If you like puzzles, problem solving, and breaking conformity, there’s a motorized hobby to waste your time and money. Off-roading seems simple enough; take a vehicle away from the pavement and drive around places that haven’t been destroyed by bureaucracy. However, there’s a fine line between being a mall crawler and getting stuck. Here’s how to ride that line and get hopelessly addicted to wheeling.

Pick Your Poison:

First, you’re going to need a rig. The recipe for a good one includes four wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, a solid rear axle at the least, and decent aftermarket support. For beginners, you’ll want to pick something with tidy dimensions and minimal body overhangs so you can start with generous approach, departure, and break-over angles. The greater the angles, the taller the obstacle you can crawl over before you snag your bumper or high-center your frame.

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