Hey Everyone!

So this is my first post on the forum. I'm not all about blogging, but realized the value of input and advice from more experienced off-roaders than myself. I've had my current Rubicon since Aug 2011. Its the second Jeep I've owned, the first being when I turned 16 and bought a '95 YJ. Fell instantly in love with Jeeps, and ever since my dream vehicle was the Rubicon. When I could finally afford to, I fulfilled that dream.

Now, after almost two years of ownership, I can finally afford to mod the hell out of it. I'm a regular off-roader, heading on and off trails all over where I live and on trips. All planned upgrades are with off-road capability and lifestyle in mind. I've come up with a general plan that will allow for upgrading over a period of time to account for the expense of it all, while focusing on essentials first. The way I see it, there are 4 main areas for improvement: 1) Performance; 2) Protection; 3) Appearance; and 4) Tools/Equipment. I'm going to lay out my plan in this thread, so if you have any input or advice on the choices I've made or suggestions on better upgrades or things I've missed, please let me know.

Stage 1, Part I: Protection

Upgrades -
Rugged Ridge XHD Modular Bumper with Winch insert and Center Hoop
Q9500i Self Recovery Winch
Mesh Grille Insert
Euro Light Guards
Rugged Ridge Body Armour Corner Guards
Quadratop 4 Piece combo (bimini top, windjammer and tonno cover)
Tuffy JK Security Deck Enclosure

Probably the most important upgrades I can start with involve protection. The factory Mopar bumpers are a good start, but I'm looking for heavier duty armour thats more in line with my tastes. I've seen one recently and am most likely going to go with the Rugged Ridge XHD Modular bumper with winch insert. I like the stubby, which cover the essentials, and would get the centre hoop to accompany it. I've also considered the Garvin G2 Series Front Bumper, but with the difference in price I'm leaning towards RR. Any thoughts? Although I would love to replace the rear bumper at this stage as well, its not high priority and I need to tailor the upgrades to my budget. With the bumper of course will come a winch. Since I've only got a 2 dr Rubi, not looking at anything too crazy in terms of payload. Probably a 8500 or 9500 lbs integrated solenoid recovery winch. I was wondering if anyone had purchased the new Q-series winches Quadratec has put out? With their prices and options, they're pretty appealing, but theres limited reviews so far. Otherwise I'm looking at a Warn Winch at closer to a $1000. I'm also going to throw in little armour upgrades such as the Euro Light Guards for all exterior lighting, as well as rear corner guards (black on the black, but ah well), and a mesh grille insert to protect my rad. That basically sums up the majority of the protection upgrades in Stage 1. I'm also looking for new top to the Stag. I only got the Freedom Hard Top in the purchase (not liking the factory soft top) and am really considering the bikini top/tonneau cover combo. Quadratec again has this summer package for their Quadratop, but I want to know how well it compares to Best Tops. Also, if I get this type of top I have another protection consideration: security. I'm big on having moments-notice kit in the Stag. I'm an avid hunter/camper/Z-Day enthusiast and keep pretty much all of my growing collection of hunting, fishing, camping and survival gear in the jeep at all times. So a cloth top makes me a little worried. Tuffy Security Products makes a lockable cargo deck cover that I think would be a great addition. My only concern is I already purchased Smittybilt MOLLE back seat covers that carry some of my stuffy and I wonder if the deck cover impede on its use? That basically sums up what I plan for this Part. I find that since its a relatively young Jeep, I can get a little more use out of the current performance gear before I start replacing those.

Stage 1, Part II: Lift

Upgrades -
2.5" to 3.5" Lift with Long Arm Extension
35"x12.50" Tires (Mostly for mud; also needs to be good in snow and rain)
KMC XD Rock Star wheels

Although I would love nothing more than to add this to Stage 1 complete, I know its going to cost a pretty penny. I want to put 35" x 12.50" on the Stag, and include a long arm extension and may as well replace the wheels at the same time, so I'm looking at a $5000+ project here. This will require time to get the funding for it. Luckily, I will be doing all these upgrades myself, with the assistance of my brother in law and his shop. I'm not exactly certain on which system to go with yet, but what I'm thinking is a 2.5" to 3.5" Terraflex or Rubicon Express Long Arm Lift Kit. Not too worried about the shocks yet; I'll probably end up going with a kit that comes with them to start off. If anyone has a kit that meets this description I'd love to know how you like it. For the wheels I love the look of the black KMC XD Rock Star. Combine that with any quality tire, Dick Cepek, Pro Comp, or Mickey Thompson - I'm not even oppose to bigger BFG Mud-Terrains that I currently have on - so long as their 35"s at 12.50" wide. Ideally I'm looking for something that handles mud over rock crawling better (which they all are great) but also handles rain and snow well is a big consideration (3/4s of my driving years its one or the other!). Any ideas? A lot of flexibility on this topic since it will be the first lift I'm doing to a Jeep.

