Maintaining Your Offroad Jeep

Since its invention in 1940, the Jeep has been one of the most popular car makes in the history of the automotive industry. It certainly seems to be the most favored US made off-road vehicle without a doubt! Jeep has successfully established its niche as an exceptional 4x4 vehicle along with providing an outstanding sport utility vehicle (SUV). With a devout following from off-road purists, there was a constant clamor for specially designed aftermarket 4x4 performance products. Today these aftermarket accessories are readily available. When you think of a Jeep, you typically picture a rugged machine crawling and traversing over difficult and challenging terrain. Jeep has developed a ready and rugged image of fun and freedom.

Throughout the past decade the development of innovations in the aftermarket have allowed the Jeep to become an ultimate rock crawling machine. Meanwhile, manufacturing innovations have enabled Chrysler to develop new vehicles that retain a good portion of that off-road performance and deliver a much more "civilized ride" for those of us looking for an all-around vehicle with a little 4x4 roar. Chrysler continues to utilize technological advances to enhance the performance, handling and convenience of the award winning Jeep models having received awards recently for the new Unlimited.

No matter if you have a total trail dedicated Jeep or an occasional wheeler, we strongly believe that a tough and reliable machine like a Jeep deserves special care and attention. Our clients' Jeeps are usually used off-road and because of this they require extra care so that the Jeep will be able to maintain it's high level of performance. It's like that old Fram oil filter commercial, a little care and maintenance today will help avoid a large and expensive overhaul tomorrow. And, it will help keep your Jeep working top-notch for a long time to come. Frequent off-road driving can and will take a toll on your Jeep's parts. Pay particular attention to thoroughly washing the undercarriage, lubing and oiling the u-joints and all of the bushings after a day driving out on the trails, particularly if you were in the mud. Mud has an extremely high corrosive capability that can quickly wear out parts if they are not cleaned and maintained properly.

Getting on it out on the trails also puts extra strain on the engine. We recommend more frequent oil and filter changes for the off-road enthusiast. Also pay special attention to those items that are prone to dust and debris build-up like air filters, radiators (try to keep it clean and debris free), brake linings, etc. Exhaust systems also take a beating out on the trail. Visually inspect your system after each ride to make sure that there aren't any areas needing attention. A periodic overall inspection for loose screws and bolts with special attention on the steering mechanism is a good idea. You wouldn't want something coming loose while you're on top of that obstacle.

Also check for signs of damage on the chassis and undercarriage. After every trail ride it's a good idea to do a visual inspection of your Jeep's radiator, bumpers, taillights, headlights, mirrors, and body parts for any signs of damage or wear and tear. It's a good idea to repair or replace any damaged Jeep parts as soon as possible to prevent further or incidental damage.

You certainly don't want to overlook the suspension system. 4x4 pounding will lead to faster spring and shock wear. Replacing worn out springs and shocks will return the handling and performance you need out on the rocks. Simply put, everything wears out faster when you're pushing it to perform to its highest capabilities, and it will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

The good news is that replacement Jeep parts are easy to find today. You need look no further than right here at XtremeTerrain.com. Whenever you need a replacement Jeep bumper, Jeep headlight, brake part, or Jeep soft top we've got you covered, and at the best prices on the Web. If you don't see a part or item listed, please give us a call 1-888-228-6024. We are constantly adding new parts and our web catalog is not a complete listing of everything we carry.