help needed on spending some money...
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Muscat, Oman
help needed on spending some money...
...on my Jeep..!! 
I'm looking to get my first real modifications ordered soon. I have a list that is looking reasonable to me at the moment but since its all to be shipped out to the Middle East from the States it all has to be ordered in one go. I'd really appreciate any advice in making sure I minimize the possibility of doing something I'll wish I did differently.
I am fortunate that, within reason, money isn't so much of an issue if I convince myself its worth spending. I don't really like overspending on something I know I don't really need. And I hate wasting money on anything that is no good at all! So I hope I can get some opinions on my list to help me out.
Background... Currently a stock 2-door JK Sport except for tires that I upgraded to 31x11/16 as soon as I got the vehicle. They're the widest commonly available locally and I'll live with these now until they expire, meanwhile planning the modifications to suit 33s or 35s. My Jeep is a daily runner, amongst other things for taking my 2 daughters to school (aged 6 and 4), hence steps, grab handles and full-length bikini top. There are some rocky trails, including water, but the majority of off-road fun time will be on soft sand. Even with current tires, I have never been stuck so far (fingers crossed) although there have been some climbs where I've had to back down and try again. On the top of sand dunes, there is a possibility of beaching. Local city driving is chaotic - bumpers need to be beefed up just for that - and I'd prefer to keep my air bags operational. There's not a lot of rain in Oman.
So... my draft list:
Front bumper: ARB
Rear bumper: Rampage (including their rear fogs)
Receiver hitch: DrawTite
Wheels: Cragar series 397 soft 8 black - 16x8
Driving Lights: KC HiLites SlimLite 130W black
Front Fogs: need to insert into ARB bumper - my JK has no factory fogs - suggestions?
Fuel door: HighRock or Mopar?
Side steps: Rugged Ridge 4" Oval black
Bikini top: Bestop Header Safari Top
Trunk: Bestop InstaTrunk
Grab handles: 3" MasterCraft
Flooring: Husky liners front and rear
Soundbar speakers: Kicker
Lift kit: Full Traction 3" Economy with M-Force Monotube Gas Shocks
Getting the lift now seems sensible given the weight I'm about to add. Should help at the dunes, too. Was looking at the 2" OME lift but (even after reading the installation thread in this forum) I just don't know what other bits I would need to buy, so going for what appears to me to be a competing "full" kit.
I've also had a lot of thinking time on the bumpers, especially the front. In the end, I think I'd like to splash out on the one that caught my eye the first time I saw the catalogue!
How does that look..?! Would appreciate any advice.
I'm looking to get my first real modifications ordered soon. I have a list that is looking reasonable to me at the moment but since its all to be shipped out to the Middle East from the States it all has to be ordered in one go. I'd really appreciate any advice in making sure I minimize the possibility of doing something I'll wish I did differently.
I am fortunate that, within reason, money isn't so much of an issue if I convince myself its worth spending. I don't really like overspending on something I know I don't really need. And I hate wasting money on anything that is no good at all! So I hope I can get some opinions on my list to help me out.
Background... Currently a stock 2-door JK Sport except for tires that I upgraded to 31x11/16 as soon as I got the vehicle. They're the widest commonly available locally and I'll live with these now until they expire, meanwhile planning the modifications to suit 33s or 35s. My Jeep is a daily runner, amongst other things for taking my 2 daughters to school (aged 6 and 4), hence steps, grab handles and full-length bikini top. There are some rocky trails, including water, but the majority of off-road fun time will be on soft sand. Even with current tires, I have never been stuck so far (fingers crossed) although there have been some climbs where I've had to back down and try again. On the top of sand dunes, there is a possibility of beaching. Local city driving is chaotic - bumpers need to be beefed up just for that - and I'd prefer to keep my air bags operational. There's not a lot of rain in Oman.
So... my draft list:
Front bumper: ARB
Rear bumper: Rampage (including their rear fogs)
Receiver hitch: DrawTite
Wheels: Cragar series 397 soft 8 black - 16x8
Driving Lights: KC HiLites SlimLite 130W black
Front Fogs: need to insert into ARB bumper - my JK has no factory fogs - suggestions?
Fuel door: HighRock or Mopar?
Side steps: Rugged Ridge 4" Oval black
Bikini top: Bestop Header Safari Top
Trunk: Bestop InstaTrunk
Grab handles: 3" MasterCraft
Flooring: Husky liners front and rear
Soundbar speakers: Kicker
Lift kit: Full Traction 3" Economy with M-Force Monotube Gas Shocks
Getting the lift now seems sensible given the weight I'm about to add. Should help at the dunes, too. Was looking at the 2" OME lift but (even after reading the installation thread in this forum) I just don't know what other bits I would need to buy, so going for what appears to me to be a competing "full" kit.
I've also had a lot of thinking time on the bumpers, especially the front. In the end, I think I'd like to splash out on the one that caught my eye the first time I saw the catalogue!
How does that look..?! Would appreciate any advice.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Champaign, Illinois
suggestions
if you need front fogs get a bumper that includes the fogs. Also, I would not get the bikini top if you are going to get a windjammer, are over 6ft tall and mind sitting in a seat with perfect posture. I just put one onf my jk and it cuts down your leg room severly. Lucky for me im just under 6 ft so I can manage. If you are going tobuy a winjammer id suggest getting the wrap around with the sound bar cap. it seals up nicer than the other.