How to Make a Car for Off Roading
Typically, cars were not made for off-roading, but you may want to slightly modify your vehicle for some off-highway use. You may live in an area that has a lot of snowfall and would rather drive your car on top of it, instead of pushing through it. You might even have an older car that you don't use much, and would like to see if it could negotiate the dirt trails that SUVs and ATVs use.
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Things You'll Need
- Larger shocks
- Reciprocating saw
- Drill
- Fender flares
- Taller, wider tires
- Full-size spare tire
- Lug wrench
- Basic tool kit
- Portable air compressor
- Tow strap
- Small shovel
- Pair of gloves
- First aid kit
Instructions
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Preparing your car
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1
Purchase four larger shocks (standard or air) to soak up the rigors of off-highway driving. This could include coil-over shocks or an air-ride suspension that could allow for about an inch or two of additional ride height.
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2
Rent a reciprocating saw, such as a Sawzall, from your local automotive or hardware store to cut a few inches off of your wheel-wells, to allow for additional tire travel. Unscrew and detach your rubber wheel-well liners before any cutting is done. Make your cuts parallel to the shape of the original wheel-well opening.
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3
Re-mold the edges of your wheel-wells by bending the sheet-metal back to its original shape by using a pair of standard or specialty auto body pliers. Reattach and adjust the liner, marking your new hole locations. Drill the holes and install the old screws. Mark where the excess rubber liner comes in contact with your new wheel-well edge, and cut it off only after removing it.
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4
Search for small truck fender flares from the auto parts store or junk yard that may fit over your new wheel-wells. This will cover any imperfections and will catch any off-road debris instead of it hitting the sides of your car.
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5
Consult with your tire store to purchase taller, wider all-season tires that will fit with your modifications. Make sure the tire tread has a larger tread block design with larger spaces in between those blocks.
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6
Purchase a used, full-size tire to match your new tire size, then trade it with your old spare. Make sure you have a quality lug wrench that fits your wheels' lug nuts.
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7
Rotate and balance all four tires and purchase a road hazard plan. Have your car's front end aligned by a reputable mechanic if the vehicle does not track properly down the road.
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8
Carry in your trunk a basic tool kit, portable air compressor, tow strap, small shovel and a pair of gloves. Adding a quality first aid kit will be most useful if an accident happens when off-roading.
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Tips & Warnings
Stock rubber fender liners are preferred when customizing, due to their pliable nature, making them much easier to adjust than their aluminum counterparts.
Ride height can be slightly increased by removing unwanted weight inside the vehicle. Most often, the rear seat and rear dash board are removed, along with carpeting and headliner.
Never remove anything inside your car that would compromise you or your passengers' safety. Vehicle safety equipment is mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and can be easily researched.
