Some of us remember our fathers and grandfathers taking us on wild off-road adventures in a stock truck, Jeep, or station wagon. Most of these journeys were in unmodified vehicles, and these off-highway treks created incredible memories! Wheeling a bone-stock vehicle is fun, there's no denying it. It's true that a rig in factory form can't conquer the toughest trails in the county without major damage or being destroyed, but the potential is always there for exciting off-road adventures.
There's nothing like a cheap...
There's nothing like a cheap old 4x4 truck in stock form. Not only are they steeped in American tradition, but they serve many purposes on and off road. Just throw on a good set of tires and the trucks are capable of taking a beating, and they last decades with proper care and maintenance.
The staff here at 4-Wheel & Off-Road is on the trail in stock vehicles more than you think. Four-wheeling a stocker is more challenging and sharpens driving skills. Maneuvering an unmodified rig through tough terrain while not reducing it to a pile of scrap takes skill and finesse. If the vehicle is expected to drive off the trail, familiarization with the rig and understanding of simple vehicle dynamics are important. There are a few easy rules to follow to take your daily driver out for trail adventure.
If you are going to hit the trail in your factory vehicle for the first time, there are a few things you should do to avoid disaster. Getting yourself stranded on the trail is not only dangerous, but vehicle recovery can be very expensive.
Get to know your vehicle and familiarize yourself with the rig's exterior panels and undercarriage. Pay careful attention to the vehicle's low points, tow points, and critical areas like the engine and transmission pans and the bottom of the radiator if it's exposed. A little preparedness and knowledge go a long way on the trail.
A number of 4x4s are capable off-road in factory form. Check our list of favorite four-wheel-drive vehicles below. In this tough economy you may just find one to fit your budget.
A few midsize trucks on the...
A few midsize trucks on the market are readily available and trail capable, like our '09 4x4 of the Year winner, the Suzuki Equator. Other capable trucks right out of the box are the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Hummer H3T, and '93-'97 Ford Ranger; these vehicles were all available in four-wheel-drive, and some came with optional front-and-rear limited slip differentials or locking rear differentials.
SUVs were all the rage a few...
SUVs were all the rage a few years ago and still are in some circles. Due to a tough economy, prices for a good used one have dropped, and a once high-dollar luxury vehicle can be had for song and a dance. Toyota Landcruisers and Jeep Grand Cherokees came with off-road packages, and there is a plethora of aftermarket parts if stock doesn't cut it and the weekend wheeler wants to modify them.
One of the most capable off-road...
One of the most capable off-road factory production vehicle debuted six years ago, the '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The TJ was the first Wrangler offered with front and rear locking differentials and a functional off-road suspension, and it was fitted with a decent set of skidplates and a 4-to-1 transfer case. Few, if any, modifications are needed to wheel the Rubicon over challenging terrain. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon tradition continued on in 2007 with the Wrangler JK and unlimited Rubicon models.
Jeep is without question the...
Jeep is without question the king for a number of off-roadable rigs. Almost every Jeep was designed to be used in some sort of off-road capacity, except for some of the late-model IFS cars, which have very limited ground clearance and stupid plastic side molding.
The Staff's Top Four-Wheel-Drive Stockers
Chevy Blazer
Dodge Ramcharger
Ford Bronco (early or late models)
Ford Ranger
Hummer H1, H2, H3
International Scout
Jeep (any early model!)
Jeep Cherokee XJ
Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ
Jeep Wrangler TJ
Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon
Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon (2- and 4-door)
Military Surplus Trucks
Nissan Frontier
Suzuki Equator
Suzuki Samurai
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Pickup (early solid axle)
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota FJ 40
Almost any 3/4 or 1-ton single rear wheel 4x4 pickup