you are right about one thing, selling your stock rims/tires will hardly make a dent in what the nitto's will cost.

As for the lift/gearing it's all your choice. I can tell you though, if I saved for it all at once I probably wouldn't have any mods on mine right now!

 

congrats on your new jeep and welcome. I just got my new rubicon last week. finally came in. took 3 months because I ordered it from factory. Right away, I did a 3.5" rock krawler mid arm flex lift kit with bilstein 5100 series shocks, 35" nitto trail grapplers, and 17"x9" KMC black addict wheels. The lift kit cost me $1200 including the shocks and my local mechanic installed it for $500. I sold my stock rubicons wheels and tires to help pay for my nittos. I sold them for $1100 for the 5. The nittos and the KMC wheels cost me $2450 out the door so the $1100 was a good amount towards the my new tires.

After these mods my rubicon looks aggressive. And your at the right place to ask. I didn't have a clue to what I was doing but was guided along by members of this forum.

Enjoy your jeep!

 

My opinion is that of a poser who will never really "off road" to any great degree. If you fit that description, why not try some 16 inch rims with either 255/85/16 tires (33) or 285s ? If you pick an aggressive looking tire, might accomplish your goal of a more aggressive, modestly (relatively) priced upgrade/customization to set you apart a little bit. I'm told performance should not really suffer.
If you investigate that, there are tons of threads about 33 inch tires without lift, issues to consider, etc...I would not be the one to give you any advice until my Jeep is done, hopefully some time early next week. Good luck, it's alot of fun.

 

I would have to agree with some of you, I did a 4" Rancho with 35" Pro Comp Xtreme AT's. I have a Rubicon with the stock gears and they are not bad on the street. Once I hit the trails the big hills kill me.
I get tons of compliments on my Jeep and think it looks aggressive (same look I was going for). Benefits are my road capabilities are still there and it seems very close to the stock ride.

 

Dang, Sorry pic is so big

 

My best advice is wait and save your money. Wheel it and see where you find you need upgrades. I think patience is the key so you you don't by a budget boost when you really want a long arm kit. Buy it once and buy it right.

 

After reading all of our opinions, you will probably be more confused than before. A couple of things to remember. Anything you do to the Jeep will cost you some economy. All of the things suggested look nice and are required for moderate to hard offroading. A stock Rubicon will go more places than you would think, but to the young at heart, they look a little whimpy. I just did a 3" lift, 34" tires, 513 gears, Superchip, Hothead liners, 3m vinyl protective film all around, and F&R bumpers w/winch. Total cost was a little over $9000 and my mpg dropped about 25%. It looks tough and the ride is harsher, but that's life in a Jeep.