well I went off roading with a couple of buddys today. To get into the trails there was a small peaky hill that we had to go over. My friend has a 4 door jk base model and he scrapes his frame on this hill. He kind of sea saws it over it. He wanted me to do the same but i refused and left my jeep outside. Is it ok to scrape your frame like that?? What can be damaged?? He basically got his jeep over the hill by getting enough momentum to drag his frame until his tires touched again.

 

It is OK, sure... it is a Jeep... but in my OPINION it isn't proper off road technique (other opinions may vary). It is called high-centering and is usually avoided. There are skidplates but even so, several things could be damaged (exhaust, driveshafts / CV joints, diffs, charcoal canister, rocker panels, etc..)
This is why I find that having a spotter helps to take the correct line over an obstacle, keeping at least 3 wheels in contact at all times.

By the way, nice to see a fellow :Lawng Goylandah" here.. welcome!

 

and where might this trail be lol??

Im also from long island

 

Just be careful not to rip anything off. Otherwise, that's what your skid plates are made for.

 

As long as you're not flying over it it'll be fine. Your Jeep isn't that fragile.

 

ok well i guess maybe i'll try next time, its not to severe i just didn't think it seemed "healthy"

oh and for the long island guys, ever heard of suffolk meadows??

 

It is never good or acceptable to drag your jeep over obstacles if it can be avoided.

Downside, paint scraped off, bolt heads destroyed, dirt buildup in various components, frame, bumpers, etc. Good way to bend a drive shaft, or tear off parts.

Of course it is your Jeep, not mine.

 

Hey, if you're scared...say you're scared.

 

I think this message is going to unnecessarily scare the original poster. Take it slowly with just enough power and you shouldn't have an issue. Ask the people I wheel with, I'm very conservative and the last thing I want to do is break anything on the trail -- and if I break anything I want it to be a non-show stopper.

You're not wheeling a Toyota FJ, go ahead have a little fun!

 

Right on - go slow, go cautious, and you'll be fine. My skidplates have taken quite a beating in the past on big rocks, and my JK still runs and drives 100%... the skidplates do their job well!

If you're new to off-roading (which is what I gather from your post), remember that you want to go slow when traversing big obstacles. Also, if there's a big rock or whatever, don't drive toward/over it with it centered in the middle of your Jeep (between the tires); instead, plant a tire on it and let your suspension flex to allow you to drive over it. When you're driving OFF the obstacle, go as slow as possible, so that your suspension has as much time as it needs to readjust. Of course, there are some rocks that are just way too big to drive over (you'll know 'em when you see 'em) - drive AROUND these ones.

Have fun and enjoy your Jeep - you'll be amazed at what it's capable of!