7 4x4 Accessories You Need for Off-Road Driving

Ready to embark on your next off-road adventure? There is nothing more fun than venturing out onto rough terrain, but it’s important to be sufficiently prepared. When taking on an off-road track, your 4x4 needs to be equipped with the appropriate accessories for any number of mishaps. Luckily, the team at PX Wholesales have great insights into what your 4x4 needs to be off-road ready. Check out our comprehensive guide to all the most important 4x4 accessories.

1. Bull bar

A heavy-duty bull bar is an absolute necessity when it comes to off-road driving. These accessories will protect your vehicle from the impact of animal collisions, as well as any surprise rocks or branches that hit the front of your car. While bull bars aren’t recommended for city driving, they are an important safety precaution for rough terrain because they offer an extra layer of protection in the case of a collision. They can also improve the approach angle of your vehicle, meaning that if you slightly miscalculate a turn, you won’t have to stress about scratches and dents. An added bonus of a bull bar is that it is compatible with other 4x4 accessories, offering an excellent winch mounting point as well as a convenient recovery point.

2. Specialised Suspension

While 4x4s are designed to withstand all kinds of extreme outdoor conditions and occurrences, they’re not invincible. When faced with demanding and unpredictable off-road tracks, car springs are placed under significant stress. Similarly, shock absorbers and stabilisers can overheat and malfunction. When components such as these stop working, it can leave you stranded in unfamiliar and deserted areas. To avoid this, it is vital that you install a suspension system designed for these conditions before you leave for your off-road adventure. Taking this precaution will help reduce the risk of damaging your vehicle’s vulnerable components when you come across difficult conditions and obstacles.

3. Driving Lights

On regular roads, high beams are usually more than strong enough to illuminate your way during the night. However, driving on rarely-used roads hours away from any bustling towns is another story. In these circumstances, it’s incredibly important that you have sufficient lighting to illuminate not only the road itself, but any potential obstacles or hazards that you might come across, like unexpected ditches or wildlife crossings. LED driving lights, headlight bulbs and light bars are just some of the possible options you could choose from.

4. Winches and Recovery Tracks

No matter how experienced you are with off-road travel, getting bogged is always a possibility. This is why it is so useful to have recovery equipment with you wherever you go. Winches and recovery tracks are perhaps the most important recovery items you could own, as they will be crucial in getting your vehicle out of mud, sand or a ditch when it gets stuck. Winches are mechanical devices that are used to pull your vehicle, while recovery tracks provide a surface onto which your vehicle’s tyres can really grip.

5. Electrical Equipment

Before you embark on your off-road journey, ensuring that you have a sufficient power system should be one of your top priorities. Without the appropriate sources of electricity, you will be forced to power your gadgets with your vehicle’s battery alone. This means that your mapping units, communication devices, inverters, air compressors and portable fridges will all be relying upon the single battery that keeps your vehicle running. This is incredibly risky and could lead to you and your party being stranded with a broken down 4WD. To avoid this unpleasant situation, it is recommended that you invest in batteries, solar panels, and power accessories for your camping equipment.

6. Off-Road Communication Devices

In the age of mobile phones, we are far less used to the idea of being stranded. However, off-roading often means venturing to places where your smartphone might struggle to find reception. Being truly disconnected from technology can be part of the appeal of off-road adventures, but it can also be dangerous. To be safe, you should make sure to keep alternative communication devices on you at all times. Radios are reliable, fast, and don’t need a network signal to operate. They are the perfect companion for your off-road adventures, and you never know when they might come in handy.

7. Storage Equipment

Strong, spacious, and practical storage equipment can make a world of difference when you’re packing for an off-road trip. Quality storage items will keep your 4x4 accessories and personal belongings organised. For instance, in the case of a time-sensitive incident, such as a bogging, sufficient storage will keep you from having to dig through your things to find recovery tools. Good storage will also protect your items during bumpy off-road drives. If you need to store food, durable portable fridges will be perfect for keeping your meals and beverages fresh during a long journey. Finally, it is advisable that you consider investing in a long-range fuel tank to store spare fuel. These are vital for long drives, and are lighter and more space-efficient than jerry cans.

Which 4WD Accessories to Buy First?

With so many useful 4x4 accessories to choose from, it can be difficult to know which to buy first. The best thing to do in this circumstance is figure out which items will be most appropriate for your particular needs. For example, if you are planning to spend a significant amount of time driving off-road on beaten tracks and sand dunes, you should focus on finding protective equipment for your vehicle. These include bullbars and suspension, as well as winches and recovery tracks for pulling you out of sticky situations. If you intend to spend extended periods of time on the road, portable fridges and long-range fuel tanks will probably be where your priorities lie. Alternatively, driving lights might be the most important accessory for those who frequently travel at night.

If you are still uncertain as to which accessories you need, you could always contact us for more information and advice. Backed by a team of experienced off-roaders, PX Wholesales provides high-quality 4x4 accessories to Aussie adventurers. Check out our incredible range of 4WD products today!