I'm a broke Jeeper I have about 500 bucks available for some mods. Basically I'm looking back at issues I've had in the past and trying to prevent them.

Currently in my jeep I carry a few things at all times. Tire plug kit, flashlight, hand held CB, small one man tent, a tool kit, leatherman tool, a bunch of torx bits, socks, TP, water proof matches, and garbage bags. I feel the basic just what I need to make it is there. It is all pretty small stuff, easy to fit in the limited space of a 2dr. Most of these items came from ideas I got here.

I was thinking along the lines of things line on-board air systems, hi-lift jack, or maybe an inexpensive winch. Basically the must haves if you are alone and stuck or broke down.

The problems I always fought in the past were being stuck and trying to push/dig myself out, and flat tires. These two issues have me considering one of the two. I'm really on the edge of saving and just getting a good solid winch, but I really feel an OBA system would have more benefit in general. Future lockers, maybe upgrade it to run air tools or something. If I get a flat on my way to work, I can plug it, fill it and mount it on the tailgate and go.

What are your guys ideas, or do can you think of something better? I don't wheel all the time and I do a lot of driving back and fourth to work. So saving for long arm kits and dana 60 swaps wouldn't do me much good.

 

Maybe a hilift & some rotopax. A winch is good but if you dont have a tree someone else or an anchor your not going to be able to pull off much.

 

I made a jerry can mount for my 2011, I used it a few times when I went camping for water, out side of that nothing.

I seriously considered a hi-lift. My problem is there wouldn't be much I could do with it until I get my bumpers updated. I guess I could use it to lift a wheel and stack rocks. Off to look at mounting options and hi-lifts again.

Any other input?

 

They have the strap for lifting your tire with the hi lift

 

OK, we will take the hi-lift out of the budget, a lot of people say they are worthless and just a cool factor, but I've used them and see benefit. So it is still at 500. I'll be checking my local 4x4 shop tomorrow for a hi-lift. If not I'll order it.

I thought about things like window mount floods, but I just don't see benefit for me yet. HUGE cool factor, not that usefull.

 

pepboys sells both the hella 700s and 500black magic sets. the 700s are 89.99 my dad put them on his and i can attest they are bright! the black 500s are 119.99 they are bright and when off they're black cool factor but not so much a needed option. highlift jack can be used as a come a long (hand winch) with proper hooks and chains. plus the normal uses. do you have a fire extinguisher? flash light? all the small stuff is really important.

 

A 48" Hi-Lift can be strapped secure under the rear seats, so will save you purchasing specific mounting brackets. Hi-Lift also doubles as recovery jack and a manual winch if you also have chains. An electric winch can be purchased later as you'll also need to purchase a winch plate or winch bumper. OBA is a nice luxury but a modest portable air compressor works fine and a lot cheaper - get one with clips to battery, not the cigarette lighter. My dually compressor is strapped in the trunk all the times.

For budget wheeling, a length of old carpet will/might get you unstuck on soft dirt or sand, and sand tracks are cheap for the same purpose - they've worked for me on sand.

 

OBA and some kind of manual winch. The Hi-Lift is one option for a manual winch. ARB has a manual winch but it won't double as a jack. There are lots of manual come-along types available also.

 

I think I'll start with the hi-lift tomorrow, find a way to mount under the rear seat, then order an OBA system. Thanks guys. Two birds with a $500 stone