Before I answer, let me make clear that it's your Jeep; make it the way you want.

I have a mid-width bumper and it's not the traditional overlanding look (which is typically full-width and includes a large hoop to protect the entire front end). When I bought my bumper (late 2007), there weren't many options. I do some mild rock crawling, so that bumper has been useful. I also believe that I can keep an eye on what's in front of me to minimize damage to the rig. Not so for the rear, where I have a full-width bumper.

As for fenders: IMHO, the best looking fenders for the Jeep JK are made by Jeep and come on it from the factory. Every other fender I've seen looks downright goofy. Flat, tube, pocket, I don't care. Goofy. That's my opinion. On top of that, I've managed to rip fenders off twice now. Both times damage from ripping off the fender to the underlying paint and sheet metal was very minimal. I'm not certain that metal tube fenders would have offered the same protection--supposedly they do, but I'm skeptical. I think they'd just transfer the force of the impact through the tubes to the very weak underlying sheetmetal. So, instead of being able to reinstall the fender (or pick one up cheap or free from someone who has installed other fenders), you're now looking at very expensive repairs. My advice (IOW, my opinion, which I've been asked for) is to not replace the fenders unless you absolutely must for performance reasons.

If you're planning to run 35s, put a 2.5" lift on the beast and be done with it. If you want 37s, I'm not certain that you can do that with 2.5" of lift, but if you can by replacing the fenders, great. Wide 35s (much less 37s) are not very "expedition-like", but that's the tire many of us choose. If you really must have 37s, then be aware that you're asking for additional expense if you must lift over 3" (driveshafts, diffy covers, rear upper control arms, move the rear axle spring perches). You will find most kits don't have any of these parts, but you will need them eventually because your rig, which you're building to take into places that are remote (IOW, no AutoZones, much less four wheel drive shops), has been compromised. These parts are going to cause failures eventually. Summary: 2.5" lift max, 35s, max (which will kill your gas mileage, BTW; another critical component of overlanding).

Sorry, I was asked for my opinion so gave it. Build it the way you like. I can assure you that while there are people who agree that the stock fenders are the best looking, we're probably in the minority. :-)

 

I've also shot Nikon, though it's been many years (does Nikon Photomic FTN bring anything to mind, LOL?). Keep an eye on this thread; I'll have some photos from an upcoming trip down Texas way (Big Bend) in the near future. My youngest son lives in Houston, BTW (he's a PhD candidate at Rice), so I'll be down that way on occasion. Perhaps we can meet one day and argue over dinner whether Canon or Nikon is best. LOL.

 

Sure it does! I'm only 32, but I know my film cameras. I'm actually shooting about 80% film again and rarely ever pick up the digitals. I've got a first series Nikon FM that I shoot fairly regularly, as well as recent F100, and also a Hasselblad 500cm. Both my manuals are 1977 or older models!

I would LOVE to shoot Big Bend. I have a lot of friends who talk about it. Big Bend always reminds me of Wyman Meinzer, have you seen his work?

 

These would be PERFECT for going fishing on Galveston Island!! I'm going to have to look into a pair. Are they collapsible or rigid?

 

Googling this now. Need more info!

 

Hi

They are rigid and big.

I also would like the have the Maxtrax but bought the cheaper Smittybilt ramp insteed and comes with a bag. I have not used it yet, no snow now. Maybe the Smittybilt is not so strong as the Maxtrax?



A test here, Maxtrax against Smittybilt. Some say that expeditionportal is sponsored by Maxtrax ?

MAXTRAX vs Smittybilt Element traction devices - Expedition Portal

 

I did the "underfloor storage" mod so I can sleep in the back. I've added a roof rack to pack camping gear and just last night installed Airlift bags in the back to compensate for the added weight. This August my brother and I took our grand kids jeep camping at the Sublett reservoir in Idaho. They slept in his tent trailer. I made a shade out of an old tent because it was hot during the day. Mine are 7, 5 and 2 3/4 years old and his is 8. My 3 are huddled around a buddy heater having their morning cocoa. They had a ball. I'm looking forward to more excursions.

 

Tell me about your roof rack. How much can you carry? How did you mount it to the roof?

 

Well, I do agree on this. The stock fenders will stay.

 

I bought the roof rack from Discount Ramps (online) for about $150 or so. The way I have it mounted I would say it should carry 200lbs or so. See photos for how I installed it. I reversed the mounting hardware that came with the rack and use rubber stoppers from the Lowes Hardware section (in the drawers with all kinds of specialty items) to space the mount as per the photos. Let me know if you have any more questions. I did a how to on this some time back. Just search on "roof rack" and you should be able to find it.