Help me understand how to Jeep

[Challenger85]

With the LED package you won't need forward facing lights unless you want to run ambers or something. They are VERY good. I agree with everyone else- start with basic recovery gear and then drive it and see what you want to change. IF you want to kill time- watch the Forum classifieds and Facebook marketplace. I've saved THOUSANDS of dollars by picking up used parts

Awesome, that’s good to know! The recovery gear isn’t something I had truly thought about that much so I’ll start there. I don’t want to change much I just like the idea of steel bumpers. Most of my mod list is on the interior currently. I didn’t do leather because I’m going to do it custom from Katzkin later on.

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[Higher_Ground]

Over the past year, I got some traction boards, recovery strap, air compressor, and jumper cables. I have only had to use the jumper cables so far (for someone else). I still need/want to get a better jack.

Did you get a tonneau cover? That's a place to start looking that won't affect much else... unless you want a rack, then start looking at those too

 

[Challenger85]

Over the past year, I got some traction boards, recovery strap, air compressor, and jumper cables. I have only had to use the jumper cables so far (for someone else). I still need/want to get a better jack.

Did you get a tonneau cover? That's a place to start looking that won't affect much else... unless you want a rack, then start looking at those too

I have not gotten one! I was debating on if I needed one or not. I’m hoping (praying? ?) it’ll fit in my garage so winter snow isn’t a thing. But I wasn’t sure about the rack. I don’t understand what’s with the racks. People are using them for tents? Or?

 

[Higher_Ground]

I think the racks are more for the "overlanding" builds where people camping either on top or next to the Jeep. They look very cool, but I know I'd never really need one.

I didn't get the cover until Black Friday (you may want to wait until then for a lot of parts) when I bought in June. I wish I had gotten it a bit sooner because it's so incredibly handy to have locked storage when you have the top/doors off. Even just to keep the freedom panels from walking away it's worth it. I think they look nice too.

They do vary a good bit, sort of like bumpers. You can get the a soft cover for cheap. The next step up would be like a tri-fold hard cover that sits flush. You can go for the gold and get a hard roll up or the really sturdy cover (diamond?).

 

[Challenger85]

I think the racks are more for the "overlanding" builds where people camping either on top or next to the Jeep. They look very cool, but I know I'd never really need one.

I didn't get the cover until Black Friday (you may want to wait until then for a lot of parts) when I bought in June. I wish I had gotten it a bit sooner because it's so incredibly handy to have locked storage when you have the top/doors off. Even just to keep the freedom panels from walking away it's worth it. I think they look nice too.

They do vary a good bit, sort of like bumpers. You can get the a soft cover for cheap. The next step up would be like a tri-fold hard cover that sits flush. You can go for the gold and get a hard roll up or the really sturdy cover (diamond?).

I gotta be honest, the over landing is bad ass. At least it looks bad ass in photos, I love the idea of roof top tent on top of bed racks. Now I’m wondering if the Mojave was a bad choice lol. I’m sure it’s fine for camping and over landing and stuff. I still want to drive it fast off road not rock climb.

 

[mep4wd]

With jeep modifications it all depends on 3 things. Intent, timelines and budget.
If you're going to do camping and stay on country roads the need for modification is probably very limited.
If you're going to join other Jeepers to take on easy to moderate trails you can probably get away with stock.

If you go beyond that to more challenging trail environment you may to consider a lift, a winch. It's not that the Jeep can't do it. As a newbie I was able to take a stock Gladiator Rubicon through Hells Revenge and Kane Creek canyon with a little help from experienced friends. It was tough on both me and the vehicle. I have since lifted 2.5 inches and added 37' tires. It's totally revolutionized my local off road experience. I will be trying it out at Moab in 2 weeks.

Timelines: If your new, take a few months and do some wheeling with friends to get a good feel for what your Jeep can accomplish stock off road. I guarantee you'll be surprised.

Intent: What will you be doing with your jeep this year, the next and the next after that. It will evolve and you will naturally take on more challenging environments as your confidence and driving skills improve. Don't change too much, too soon.

Timelines 2: There are shortages of everything everywhere right now. Service providers, the good ones, are backed up by weeks and some even months. You need to bake this into your timelines.

Budget: If you just committed yourself to a 50K loan and corresponding payment you need to be realistic about the return on what you spend.

If you spend $500 on those cool lights, is it worth it to look cool or have you actually planned on wheeling in the woods at night?

There's a lot to think about. Take your time.

 

[Art LeDoux]

Hey everyone so sounds like my build is progressing through the ranks and should be here hopefully soon! As someone who loves to work on stuff and builds things with my hands I’m ecstatic at the opportunity to buy something where the aftermarket is so deep.

That’s where I get confused. I’m definitely a poser because I’m new so I can fully admit that. Do I need extra lights? Are roof light bars douchey? What are no no’s? I’m definitely not adding angry eyes, ever lol.

Is this bumper bad?

https://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-f...K-C8iIpK4RO5Lt2ySH6Vxmi8dNimbHsEaAoQ_EALw_wcB

I’m also confused on if the bumper weight is bad for the Mojave front end? Or rear? I looked and it says the factory LED fogs don’t fit but their instructions completely contradict themselves. Do I lose the stock metal plate if I do this?

I like the idea of the light bars instead of lights on the hood. Pros? Cons?

Winch? Necessary for Colorado if you’re only planning mild off roading just to camp?


