Even more random newbie questions

[timkline]

I'm new to this whole 4x4 thing. I started researching Jeeps when I decided I really loved the look of their new 4 door JKs. That lead me to here to look into other options, and also to a H3 board to learn more about them. Though I have yet to do any test drives and don't plan to buy till around March, I'm really getting into this whole off road thing. I always thought off roading was the kinda thing you do in dirtbikes and 3 wheelers & quads and the idea of doing it with a jeep or FJ seems like it would be hella fun. So I keep seeing all these things that people keep mentioning and I have no idea what they are or what they mean... I'm sure some of these question's answers may be in other posts but I didn't turn up good enough answers in the little search I did. I watched all the videos in the FJ bulletin, but still have some qestions, so here goes...

1. What's a rear differential and why do I want it to lock or not lock?

2. What's that active traction thingy do?

3. I see lots of off road vehicles with different bumpers and winches, are they necessary for offroading or is it just extra bells & whistles that are nice to have but not really necessary? what about the extra roof or front lights? I'd imagine it might help having them on trails at night but do you really need 12 of em like some seem to have?

4. Do your really need to raise your FJ or is the stock height good enough for most offroading? Why do you raise it anyway, just for looks? I'd imagine the extra clearance comes in handy in some places or for rock climbing. I had a jeep guy say the FJ's independent suspension made it tougher or more costly to raise, is that true?

5. there's a local jeep/offroad club that I plan to get involved with after I buy, and I plan to start small but I can see myself really getting into this hobby/sport in the future. From what I've seen though, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of local (philadelphia) areas for offroading, there's a few within a few hours drive though.. but for those big events you see in the trail teams videos, how far away do people usually come from to be there? is it more local or is it people from all over the country? I think a big FJ fest would be a lot of fun, but on those videos they all seem to be pretty far away....

Ok thats it for now, I'm sure I'll think of more questions later

[chango]

1. the round thing in the center of your axle is the differential. A open diff will let the wheels spin at different speeds, which is good when you are driving around corners at any speed beyond a crawl. You want them locked in the rough stuff to make the wheels spin at the same speed, giving you better traction. (a open diff is really 2wd...1 front wheel and 1 rear window will be giving you the traction)

2. ATRAC is a computer controlled traction aid that will brake the spinning wheels and apply power to the gripping ones, giving you better forward momentum in the rough stuff.

3. bells and whistles are not necessary, but nice. Rocks will shred plastic bumpers if you wanna go hard core. 4 wheeling at night is not a good idea, but when you have to its nice to have extra lights. The other solution is to avoid those situations. Looks have something to do with it too, lets be honest.

4. No. More height is better for more extreme wheeling but it has disadvantages. IFS (FJCs) are harder and more expensive to lift and lifts strain drivetrain components, wearing them out faster and breaking things easier.

5. Move out west. 'nuff said

[Fjamming]

timkline previously said:

I'm new to this whole 4x4 thing. I started researching Jeeps when I decided I really loved the look of their new 4 door JKs. That lead me to here to look into other options, and also to a H3 board to learn more about them. Though I have yet to do any test drives and don't plan to buy till around March, I'm really getting into this whole off road thing. I always thought off roading was the kinda thing you do in dirtbikes and 3 wheelers & quads and the idea of doing it with a jeep or FJ seems like it would be hella fun. So I keep seeing all these things that people keep mentioning and I have no idea what they are or what they mean... I'm sure some of these question's answers may be in other posts but I didn't turn up good enough answers in the little search I did. I watched all the videos in the FJ bulletin, but still have some qestions, so here goes...

1. What's a rear differential and why do I want it to lock or not lock?

Allows the wheels to turn at the same rate. Useful when you have traction in only 1 wheel (sand, uneven terrain, mud).

2. What's that active traction thingy do?

Traction control via ABS braking. Easier to experience then explain. It basically sends power to the wheel with traction.

3. I see lots of off road vehicles with different bumpers and winches, are they necessary for offroading or is it just extra bells & whistles that are nice to have but not really necessary? what about the extra roof or front lights? I'd imagine it might help having them on trails at night but do you really need 12 of em like some seem to have?

All of those makes the experience easier. Your need for them depend on what are you getting into. The FJ is very capable stock.

4. Do your really need to raise your FJ or is the stock height good enough for most offroading? Why do you raise it anyway, just for looks? I'd imagine the extra clearance comes in handy in some places or for rock climbing. I had a jeep guy say the FJ's independent suspension made it tougher or more costly to raise, is that true?

A lift allows you to put bigger tires in there and also allows for more articulation. Independent front suspension is a little bit harder then a solid axle when it comes to rocks, but again, it depends on what you're getting into. Most of us don't get in that deep.

5. there's a local jeep/offroad club that I plan to get involved with after I buy, and I plan to start small but I can see myself really getting into this hobby/sport in the future. From what I've seen though, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of local (philadelphia) areas for offroading, there's a few within a few hours drive though.. but for those big events you see in the trail teams videos, how far away do people usually come from to be there? is it more local or is it people from all over the country? I think a big FJ fest would be a lot of fun, but on those videos they all seem to be pretty far away....

Ok thats it for now, I'm sure I'll think of more questions later

Wheel it stock for a while until you get a hang of it. Watch out for mod fever, you can mod yourself out of a very good truck very quickly.

Free advice so no refunds or warranties!

[timkline]

thanks for the info What I'm looking at right now is probably a silver FJ with "Option C" on the web, with maybe a roof rack for looks. I think I read the side steps are plastic so maybe I will go aftermarket for them and possibly a 2nd set of lights for the front, set em up so the only thing you can read in the front is "YO" There's a place called Paragon Adventure Park that's supposed to be cool and about 2 hours from me with lots of beginner classes so I may try that out. I'll also have to get tow hooks, or did I read that they're on there somewhere? I didn't see any....

[Fjamming]

The tow point for the front of the FJ can be found on the bottom side of where the radiator mounts to the frame. Use a D-shackel and a snatch strap. You can find another tow point at the back. It's located on the driver side kind of opposite where the exhaust is.