[bigbmc]

I just bought a 08 Jeep Wrangler X 2dr, fondly known by the Jeep community as the JK.

Starting with a totaly stock black with black soft top, automatic and the full metal doors man powered locks and windows. A/C, cruise and the 17' alloy wheels are the only factory upgrades, oh and cloth seats instead of that vynal crap.

I will admit this is going to be a slow build, as I am a college student, and married with a house, so I have other prioritys.

Wanted to get some input from other Jeepers out there as to what my first few dollars should be put into. I have already decided im running the stock tires bald (prob about 10k left on them) so tires, though high up on the list are not going to be the first things.

Lets see what you got Jeep enthusiasts....:thumb:

Thanks:

 

[Skyjump136]

Bullet proof it first, then lift and tires.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/...tification/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Mule Skinner]

(1) See the Jeep forum
http://www.jeepforum.com/

(2) Figure out how to make it EMP proof

 

[trixie]

omg dude!
you need rockwell axles, a hemi, lockers front and rear, 15" lift 54" tires. a 50,000 pound winchcut out the roll bar and get a custom one, find the most expensive bumpers, a power top.

 

[alpinhi]

I just added a 1.5" lift and one size larger tires (285/75/R17) to my wifes 07 4 door JK. We took it up to Colorado this summer for our annual off road trip. I was amazed at how well it did, made it up 2 of the easier black trails without being strapped. Granted I actually had to "drive" the Jeep. I have a 2005 Unlimited Rubicon thats lifted with all sorts of goodies on it that is pretty much point and go. The lift was cheap I think around $100, just added coil spacers to clear the tires. I did however drop a chunk of change on the tires, BFG All-Terrains. I didn't even change out the shocks, the stock ones handled everything just fine. I am going to add some skid plates next and maybe a winch later, not really sure. All in all I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the capabilities of your jeep. If you do get a chance to pickup a transfercase out of a Rubicon JK, jump on it! The biggest thing I missed while wheeling her Jeep was the 4:1 low range. A nice set of lockers wouldnt hurt either, high dollar though. You want your Jeep to get you there and back this means traction and protection.

 

[bigbmc]

cool, but not what i had in mind for a daily driver

 

[bigbmc]

omg dude!
you need rockwell axles, a hemi, lockers front and rear, 15" lift 54" tires. a 50,000 pound winchcut out the roll bar and get a custom one, find the most expensive bumpers, a power top.

thats good, thats real good

 

[Froley]

Keep posting on your progress...I have been considering a used Wrangler for fishing, camping etc but not as a primary vehicle---i'll be interested to hear of your progress.
Froley

 

[shadow61]

i just picked up a 98 wrangler to run in the woods, gonna do a winch bumper and winch, new tires, hi lift jack and rear tire carrier with gas can mounts. it already has a 4" lift and 33x12.50x15 tires. here is a pic or 2

 

[Mojave]

The JK is a very capable vehicle, got one myself! Your best investment, imho, is tires. Minimum tire size would be 33", and you should try and get some kind of MT tires. All-Terrain tires ore ok if you're doing dirt roads, but if you hit steep hills, mud, water crossings, sand, you'll need better tires. If you're thinking shtf, get MT. oh yeah, MT stands for Mud-Terrain. They have bigger lugs and give you good grip. You can get by with a very small lift. Teraflex and many others make budget boosts which will allow you to comfortably mount your tires.

Find a Jeep forum that fits your style. a pretty friendly one is JK-Adventure. There's several others too, just search google for them.

Enjoy your JK, they're great!

 

[bigbmc]

Keep posting on your progress...I have been considering a used Wrangler for fishing, camping etc but not as a primary vehicle---i'll be interested to hear of your progress.
Froley

I will let you guys know how its going. Hope to get some pics up soon.

 

[bigbmc]

i just picked up a 98 wrangler to run in the woods, gonna do a winch bumper and winch, new tires, hi lift jack and rear tire carrier with gas can mounts. it already has a 4" lift and 33x12.50x15 tires. here is a pic or 2

Good looking jeep! I was going to get an older one but this will be a primary vehicle for me, daily driver you know, had to go for something a little more practical... If a Wrangler could ever be practical.

 

[kl0an]

i just picked up a 98 wrangler to run in the woods, gonna do a winch bumper and winch, new tires, hi lift jack and rear tire carrier with gas can mounts. it already has a 4" lift and 33x12.50x15 tires. here is a pic or 2

That ole girl has been rode hard and put up wet.. How does one go about losing BOTH hood latches?? The window on the passenger side or the roof over the window is going to be a leak magnet.