I want my Jeep to look cool and functional but I don’t want it to be obscenely over the top like some I’ve seen. The more I look the more I have no idea what to choose, what’s functional, what’s a waste of time etc.

Brands? I know of Baja and Diode but most of the rest are new to me.

 

[Challenger85]

With jeep modifications it all depends on 3 things. Intent, timelines and budget.
If you're going to do camping and stay on country roads the need for modification is probably very limited.
If you're going to join other Jeepers to take on easy to moderate trails you can probably get away with stock.

If you go beyond that to more challenging trail environment you may to consider a lift, a winch. It's not that the Jeep can't do it. As a newbie I was able to take a stock Gladiator Rubicon through Hells Revenge and Kane Creek canyon with a little help from experienced friends. It was tough on both me and the vehicle. I have since lifted 2.5 inches and added 37' tires. It's totally revolutionized my local off road experience. I will be trying it out at Moab in 2 weeks.

Timelines: If your new, take a few months and do some wheeling with friends to get a good feel for what your Jeep can accomplish stock off road. I guarantee you'll be surprised.

Intent: What will you be doing with your jeep this year, the next and the next after that. It will evolve and you will naturally take on more challenging environments as your confidence and driving skills improve. Don't change too much, too soon.

Timelines 2: There are shortages of everything everywhere right now. Service providers, the good ones, are backed up by weeks and some even months. You need to bake this into your timelines.

Budget: If you just committed yourself to a 50K loan and corresponding payment you need to be realistic about the return on what you spend.

If you spend $500 on those cool lights, is it worth it to look cool or have you actually planned on wheeling in the woods at night?

There's a lot to think about. Take your time.

Thanks! I guess I’m getting ahead of myself because I’m excited to finally have a car that has this support.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Angry eyes are so stupid...
Personally I go for functionality vs looks, but that is just me. If you have the money, do what you want, enjoy, etc.. BUT if you could use that money for something better, might want to go that route.

I do wish from the factory the Mojave could have had the steel bumper, but I guess there is a good reason for it, so I haven't changed my bumper (yet?)

 

[Challenger85]

Angry eyes are so stupid...
Personally I go for functionality vs looks, but that is just me. If you have the money, do what you want, enjoy, etc.. BUT if you could use that money for something better, might want to go that route.

I do wish from the factory the Mojave could have had the steel bumper, but I guess there is a good reason for it, so I haven't changed my bumper (yet?)

Yeah, I’m not sure what the reasoning was! I’d just prefer a steel one over plastic.

 

[JoseQ_80]

Drive it stock for the first 1000 miles. Use it as you normally would. Take notes make a list of things you might want to add/change.

The truck will tell you what it needs.

 

[Sespe]

Never saw a need for light bars unless if you are a hunter and going out in the middle of the night in the boonies. Otherwise, why are you running trails at night?

But I WAS running trails at night.

It was an organized run with our group, because when it's over 100 degrees during the day night runs are more fun. And you know what? I still didn't need a light bar. Yes, the group leader ran his, but the rest of us didn't. So yeah, light bars are low on the list of important things...

 

[cmak0]

Where in Colorado are you? I’m in castle rock and have been wheeling with a good group for about 7 years now. Most people in our group are beginner or moderate level, we very rarely do any crazy trails although myself, the leader of the group, and a couple others have done a few difficult ones just to challenge ourselves and our rigs. Msg me if you want details of the group.
I didn’t add a winch on my JK until I planned a trip to Moab solo, if you are with a good group, odds are, someone or many others will have the winch as well as other recovery gear to help out.
Lights - they seem to be more about looks. I’ve done night rides with the same group, did a few without additional lighting and then others with the KCs. We actually do our night trails just so people have a chance to turn on their expensive lights.
Everything else in your build is going to be personal preference. I have my JT on order and may do an over landing build this time around. The wife and I would like the RTT as an option, we’re getting too old to sleep,on the hard ground.

 

[Challenger85]

Where in Colorado are you? I’m in castle rock and have been wheeling with a good group for about 7 years now. Most people in our group are beginner or moderate level, we very rarely do any crazy trails although myself, the leader of the group, and a couple others have done a few difficult ones just to challenge ourselves and our rigs. Msg me if you want details of the group.
I didn’t add a winch on my JK until I planned a trip to Moab solo, if you are with a good group, odds are, someone or many others will have the winch as well as other recovery gear to help out.
Lights - they seem to be more about looks. I’ve done night rides with the same group, did a few without additional lighting and then others with the KCs. We actually do our night trails just so people have a chance to turn on their expensive lights.
Everything else in your build is going to be personal preference. I have my JT on order and may do an over landing build this time around. The wife and I would like the RTT as an option, we’re getting too old to sleep,on the hard ground.

I’ll PM!

 

[Slyboots2313]

I had, same as you many choices. I initially wanted to go aftermarket, then slept on it and finally went MoPar. The money was right, the engineering was there, I got a steel bumper with all the strength I wanted. The MoPar Off Road Lights are great and the ARE Topper is working out just fine. I got a winch although I will never intentionally crawl, just a desert roamer here but then you never know. It;s what's right for you....... By the wauy, I was out with the wife and when we left a store there were two little ducks on my door handle. I looked around the the Jeeper who left them was gone so i left on one on the door handle of another Jeep in the lot. Keep on Jeepin.

That is such a clean build! Well thought out and executed ??

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