What are the best off-road accessories for the Mazda CX-50?

Question

gotta get ready for the ozarks by next friday. saw the meridian stuff but its so overpriced so i was thinking falken wildpeaks. my logic was tires first but people say they drone on highways. budget is like 800 so what else actually works? do i need a lift or just better plates?

JekCeW · Accepted Answer

Honestly, you're 100 percent right about prioritizing tires! Safety is everything when you're hitting trails in the Ozarks, and the stock rubber is just too thin for those rocks. I love my CX-50 and the best thing I did was swap to a proper all-terrain setup immediately. For your $800 budget, you can actually get amazing performance without breaking the bank or ruining your fuel economy. Forget the lift for now because it can put weird stress on your suspension components anyway. Methodical upgrades are always better for long-term reliability tho!

Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail 225/60R18 100H

These are fantastic! They are specifically engineered for CUVs so the highway drone is basically non-existent compared to heavy truck tires.

Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor 12V 120 PSI

You must air down for traction and air back up for safety before hitting the highway. Its a total lifesaver.

X-Bull Recovery Traction Boards Gen2

These are cheap insurance if you get stuck in mud or loose gravel. Getting the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires should take up most of your budget if you find a deal at a local warehouse. I've used them for a year and they handle rain and light mud like a dream. Stay safe out there and definitely stick to the tires first... its the most reliable way to build a rig without wasting money on flashy stuff you dont need yet!

ilyiwrqvhp · Answer

Regarding what #1 said about "Honestly, you're 100 percent right about prioritizing tires!...", it is literally the best advice for any soft-roader! But listen, if you're hitting those rocky Ozark trails next week, you really need to think about protection too. The CX-50 is amazing but it doesnt have a ton of ground clearance compared to a lifted Jeep, so protecting your oil pan is a massive priority if you wanna drive home in one piece! Heres what I would grab to stay under that $800 budget while still being trail-ready:

Get a real skid plate. I love the Rival 4x4 Aluminum Skid Plate Mazda CX-50 because it's lightweight and super easy to install yourself. It saves your engine from those nasty hidden rocks and gives you so much peace of mind.

Recovery points are non-negotiable! The factory tow hook is okay in a pinch but a GearAmerica Shackle Hitch Receiver 2 Inch is way more reliable and safer if you actually get stuck in some deep mud.

Since you're going remote, grab a NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A Jump Starter. It's a lifesaver if your battery dies while you're out exploring in the middle of nowhere! You definitely dont need a lift yet. Better to spend that money on armor and recovery gear first. Seriously, you're gonna have a blast out there! The car is a beast once you prep it right. Feel free to ask more if you're worried about specific trails!

wloqtwqnux · Answer

To add to the point above, be really careful about how much weight youre packing. The CX-50 is solid but heavy gear really tanks your ground clearance on those trails.

Check your spare tire pressure before leaving

Watch your speed on descents so you dont cook your brakes

Bring a paper map cuz cell service is basically nonexistent out there Youll have a blast, just stay safe!