Sporticon

The dealer I puchased my new 2012 JK from said that the day I bought it Jeep came out with a $500.00 Mopar rebate certificate that is good for parts or accessories from the parts dept. So tomorrow I pick up the certificate and get to order the parts. My question is should I get a winch first (they have it listed on the mopar site for a Warn 8000lb winch for $347.00 or should I get the Rubicon Rock Rails that are listed at $358.00?

If i get the winch I will have to get the universal winch mount plate. somewhere.

Just looking for opinions on which i should get with my free $500.00

Fyi I can't spend any of my own money on mods (that was the agreement with wife in order for me to get the new Jeep)

Delux2769

Winch. You can pick up rock rails later for cheaper.

Sporticon

At first I was thinking rock rails, But then I got to thinking that maybe the certificate would be better spent on a winch. But I would have to find a cheap plate to mount it with the stock bumper.
Plus the sales guy said that they might have some rails that were take offs from a rubi that other customers upgraded that i might be able to get cheap too.

wayoflife

man, my rule of thumb is if you don't have em, rock rails are what you need. however, you can get a used set of rubicon rails for cheap and, being that is rarely gets used, a winch is always a tough mod to justify. so, having said that, i would say go with the winch.

Sporticon

Escpecially since I don't have a Rubicon anymore.... I might get stuck more

In your opinion would the warn 8k lb winch be sufficient?

Nwapache

Winch for sure, rubi rails can be had used cheap or free...

wayoflife

yep, it'll get the job done. carry a snatch block and it'll be plenty for sure.

eraujk

Or always go with a buddy and a strap/buddies winch. The cost to repair rocker panels isn't nice to wallets. Plus The rockers help you get over obstacles just like the winch can..... you just might have to slide a little to do it.

Tonka_yellow

Winch would be first if it was me

Sporticon

Even when I had my Rubi and even more so when it was stock I used the hell out of the rails.
scuff repaint, gouge repaint
it's such a vicious cycle.