If I had to start over... what I would buy again, what I would pass...

[@californiajeeping]

I would pass on that JKS lift because it clearly has no rear flex. My metal cloak would not be 3 wheeling in that situation.

Interesting opinion on the portal ends. Spendy but very cool.

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[Alans17]

Wouldn’t change a thing. Each step has been thought out and implemented with specific purpose.

Same. I’ve been less than impressed with my bumper, but I’m still not sure I’d do it differently if I did it again.

 

[Gvsukids]

I would pass on that JKS lift because it clearly has no rear flex. My metal cloak would not be 3 wheeling in that situation.

Interesting opinion on the portal ends. Spendy but very cool.

So for you, metal cloak is better than jks?

 

[Sandevino]

Could just stay stock

 

[jeepin48]

I would not buy sting gray and instead got something with metal flake so it looks cleaner longer.

I also wouldn't buy a diesel again. Too many issues. I should have went with a Mojave instead.

 

[@californiajeeping]

So for you, metal cloak is better than jks?

Not sure but look at his rear axle compared to the truck its not flexing hardly at all. Maybe a bad picture?

 

[Bonanza]

Not sure but look at his rear axle compared to the truck its not flexing hardly at all. Maybe a bad picture?

It's a fisheyed forced perspective. I'm not saying its a flex master, but I don't have a single complaint about flex with this lift, and I've done some rough trails. These are about as good as I can portray for flex. Good enough for me and most socal rock trails!

Edit-- I'm also on stock rear control arms upper and lower. So there's that. Only the front LCAs are aftermarket.

 

[BAT]

I would not buy sting gray and instead got something with metal flake so it looks cleaner longer.

I also wouldn't buy a diesel again. Too many issues. I should have went with a Mojave instead.

I've got the sting grey and I like it. I really wanted a fun color like Mojito but its not offered.

 

[Zero_Accel]

If I had to do it all again, I would try to get into a Rubicon, having built up my Sport to the point where, cost wise, I'm about the same level now. One thing that I'm going to rattle in my head forever is would I have been happier with a Rubicon with minor mods VS my modified Sport. Although I'm VERY happy with how things have turned out.

Although I don't regret putting in the wrench time, a BIG part of that is what makes this fun for me, I've learned all the intricate differences between the Rubi and my built Sport (hint: It's more than "Just lockers, electric swaybar and a different transfer case"). Never mind the resale value, although if I had a Rubi, trading in would be a lot further away in my mind. Also much easier to deal with insurance.

The only mods that I regret right now were the ones I cheaped out on, now I get to buy them twice because I don't like the cheap option.

1. Cheaper VIAIR vs ARB onboard, all said and done the ARB was $300 more (If you ignore the voswitch it's connected to). Kept getting the VIAIR tangled up, got old quick. I ended up giving the old VIAIR to my sister, so no big deal. Technically I lost about $250 bucks there, but I don't count gifts as a loss in my book.

2. Pin style Synergy quick disconnects, bending down into the mud and wrestling these on made me not want to disconnect unless I HAD to, which defeated the whole purpose. Waited until the APEX's got back in stock, love them. Out another $100 after selling the old ones.

3. Go Rhino rear bumper, I can flex it by hand, I'm worried it's going to bend into the body on ANY sort of hit. Thankfully I didn't pay full price, got it after someone rear ended me in the carwash and the insureance let me pick an aftermarket one from one of their vendors and this was the only one I liked the look of, only reason I ended up with it. Should be able to sell for what I paid, now I'm looking for something that won't flex, leaning HEAVILY towards the JCR bumper.

 

[Blade1668]

Interesting to think about.
Not much that I would do differently if I was starting fresh. A few trinkets would be skip the "Ram" mount for passenger side grab bar I wouldn't get again dang thing won't stay tight and phone ends up pointed wrong way, down or falls out on floor. Oh and the compartment that fits over console... but I did give it away already. Probably get Ram P/U air bags not ones for JT or just get lift kit. Maybe modify factory plastic front bumper to fit winch not steel bumper "note last paragraph though" ?
Now I might go with 35/10.5×17 tires and 2-3.5 lidt kit not 33/10.5x17.... If starting again, but not sure. On the removing rear seat and build the storage/aux battery, I would probably do a nicer job on it and install a larger fuse block, hidden wires more. But it works as is now. Definitely get K&N cabin air filter too.... dang I probably need to clean it.
Or as I did with my LJ.... start with a clipboard and notepad and plan it out first. ?‍ ?
I started with armor AKA: Rock-Hard rock rails, bumpers and winch, secure storage lights, 3 in lift. For anti-deer, dip s@@@ drivers, ect, ect.
Otherwise same model: Sport S Max-Tow, Gobi color, base radio system, aux switch. At almost 69k miles.

 

[Jeepasaurus_Rex]

If I had to do it all again, I would try to get into a Rubicon, having built up my Sport to the point where, cost wise, I'm about the same level now. One thing that I'm going to rattle in my head forever is would I have been happier with a Rubicon with minor mods VS my modified Sport. Although I'm VERY happy with how things have turned out.

Although I don't regret putting in the wrench time, a BIG part of that is what makes this fun for me, I've learned all the intricate differences between the Rubi and my built Sport (hint: It's more than "Just lockers, electric swaybar and a different transfer case"). Never mind the resale value, although if I had a Rubi, trading in would be a lot further away in my mind. Also much easier to deal with insurance.

The only mods that I regret right now were the ones I cheaped out on, now I get to buy them twice because I don't like the cheap option.