Stage 2: Appearance and Capability

Upgrades -
Garvin G2 Series Rear Bumper with swing away tire carrier, gerry can holders and axe/shovel bracket
Bushwacker Flat Style Fender Flares
Rugged Ridge Windshield Frame Light Mount
Off-Road Lights (x5) HiD or LED
Tuffy Single Compartment Overhead Console
Cobra CB Radio and Antenna

This stage can be characterized by wanting to do more off-road while looking the part. I find the Garvin G2 offers great protection (without looking stupid) and with the swing away tire carrier for gerrys, axe and shovel, as well as for a place to mount a high lift jack, I couldn't ask for a more versatile rear bumper. The Bushwacker fender flares are pretty ballin' and I believe will just enhance and provide a more aggressive look to the lifted and extended suspension. I also want more lighting, and am considering the RR Windshield frame light mount. It looks thicker and I suppose more sturdy for protection. What I'm not too big a fan of, and this goes for pretty much all light mount systems, is that it limits what I can tie down to the roof. The exception being the square LED systems you see now, but I'm not a big fan of the look. So I regularly go on surfing vacations (yes I know, theres no ocean or waves in Ontario) and typically tie down my long board just behind the roll bar and windshield (top off, this is why I'd like the Quadratop). But with round off-road lights, I'll have to remove them each time; not terrible, but inconvenient and it'll look kind of stupid driving around with 3 lights up and two missing. I'm not sure what the solution is yet, so if you have advice let me know, but this is the plan right now. For actual lights, I'd love to find round LEDs, but the HiDs are a close second I suppose. I have no preference in manufacturer, so I'll probably wait for some kind of sale. If theres an added advantage of one type you know about, let me know. Finally, I'm definitely going to install a Tuffy single compartment overhead console. Love the idea! Keeps things from getting too cramped while allowing for a radio. I'm all about the radio. Not decided on the CB yet. I've had experience with Cobra's before and find them reliable, but my step-father has been showing me some stuff on ham radios and if I find the time to get into them, I believe that may be a better option. Basically (and it has to do with my Z-Day plans), I want to be able to transmit over long distances, and the HF of a ham would be ideal. However, it'll probably end up being a CB, since it's most common use will be for road trip.

Stage 3: Capability and Performance

Upgrades -
Magna Flow Performance "Black Series" Axle Back Exhaust System
E3 Diamond Fire Spark Plugs
Optima Battery (x2) on Dual Batter Tray
Truck Lite LED Headlamps
ARB High Output Twin Onboard Air Compressor

So this stage is all performance and equipment upgrade for increased capability. I have not put too much time and research into this stage yet, since its likely 2-5 years from fruition. But I like to have an idea. I haven't touched on all things that will need to be upgraded, but since over the years products will change, I figure I shouldn't worry too much about it. Also by that time, things will definitely need to be replaced, so it'll work nicely I hope. What I do know is that I want the LED Headlamps, so thats likely to occur sooner rather than later. Road driving at night is pretty miserable for visibility I find. Also the Magna Flow exhaust looks pretty sweet, and I hear good things about their products. I considered the Gibson Metal Mulisha one thats similar but has bigger and more aggressive exhaust pipes, but I was warned against Gibson from a friend. Anyways, if anyone has any good ideas for this stage I'd love to hear it!

So that's the plan as it stands to date. A lot can change over the years, but I like having some idea of what I should be saving for. I'd really appreciate any insight into the things I touched on, particularly in regards to the QuadraTop and Security Deck Enclosure, as well as a possible solution to my surfboard/light mount problem. Anything helps, so thanks in advance! I apologize for how long this blog is, but if you're bored or as big an enthusiast as I am, you know why I want the best for my Jeep! Thanks for reading!

Black Stag

 

First off, welcome to the forum! U wrote a book for ur first post! Lol good luck on ur build!..... I added stuff in between ur stages in the quote....

 

Hey thanks for the post and pics! Gave me a better idea o whatI'll be looking at when it's done. The Duratecs are pretty sweet. No problems in the mud clearly but how bout snow? You get in jersey around as much as us it to he north. Also liked your trucklites above the bumper hoop. Those LED lights may be back on the drawing board for me. Thanks!

 

If your looking for a winch check out Titan Winch. They are local to you and get good reviews. I know personally a few guys who run them with no problems.

 

They do look pretty solid and the price is right. Burlingtons a little south for me but next time I'm in Toronto it'd definitely be worth it. Gonna compare to the qseries and see but having a local buy is preferable. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Minor updates I made last weekend. Nothing too fancy but they add a nice touch.




Grille insert




Headlight guards




Reflector light guards








Corner and light guards

More coming in the next few weeks. Can't wait!

 

Olympic makes a folding light bar that goes down which would solve your problem about your surfboard hitting the lights

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12110_040X_PG.htm

Hope this helps! It is cheaper than other options too