Building a truck to handle both your daily commute and your off-road hobby can be a real challenge. From knobby tires to winch bumpers and everything in between, there is always that constant balance of need versus want, and it inevitably leads to compromise. It's tough enough when you destroy your rig on the trail, but when that same set of wheels must get you to the office on Monday, you can find yourself in a real bind. Hey, we're all for cycling, carpools, and saving the environment, but when you have to get a ride with your significant other because the doors on your truck no longer open, then it might be time to rethink your truck's double-duty status.
The best piece of advice we have for those thinking about transforming their daily driver into a weekend wheeler is to be realistic. If you wheel with guys that have moon buggies and you want your '97 Isuzu Rodeo to be able to go everywhere they go and still be in one piece, then snap out of it! Daily drivers don't have to look good, smell nice, or inflate your ego, but they do need to be reliable. Peeling your oil pan open on a rock just to show the buggy guys that you're hardcore too isn't really going to seem as smart an idea when you have to bum rides from your buddies the next week.
We're not saying that you can't do tough trails or even smash things up a bit. The reality is that as long as your 4-by is safe to drive on the road and gets you to and from everywhere you need to go, then it's cool by us.
Over the years we've run into the question of how to make a daily drive/weekend warrior better without wrapping the truck in a giant exoskeleton. Here are just a few of the parts, ways, and tips that you can make your workhorse and play toy one in the same.
 Sometimes it's the stuff you...  Sometimes it's the stuff you leave behind that will let you go farther. Try to keep your truck as light as you can, as it will reduce the strain and load on your factory parts. This means taking out the back seats and removing doors and any parts that are not absolute necessities. |  Body protection is one the...  Body protection is one the most important elements to keeping your weekend wheeler looking respectable in the corporate parking lot. Rock sliders are generally first on our list, as they are a wise investment. They act as body protectors, skids, and a step to help you get in and out. |  A good winch is cheap insurance....  A good winch is cheap insurance. This means when you find yourself pushing the truck a little beyond its limits trying to conquer an obstacle, stop for a second and see if you can just pull cable and keep moving. Remember, they'll cheer for you on the trail, but they won't take you to work the next week after you've laid it on its side. |
 Once you've tossed on a set...  Once you've tossed on a set of taller tires you'll likely need a new differential gearset to match. Proper gearing is crucial for maintaining highway speeds and decent fuel economy. Be careful when selecting your new gear ratio, as a higher numerical gear will give you more grunt off road but might up the rpm on the highway. |  A locking differential can...  A locking differential can elevate your 4x4's potential tremendously. Though selectable lockers might not be the cheapest way to go, they are by far the best option for the rig pulling double duty. Having the ability to engage and disengage the lockers at the push of a button will reduce the wear and tear on your expensive drivetrain components and tires. |  To say we've come a long way...  To say we've come a long way in the 10 years with onboard computer management is an understatement. Nowadays you can take your OBD-II equipped engine to a performance shop that's equipped with a dyno and tuning software and, for less than you would pay for a programmer, get a custom tune installed on your truck. This not only cranks up your power, but in most applications gains you a little fuel economy as well. |
 You don't need a set of big...  You don't need a set of big and elaborate bumpers to go off road. For the most part a lot of the early-model truck bumpers were built pretty tough, unlike a lot of the plastic units that later-model vehicles come with. |  You can't beat a set of cheap...  You can't beat a set of cheap seat covers. We picked these up at Wal-Mart for a little under 20 bucks each. After a weekend of wheeling it's nice to be able to roll them up, toss them in the washer, and have your stock seat stain-free come the beginning of the workweek. |  How high you want or need...  How high you want or need your truck to be is completely up to you. We suggest doing research and getting a suspension that is best fitted for your needs. Complex suspension systems are great, but unless you're racing Baja in your spare time you likely don't need an over-the-top triple-bypass shock system. Keep things simple and serviceable so when you blow out a bushing or bend a shock it's not a three-week wait for a replacement. |
The Million Dollar Question
It's the one thing we are repeatedly asked about: What are the best tires for my rig? Everybody wants the same thing-tough sidewalls, great ride, low noise, perfect in all conditions, tread life that will outlive the owner of the vehicle-and the best part is they need it to be cheap. Guess what? We still haven't found those tires, but today there are more all-terrain and mud-terrain tire options than ever in the history of off-road tires.
For our money a radial mud-terrain is a safe bet. And if you're looking for us to test a few out, you're in luck. Keep your eyes peeled for a mud-tire.