So you're finally ready to make the leap into the world of off road auto parts, and willing to invest the time and money into gearing your rig for rugged terrain.

If you practically live on the trail already, there probably isn't much you can learn here. On the other hand, if you're just getting started with customizing your vehicle with auto parts, read on to get an idea of the essential auto parts you need to properly equip your ride.

Lift Kits

Beginning this article with lift kits is not to say that they are the most important and absolutely essential auto parts for going off road. Actually, you'd be surprised just how capable some vehicles are with stock equipment, provided that they're driven correctly......


But for the true hardcore off road enthusiast looking to take on some serious terrain, a suspension lift kit is not just a necessary auto parts modification, but also one of the most major projects you could possibly undertake.

Regardless of what type or brand of suspension lift kit you choose to invest in, the ultimate goal of adding one is typically twofold:

• Clearance:

Lifting your vehicle just a few inches off the ground provides your vehicle with added height clearance. This allows you space to outfit your ride with larger tires, in essence producing better all-around traction and giving you more room to clear obstacles.

• Articulation:

Articulation is a term used to describe the amount of allowed up and down wheel travel ability. Generally speaking, the more articulation you have, the more your wheels can flex when crawling over obstacles.

Tires

Upgrading your tires goes hand in hand with adding a suspension lift kit, since the combined bigger size of the tires plus the extra inches from your lift kit will offer much needed clearance through tough environments.

It is a common misconception that adding off road tires is all about getting improved traction. While this may be true to a limited extent, there are other, better auto parts for improving off road traction. Overall, adding tall tires is mostly about clearance.

It should also be noted that when adding larger tires and a suspension lift, certain stock components may not be able to stay up to snuff in harsh conditions. For this reason, you may need to update some related hardware to help keep up. Ring and pinion gears are one huge example. Axles and brake systems are some others.

Check with someone who has some technical know-how for a better idea of what you're up against.

Winches

A winch may be the single most important off road auto parts purchase you can make. In fact, many would recommend that a beginning off road enthusiast's first purchase should be a winch.

Fact is, your ride could be equipped with the best gear in the world, but even then your rig would not be immune to getting stuck in some uncompromising terrain. A winch isn't just a helping hand in these instances -- it's a life-preserver for your vehicle.

Lockers

Although bigger and more aggressive off road tires may provide some added traction in off road terrain, lockers are actually the biggest traction upgrade you can invest in.

Never mind all the technical intricacies that lie within these auto parts; the bottom line is that lockers offer incredible traction, and can even be tweaked on the fly to accommodate different situations and environments.

Protective Equipment

It's only natural that when hitting the trails, your auto parts will get a little banged up along the way. Fortunately, you can help mitigate some of the damage by outfitting your vehicle with a number of protective accessories.

Skid plates are probably one of the most crucial auto parts, as they protect the underside components, which are very easy to damage. Front and rear bumpers, fender flares, and sport cages are just some of the other auto parts you can use to protect your rig.

Performance Auto Parts

Upgrading to larger tires and adding more weight with winches, bumpers, and other additional auto parts equates to less horsepower. You can make up for that loss by taking a page out of the import tuner's book.

Everything from performance exhaust and intake systems, to computer modules, and even turbo systems can give you the horsepower you need for extra muscle, and oftentimes even improved gas mileage.

Other Accessories

Whether it's a sparkling set of chrome wheels, a performance-grade battery or any other premium auto parts, there are enough off road auto parts available for you to customize your rig to your heart's content.

Photo: http://bigwheeloffroad.com

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Author: Sang Han is a Web Copywriter at Transamerican Auto Parts, a leading provider off road and performance tires, wheels, lift kits, winches, and other parts and accessories. With over 40 years in the automotive business, Transamerican Auto Parts is a name you can trust.

Auto Parts Guide - Essential Off Road Auto Parts