Best $500 Mod

[AKDrifter]

So this year my wife and I welcomed our 2nd son. I've gotten everything everyone wanted for Christmas already. But my wife who makes excellent money has lost a good chunk of it this year to the baby so she's not really able to get me something right now. I'd just be buying my own present which I think would be silly. It's not a huge deal or anything it just means my Christmas bonus from my employer is all I'll really have to spend maybe a couple hundred more. It's $500. If you had somewhere between 500-700 in spare cash for your Jeep what would you buy? Top of my list is a steel front bumper but shipping to AK has ruled most of those out. I've thought about a River Raider snorkel because we have a lot of water crossings here. Not really interested in cosmetic only upgrades right now, any other parts that would add some functionality you can think of in that range?

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[uplandgunner]

I've been looking at this snorkel. Nice and clean with no cutting.
https://ruggedridge.com/amfib-low-high-mount-snorkel-system-18-19-jl-17756-31.html

 

[hjdca]

So this year my wife and I welcomed our 2nd son. I've gotten everything everyone wanted for Christmas already. But my wife who makes excellent money has lost a good chunk of it this year to the baby so she's not really able to get me something right now. I'd just be buying my own present which I think would be silly. It's not a huge deal or anything it just means my Christmas bonus from my employer is all I'll really have to spend maybe a couple hundred more. It's $500. If you had somewhere between 500-700 in spare cash for your Jeep what would you buy? Top of my list is a steel front bumper but shipping to AK has ruled most of those out. I've thought about a River Raider snorkel because we have a lot of water crossings here. Not really interested in cosmetic only upgrades right now, any other parts that would add some functionality you can think of in that range?

Here is my list in order of priority:

1. Viair 440P Compressor
2. Steel front bumper
3. Bull Bar
4. Off-Road lights for the bumper/bull bar
5. Hitch and 2" ball
6. Recovery gear - MaxTrax - or equivalent
7. Recovery gear - snatch strap, soft shackles, Nice LED Flashlight
8. Molle Side panels for the bed and quick fist for mounting
9. Shovel, Axe, nice ice chest.
10. First Aid Kit
12. Huge Serrated knife - (to cut tow straps, hoses, etc..)
13. Mopar screw in roll bar handles (4).
14. Gladiator Soft Top in addition to the Freedom hard top

 

[WhatExit?]

Here is my list in order of priority:

13. Mopar screw in roll bar handles (4).

I've seen all kinds of roll bar Handles including these https://www.quadratec.com/vehicle/jeep-wrangler-jl-parts/interior/grab-handles

but I've never seen a "screw-in roll bar handle" - what is it?

 

[WhatExit?]

If it were me I'd try to see if I could get 35's under my Gladiator using that $$$

 

[Mkcagle]

Bestop Sunrider. I consider it the best upgrade I have made. With available discounts and rebate it is within your price point.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

This is a stupid question but does amazon prime work in Alaska ?

 

[AJ-MJ]

If you plan to take your Gladiator off road then a Tazer mini is a great choice.

 

[Mkcagle]

This is a stupid question but does amazon prime work in Alaska ?

Recommend checking with Amazon for up to date information on that.

 

[hjdca]

I've seen all kinds of roll bar Handles including these https://www.quadratec.com/vehicle/jeep-wrangler-jl-parts/interior/grab-handles

but I've never seen a "screw-in roll bar handle" - what is it?

You cannot see it in the link above, but, the Mopar Grab handles actually wrap around the bar and screw in at the top of the bar using 2 existing screws in the roll bar. They are not movable fore and aft. This is for all 4 grab handles. All the other aftermarket grap handles wrap around the roll bar and you can move them fore and aft depending on where you want them. I like the Mopar fixed handles better because they feel more substantial and they do not bunch up when you pull on them.

 

[TrailHiker]

Yes, I like the Mopar handles better also. However, the front Mopar handles will not work with a Sunrider top.
Cheers

 

[WhatExit?]

You cannot see it in the link above, but, the Mopar Grab handles actually wrap around the bar and screw in at the top of the bar using 2 existing screws in the roll bar. They are not movable fore and aft. This is for all 4 grab handles. All the other aftermarket grap handles wrap around the roll bar and you can move them fore and aft depending on where you want them. I like the Mopar fixed handles better because they feel more substantial and they do not bunch up when you pull on them.

found the install instructions
https://www.quadratec.com/sites/def..._instructions/Mopar_82215523_Grab_Handles.pdf

 

[TrailHiker]

Yep, they were easy to put on too.
Get the trap handles, then add to it with several small,but functional mods, like to JCR rear cab Molle plates.
One of my best mods under $100 for my driving conditions was adding the Mopar Splash guards (mud flaps), keeps,the side of the JT cleaner, I have lots of fine gravel roads, including my access road to the driveway, so needed protection from flying rocks!
Cheers

 

[AKDrifter]

This is a stupid question but does amazon prime work in Alaska ?

Man it used to and it was fantastic. I once had a massive steel barrel bbq shipped into a crazy remote town for free. Weighed something like 155lbs. That's all loooong gone unfortunately.

So I have 35" KO2s on it right now. I do have the Mopar Grab Handle kit and a Tazer. My HID projector kit should be arriving tomorrow and I have a pair of KCHilites LED Daylighters. I like the idea of the compressor. The MaxTrax are something I really should buy. They will save you just getting back on a road out of a ditch in deep snow.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys.

 

[TrailHiker]

Given where you are, the MaxTrax is a grand idea!
Cheers

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