How to Choose and Build Your First 4×4

Season 1 Episode 3

Building My First 4×4: A Beginner’s Guide

Hey everyone, Josh here, co-host of the DPV podcast. In episode 3, Alex and I dove headfirst into the world of off-roading, specifically focusing on helping out those newbie wheelers looking to build their first 4×4 on a budget. We’ve both made our fair share of mistakes over the years, so we figured we’d share what we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) to hopefully save others from the same pitfalls. As I said in the podcast, “We’ve got some experience, yeah. We don’t always learn from the experience,” but we’re trying!

Picking the Right Rig

From my point of view, picking the right vehicle is the crucial first step. There are a few key things to look for:

• Straight Axle: In my experience, a straight axle is a huge advantage off-road, offering better strength and articulation.
• Transfer Case with Low Range: You absolutely need a transfer case with a low range. It’s what gives you that extra torque for crawling over rocks and tough obstacles. Stay away from all-wheel-drive systems – they’re not built for lifting and bigger tires. As Alex pointed out, “if you pick an all wheel drive version, those do not like to be lifted. They tend to have lots of driveline vibes.”
• Aftermarket Support: This is a big one. You want a vehicle that has plenty of aftermarket parts available. It makes modifying much easier and cheaper. Some good options are:
  • Jeep Wranglers (they can be a bit more expensive to buy initially)
  • Jeep Cherokees (XJ) and Grand Cherokees (ZJ) – great budget-friendly choices
  • Toyota Tacomas and 4Runners (known for their reliability, but can sometimes be found at decent prices used).

My Recommended First Mods

Once you’ve got your ride, here’s what I’d recommend doing first:

• Lift and Tires: A 2-3 inch lift is plenty to start with. Pair that with the biggest tires you can fit without going crazy on other mods. Stick with your factory wheels for now – they work just fine. Hit up Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for used tires; you can find some great deals. Remember, as we discussed, “Stock wheels wheel just as good as the aftermarket wheels.”
• Recovery Gear: A winch is a must-have, especially if you plan on wheeling solo like we often do. The Harbor Freight Badland winches are surprisingly good for the price. Come-alongs and snatch blocks are also good to have in your arsenal. I even mentioned that I “run a Harbor Freight Badland winch on the front of my trailer and it is awesome.”
• Sway Bar Disconnects: These are a game-changer for articulation. I remember putting them on my Grand Cherokee with just a 2-inch lift and 31s, and I was keeping up with Alex and his Bronco on 35s (before he got his locker!). We both agreed, “It’s amazing what suspension travel and articulation can do.”
• Body Protection (Optional): Skid plates for your transfer case and gas tank are a good idea to protect those vital parts. Rock sliders are also worth considering. If you’re handy with a welder, you can even fab up your own skid plates – it’s a good way to learn some new skills.
• Lunchbox Locker (Later On): A lunchbox locker is a relatively simple and affordable way to get a huge boost in off-road traction. It basically replaces the spider gears in your differential. As I said on the podcast, they “can really help you go a long ways down the trail. Having a locker makes a gigantic difference.”

My Philosophy: Build As You Go

I’m a big believer in starting small and building your rig gradually. Here’s why:

• Confidence Booster: Doing the work yourself gives you a real sense of accomplishment and helps you learn about your vehicle.
• Learning Your Rig’s Limits: Wheeling a stock or lightly modified rig teaches you how to pick the right lines and understand what your vehicle can and can’t do.
• Avoiding Burnout: I’ve seen guys go all-out on their first build, then go wheeling a couple of times and get burnt out. It’s better to start simple and figure out what you actually need. As we talked about, it’s better to “put a two inch budget boost on something go have some fun figure out what the next thing is that you need.”
• Developing Driving Skills: Driving a stock rig forces you to focus on line selection and keeping all four tires on the ground. These are essential skills that will make you a better driver regardless of what you’re driving. As Alex explained, “you learn how to pick lines because… you’re gonna have to kind of keep in mind oh these are the low points on my rig.”

The Wheeling Community: A Great Place to Be

One of the best things about off-roading is the community. Everyone’s always willing to lend a hand and help out. “It’s a nice big community and it’s fun,” as I mentioned.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing is to get out there, have fun, and learn as you go. Off-roading is a great sport, and the community is awesome. So, get yourself a rig, do some basic mods, and hit the trails! Wheel it, wreck it, wrench it, repeat!