15 WORST to BEST OFF-ROAD MODS for Protection

I believe the humble UHF deserved a spot on the list. While it's not a preventative measure, it can greatly increase chances of getting help when needed when phone signal is non existent.

I used to drive the Guatemala jungle and found that the… Rear bar = protection reversing in tight spaces i.e trees, rocks, and option for rear winch. Brush bar = also for tight spaces, lean overs, and protection in really deep ruts Big fan of snorkels but they do become a liability on the trail, getting caught up on branches. Need to turn the snorkel head around. I do enjoy Peace of mind! Good bar work also helps protect your vehicle from people who can’t park and I find it keeps other vehicles at a distance on the road. If they tailgate, sucks for them if they accidentally rear end you.

I have none of those, I don't even have a 4x4 yet but I am here to learn.

I used to work in the wheel manufacturing industry and encountered wheels of all types and observed the tests to get a standard accreditation for them. I can tell you not all standards are equal and many forged after market dont even get accredited. Proper OEM cast and in some cases forged OEM are strong and often pass the gutter tests without loosing air at all. Lightweight after market wheels failed every test, Forged,Cast or even billet. Explosive Air release and very often if not huge cracks through the bead seat. Cornering loads are not so severe but after market Steel rims usually fail very quickly cracking in the hub, Alloy after market are better but depending on their design will also fail quite early. Multi drilled patterns should be illegal IMO as they crack a lot and keeping wheel nuts correctly tensioned required a lot of attention in every long duration test. After market Steel rims are almost always made from thinner steel and are frequently pressed without the dimples that allow a little flex between the mounting holes that allow for a little flex all wheels encounter during mounting and use. This is where they usually crack if they have been made properly. Wider than standard steel rims will also add increased load to the wheels hub mounting so a wide set of steels should use a hub that's thicker than even standard. In short if isn't OEM 90% of the time it's weaker in all aspects. Forged rims can often hide pinches due to the process if there has been a temp issue when being made and should be avoided unless x rayed 100%. Their strength VS weight benefits are good but unless it's for track use is a down grade durability wise. Steel rims are the toughest by a long way however material thickness, hub design and weld quality play a big part. Cold welds and or undercut will start cracks. Hoops can often have undersized bead seats that keep the tire mounted when it goes flat. Also on the majority of modern passenger stuff the bore for the hub should be made to fit very snugly around the pilot on the brake hub. Wheel studs are there on these types of mount to hold the rim against the hub and not locate it radially. If there is to much clearance it introduces extra loads on the wheel stud, nut and the contact point between the two.

Our bull bars have saved our trucks 12 times from deer strikes. One strike was so hard the buck flew over the fence after impact about 20 feet. None of these were deliberate but because of running deer. Your list is very comprehensive and exact. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.

Good on yah Ronny for having the guts to say you might have been wrong previously. A trait not too many exhibit on youtube but a real element of improvement in real life.

When I was a youngster we called them ‘roobars’ not bull bars…no bull.

Offroad driving/driver training. Whilst not a strictly a vehicle mod, it certainly changes the risks, peace of mind, and reduces track damage.

03:37 True! plus carrying the compressed air in that second spare (when you're already carrying a compressor) is another good couple of kilos. I believe in the 'carry the spare tyre, not the spare wheel approach'. That being said, it might then also be useful to carry a spare inner tube, in case the rim gets badly whacked, although this would be a terrain specific consideration.

No mention of being able to jack from the rock sliders in crazy. Perfect for a Shepard's jack when you're in a touch situation

First thing I did with my Defender was put HD steelies on it. They are heavy but I’d have other bigger issues if I did enough damage to the vehicle to damage them. Also put a raised air intake on it because I was heading to Morocco, the dust and sand it collected was an eye opener.

I've actually had 2 tires blow out at the same time. Middle of nowhere no phone signal. Ended up driving around 15-20 miles to the nearest town with 1 still blown. Totally destroyed the rim. Almost nothing left of it. Luckily the little farm shop had an old tire on a rim that fit. So 2 spares for me when I'm way out there by myself.

I'd push the rock sliders up the list a few pegs, if you get 'T Boned' in any accident, they transfer the impact to the chassis .. instead of the other vehicle crushing the cabin into the chassis. Confident that steel side steps saved a friend's children seated in the second row seats, in a side collision.

Another tick for the Grenadier. The number 1 mod, a pre-filter, isn’t a mod. It comes included from factory.

Rock&tree sliders give protection for under the door sills. If damaged this is a costly body work repair. For me it proved to be one of the best investment

After watching shauno flop the dirty 30 over in the Rubicon, the brush bars have earned their place.

Hey Ronny, Kangaroos are often disorientated by bright lights. Dim your lights right down and move the car slowly and they will move out of your way much quicker, especially if they are just sitting on the road.

I raced off road with steel rims, so many dented up rims and yes we hammered them back into shape, keep a tube of silicone to help reseal the tyre bead if really badly bruised

You missed nudge bars and 2 inch body lifts... these seem to be popular with the crowd that thinks that 22 inch rims with low profile muddies is a good idea.

Brush rails help hold the bull bar forward with multiple animal strikes