Priority of accesories/upgrades for newbies

[PyrPatriot]

What are the priorities for upgrading the JT for new buyers (non-Rubicon)? Especially for those that can't just drop thousands after buying their truck and don't NEED to go into deep overlanding adventures or rock crawl just yet.

Summarily (in this order):

• Rails/steps
• Bed mat
• Tires (better tread)
• Slush mats and seat covers
• Trailer winch setup
• Bed liners and cargo management
  
• Larger tires
• Lift
• Steel Bumper and winch
  
• Extra lighting
• Re-gear
• Dana 60/80 axles

Estimated prices are for parts/labor based on my area, for prices I'm finding for takeoffs, and from forums and retail websites (i.e Quadratec, Dynatrac, etc)

For me, protecting the vehicle comes first, so I say get some rails/steps to to keep the rocks and dirt off the pinch seam. That is the part I see most rusted and most often rusted on Jeeps. Estimated cost: $200

Next is a truck bed mat. You can buy one that covers most of the bed for $50. It is heavy, so it takes away from payload. But it is way cheaper than $500 for a bedliner.

Then comes better tires. Not necessarily bigger tires, just better ones. I would say preferably in the same size or as close as OEM. That way you get better traction and don't have to worry about increased wear on parts, re-calibrating speedometer/odometer, and you are not as tempted to get into situations you are not ready for. I found having a spare set of M/Ts to put onto just for off-roading to be very helpful. Pick up a spare set of takeoff rims for $100-200, and put on some 245-255/75/17 KO2 tires, or just get Rubi takeoffs for $1000 and put them on when you intend to be in situations where they'll be needed. Estimated cost: $1000

Mopar slush mats to keep the floor clean and drain out mud/water. Seat covers for the same reason. $160

Trailer winch. The cradle, winch, and lead to the battery will be about $800 (Smittybilt, 10k lb winch and 24' lead - yes they have an 8' lead but it is not recommended for their hitch winches; may have to look closer at the 8' lead because the proper lead is $200+ compared to $80 for the 8'). This avoids $1500-2000 for a steel bumper and winch, even if you decide to not go Mopar/Warn. A trailer winch can also be more useful to recover yourself if you go in a ditch rather than have to rig up a system and drag yourself sideways.

Bed liner with cargo management system. $500+$350

Larger tires and maybe better wheels - $2000

Lift (if non-Max Tow or you are ok with losing 20%+ of towing capacity) - $1500

Steel Bumper and winch - $1500

Accessory lights (may be higher up if you do a lot of night driving)

Wrap - either vinyl or PPF. I'm being quoted about $2500-3000 to fully cover my hood, doors, A-pilar, cage body, and truck sides with 3M PPF. If you go off-roading on trails where you're being beaten by branches, move this higher up, like #4. But if money is more of an issue leave it closer to the bottom

Re-gear - $1500

Lockers - $3000

Upgrade axles - last thing to do, $20k investment. But it's the upgrade I want the most

So without upgrading axles we are at $15k on the low end. $35k with new axles. That's almost a new JT!

That's all I have for now. What else would you guys suggest?

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[mr_bots]

Mine came with the Jeep slush mats, a spray in bed liner, and window tint plus I think the factory LED lights are pretty damn bright so right now the only thing really on my list is new tires. The street tires that come on the Overland are just embarrassing for a Jeep.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Mine came with the Jeep slush mats, a spray in bed liner, and window tint plus I think the factory LED lights are pretty damn bright so right now the only thing really on my list is new tires. The street tires that come on the Overland are just embarrassing for a Jeep.

Yes, of course if you get those options, like the steps/rails, liner, mats, etc. that doesn't apply. I meant for a more basic build

 

[HorneyBadger]

You've got a Sport S. First thing to get is a stick that says " If you can read this, roll me over!".

On the serious side. It's what floats your boat and makes life easier. If you are in crappy weather then mats! A bed mat if you are hauling alot of crap! ....etc

Just be practical. If you find you are going out 4 wheelin more tackling harder terrain then it may be time for better tires or a lift.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What size tires are you thinking about that you'd need to re-gear?

