First trip into the woods... Gonna need some changes.

[Idaho45guy]

Rip that airdam off, throw on the good tires and make sure you have skid plates. My Yukon is a tank off-road .Do you have the locking rear?

I think I do... I had one in my Ram and so when I broke traction in the Yukon, I got the typical sideways movement from both rear tires spinning. Not sure where to check for sure, though. I assume there's a tag on the diff with a specific code like there was on my `97 Suburban; lists the gear ratio and if there is a factory locker.

 

[Doubeleive]

you'll want to take those running boards off as they will probably be the first thing to get jacked up off roading

 

[DirtyHoe2002]

you'll want to take those running boards off as they will probably be the first thing to get jacked up off roading

plus those stock running boards look like junk IMO

 

[CamReynolds]

I think I do... I had one in my Ram and so when I broke traction in the Yukon, I got the typical sideways movement from both rear tires spinning. Not sure where to check for sure, though. I assume there's a tag on the diff with a specific code like there was on my `97 Suburban; lists the gear ratio and if there is a factory locker.

yep, check the codes in the glovebox. look for G80

 

[Idaho45guy]

Took it back out yesterday and it is much improved. Still haven't got around to removing the front air dam and am on the fence regarding removing the running boards. I really liked them on my pickup and used them quite a bit. But this Yukon is so much lower, I'm not sure I use them.

Anyway, drove about 80 miles of gravel and dirt roads in the mountains, including the prior logging road that it did so poorly on last week. Definitely did not have to put it in 4wd this time and actually took it into some fairly deep mud holes and was able to get through them with moderate tire spin and no 4wd. The rear locker definitely helps. Very happy with the tires and it was able to get me everywhere I wanted to go.

 

[CamReynolds]

definetly take off the air dam, it takes 5 minutes and it drives the same but gives better clearance. took my 5 minutes or less to do. you could leave the running boards on to protect the rockers if you wanted but it looks a lot taller without them

 

[swathdiver]

A good set of tires is more important than 4WD in most situations. Good call.

 

[Bombsquad85]

You can send that airdam to me

 

[Junkpile]

My kids and I took ours out in the woods last weekend. I was surprised at how good it felt offroad for how low and heavy it is. We stayed in the tamer areas and it was really dry, but still, the big XL pulled surprisingly well considering my 275/55/20 highway treads. The G80 diff works better than I expected.

I will say though, if I had not already removed the air dam and running boards, the trail would have done it for me.

 

[Idaho45guy]

Went out again today and found some snow way up in the woods. DuraTracs did really well in deep, heavy, wet snow...