Top 5 Most Important Upgrades/Mods For Your Jeep

The NotARubicon

Jeep Owner
I know everyone is different but I can't believe lockers aren't on that list.
Lockers > Lift IMO
A lift was one of the very first things we had done and it was probably one of the single-best/most used/most useful upgrades we ever did.. We didnt get a rear locker until a year later, and didnt get a front locker until 3 years later..
My non-locked friends tell me you dont need a locker if you have skill! (and, then they prove it and make me look bad)...
 

El Sanchimoto

Jeep Owner
A lift was one of the very first things we had done and it was probably one of the single-best/most used/most useful upgrades we ever did.. We didnt get a rear locker until a year later, and didnt get a front locker until 3 years later..
My non-locked friends tell me you dont need a locker if you have skill! (and, then they prove it and make me look bad)...
Fair point. Skill behind the wheel is certainly one of the largest factors of successfully navigating obstacles no matter what gear or mods you have.
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
A lift was one of the very first things we had done and it was probably one of the single-best/most used/most useful upgrades we ever did.. We didnt get a rear locker until a year later, and didnt get a front locker until 3 years later..
My non-locked friends tell me you dont need a locker if you have skill! (and, then they prove it and make me look bad)...
I would agree that lockers should be last.
I wheeled my Jeep lifted and on bigger tires for a long time before we installed lockers.
We went just about every place that folks did with lockers.
Driver skill and spotting is what helped us keep up and do the same obstacles as them.

Learning the Jeep without lockers, and developing a skill to pick the line will help immensely in most to all situations.

Todd
 

Jegar

Jeep Owner
Lights before lockers is what the folks over at VisionX would say! HA!
It just may be true....One wheeling day I had some trouble with my first attempt of an obstacle, and my spotter yelled for me to turn on my lockers. I have switches to the right my steering wheel for my cube LEDs higher up and my Eaton e-locker lower down. Hit the switch and hippity-hop I went. At the top I heard someone yell “your lights are on!” I was very impressed — I seriously thought about getting a 50” lightbar after that :)
 

Jonbob11

Jeep Newb
I would think

Lift
Wheels/tires
Front end
Bumpers

The rest is either cosmetic or optional in my opinion. Not to say I don’t want more than the above lol
 

Yson

Jeep Newb
Good stuff, On my part I went with a Rubicon when I bought my first jeep a Year ago and here are the first things I did witch btw allowed me to do every trails and more that everyone in my club does.

17" Wheels and 35" Tires (4.5" backspacing instead of the 6")
Small Budget kit (will be swaping to MC 3.5 Game changer at the end of winter)
With that lift I had to replace the Trackbar to adjust my geometry .. and after that my tierod was seized up and so I swaped that also..
Next came the CB to maintain good radio contact with the jeepers on the trail
not too long after I shot my ball joints so HD greasable came on..!

So tires are a #1 on My list for sure. #2 Budget Boost and after that is up to you depending on where you are wheeling ;)
 

lumpy5oh

Jeep Newb
I agree with those who put lockers further down their list. I've done most of the same obstacles as my buddies on my baby 30/35 axles without lockers. They seem to keep breaking something with their locked 44's. I know my time is coming tho.
My top 5 would be lift, tires, winch, steering, cooler!
 

JTee

Jeep Newb
On my 17 JKUR, I went with:

37" Toyo M/T's and wheels
3.5" AEV Dualsport lift
Metalcloak Front/Rear Bumpers
Metalcloak Overland Fenders
Metalcloak Rocker Rails

Beefs up the look, and lets you get in more trouble, but will require more investment to strengthen up the guts.
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
I think if you can afford to go with a good lift early on, that is definelty a smart move.
I would agree about getting a good lift early on.
If you work your way up to a good lift kit over the years, you will spend lots of extra money that could have gone to other modification.

Todd
 

TerryC6

Jeep Newb
IMO this list is really only good when you are ready to enhance the capabilities of your rig. But if you are over landing or just sticking to forest service roads it is not the place to start. If you own a JK lights are first on the list, head lights specifically but if you drive in open range land or deer country aux lights as well. Nothing will ruin you day faster than running into a 2000 lbs cow and once you get away from the city you really can't get enough light. If you overland many times you are doing it by yourself so you need to be able to do self recovery as well as having a full safety kit and a means to communicate.

One thing I did not see on the list was an upgrade in brakes. Once you go to larger tires this really is a must. There has to be a balance between safety and capability. Stock JK brakes are not that good to begin with and are really bad once you make the move to larger tires.
 

Danuuc

Jeep Newb
Most important upgrade was my floor storage riser. Used 3" steel studs to create a storage area in teh back of the jeep. Covered with plywood lid and covered in black felt. With top off you can't even tell there is anything back there.
 

AMcBride423

Jeep Owner
My personal top 5 list that I recommend to new Jeepers is:
  1. Mud Terrains
  2. Recovery Gear (Kinetic tow rope, static rope, shackles, winch, etc.)
  3. Armor (Bumpers, skids, rock sliders)
  4. Lockers
  5. Lift
Now, this list is not for those who overland, this is for the rock crawlers and more heavy wheelers. Lift is last on my list, because I am still not lifted and keep up with guys who are on 37-42" tires. Its all about learning the capabilities of your rig, learning line selection and what works and doesnt. M/Ts and recovery gear can get you pretty far. Upgraded armor allows for you to do even more. Throw in lockers, youll be able to get that much farther, then when you finally get around to lifting it, everything will be easy to you. I have been on 35s and no lift for over 2yrs now and impress people regularly with what I am capable of doing. Once I finish my longarms, I will just be able to crazier stuff.
 
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