1. Underneath

• Skid plates: fresh scrapes, bent, shifted
• Crossmembers: new contact marks
• Missing or backed-out hardware
• Front diff: wetness, level
• Rear diff: wetness, level
• Transfer case: seepage, level
• Axle seals: oil at the axle, wind trails
• Oil pan and transmission: any weeping
• Brake and ABS lines: abrasion, routing
• Wiring: chafe points, hanging, melt marks
• Driveshafts: slop, binding, torn boots
• U-joints and CVs: grease sling, rough spin

A three-trip seep looks different from one that started last weekend. Photograph anything you are unsure about.

2. Suspension and Steering

• Track bar bolts, both ends
• Control arm hardware
• Sway bar links and disconnects
• Shock mounts and brackets
• Steering stabilizer mounts
• Jam nuts tight
• Rust trails weeping from bolt heads
• Tie rod ends: push and pull by hand
• Drag link ends: feel for play
• Ball joints: feel for play
• Wheel bearings: spin, listen for roughness
• Shocks: leaking seals, bent shafts

More tire and more weight means more leverage on every joint. A stock inspection standard does not cover a modified rig.

3. Tires and Spare

• Sidewalls, all four: cracking, bubbling, cuts
• Tread: pull rocks, screws, glass
• Wear pattern: cupping, uneven, sharp edges
• Lug torque to spec, torque wrench not impact
• Cold pressure set before leaving
• Any corner consistently low equals a slow leak
• Spare: pressure and tread
• Spare: mount tight
• Jack present and rated for your lift height
• Lug wrench fits, locking key findable
• Tire repair kit stocked
• Cover intact: no chalking, fading, split seams

Check the spare like you will need it, because the day you do, you will not be checking anything.

4. Fluids, as Trends

• Engine oil: level, color, interval remaining
• Coolant: level, color, smell
• Brake fluid: level and pad wear
• Power steering: level, noise, steering feel
• Front and rear diff fluid
• Transfer case fluid: burnt smell, contamination
• Washer fluid full
• Any level lower than last check, noted below

A level check confirms the fluid exists. A trend check tells you something is happening.

5. Gear That Always Lives in the Jeep

• Recovery straps and soft shackles
• Recovery points rated and bolted tight
• Gloves
• Air source and accurate gauge
• Tire plug kit and valve tools
• Hand tools sized to your Jeep
• Electrical: fuses, tape, connectors, zip ties
• Spare fluids: oil, gear oil, water
• Medical kit stocked and in date
• Fire extinguisher charged and reachable
• Headlamp and work light, batteries fresh
• Communication device charged

6. This Trip Specifically

• Distance from pavement
• Solo or in a group
• Weather, heat, cold, elevation
• Trip length and overnight plan
• Water: do the math, do not estimate
• Food and fuel range
• Route saved offline, someone knows it
• Expected return time given to someone

7. Reach

• Recovery gear reachable without unloading
• Medical kit reachable from a seat
• Fire extinguisher reachable while belted
• Everything has a fixed home
• Nothing loose that becomes a projectile
• Dead weight removed

Notes