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Question: Can you take a stock jeep wrangler offroad?

(Posted by: Chris C on 2008-02-11 18:09:07)

Or do you need any mods...what would be better offroad a wrangler or a blazer

Posted by: dj_lonewolf69 on 2008-02-11, 18:14:44

Well depends on what wrangler. a yj needs alot of work to be even mildly offroadable, tj's can take a fair amount, avoid 4cyl. engine stick to a 6cyl inline. only go to a blazer if it is an older one with a solid front axle. and over all it depends on what kind of offroading you are looking at doing.

Posted by: BillyTheKid on 2008-02-11, 18:21:24

Ummmmm that's what they were designed for! The Wrangler's does off-roading better than any of them.

Posted by: frank on 2008-02-11, 18:49:11

Depends on the off road. know your limitations.

Posted by: the evil on 2008-02-11, 19:31:16

All stock, it wouldn't be wise. The bare minimum you would need in mods would be better tires than stock, (with a spare, and an air compressor), a decent tool kit, a high lift jack or winch with offroad recovery straps, etc., and in the event you don't have another vehicle offroading with you, enough food, water, and clothing to keep yourself alive in case you're hiking back to civilization after a breakdown. Keep things in your jeep like extra coolant hoses, belts, plugs, oil, coolant and power steering fluid as well. there are many variations of the wrangler and the blazer, it's really a matter of taste. much can be done to both.

Posted by: Steve A aka StvDiego on 2008-02-11, 21:28:59

Yes you can, but, a lot more depends on you as a driver than the vehicle you are in. There's few places that you can't get to in a Jeep, but there's a lot more places you can yourself in trouble in. Driving technique is the key. A mild lift, some good tires up to 33 "s, some armor (skid plates) and you're pretty much good to go. You can spend hundreds to thousand more but unless you have a heavy right foot or plan on taking on extreme rock crawling you can do very well with a basic setup. Personally I like the Jeep Wrangler (I have two) mainly because there's places I go that a Blazer just can't get in because of it's size. That and there's more mods available for less money than a Blazer, it's a good vehicle for what it is, I "ve owned a couple in the past, but it's not a Jeep. A couple of weeks ago we ran a local trail, Sidewinder, it's a tough ride that even well-built Jeeps can get in a mess on. We took three Jeep Wranglers, one built up with a 5 " lift, axles, lockers and all that, one with a 3 " lift, alloy axles and so on and a friend driving a full-on stocker Wrangler except for 31 " tires. That was his second ever trip off road, he ran the entire trail, got stuck once when he high-centered. We walked every obstacle, talked about lines, how to drive it, spotted him through and he made the entire trail all the way through, all stock. We ran up on a group of Jeeps and they were amazed he made it as far as he did all stock. People underestimate a Jeep in the hands of a thinking, patient and careful driver.

Posted by: jeepsarecool on 2008-02-11, 21:51:40

Yes you can. You will be suprised what a stock Jeep can do. travel with a group and take recovery gear also.

Posted by: BlueXJ on 2008-02-11, 22:14:40

Properly equipped the wrangler can go about anywhere that any vehicle can. Even stock it can out do many other 4X4 trucks. I would certainly recommend the Jeep over the Blazer but I am a Jeep guy. You need two very important things to go off road they are a knowledgeable friend and recovery gear. I always suggest that you go off roading in pairs or larger groups. That way if something happens you aren't stranded alone. Help is there with you. Best of luck and congratulations on becoming a Jeep owner.

Posted by: Porksoda on 2008-02-11, 22:22:15

Just watch the Video below. This is my ride. A 1991 YJ 4.0. At this time I'm running only a set of 215 75 r15 (27.5 ") BFG AT. No lockers. This is the 2nd time I've traveled down this trail is stock form. I do have my OME springs on this video, but the first time I did this trail I had stock springs and no swaybar disconnects. The 2nd video is a bone stock Toyota. You wont find a HR down there. And right behind me was my buddies stock JK 4 door. Sorry no video. To all you JK owners.... remove your side steps. They'll only only piss you off on the trail.

Posted by: stroupers on 2008-02-13, 01:02:31

Of course you can, that is what they are made for. Now it all depends what you are going to do that might limit it's capabilities and yours. Jeep made these to be taken off road and you will be surprised at all they can do. Now if you do go, make sure that you never go alone. Always have one or more vehicles go along, just to be safe. What would be better is really up to you, your likes and dislikes, what you plan on doing and whatnot. But if both are stock, I would guess that they are both pretty equal in their capabilities. Jeep does have a bit more ground clearance though, plus the Jeep can come up to a much steeper incline and not have as much of an issue with the bumpers hitting or catching because they are designed that way. Best of luck to you on what you decide. Gordon.