Kent 4x4 Off Roading ›› Gear and Accessories for Cars
Off Road Vehicle Accessories
4x4 OFF ROAD GEAR: Let's talk about some 4x4 accessory kits for 'serious' off road work. This information is for the most adventurous off roaders. But, take care driving off road because you cannot call us if you get stuck!
Body Lift Kit
Body lift kits raise the body height by 2 or 3 inches, depending on the actual body lift kit used.
Reinforced nylon blocks get fixed between the body and the frame.
Doing so raises the vehicle height without a need to replace the dampers - or any part of the suspension.
Installing a body lift kit does not affect the ride quality or performance of the vehicle. Besides, lifting the body means you can then fit a set of larger tyres as well.
Bull Bars
There is no case for fitting 4x4 bull bars to sports utility vehicles if the primary use is not off road. Research proves they are dangerous - particularly to pedestrians. In fact, many people question whether bull bar safety means banning them altogether?
CB Radios
A citizen band radio can be very useful for offroading. For example, a group of vehicles are visiting one of the off road county courses. CB radios are an ideal way for drivers to communicate with each other.
A CB radio is a way to keep in touch with every member and vehicle in your group. That means you can use it to call for assistance if you get stuck.
ARB 4x4 Accessories
Thanks to the ARB founder (Anthony Ronald Brown) back in 1975, the product range contains all kinds of four wheel drive products and accessories.
The collection varies from vehicle specific applications to individual devices that encompass suitable add-ons for every vehicle imaginable.
Today, Britpart is an approved stockist for the entire range of products supplied by ARB in the United Kingdom. The enormous warehouse operation means they stock ARB accessories for a range of 4x4 vehicles.
Note: Our 4x4 News Section reviews some of the unique ARB products used when Isuzu spruced up the D-max for outdoor camping.
Jumper Cables (Heavy Duty)
The best professional heavy duty jump leads contain 100% pure copper cable sheathed on the outside with flexible PVC.
Heavy duty crocodile clips - usually made from steel - have extra strong springs and are also insulated in black and red (positive and negative).
You can buy cheap jumper cables individually packed in a polythene bag or plastic box.
In most cases, you will find the safety instructions explaining how to start a car with jump leads printed on the reverse side of the box or as an attachment.
You can get great performance from heavy duty 2 Gauge 1200amp or 1 Gauge 3000amp with 12mm/14mm thickness. A lower gauge means it has thicker wire, so more power goes through.
Key Features of Car Jump Leads
- Applications - Booster cables are the ideal solution for jumping 6V, 12V, and 24V vehicles. Hence, you can use them to jump most cars, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), vans, trucks, as well as certain kinds of agricultural vehicles. You can use them on petrol and diesel engines up to 9500cc.
- Construction - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation jump leads and clamps have some resistance to acid, heat, and engine oil.
- Reach - Having tangle free wires, of up to eight metres (20 feet) in length, means you can jump the battery of another car with ease. The best automotive battery jumper cables on the market come with a zipped carry case and handle for easy storage.
- Temperature Resistance - Most jump start cables still work under low temperature conditions. Thus, keeping a booster set in the boot of your 4x4 when off roading in the muddy countryside could be a handy tool to have when preparing to drive in the winter season.
Note: The section on starting diesel engines in cold weather explains why the fuel needs to reach a certain temperature before you turn the key to the on position.
Off Road Light Bars
You want your off-roading setup to shine brightly right? So, does your LED lightbar need to be dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof?
Our review of the best off road light bar in the United Kingdom will help you stand out from the crowd and enhance your visibility.
Note: Another section has more information about off road lights.
Suspension Lift Kits
As a rule, suspension lift kits usually include:
- Replacement coil or leaf springs
- Dampers
- Lower control arms
- New bushes
- New U-bolts
A suspension lift kit raises vehicle ride height (by up to 6 inches). But, it still maintains a comfortable on road ride. The kits come with all the bolts and brackets you need. They usually include full instructions for fitting them too.
Fitting these 4x4 off road accessory kits then allows a fitment of larger tyres. But, different kits allow for different tyre types and sizes. So, make sure you check the size allowance before fitting a suspension lift kit to the vehicle.
Snorkels for 4x4 Off Road Gear
A snorkel moves the point of the engines air intake to a place above the engine compartment. This keeps the air drawn into the engine dry, cool, and clean from sand, mud dust, and water.
Snorkel accessories for off road vehicles are usually made from Polyethylene Plastic for durability and long life use.
Tyre Accessories for Off Road Vehicles
Michelin first introduced the CrossClimate tyre range in 2015. The Michelin CrossClimate Tyres 2017 update sees new safety benefits and improved sizes to complement 4x4s and SUVs
Wheel Spacers
Wheel spacers add extra width to the front and rear axles of the vehicle. Thus, there is more space between the wheels. That produces better ground clearance, mobility, and vehicle performance.
They also allow larger tyres to get fitted to the vehicle. But, different kits allow for different sizes. Always check the given allowance before fitting.
Winches
It is not a necessity to fit a winch to any off road vehicle unless it gets used off road on a regular basis. But, 4x4 winches are very useful if you do. They help you get yourself out of tricky situations if you get stuck.
Fitting a 4x4 winch also helps you recover other vehicles if they get into trouble on muddy byway tracks.
Hydraulic, manual, and electric winches are available for most 4x4s. Often, hydraulic winches are the most reliable and definitely the most powerful. Electric or battery powered winches cannot pull as much weight. Besides, they will usually start to overheat in a matter of minutes.