Outfit Your Car for a Colorado Adventure

Sno Bootz

If you like the newest technology in snow traction, Sno-Bootz may have what you’re looking for. I have yet to test these snow chain replacements, but the idea looks intriguing. Basically, instead of a heavy, cumbersome set of chains, Sno-Bootz are made of various industrial fabrics and rubbers that slip over your tire. Supposedly, it takes around 3 minutes to put on each one.

These are fairly new, ask around and see if you know anyone who’s used a pair.

Remember: On front wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles you must chain (or boot) the front wheels. Rear drive or 4-wheel-drive vehicles should have the rear drive wheels chained (or booted).

If you have enough for all 4 wheels, so much the better.

Thule Snow Chains

Unlike other brands, I know Thule is one of the best in the business. Their diamond pattern snow chain is one of the beefiest, most logical set I’ve used in nasty snow conditions. I was educated about this brand and style by a former Alaskan teacher who KNEW nasty snow conditions.

Besides – Thule is from Sweden… those cats know something about snow!

KC off road lights

KC lights are one of the oldest names in the business when it comes to off road lighting. There’s a real race history and I can remember watching vehicles getting prepped for the Baja 1000 back in the 70s (I was a kid) using the very same name.

There are cheaper brands to be sure and many people add lights to their rigs as fashion accessories rather than for serious off road use. Some of the trucks I’ve seen with off road lights have them mounted to fake off road bumpers… I hope they never go into the bush.

If you’re serious about lighting the way while you’re in the rough, check out KC.

Safari Snorkel

Even though Safari Snorkels are based in Australia, applications for vehicles sold in America are plentiful. Several off road vehicles can be fitted with these ingenious devices that simply redirect the air-intake from the engine to a much higher elevation. This insures safer water fording as the air-intake is now situated above the driver.

Snorkels have been used for many years and many DIY gear-heads have fashioned their own out of PVC, bendable dryer tubes and just about any other type of water-tight tubing that can route air from on high.

Snorkels have been said to help with severe dust as they gather cleaner air up high. Still, the cooler air that works more efficiently for your engine is down low. All the same, most people who are willing to drill a hole in their fender or hood to get a snorkel love the advantages.

Air Lockers

For in-the-know 4-wheelers, air lockers are one of the first things they learn about. But, there are many who simply don’t know what lockers do.

When you are off road and encounter terrain that makes one of your front or rear tires loose traction and the other tire just sits there – that is because of your differential. When cornering, an open differential will shift power to one wheel/tire to allow for an easy turn. If both tires were putting the same power to the ground at the same time, each turn would be very rough, accompanied by squealing tires.

Off road, it’s a different story.

“The advantage of the ARB Air Locker lies in the pneumatically operated locking system inside the differential. When activated, the Air Locker prevents the differential gears from rotating and therefore prevents the axle shafts from turning independently of each other. With both wheels tied directly to the rotation of the ring gear the vehicle maintains maximum possible traction at all times. When unlocked, it operates just like conventional open differentials.” – ARB.com

Guess what? If you install front, rear (or both) air locking differentials, you have to install a small air-compressor. That’s a good thing. When you’re not using it to engage the lockers, it can be used to inflate things like tires or rafts!

Rancho Suspensions

Yes, there are a lot of overdone 4X4s the Rancho site has on display, don’t let that discourage you from looking at their regular shocks and springs. You will be utterly stunned at what a difference your ride is when you go aftermarket. Even of you don’t regularly go off road, buying a set of Ranchos for your vehicle (they have a guide that matches several vehicles) is a good bet – their shocks and springs are FAR stronger and better balanced than most of the cheaper products automakers use.

Old Man Emu Suspension and Off Road Parts

As much as I admire Rancho’s suspension, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Old Man Emu suspensions. They have various suspension kits for Toyota, Land Rover, Range Rover, Nissan, Jeep and Ford. I’m a Land Rover man so I have a bit of bias here. Still, I know quality when I see it and Old Man Emu has quality components. Man, these Australians love their off road goodies. Must be the Vegimite sandwiches.

Warn Winch

When you see a real serious off roader, they usually have a winch. In fact, if they don’t and the owner wants to take you on some challenging off road excursion – pass. Warn winches are some of the best in the business and come in several different configurations. Having a winch that can at least handle your vehicle’s weight is a good start; don’t forget all of the extra gear needed for pulling and extracting. Pulleys, straps, anchors, gloves, rope and many other items should accompany your winch purchase.

Remember: in order to mount a winch properly, you need to have the correct bumper. Usually, they are aftermarket and come with reinforced brackets. Warn sells bumpers too.

Colorado Extreme Off Road Park

This is a GREAT place to get started. If you’ve never gone off road driving, try this place out. If you get stuck, they have vehicles that can pull you out and you don’t have to worry about ruining the Rockies (this place was former grazing land in the middle of nowhere).

“DIRECTIONS

Take I70 East to exit 336 the Lowland exit, get on frontage road go west 3 miles turn right under viaduct and you are there!!

Or

Take I70 East to exit 328 the Deertrail exit turn right go to the stop sign turn left on hwy 40 go 5 miles East turn left under viaduct and you are there." – coloradooffroadextreme.com