Decided against Lift Kit, but what do I spend my money on now?

[berb]

I have a Sport sitting on 17" Rubi Wheels with the 33" KO2s. I have been looking into lifts and was going to spend about $6K on a Full Lift, 37s, and new Wheels, plus install.
Then looking more into it, if I'm doing all that I might want to upgrade the brakes and axles. Driveshaft would have probably been OK.
With that said, yeah it would look awesome! BUT I thought about how I use the Gladiator and what I like about it.
My Gladiator mostly stays on the street with some trail riding in the summer. I like to take the Freedom panels and doors off in the summer. I never rock crawl. So, the lift would look great, but provide my truck with zero extra functionality.

So, I am thinking about doing the following:

1. Twill Soft Top + Hoist for my Hard Top

2. Bestop Soft Doors (That way the weather doesn't have to be perfect to take the doors off and they should fit in the bed, I have a bed cover.)

3. Coyote Mirrors (So mirrors will be on no matter if soft doors are on or off)

4. Aux Switches to:
A: add lighting to bed (ones that will stay on and not go off after 2 minutes or will stay on when the door is closed.)
B: oracle backup light reflectors
C: some lights for the front.

5. Upgraded Cold Air Intake (A lot of people have said its a cheap way to increase the performance of their truck.)

6. LED Bulbs (Cheap way to improve the crappy halogen headlights. There are a lot of good threads about bulbs on the site.)

What do you think? Any other suggestions? Keep in mind that I'm not too handy and my tools are limited, but from watching youtube the things in my list seem to be something I can do.

Thanks in advance.

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[Gvsukids]

You know what you need, prioritize your wants and go from there.

 

[Daddiator54]

Yup. Do what you want. It’s your truck. But if you insist on a nudge, I personally like function over aesthetics when prioritizing. That way you’ll get use out of something first. I guess that applies to a lot of your list though. Lol. I think LED headlights over the halogens are very useful then aux switches.

 

[Mjolnir]

If going LED's, go with the full housing instead of just bulbs.

CAI is a load of shit, wont do anything besides noise. If you do a tune with exhaust than maybe a few HP gains but don't expect anything.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

you dont need new brakes and axle upgrades for a lift and 37s especially one that is primarly on the street.

 

[869 KPH]

I like the sound of doors! Do you have a bed cover? I didn't for years on my current truck and it became so much more functionally useful when I added one.

 

[BAT]

I have a Sport sitting on 17" Rubi Wheels with the 33" KO2s. I have been looking into lifts and was going to spend about $6K on a Full Lift, 37s, and new Wheels, plus install.
Then looking more into it, if I'm doing all that I might want to upgrade the brakes and axles. Driveshaft would have probably been OK.
With that said, yeah it would look awesome! BUT I thought about how I use the Gladiator and what I like about it.
My Gladiator mostly stays on the street with some trail riding in the summer. I like to take the Freedom panels and doors off in the summer. I never rock crawl. So, the lift would look great, but provide my truck with zero extra functionality.

So, I am thinking about doing the following:

1. Twill Soft Top + Hoist for my Hard Top

2. Bestop Soft Doors (That way the weather doesn't have to be perfect to take the doors off and they should fit in the bed, I have a bed cover.)

3. Coyote Mirrors (So mirrors will be on no matter if soft doors are on or off)

4. Aux Switches to:
A: add lighting to bed (ones that will stay on and not go off after 2 minutes or will stay on when the door is closed.)
B: oracle backup light reflectors
C: some lights for the front.

5. Upgraded Cold Air Intake (A lot of people have said its a cheap way to increase the performance of their truck.)

6. LED Bulbs (Cheap way to improve the crappy halogen headlights. There are a lot of good threads about bulbs on the site.)

What do you think? Any other suggestions? Keep in mind that I'm not too handy and my tools are limited, but from watching youtube the things in my list seem to be something I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Been through all of what you are going through currently. No plans to lift as not needed since like you its a DD used for some light trail rides and sand. Perhaps will move to 35's when the Faulkens wear out but not sure if I can take another hit on gas. I sold my hard top for twill top and never looked back nor missed it for a second as my top is always off whenever I can. Soft Doors you might want to hold off on I have not seen a lot of good reviews on any brand sold in the market currently. I got the Jpegg mirrors but I am sure whatever you are good with. I added AUX switches which is a great move but you will only get 4 so if plan to add more stuff you might want to look at a 3rd party option. I added Oracle Bed Lights and love them but advise is to put a switch in the back bed. Added DD3 Fog Lights, Additional offroad lights and ditch lights on the cowl. I did the LED bulb work around but ended up going with the Oracle Bi Ocular Headlights. All my other lights are LED Bulb switch. If you go the Cold Air intake interested in seeing how that turns out.
Best of Luck

 

[Aonarch]

40s /s

An intake won't give you any real performance gain.

Get a tune instead. I have the Livernois Tune it is great. Do a search on it.

 

[905_gladiator]

Nothing on your list will make you happier than a lift and nice set of wheels with 37's.

Get a Mopar lift, slap a set of 37's on the stock Rubicon wheels and call it a day! Far from 6k

Based on what you said, you do light trails, you will not need brakes and axles anytime soon based on the driving habits you indicated!

however its up to you...your jeep your happiness and wallet

 

[berb]

I like the sound of doors! Do you have a bed cover? I didn't for years on my current truck and it became so much more functionally useful when I added one.

A cover was one of the first things I got. I also found a thread on the forum where I picked up a 3 bay cargo net that goes across the bed by the tailgate, and the member had posted D rings and clips. The combination of the 3 plus the bed cover may be the most useful thing I have on my Gladiator.

 

[Jeepin' John]

a quality set of shocks

 

[Hipbilly]

Gears & Lockers.

 

[BUZZHEAD]

STRIPPERS AND WISKEY

 

[869 KPH]

lol @BUZZHEAD lives his life in allllll caps!

 

[BUZZHEAD]

lol @BUZZHEAD lives his life in allllll caps!

Its funny how many times the younger generation tells me I don't have to yell at them.
My reply, you will know when I am yelling and it wont be with my fingers.
Sorry ,it is easier to read

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