if you've got the time to help out a noob im not really sure where this thread would go so i decided to put it here. this is my first jeep and am having trouble pulling the trigger on anything. I figured since im not going to be doing any serious off roading for a while id go with a bumper and winch first. I really like the look of the AEV bumper but seems a little pricey. The warn ARB and shrockworks midwidth also caught my eye, primarily because all could use the stock fogs. I liked that the shrokworks came with the skid plate already though. I was thinking about the warn 9.5 ti aswell but then wasnt sure about the powerplant. i know that that wont fit on the AEV of ARB hence part of the delima. any suggestions or oppinions or reviews would be greatly appreciated.

p.s i have a steel blue sahara unlimited 4x4 if that influences the descion at all.
i figured i would go with arb lockers and a lift later on....

-- Thanks in advance

 

Listen to Toad, she knows what she is talking about... But get a tow strap, and go out with a buddy who can pull you out....

I say run stock until you think you have done all you can then get a lift and new tires.... That is what I am doing... There are some cheap winches out there and some cheap bumpers as well....


Just take some time to see what your Jeep can do first, you may be as suprised as I was.... Like when I pulled some morons out of the mud in their toyota tundra, 4x4... Stupid rich kids, mudding in shorts a polo and flip flops...... Stupid people, shoulda charged 'em..........

 

thanks ya'll but thats another thing.. i havnt really met other people around here that go off roading, im still trying to find locations and people to go with, thats why i thought a winch would be more necesary.

 

Why jump into anything yet?
Since this is your first Jeep, and you're not going to be doing any serious wheelin', why not keep the Jeep stock for a bit and get the feel of what it drives like stock.
I know its hard not to jump into the mods right away, but sometimes it's just better to wait.
As far as a winch, that would be one of the last things I'd install.
I've had one on my 94 XJ for going on 11 years and only used it about a dozen times or so. Sure it looks nice on the jeep, but if you're going to install a new bumper and winch right away, be ready to do something on the springs to get the front back up where it should be.
The AEV front bumper alone droped the front on our JK about 1.5" or so.

 

If you're really not planning on off-roading much if at all than a winch can wait. However, I disagree with the sentiment about installing a winch last unless you're just building up for the posing purposes. A winch can be invaluable. You may not need it often, but it's one of those few things in life where you can honestly say, "I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it." As for my winch, I've used it.

 

Save your money from not buying the winch yet... If you have some money to burn and 'need' to modify your Jeep... start with a lift, then some tires, maybe some wheels (if you don't like the existing), then some bumpers, then go out and get you a winch at some point in the future.

I'll guarantee that you'll be happier in the near term with the lift than w/the winch (until you get stuck). Which in that case, go on and get you a high lift jack (poor man's version of a winch). These Jeeps can get through a lot of $hit before getting stuck... so if you're just out play'n around and the stuff you're on isn't too serious, you'll be fine.

 

Thanks. I guess just seeing all yall out there modded and looking amazing made me want to jump in quicker than i need too.
Tgrt reasoning for the winch was pretty much what i was going off of as well. "I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it."
I hadnt really thought of a lift yet so much because of the issues with warrenty, didnt want to void that to quick... is there a general rule as to what size will void that?
i was also thinking about a bumper for asthetic reasons but didnt want to base a descision purley off that.

 

I would have to say go for a winch before anything else. No matter how big you get, now matter how great your rig looks, eventually you WILL get stuck. In addition, you are more likely to do damage to your Jeep if you know that you don't have a back-up plan. With a winch, you always know that no matter how bad things get, you WILL be able to get out. Not only that, but no matter how bad that FJ or H3 is stuck, a winch will get them out as well, and nothing could bring a Jeep owner more pleasure!!

 

Ultimately it's your choice. On my old TJ I did the lift and stuff with the intent of getting a winch later, but I just didn't have the money. I could have used it allot and could have tried many more things (was in Colorado at the time) if I would have had one.

My Rubicon does plenty now and several of the guys I wheel with have stock JKs in one shape or form and they do fine. Frankly, I wonder sometimes if I want the lift just for looks more than function, because it does so well stock.

 

I sort of in the same boat now that I've ordered mine. The ol' 'what to do first?" dilemma. I'm actually leaning toward a 2.5" BB and 33's right away. Of course, then there are the little things like grab handles, husky liners, etc.