 "I just bought my first Jeep, what should I do to it first?" We get a lot of questions like this from our readers, many of whom think they have to start with expensive items, like lockers and low gears, or lift kits and large tires, in order to gain traction. Not so! While these things definitely help (a lot!), you may be amazed to learn that improving traction can cost little to nothing at all.
Here we're talking about "disconnecting" and "airing down". Disconnecting
swaybars* and airing-down your tires can
improve traction so much, it could mean the difference between getting stuck
and getting home. Step One: Disconnecting
You've probably heard someone mention "disconnecting", or using "quick disconnects". What they are referring to is "disconnecting the swaybar* ". THIS IS ONLY FOR OFF-ROAD USE! While companies like Rancho and Rusty's Off-Road offer inexpensive devices to allow quick and easy swaybar disconnection, the same effect can be achieved using a socket wrench and T-55 Torx driver.
It is only necessary to remove a bolt from one side, but it is better to remove both and to swing the swaybar up out of the way so the parts cannot be damaged. NOTE: Be SURE to reconnect before returning to the highway! Without the swaybar in place, the Jeep will have a tendency to "roll" and "pitch", and may become un-maneuverable. A lot of extra wheel travel is one benefit of disconnecting swaybars. What does this mean? It means that all four wheels are more likely to stay on the ground, where they belong, to provide traction. For even more flex, check out TKSliders disconnects for the rear swaybar.
Disconnecting the swaybar before off-roading can help prevent hanging tires in the air, where they'll spin uselessly.
Step Two: Airing Down
Airing-down tires is an excellent way to gain traction when it's done properly. While airing-down to only 20PSI might get you onto the trail quickly, it's really not enough to gain any useful traction. On the other hand, 5PSI could quite possibly leave you stranded on the trail trying to figure out how to re-set your bead(s). To air-down correctly, tires should be sitting between 8 and 15PSI, depending on tire size, vehicle weight, and the tire's composition (some tires have much softer sidewalls). Watch the tires as the air is released, and notice the sidewalls start to "bulge" as the weight of the Jeep presses down on them. (You want enough air to hold the bead, but as far as traction is concerned, less air is better; just make sure you're not riding on completely flat tires). The best way to understand how traction is gained by airing-down may be to imagine a flat tire compared to an inflated tire; picture how much more of the flat tire's tread is in contact with the pavement. Always air-up before returning to the highway for safety and to prevent tire damage. To air-up quickly and safely, check out Advanced Air Systems Power Tank.
In the above photos, notice how the aired-down tires (the Kelly Safari MSR in particular) appear to wrap themselves around the rock.
Recommended pressures for some common tire sizes:
There's cheap, and then there's easy. Here are the items we use to disconnect, air-down, and reinflate on the trail.
Airing Up: Powertank by Advanced Air Systems
Disconnecting: Rancho Quick Disconnects
as "swaybars", and are used mostly to reduce vehicle leaning while cornering. 
Dirt Road Magazine is sponsored by Turner 4WD Parts Co. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
