4 wheelin tips and advice

[1974ChevyC10]

im basically one step away from buying a 1977 Chevy K-10 4WD shortbed which has a factory 350 V-8/TH350/NP203 lifted 4' with 33x12.50R15 and unknown brand custom rims.Im pretty inexpierienced when it comes to 4 wheelin so what kind of tips can you all give me as it pertains to wheelin itself,safety,things to bring,things to look for,etc,etc,etc.anything i should do to prep the truck for wheelin.things like that.

[thirdstreettito]

Bring:

*Cooler with drinks, ice, and a bit of food
*2 tow straps or chains (and a snatch block if you really want to)
*Shovel, axe, a few mid-size pieces of wood
*Cell phone with full battery

This is a general list if you are going far way from anything, at least a mile off road or so. Its also good to go wheeling with someone else in a 4x4.

[fun in dirt]

PREP:
*Get a good winch, some strong (doesn't mean big) bumpers to ricochet off stuff with, & always run tires with deep lugs (I hate stuck 4wds with slick tires).
*Keep ammo box in truck supplied with 1st aid kit, flashlight, extra clothes, water, crackers, & vienna or whatever and, of course, a roll of toilet paper.

TIP:
*If there is a muddy area with cat tails growing in it, let somebody else try to cross it first...places like that can be decievingly deep.
*Never go alone - so there will be somebody to call for help, pull you out, or probably just laugh at you.

[msgross]

take a buddy with a truck... a GPS, water, , chow, blanket, phone, tow strap, fix-a-flat, tool box with basic tools, CB, and HAVE FUN!!!!

[OrrieG]

I'd add hi-lift jack, extra fluids in case you overheat or puncutre a radiator hose. I carry a small tool box with hand tools, electrical stuff, bailing wire, jb weld, duct tape and other stuff I might need to get back home. At some point in the last 35 years I have used everything at least once. If its winter I have a old AF flight bag with a 4 season bag, extra wool clothes in case I get wet, insulated snow boots, candles, spare food, batteries etc. in case I get stranded. I even toss it in my car when traveling in the winter.

Not mentioned but assumed is a good set of maps and maybe gps so if you have to walk out you can take the shortest route. I also carry my hunting fanny pack which has more survival gear (space blanket, game saw, first aid kit, rope, etc.) and flagging tape so if you have to leave your rig some one can track your tape. Pencil and paper is nice for leaving final love notes to loved ones.

I'll leave firearms up to your discression, lets just say I don't like being in the middle of nowhere with other whacko's, wolves, bears and rattle snakes running around. A couple of good knives come in handy too.

[Benelli]

I have to old ammo boxes rolling around in the toolbox of my pick up that are full of tools and other nescesities.

Food, non-perishables.
2 quarts of oil (don't want to drive home a quart or so low?)
2 gal. of coolant
2 gal. of water
2 quarts of ATF
Machinest's wire
Duck Tape
Electrical Tape
Fuses
"Handy Man" jack
Ratchet straps / come alongs
A friend to follow you around
Cell phone with car charger
some pieces of 2x4, only a foot or so long.
Some extra socks and boots, if you happen to get wet.
Rags
First aid
2 or 3 sharp knives
fix-a-flat and a spare tire or two.

Make sure if you're going into an area that you don't know that well, be safe and walk around before you decide to go jumping around.

Don't forget your camera, kickass stories go with kickass pictures!