherwise if the 2wd rides lower than the 4wd ( which I think it does) research and see if the 4wd springs and such interchange. If they do ask around at shops that do lifts. A lot of times you can score stock suspension parts that are take offs for next to nothing. That's how I got springs and bump stops for one of my old builds.
 
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Lindenwood

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The Hilift winch uses an extra chain and a hook to keep tension on the main chain, while you reset the foot of the jack. There's youtube vids of it worth watching.

If you have 50' of 3/8" chain, you can winch 40' easy. I've never, ever, needed to winch ANY vehicle more than 10 feet on a trail or dirt road. And never more than 100' on a snow covered hwy. (old WW2 vet slid off, and needed a lucky break)

I don't recommend a come along unless it's synth rope or chain. I hate steel cables.
This. I can winch ~27 feet with my setup.
 

Boostpowered

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Just stay out of the mud and rocks you should be fine.
My driveway is exactly 1 mile of dirt road with telephone poles every 100ft or so i would really like to see someone in a 2wd get up it after a day of rain, even with max tracks and comealongs it would take you hours just to get to the halfway mark over a creek where i garauntee you sink to the frame rail.20200214_073545.jpg
 

Lindenwood

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Just stay out of the mud and rocks you should be fine.
My driveway is exactly 1 mile of dirt road with telephone poles every 100ft or so i would really like to see someone in a 2wd get up it after a day of rain, even with max tracks and comealongs it would take you hours just to get to the halfway mark over a creek where i garauntee you sink to the frame rail.View attachment 140035
Hahaha damn! You sink to the frame rails in your own driveway every time it rains?
 

2Tonic

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Hey Scott, great question. Looking at your list, and knowing you have some limited funds. Start with tires first( including matching spare).You can't adventure if you can't make it there and back. Next I would put together a first aid bag and recovery kit. Traction devices are great but some other things are definitely needed. ie.....shovel, straps, come along, shackles. After that, protect your truck body . Rock sliders or some armor. Just a few things that I would do before going in the black hole of accessories and mods. Good luck on your build. Please share with us. Look forward to seeing your build and your adventures.
I saw your recommendation for a "come along". Would you mind providing a specific recommendation? Brand, size etc. Many thanks.
 
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Chadlyb

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I saw your recommendation for a "come along". Would you mind providing a specific recommendation? Brand, size etc. Many thanks.
Since on a budget, harbor freight is ok or Amazon. I believe the one I have is 4 ton or better . I've used them for about anything. Just make sure the mechanism works properly and easily. Keep it lubricated and dry. Hope this helps.
 

DevilDodge

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We hit the tracks today in Rothrock state Forest in Pennsylvania. Although I do have 4wd...I could have enjoyed it all in a 2wd rig.

Make sure you have clearance and all your undersides are buttoned up. A low hanging muffler would cause more distress than not having 4wd where we went today.

A 2wd can get you out and exploring most everywhere...just keep an eye on the weather. Also, know how to read maps. Pay attention to paper maps. Learn them well. Use the digital goodies too, but study the paper. Make sure you know how to get around the trail you are on...just incase you do find the few obstacles you won't be able to navigate.

Get out and test that rig.
 

Boostpowered

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Didnt think id need to mention this but here goes, not all trails are going to have a bypass to get around something hard and very few even have room to turn around. Ive had several instances in my 4x4 that i decided things were too sketchy and tried turning around under my trucks own power and find the trail too small so had to use the winch to drag the front end around. Sometimes that cant even be done at which point you just have to pick a line and stick with it and pray you come out the other side. Go out with a buddy that has 4x4 and do an exploratory run to see just what gets you stuck and what your ok with, this is what offroad parks are for.
 

DevilDodge

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Just in case the comment was meant for my info about obstacles and trails...I guess my comment is misleading.

I have so many adventures in my head...my own and the many being planned here.

Maybe I have the wrong group...but it seems there are a few with 2wd rigs on the trip planned. If I am wrong I apologize.

My comment meant...with your group (or yourself if solo) make sure you know what routes have obstacles. With a diverse group of vehicles anything can change the ability to complete. If I am driving with Jeeps, I know that there are trails they can fit on...but my fullfigured RAM sure can not. So, I know where they would end up, instead of trying to fit...I just detour to the trail end.

Now...I understand this can be alot longer of a route...but, if the group is serious about being inclusive...everyone can get to the end of the day.

I didn't mean know away out once you are on the trail...although I know see that that is how it can be read.

The jist is. Whatever rig you have...there is gonna be some kind of limitation. Like yesterday. I found out my wife gets sick when the road is on the edge of a hill with a drop off. We avoided those the rest of the day. Sure it added to the trip time...but we still got to see what we wanted.

And maybe someone has a full tilt rig...able to climb anything...but the driver is afraid of water...gotta know how to miss those crossings.

And sometimes...you just got to try. And it seems the group is prepared to help a guy out. And that is important.

I probably just made my point off course from north...but, take the rig out and see what limits it. Then make adjustments. Own the fact you may not be able to go on all trails, but go on the ones you can.
 
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