If you are talking axles, you must be talking some serious punishment for that thing....... These axles are no slouches.
How many here upgrade axles, and what are they doing that make is necessary for them - that might be something to find out.
Unless you want to upgrade to something with lockers........
If that was your goal, I'd not waste money re-gearing. I'd do it all at once otherwise you spend money for gears and the talent to install, then you pull that out and put different axles under it.

 

[PyrPatriot]

What size tires are you thinking about that you'd need to re-gear?

If you are talking axles, you must be talking some serious punishment for that thing....... These axles are no slouches.
How many here upgrade axles, and what are they doing that make is necessary for them - that might be something to find out.
Unless you want to upgrade to something with lockers........
If that was your goal, I'd not waste money re-gearing. I'd do it all at once otherwise you spend money for gears and the talent to install, then you pull that out and put different axles under it.

35” and up from what I have read here. You CAN drive on the 4.10 gearing and probably the 3.73. But not regearing means less time in 8th gear and loss of road performance, or so I have read

Yes, lots of punishment. I like going offroad fast, and bouncing and landing hard on even dirt roads would call for heavier axles just to be safe. I want this thing to do Baja type roading and not have to worry about snapped axles

Agreed on doing it all at once. This thread’s topic is on priorities in upgrades, for those who cant just drop tens of thousands at once. That is why axles are on the bottom of the list

Though it is funny that you could probably outfit a JT to outperform a Raptor. Those go for what, $70-80k? A $40k sport plus $25k in upgrades puts you a few thousand less with better performance

 

[MarineHawk]

35” and up from what I have read here. You CAN drive on the 4.10 gearing and probably the 3.73. But not regearing means less time in 8th gear and loss of road performance, or so I have read

I have 35s, a 3" lift, and am in 8th gear almost 100% of the time on level to slightly up-hill highways. I have 4.10 gears.

 

[MarineHawk]

Next is a truck bed mat. You can buy one that covers most of the bed for $50. It is heavy, so it takes away from payload. But it is way cheaper than $500 for a bedliner.

Two lightweight super sticky rubber yoga mats trimmed for the wheel wells. Done.

 

[MarineHawk]

You won't need new axles unless you turn it into a monster truck. Soliciting other views here, but you won't need them unless you go beyond 37" tires.

 

[MarineHawk]

Also, I don't think you need extra lighting for anything. I've gone on crazy trails in the dark with just normal head/fog lights. In the Marines, we did crazy stuff at night in Humvees with just these tiny orange fog-like lights to keep from tipping the bad guys that we were coming. I might be a villain for saying this, but the extra 4x4 lights are for show.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Also, I don't think you need extra lighting for anything. I've gone on crazy trails in the dark with just normal head/fog lights. In the Marines, we did crazy stuff at night in Humvees with just these tiny orange fog-like lights to keep from tipping the bad guys that we were coming. I might be a villain for saying this, but the extra 4x4 lights are for show.

Noted. I should put NODs on the list

 

[PyrPatriot]

You won't need new axles unless you turn it into a monster truck. Soliciting other views here, but you won't need them unless you go beyond 37" tires.

Again, LOW priority. Feel free to contribute what might go above it

 

[MarineHawk]

Again, LOW priority. Feel free to contribute what might go above it

Your complete list would require an amazing expense.

Come out to Gore, VA during the weekend of April 25 and you can drive/ride along and see what you need for various circumstances. I would say that if you are going to try to turn what you have into a high-speed Baja rig, you're going to have to spend a ton of money. Short of that, you can do a lot for a lot less.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Your complete list would require an amazing expense.

Come out to Gore, VA during the weekend of April 25 and you can drive/ride along and see what you need for various circumstances. I would say that if you are going to try to turn what you have into a high-speed Baja rig, you're going to have to spend a ton of money. Short of that, you can do a lot for a lot less.

I wont be turning my current JT into a baja rig, but most of those upgrades I plan on doing eventually. I have only gone through #4 and wont be doing a lift. Maybe in 10-115 years I will get another JT and do the axle swap

 

[PyrPatriot]

Ultimately it will be a while before I get to do any more. My car registration and taxes came in, the JT was about $450! Add that to my other car needs a new starter

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