Part Selection Advice

[timbillyosu]

Yep, I've got the bug... Now I'm looking for upgrades. I've gotten a few things (Step Bars, Grab Handles, Cat-back Exhaust, Shift Knobs, Floor Liners, Dash Storage Panel, Cargo Net) but I'm looking for more.

I'm thinking next is a CB and probably seat covers to keep Frankie from trashing the interior :-P but after that might be about a 2" lift and new bumpers. Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations/sources for these? This is my daily driver so I don't want to go too over the top with huge tires and a ton of lift... yet.

I'm up for other suggestions that you guys might have as well. Such as any other gear that I haven't mentioned that you have and love.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Deleted]

My advice to you is to get feedback before you buy anything. For instance, if you are able you will want to send the step bars and cat back exhaust back for a refund. You will find the cat back does JACK squat for you. If you want more noise, just put a different muffler on. The step bars will probably not make it through WFH at Oak Ridge without getting bent, damaged, or plain ol' trashed.
Some of these things look neat and shiny and are advertised to do things but they don't. Nerf bars look good at the beach but don't hold up on the trail.
Plenty of people make these newb mistakes and regret it later but by then the money is spent.
A winch should be first on the list. The other gear will only get you stuck further in where you need a winch. After the winch, it's all opinion. I would do lockers (I don't know what you veh or mods are), armor, lift, tires, bumpers at the end of the list.
The CB is a good idea as are seat covers.

[timbillyosu]

The cat-back system is a Dynomax. I actually got it on sale for half-price. I liked it because it relocates the muffler to in front of the rear axle and adds some tone.

I was already planning on taking the Step Bars off any time I take it off-road. I know they'll get trashed.

I already have lockers. I have a 2010 Rubicon.

Is it possible to mount a winch on the stock bumper?

[ex-tbd85hilux]

There are mounts for the JK to attach a winch and keep the stocmk bumper but I would recommend putting a bumper on with an integrated winch mount. With the JK's the the winch mount systems typically mount above the frame rail while the bumper winch mounts give you a more secure mounting position that's actually below the frame rails. Don't do a Warn bumper. Their quality is good but you are paying for the name (Just my opinion though). The bumper will also help protect the front end parts like the steering box and linkages. With that you will also need to do a sway bar motor flip ($10 to $15 online) to get that above the frame rail for protection.

Another thing to look at if you are taking this off road is an Evap Canister relocation kit (~$100). You NEED to do this if you are taking your JK offroad. It will move the evap canister above the rear axle. That is if you haven't already done this. Some exhausts that are out there require it to keep the heat from the muffler relocation from burning up the plastic box that is your evap canister.

Skid plates are good but they are HEAVY. I've looked at armoring my JK and it's going to add 300 to 500 pounds of weight to the bottom of my JK depending on who I go thru and if I get aluminum or steel. I would recommend a lighter driving style over skids if you are driving this daily. And don't take the hard lines unless you are comfortable.

On a JK a 2" "budget" lift will only allow you to run a 1" taller tire. Typically a 33" or metric equivalent. With a 3" lift you can run a metric 35" tire but it has draw backs. The 3.8 is not set to push a tire that big or that heavy. It can do it but the Jeep is going to feel like a slug and suck gas badly. Plan on factoring in a gear swap when you decide to to a lift. 4.88:1 for Manual and 5.13:1 for automatic is what's ussually reccommended. Also add a programmer and control arms into the mix when you do the lift. You will need the control arms to get the bump steer out of the front end and you will need the programer to reset the computer's memory for the new tire size and gear number. Both of these numbers are in the computer and that's what determines the speed verses the old way of a spinning cable on the out put shaft of the transfer case.

A CB is handy and in some event's out west it's required. Just keep in mind space. I have a small CB mounted to the plastic above the rear view mirror. A lot of people use the Cobra hand held type that mount in small spaces (Cobra 29?). And I actually have the teraflex bracket that you could have at a discount in my garage that would allow you to mount your antenna on the tailgate between the spare and the door. Mounts to the factory holes. No drilling required.

The biggest tool you have available is Google. Research the part's you want to put on and see what other people say. Don't rely on one source and don't rely on dealer websites to have the best information.

Paul G.

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2012 11:59:12 GMT -5 @fromme said:

My advice to you is to get feedback before you buy anything.

Ok, lawnbags. Should I buy .9 mil or go for the 1.1 mil?

[ex-tbd85hilux]

1.1 mil... You never know when you need one to hide a body...

Paul G.

[Deleted]

Neither, burn it. For some reason i dont see norm raking leaves or grass clippings though.

[timbillyosu]

Paul, thanks for all the insight! I haven't moved the evap canister yet, but it is something I was looking into.

I probably wasn't planning on going any bigger than 33s on my Jeep until it isn't my daily driver. Same thing with getting a bunch of skids. I probably will down the road, but for now I'll just take it easy-ish.

I kind of like the looks of the Body Armor JK-19331 bumper. Any thoughts/experiences from anyone? That would also give me a receiver on the front to mount a rod holder.

Paul, I'll PM you on that antenna mount.

[timbillyosu]

So I was doing some more looking on bumpers and winches and came up with a question.

Once I add ~200 lbs of stuff onto my front end between the winch, bumper, and mount, what does that do to my ride quality/ride height? It would look a little funky if the front end was dipped way down. I think at lunch, I'll go stand on my front end to get an idea of what that much weight would do to it

[Deleted]

A lot of times when adding that kind of weight you will need to add some spacers to the springs to level it back up.
Adding that weight is sometimes necessary but the downsides are...well excessive weight.

I'm pretty sure Joe at Starr Motors said 33s can go on a JK with no lift, or maybe just a very small 1" spacer.

Having a front receiver is very handy IMO. Not only for fishing rods, but it's a nice place to mount a front license plate that can be removed easily when on the trail; and to push a trailer around with. Depending on the set up, it could be a decent recovery point also.

[JeepCJ5]

Mar 8, 2012 10:19:22 GMT -5 @fromme said:

just a very small 1" spacer.

So you would recommend the very small 1" spacer, instead of the medium 1" spacer, or the very large 1" spacer?

[timbillyosu]

Could I stack 2 of the large 1" spacers and end up with 3" of lift?

[Marshall]

Don't stack them! I have a set of 2 1/2" spacers that will level the front end out once you put a bumper and winch on. Your welcome to them if you would like.

[timbillyosu]

The stacking was a joke

I'll be glad to take those spacers. Just ordered my stuff. Should be here next week

I'll send you a PM.

[Deleted]

Mar 8, 2012 10:56:34 GMT -5 JeepCJ5 said:

So you would recommend the very small 1" spacer, instead of the medium 1" spacer, or the very large 1" spacer?

I would recommend you stop being such a