1. Cheaper VIAIR vs ARB onboard, all said and done the ARB was $300 more (If you ignore the voswitch it's connected to). Kept getting the VIAIR tangled up, got old quick. I ended up giving the old VIAIR to my sister, so no big deal. Technically I lost about $250 bucks there, but I don't count gifts as a loss in my book.

2. Pin style Synergy quick disconnects, bending down into the mud and wrestling these on made me not want to disconnect unless I HAD to, which defeated the whole purpose. Waited until the APEX's got back in stock, love them. Out another $100 after selling the old ones.

3. Go Rhino rear bumper, I can flex it by hand, I'm worried it's going to bend into the body on ANY sort of hit. Thankfully I didn't pay full price, got it after someone rear ended me in the carwash and the insureance let me pick an aftermarket one from one of their vendors and this was the only one I liked the look of, only reason I ended up with it. Should be able to sell for what I paid, now I'm looking for something that won't flex, leaning HEAVILY towards the JCR bumper.

This is why my motto has been "buy once, cry once" hahah

 

[Sprinkler-Fitter]

I almost got slammed into yesterday on the drive home by someone swerving to avoid a street sweeper. With a HUGE sigh of relief, I avoided issue. But, it got me thinking, what I would do if I had to start all over again. I've bought a ton of stuff for my gladiator, which I use to camp, commute, rockcrawl, you name it. I'm also interested to hear what you would all buy again, and also pass. So, here we go:

What I would buy again:
Rock Hard Sliders
Rusty's shock and LCA skids
JKS lift 3.5"
Badlands winch
Mopar grab handles
Amazon console tray
Amazon sticky cubbies that hang from the shift area
BlackArmor Bedmat
Buggy Whips Light Whip
37" Baja Boss AT
stubby antenna
LED headlight complete
Oracle Taillight
Hitch Skid
Rigid Side Shooter pod for A pillar
Seatjacker (begrudgingly for its price)

What I would pass:
Lux Rock lights
Front bumper (Pritchett Canyon from barnes4wd)
Rear bumper (Magnum something, can't even remember where I got it)
4.88 gears (5.13 or bust)
37" Milestar Patagonias
KC Cyclones
Quadratec 4" Aux lights
LED bulb
Bulletpoint cell phone mount


If I really, really had to start over.... I might just pass the lift altogether and slap a 74weld portal axle kit on a Mohave and call it a day-- not only because it's cool and the "new thing", but to save the time of regearing and lifting. With kids, I just don't have time to build another vehicle.

Can you drive on the highway with portals?

 

[be77solo]

Can you drive on the highway with portals?

So I was out of the know on what the portals even were so had to google them ha.... $25K

Look pretty neat though, cool concept. Appears you should be able to drive the Jeep kit version on the highway with bigger tires.

 

[GOCAMPN]

I've been adapting as I go. I have little things here and there that I had on for a while then took off and are sitting in the garage. Some things I "caught" beforehand, like originally I wanted to get a cap or rack and run a RTT - but now I know I would just get sick of climbing so I went with a canvas Softopper.

Some things I didn't think about well enough you could say, I currently have both sides rear Armis Swing Cases in the bed and my spare tire is bed mounted with the N-FAB Rapid Strap. But now I'm looking into CargoGlide / BedSlide. Sure "wasting" money doesn't feel good, but I still want to get it right eventually than run something I don't fully enjoy.

-Grab handles, look fine but I never use them. In the garage now.
-Sunshade, perfect for taking the roof off. Which I really don't do, garage.
-Hi Lift, heavy, bulky, never once needed it. Garage.

You live and you learn.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

In today's economy, I likely wouldn't get the diesel again.
Also would more than likely get a Max Tow with full time 4WD and save the 13k over the Rubicon diesel though I'd also be giving up the 8.4 and leather (which I could make up with PRP or equivalent for less.)
Removable sway bar links are fast and cheap. The rear locker would be made up for with the LSD and the front with computer traction control. (It's not the same as lockers but perhaps close enough.)
At the current fuel price differential, and it doesn't look to improve, the previous at best tenuous fuel savings are straight up gone.
I would miss the acceleration but can live without it.
There would be lots of budget room for better mods than either Rubicon or Mojave offer and the full time 4WD would make the vehicle more sure-footed on wet roads.
As for aftermarket mods I would not get the Arcus bumper, instead would likely choose the RR HD Stubby.
Seat Jackers- Yes!
I'd likely go with a different soft topper/ rack combo.
3.5" lift and 37" KO2s would stay the same. Maybe method wheels if they're lighter than my AEVs. Might do a HF winch though the Zeak has served well.
I'd go with a bit brighter light bar though the current one is sufficient.

(hint: It's more than "Just lockers, electric swaybar and a different transfer case")

I've found my e lockers finicky coming on and off and sometimes it takes some switchology to get them on when I want them, and often have to turn the truck off, wait a minute, them start it again and drive for a bit before they unlock.
I haven't figured out how to keep the sway bar disco'd over 30mph.
In my terrain, anything in 4L starts out in 3rd or 4th gear anyways and that's with 37s and 3.73 gears. Fortunately I've taught my Rubicon how to lock the front diff in 4H to get the necessary tire speed when needed.
Other than that what else are we talking about? An extra tow hook on the back? Off-road pages? Red trim?

Rubicon and Mojave are awesome in stock trim but once the mods start, the nice Fox shocks, rock trails, etc get pulled off for better aftermarket products and you start working backwards from the premium trims markup.

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