Soft Offroading with Laramie 4x4

[kon5t]

Ok guys go easy here. I want to take the Laramie off road, I know stock it will be "soft off-road", so what cost effective upgrades do y'all recommend?

Also I am in SOCAL, so any suggestions for locations to test the 4x4 are much appreciated.

 

[James1414d]

I would think swapping out the tires for something a little more aggressive would be #1 mod.

 

[Brent T]

The way I use my trucks on my farm some days, you would be surprised what a stock truck will do. Take it out and give it a try.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

The way I use my trucks on my farm some days, you would be surprised what a stock truck will do. Take it out and give it a try.

This! If you're new to off-roading just keep it simple before spending money on things you don't need. If you're modding your truck for purely cosmetic reasons then that's another story, but the vast majority of people never take full advantage of a truck (stock or otherwise).

Big Bear has lots of great trails of varying difficulty. I'm in SoCal too and like to make a small day trip out of it. There are some other small trails in OC, but the one I use to frequent has been closed down since the fires.

Big Bear:

 

[SP97]

I would think swapping out the tires for something a little more aggressive would be #1 mod.

I agree about tires. They can make a big difference and the truck is plenty capable. You might invest in a recovery strap and shackles. Tread lightly and have fun!

 

[2wd]

This! If you're new to off-roading just keep it simple before spending money on things you don't need. If you're modding your truck for purely cosmetic reasons then that's another story, but the vast majority of people never take full advantage of a truck (stock or otherwise).

Big Bear has lots of great trails of varying difficulty. I'm in SoCal too and like to make it small day trip out of it. There are some other small trails in OC, but the one I use to frequent has been closed down since the fires.

Big Bear:

Yeah baby!

More pics!!!

And do you have the factory (or aftermarket) skid plates? If not, are you worried...?

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Yeah baby!

More pics!!!

And do you have the factory (or aftermarket) skid plates? If not, are you worried...?

No plates, but I do plan on getting them later this year after I'm done with a house move along with some rock sliders. I do have the Mopar 2" lift. Honestly though; the 20 mile trail in the pics could have been done with a stock 2wd. If it was raining that probably would have been a different story.

You can see my truck on the left in the background.

 

[2wd]

Great pics! Please update/open a thread when you do the skid plates. Interested to see if you go factory from MOPAR or aftermarket.

Also, are you planning to stay with no sidesteps? Or go with an off-road (close fitted) style?

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Great pics! Please update/open a thread when you do the skid plates. Interested to see if you go factory from MOPAR or aftermarket.

Also, are you planning to stay with no sidesteps? Or go with an off-road (close fitted) style?

Mopar is surprisingly cheap, but one of the main reasons I'm waiting is for something aftermarket to release.

No sidesteps. I really don't like the look of them. I am waiting on someone to release rock sliders/rails though. NFAB makes some "fake" ones, but what's the point? It's like fake bead lock wheels.

 

[kon5t]

This! If you're new to off-roading just keep it simple before spending money on things you don't need. If you're modding your truck for purely cosmetic reasons then that's another story, but the vast majority of people never take full advantage of a truck (stock or otherwise).

Big Bear has lots of great trails of varying difficulty. I'm in SoCal too and like to make a small day trip out of it. There are some other small trails in OC, but the one I use to frequent has been closed down since the fires.

Big Bear:

Nice looking Truck. We should arrange a trip to BB when it gets warmer
'

 

[kon5t]

@AnthonyD1978
What trail is that, I want to play!

 

[Midnight1988]

No plates, but I do plan on getting them later this year after I'm done with a house move along with some rock sliders. I do have the Mopar 2" lift. Honestly though; the 20 mile trail in the pics could have been done with a stock 2wd. If it was raining that probably would have been a different story.

You can see my truck on the left in the background.

Do you mind sharing the name of the trail?

 

[Billy James]

No plates, but I do plan on getting them later this year after I'm done with a house move along with some rock sliders. I do have the Mopar 2" lift. Honestly though; the 20 mile trail in the pics could have been done with a stock 2wd. If it was raining that probably would have been a different story.

You can see my truck on the left in the background.

Thanks for the pictures...nice truck. I think you just sold me on the MOPAR 2" lift. What tire size are you running?

 

[Rob5589]

Just had mine off road on a bunch of tore up fire roads, service access, etc. Nothing too difficult, mostly rutted, loose rock, mud, snow. I found one deficiency; wheelbase. With the 6.4 bed, I had to be careful over tight crests. I eventually bent up one of my Westin step bars. The stock Falkens did surprisingly well in some nasty thick mud.

So for recommendations; mild lift, taller tires. The length kills ground clearance when trying to go up and over. Or just avoid that stuff.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Thanks for the pictures...nice truck. I think you just sold me on the MOPAR 2" lift. What tire size are you running?

34"

 

[DavidNJ]

No plates, but I do plan on getting them later this year after I'm done with a house move along with some rock sliders. I do have the Mopar 2" lift. Honestly though; the 20 mile trail in the pics could have been done with a stock 2wd. If it was raining that probably would have been a different story.

You can see my truck on the left in the background.

Are those Method Racing Wheels 308 wheels? 18x9+0? Aren't there front brake clearance issues?

Are the tires the 34.3" Wildpeak A/T3W LT295/70-18?

Nothing is a problem until it is. These trucks have long wheelbases, insufficient breakover crushes rockers. Insufficient angle of approach does wonders for the front air dam, insufficient angle of departure loves the exhaust and trailer connector. Fording too deep? That has an assortment of issues.

That said, the OE truck is a decent height. A dirt road shouldn't be an issue. Add some ruts, gullies, and rocks...

 

[Fornstar]

Just getting some all terrain tires would allow you to go cruise around the desert in the washes no problem. Not sure what part of So cal you are in, but Ocotillo Wells has a ton of areas that a stock truck is fine. Honestly, if you drive smart and know where to go, the stock tires may be fine, but some more aggressive tread would be some great insurance.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

Are those Method Racing Wheels 308 wheels? 18x9+0? Aren't there front brake clearance issues?

Are the tires the 34.3" Wildpeak A/T3W LT295/70-18?

Nothing is a problem until it is. These trucks have long wheelbases, insufficient breakover crushes rockers. Insufficient angle of approach does wonders for the front air dam, insufficient angle of departure loves the exhaust and trailer connector. Fording too deep? That has an assortment of issues.

That said, the OE truck is a decent height. A dirt road shouldn't be an issue. Add some ruts, gullies, and rocks...

Yes, 308 wheels. They are the 20x9 +0, but they don't make them in 20s anymore and you can't find them anywhere.

Wildpeak 275/65R20 34.1"

I removed the front air dam and the lower active aero. I'm still on the hunt for proper rock sliders.

 

[rsmeanie]

I've upgraded my tires to All-Terrains and I have the factory skid plates but I still wouldn't want to take my $65k truck on anything other than some forest trails. That's what my Jeep is for. Lol.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

I've upgraded my tires to All-Terrains and I have the factory skid plates but I still wouldn't want to take my $65k truck on anything other than some forest trails. That's what my Jeep is for. Lol.

ok.