What to add first?

[kb5xg]

I am new to jeeps, what is the best thing to add first. Need some suggestions.

Thanks

[wv4x4]

If you plan on wheeling it than I would say to put armour on it first!

[nwquadriders]

Rocker protection has been my best purchase. If you're planning on taking it off road, they're a must!!

But then there's also lift, tires, oil pan skid, quick disconnects, tow straps, etc...

It's a neverending list of things that you just "have to have"!!!

[RubiRedLJ]

rocker protection is a good idea BUT, if you whack an unprotected rocker, you can still drive off the trail.

Whack a steering box or oil pan good enough, you won't be driving anywhere.

Steering box skid & oil pan protection is a MUST for any rig that sees any time on the trails. Then in no particular order..

rocker guards, corners, diff guards or covers, lift/tires, improved steering components, etc.

ryan

[treeofliberty]

I would vote for the simple first. Tow strap and recovery points, front and rear, if you don't already have them. These are things I've used more than anything, other than the lift and tires. A hi-lift jack is also very handy. More agressive recovery gear, like a winch, is more expensive, but even more handy.

The disciplined offroader will armor up first. The less restrained, like me, will go for tires and lift first. Much of this depends on the quantity and severity of trail rides you intend to drive.

If you intend to stick to forest roads, upgrade things like your lights, or heated seats. Airing down is always a good idea, allowing the tire to flex more, giving more traction and a smoother ride. Getting some sort of onboard air is nice for any trail.

If you are going to wheel it a little harder, a simple lunchbox locker for the front axle would complement the limited slip in the rear axle. This is a $250 upgrade that will add more capability for the buck than anything else. If you have the dough, spring for an ARB air locker which is the top of the line.

It's hard to argue against a lift and bigger tires, especially since we drove from the dealer to a 4x4 shop with ours. They look soooo much better, and give you clearance for more agressive trails. However, this is not a cheap add-on, and often leads to other necessities, like regearing.

Give some more info and keep this thread going. This is always fun to discuss.

[RubiRedLJ]

treeofliberty said:

I would vote for the simple first. Tow strap and recovery points, front and rear, if you don't already have them.

x2

Something every Jeep should come with.

Lift and tires are nice BUT, too many people toss on a lift & tires and have NEVER even wheeled it stock!?

Sure it makes the Jeep look cool. But how cool are you going to look when you get stuck on trails/obstacles stockers are rolling thru because you don't know how to drive. Not too mention that of course the COG is higher and the potential for a roll is increased. (This is not directed/intended toward anyone on this thread. Just my perspective.)

And I'm going to agree with treeofliberty about the lunchbox locker. When I installed a Loc-Rite in my old TJ's D30, I thought I had died and gone to wheelin' heaven. It just made wheelin' sooooooo much more fun. And I felt that I could ease up significantly on the skinny pedal because my front end was now pulling me through things with that added traction. (with the addition of that though, brought on a new set of problems. A few broken fr. shafts/u-joints, etc. so then that prompted the install of Warn hubs,chromo axle shafts,etc.)

It's just a never ending build. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!


ryan

[kb5xg]

I have 900 miles on my 2006 unlimited, dual top, I will be adding a radio tomorrow, but not a cb, that may be later as I am a ham, I know nothing about off road and have been reading all the links on this and many other forums, I went with the unlimited to pull my boat, i figured the extra 10 inches in wheelbase would be really nice, the boat is a 20 ft pontoon, and during the summer i go to the lake almost every day. The unlimited was also chosen for the dog so she could ride behind the front seat. The off roading looks really fun but I need to find someone close who knows what they are doing to have someone to pull me out and keep me out of stuff I should get into. Pics later, if i can figure out how to add them.

[VALJRubicon]

As to the question what to add first, if you are planning on going off road and you tend to go alone or with one or two other Jeeps I would invest in some recovery equipment (straps, clevis, hi-lift jack) mabe a winch if you were going to try some harder places. This way if you do have a problem you can get yourself out, and you can learn how to wheel your Jeep. After you have been wheeling for a while and you are ready for the bigger tires and wheels you can still use the recovery equipment. Just my .5 cents worth