How much is enough

[JTGuy]

Just wondering here what is enough. We have 40s when 33s were big enough. We have 8 speeds when 4 was an upgrade. We have massive suspension travel. We have 285HP from the 3.6. Auto lockers and sway bar disconnects. Many of the new vehicles have 350HP + and 10 speeds and electronic suspension shocks. I like to keep up with the new stuff and my JT has been modded to quite a nice level and now I feel like I have a covered wagon. Do we buy the new toy out of need or want or a desire to keep up with the crowd. Maybe I just need some therapy . This forum is my therapist, thanks.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

It’s enough when you install the very last upgrade.

 

[ChrisNLA]

My Gladiator does everything I need to do. From carting the family around, to pulling my trailer, to going on offroad adventures, commuting 70 miles a day - it does everything I need to do exactly as is. Consequently I do not see myself modding it heavily beyond how it is now. Probably more subtle stuff.

33s are fine, 8 speeds are great, the engine is low on power when towing, the cab is a little narrow, solid axles don't drive as nice as IFS.

Which is why my new flavor of the week is how can I add a GM half ton to the mix with the 3.0 Dirtymax so the family has more space on trips, where pulling my tractor on a trailer won't be a tortoise like experience, the ride to work is quieter and smoother, etc.

And then the Gladiator can retire and sit around with half doors for going to get ice cream or going riding around in the woods.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

"Enough?"

Is there such a mythical thing?

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

It’s enough when you install the very last upgrade.

What is this "last" word that you speak of?

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

What is this "last" word that you speak of?

 

[DiehardTory]

I always think of the Thomas Jefferson quote (not sure if this is real or correct; but sounds good) "there is no such thing as a good war; nor a bad piece".

 

[dmidkiff]

In photography we talk about GAS -- Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It seems to be common in the off road and over landing community too. On to your question:

It's done when it does everything you need it to do -- and safely. I'm on the fence about the 8 speed. 5 or 6 still seems like it should be plenty (I have a Mercedes with NINE.) The original 33s do enough for me, so I just bought new 33s. Because we do go to some remote places alone, I do carry enough gear I could do a self recovery, air up, air down, fix a tire, etc. Starlink, well, because happy wife, happy life. Could also help contacting help if needed. Don't need an RTT. We're happy with a ground tent and can set it up in less than 10 minutes.

Outside of normal maintenance, the last thing we bought was a sturdy propane bottle holder. We used to just strap it in place but on our last trip, the strap broke. I was nervous about it the whole rest of the trip. So peace of mind comes into it too, I guess.

I have other gear, like traction boards, because I've been at this for like 30, 40 years. But usually don't take it with me.

 

[Janster]

Obviously, it depends on what you want/need....

I often say.... "You'll know when it's enough"

So, if you're out on the trails and you keep breaking shit.... you're gonna keep upgrading parts so you don't break it again. OR.. you're not breaking anything (and that's enough) OR you'll keep trying harder trails until you do start breaking shit. At that point... you'll know its enough when your wallet doesn't have enough.

Some people have an obsession.....and probably SHOULD know when enough is enough.
Then, you have others who don't do anything to their rigs.

I had only a few things I wanted to do with mine - graphics & new wheels. Life has been too busy for me to do anything else. We use the JT to take us everywhere enjoying other hobbies!
We just bought a 3d printer and I'm jone-sin to find something to print for it. I've always wanted a Eugene somewhere. I might try and print one or two orange grill inserts.

Don't give me any ideas.

 

[JTGuy]

There is a long list of expensive stuff that can fail. Mine is getting new trans with the same parts that failed the first time. No cam issues but waiting and there is no cam upgrade, ask TrailRecon.
Mine is done, done , done. I will not put a wrench on my next vehicle. IMO,, a 392 is too much and so is 42s. Even Jeep says the 8 speed is the end. The builds at SEMA are there for a reason.

 

[WambliSka]

Mine is at the enough stage. I got all the features I wanted from the factory and I upgraded the tires to the 35s I felt would suit my favorite type of trails better. I got my rock guard steps and that’s it for mods. The rest of the stuff is just aesthetics. I won’t trade garage time for off-road time.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I really only have a few more things to do.

Honest. I mean it this time.

 

[Janster]

I really only have a few more things to do.

Honest. I mean it this time.

I remember saying that back when I was younger with the YJ. The fact that our offroad club ‘fell apart’ was a blessing, because we were talking Atlas, racing seats & harnesses.

But now that I’m older than dirt … The body & the mind doesn’t have room for it and we’re saving our money for walkers, hearing aids (of which I already have), bus trips with senior groups, and a retirement home.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Just wondering here what is enough. We have 40s when 33s were big enough. We have 8 speeds when 4 was an upgrade. We have massive suspension travel. We have 285HP from the 3.6. Auto lockers and sway bar disconnects. Many of the new vehicles have 350HP + and 10 speeds and electronic suspension shocks. I like to keep up with the new stuff and my JT has been modded to quite a nice level and now I feel like I have a covered wagon. Do we buy the new toy out of need or want or a desire to keep up with the crowd. Maybe I just need some therapy . This forum is my therapist, thanks.

I understand how you feel I think. I actually think my current is “enough”. It could certainly go further, but I think it’s at the maintain and fix when necessary phase now. For me, 37’s are enough.

 

[WambliSka]

I have a lot of friends that love the rabbit hole of whatever hobby they have. I've never been one of them... well except for guns, custom knives, and other outdoor gear. Even I understand I have a problem fueled by my overly enthusiastically enabling wife .

But for the most part I buy what I believe is the best fit for my purpose (Buy right, cry once) right off the bat and do slight modifications to make it more capable/usable to me, if needed. BUT, if I start finding that the list of mods is getting long and expensive I do some simple math and find out what I need to buy to replace what I have.

My previous Gladiator was an example. The Overland was a very good vehicle for what I got it for which was cruising up/down mountain roads, mud/snow and some mildly challenging off-road in the forests of the east coast mountain ranges.

But when I moved it to Nevada I found out that it was lacking in several aspects to meet the challenge of running desert trails in comfort and it was not designed to tackle the rougher terrain that was now my backyard. So I put together a spreadsheet of what it would take to modify it to meet my new needs and after seeing the final number I went to the Jeep dealer and drove out with a new Mojave X which all it needed was slightly bigger tires to fully meet my use case. It was literally just math...

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