Off-roading is a favorite activity among truck and SUV owners and can be a great way to spend a weekend, but what is involved in taking your truck off-roading? Everyone has seen the big trucks at that store that have a tall lift and giant tires but seem to be perfectly clean. These are perfect examples of what not to do. These are known as “Mall Crawlers” and usually use cheap parts that look good since they will never see mud, but what do you need to do to make sure you stay safe on the trails?
Relocate Your Breathers
If you have already installed a suspension lift and the proper tires for your application then, you are well on your way to being able to take your Ford F-150 in Wheeling off-roading. One small, but important job that often gets overlooked is to relocate your breathers. These are tiny ports on your differentials and transmission that allow pressure to be released. This keeps the system from being damaged when it heats up, and gasses start to form from the oil heating up.
Where these breathers become a problem is in the mud and water. If they are submerged then, water can easily get in and contaminate your fluids and lead to failure. To prevent this simply find the breathers and get a long piece of fuel line or some other type of flexible rubber or plastic hose. Simply insert it over the breather, secure with a hose clamp, and relocate this to a higher point on your vehicle.
Carry a First Aid Kit
Accidents happen, it is part of life, but when you are miles from the nearest road with nothing but old logging trails to get you back, then you had better be prepared for those accidents. While you cannot prepare for every emergency, a well-stocked first aid kit is a good place to start.
Relocating your breathers is cheap insurance when you take your truck off of the beaten path and is good practice even if you do not anticipate any water deep enough to cover them. At the same time, a first aid kit is a must anytime you will be isolating yourself.
When you are looking for a Ford F-150 in Wheeling, check out Arlington Heights Ford for your needs. You can find them at http://www.ahford.net.