The nice thing about Jeeps is they're just like the old VW bugs, parts are everywhere. Craigslist will be your friend for cheap upgrades.

You might trim those fenders a bit, the vertical part on the outside edge just gets in the way of clearance.

What motor does it have?

I've got a 92 Wrangler lifted and gifted but, it's only got the 2.5L 4 banger. It won't get out of it's own shadow. I spend a LOT of time in truck lanes going up inclines, truckers honkin and flippin me off.. I think they're just jealous about Jeeps or maybe a Jeeper stole their last girlfriend.

Spare tanks is a great idea as both my 92 and my wifes 95 Rubi can really suck down the liquid gold. Mine only has about a 14 gallon fuel tank on it as well. I think I get right at 200 miles a tank, (160 on the odometer).

When I get home in November, I'll have to take a pic or three of my ole girl. I miss seein her. She sits in my driveway most of the time these days with me working 3 months on, 3 weeks off..

 

[bigbmc]

Pics

Finally had time to snap a couple of shots. She is still stock but capable.

 

[bigbmc]

Finally had time to snap a couple of shots. She is still stock but capable.

well, the pics wont upload. gonna have to work on that...

 

[sojurn87]

Unless there is some other glaring need....I'd buy tires, a locker..and perhaps a Dana 44 axle if it's not already stock. In truth, you'd be shocked where you could take that jeep without any mods...

Be careful though, jeeps can easily turn into money pits....ask me how I know

 

[Mojave]

Be careful though, jeeps can easily turn into money pits....ask me how I know

Now THAT's a true statement! Going to the offroad expo this weekend in Pomona, too much good stuff!

 

[bigbmc]

Unless there is some other glaring need....I'd buy tires, a locker..and perhaps a Dana 44 axle if it's not already stock. In truth, you'd be shocked where you could take that jeep without any mods...

Be careful though, jeeps can easily turn into money pits....ask me how I know

Yeah, I would love to get some tires, not in the budget right now and the factory ones still have a few thou. left on them. It has a factory Dana 44 in the rear and a Dana 30 in the front which is fine(this is still going to be a daily driver). A locker is also pretty high up on the list. Honestly I will probably start with some of the interior comfort stuff(more for the wife) and some lights. By this time next year would like to have at least the lift and tires

What I would like to do (in this order... if money was not a factor)

modest 2" budget lift with shocks
some slightly taller tires (not going for wider, just taller) 275x75R17 A/TorM/T
extra armor/ oil pan skid, front skid and diff/driveshaft skids
rear locker and front sway bar disconnect
recovery gear/ winch bumper
rocker guards
rear bumper w/ swing out tire carrier jerry can mount and luggage rack
and a snorkle:
a few lights to finisher her off along with some creature comforts for the inside

 

[sojurn87]

Maybe one more thing that people sometimes forget is a rollbar that is welded directly to the frame...

Yeah, I would love to get some tires, not in the budget right now and the factory ones still have a few thou. left on them. It has a factory Dana 44 in the rear and a Dana 30 in the front which is fine(this is still going to be a daily driver). A locker is also pretty high up on the list. Honestly I will probably start with some of the interior comfort stuff(more for the wife) and some lights. By this time next year would like to have at least the lift and tires

What I would like to do (in this order... if money was not a factor)

modest 2" budget lift with shocks
some slightly taller tires (not going for wider, just taller) 275x75R17 A/TorM/T
extra armor/ oil pan skid, front skid and diff/driveshaft skids
rear locker and front sway bar disconnect
recovery gear/ winch bumper
rocker guards
rear bumper w/ swing out tire carrier jerry can mount and luggage rack
and a snorkle:
a few lights to finisher her off along with some creature comforts for the inside

 

[kl0an]

I think I'd change it around a bit

modest 4" budget lift with shocks
some slightly taller tires (not going for wider, just taller) 275x75R17 A/TorM/T
recovery gear/ winch bumper
a few lights to finisher her off along with some creature comforts for the inside
rocker guards
extra armor/ oil pan skid, front skid and diff/driveshaft skids
rear locker and front sway bar disconnect
rear bumper w/ swing out tire carrier jerry can mount and luggage rack
and a snorkle:

If you're going through water deep enough to where you need a snorkle, you're going to have more things to worry about than getting water in your carb. Slow down and pick a more shallow spot. MANY a Jeep motor gets ruined because drivers think "I've got a snorkle, no creek can stop me now!"

You definitely need to look at the order of your purchases so you don't make one purchase and get the Superman complex and do something you should have waited to do.. Such as the tires first, then the lift. You want to have it lifted before you roll those bigger tires under it. Not saying that's what you had planned, just givin you an idea of how to approach things.