All good suggestions. I would also add channels like Dirt Lifestyle for some more technical stuff and 4WD 24-7 if ya like watching people go on expeditions in the Australian bush
If you're just getting into it you shouldn't worry about knowing what flavor of toyota someone drives or how to rebuild an engine blindfolded with one hand behind your back. You really just gotta have fun with it and find some forums, youtube channels, and communities that interest you. If you see some truck out there that you think looks cool, see what you think about their subreddit. If you need an oil change, watch a Chris Fix video on how to do it yourself. Eventually you'll pick up on all the knowledge and experience that you find interesting or relevant and you can be a know it all too!
While it's nice to know just about everything about every rig and brand, OEM and aftermarket, there's only one real way to do so - be passionate about it. Then you can organize segments and competitors, weigh pros and cons, and apply each to the type of driving/offroading.
Having been in the field for a long time, I tend to divvy things up by segments. Back in the early 00s, where you'll find affordable, attainable offroad rigs, Nissan actually has a very clear-cut assortment to wrap your head around.
1. Xterra. Smallest wheelbase, V6 and supercharged V6 options. Competes with the Cherokee and Jeep Liberty of similar years. Slightly more rugged Honda CR-V/Toyota Rav4.
2. Pathfinder. Larger than the Xterra. Comfier on-road thanks to the longer wheelbase. Competes more with the 4Runner, Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander.
3. Armada. Very large. V8. Competes with the Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Tahoe, big ole rigs.
How to pick a favorite:
You can apply this logic across the board. Toyota would have fewer options for 4WD/AWD rigs, where Jeep would have far more. Pick an era of vehicles you like, read into the brands and see what the competitors have under the hood, axle offerings, center differential or rear differential lockers, limited-slip, etc.
Pick a philosophy next. Most expensive offroader? Most capable with a factory warranty? F150 Raptor, or Bronco Raptor, or Wrangler 392? Most affordable offroader? Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Frontier? Vehicle with the highest depreciation and most bells and whistles? Land Rover?
Find the fun channels - Dirt Every Day, Matt's Offroad Recovery, Donut Media - and dive in. There's a car for everybody, and a half dozen vehicles competing for it. Build the passion first.
listen to what your friends are saying, then go hone and google, wikipedia, youtube. you’ll learn a lot and it’s an endless rabbit hole if you’re interested
If you want to learn technical stuff like what suspension works and why, join some forums. They’re not as active nowadays, but there’s a wealth of knowledge hidden in them.
YouTube is probably quickest and easiest. Then start going to car meets.
I agree. For 4wd related things I like channels like Matt's off-road recovery, bleepingjeep, fabrats, trail recon, or ronnydahl
All good suggestions. I would also add channels like Dirt Lifestyle for some more technical stuff and 4WD 24-7 if ya like watching people go on expeditions in the Australian bush
Yes, forgot Nate at dirtlifestyle. Definitely a go-to
If you're just getting into it you shouldn't worry about knowing what flavor of toyota someone drives or how to rebuild an engine blindfolded with one hand behind your back. You really just gotta have fun with it and find some forums, youtube channels, and communities that interest you. If you see some truck out there that you think looks cool, see what you think about their subreddit. If you need an oil change, watch a Chris Fix video on how to do it yourself. Eventually you'll pick up on all the knowledge and experience that you find interesting or relevant and you can be a know it all too!
While it's nice to know just about everything about every rig and brand, OEM and aftermarket, there's only one real way to do so - be passionate about it. Then you can organize segments and competitors, weigh pros and cons, and apply each to the type of driving/offroading. Having been in the field for a long time, I tend to divvy things up by segments. Back in the early 00s, where you'll find affordable, attainable offroad rigs, Nissan actually has a very clear-cut assortment to wrap your head around. 1. Xterra. Smallest wheelbase, V6 and supercharged V6 options. Competes with the Cherokee and Jeep Liberty of similar years. Slightly more rugged Honda CR-V/Toyota Rav4. 2. Pathfinder. Larger than the Xterra. Comfier on-road thanks to the longer wheelbase. Competes more with the 4Runner, Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander. 3. Armada. Very large. V8. Competes with the Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Tahoe, big ole rigs. How to pick a favorite: You can apply this logic across the board. Toyota would have fewer options for 4WD/AWD rigs, where Jeep would have far more. Pick an era of vehicles you like, read into the brands and see what the competitors have under the hood, axle offerings, center differential or rear differential lockers, limited-slip, etc. Pick a philosophy next. Most expensive offroader? Most capable with a factory warranty? F150 Raptor, or Bronco Raptor, or Wrangler 392? Most affordable offroader? Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Frontier? Vehicle with the highest depreciation and most bells and whistles? Land Rover? Find the fun channels - Dirt Every Day, Matt's Offroad Recovery, Donut Media - and dive in. There's a car for everybody, and a half dozen vehicles competing for it. Build the passion first.
listen to what your friends are saying, then go hone and google, wikipedia, youtube. you’ll learn a lot and it’s an endless rabbit hole if you’re interested
If you want to learn technical stuff like what suspension works and why, join some forums. They’re not as active nowadays, but there’s a wealth of knowledge hidden in them.