I don't know if this thread has been started somewhere but I figured I would give it a shot. Basically this is for someone who recently got a Jeep or just hasn't figured out what to spend that first amount of money it.

I would like some guys to give good advice on what the best 5 things to start your upgrades would be. Basically give a list and describe pricing and use or whatever. And of course pictures are a must have.

If you wanna list the top 10 things that is another possibility.

Let the ranking begin!

By the way this is all in your own personal opinion.

 

So much depends on what you are looking for.....but if it was me and I had the money to do it right away....


#1...Lift

#2...Tires/wheels

#3...Bumpers

#4...Exhaust

#5...Superchips Flashpaq

 

Depends on X/Sahara or Rubicon

*I did a BB first - 2.5", stock shocks. No need to mess with pinion angles/etc if you're on a budget/dont need to go too big right now
*Tossed the stock front bumper so i could have a decent approach angle
*going 35s after diy flare trimming
*differential protection/skids
*winch if you're crazy enough to actually need it. nothing better than a dead pull

 

1) Snorkel
2) Tires
3) Lift
4) Bumpers
5) Winch

 

last jeep i did the lift and tires first....

this jeep i am doing the bumpers, skids and winch first.

 

There seems to be two major schools of thought on this. One side is the lift/tires route. This will get you out further on harder trails.

The other school of thought is recovery. This is winches, straps, hi-lift type stuff first. This won't "help" you four wheelin but will help if you get stuck allowing you to do harder trails then you might attempt without this stuff.

I went recovery first because I tend to go out on a lot of easier trails by myself. I limit myself to a 4 out of 10 rating on the trails that I do by myself. Once it gets to a 5 rating I like to do those in a group. I also skidded the evap.

Deflators, compressor and quick releases make trails 10 times more fun in a stock Jeep. Even easier trails are much nicer with soft tires and a loose front end. These were my first purchases along with a strap.

 

1. Good tires
2. Skids and armor
3. Rear locker if yours didn't come from the factory with the e-lock D44
4. Front sway bar disconnects if you didn't get e-discos from the factory
5. A recovery kit (strap, chain, tree saver, Hi-Lift)

With all due respect to others' views, you don't need engine management stuff, exhaust, lift or anything else to get started wheeling. It's 80 percent driver, only 20 percent machine, so get the rudimentary items above and spend your money driving to good trail locations (e.g. Colorado, Utah, etc).

 

With the same respect, the Rubicons are extremely limited by the factory height. Even just my 2.5" bb and losing the bulky/tire covering stock bumper worked wonders off roading. The capability of many of these rigs is very limited to height. My 2.5" bb and 35s will be able to get the tires on and conquer much more than the stock height Rubi I started with. For the $140 "lift" and upgrade in tire size.

Sway disconnects is a good one to be on the list for the Sahara/X guys.

 

Just some more simple/cheaper ideas for those starting out.

1. Set of slush mats for the floors
2. Mud flaps
3. Door for the fuel filler
4. Brush guards for lights
5. Tow strap, mag light and first aid kit.

 

Mud flaps on a Wrangler??