Hello all,

I have a '09 Jeep Green manual Unlimited on order and would like some input on the mod's I plan to purchase. I am trying to keep the build parts cost list to fewer than twenty five thousand dollars. There are no labor costs involved, I do all labor myself. I am trying to build my JK to handle some serious off-road but at the same time not be a torture device on the highway getting to the trails. Listed below are the allotted budget per item and some thoughts as to why I picked that item over others:

$1300, Warn Powerplant Winch. I understand this winch is of good quality and won't rust/break down prematurely. Having an air compressor on the winch saves cargo room and I understand it can fill tires pretty quick. I will also be purchasing the powerplant winch cover to keep the unit protected while not in use. If anyone has any thoughts on this winch please provide your input.

$300, Synthetic winch rope. I am aware of why synthetic rope is superior to steel cable. I just do not know which manufacturer make the best rope for a decent price.

$700, Smittybuilt XRC front bumper. I do not believe it is released yet, but I like angular front bumpers with bars and bumpers that also offer some sort of skid protection for the sway bar disconnect. Does anyone know if the Warn Powerplant fits in this bumper?

$1000, Skid Plates. Not sure who makes the best skid plates, but need the usual engine, x-case, evap, gas tank and muffler protection. Obviously do not want anything that will rust and rattle.

$400, Rock Sliders. Have not looked into the various brands yet, but would like high quality ones with maximum ground clearance and rocker protection.

$100, High lift jack.

$300, various off-road accessories, tree-saver, snatch block, straps, shackles etc.

$100, Hi-UV reflective white paint for top of hard roof.

$200, Spray sound deadener for wheel wells.

$200, Electric Hand Throttle.

$1200, Rear bumper with tire carrier, luggage rack and jerry can holders. I have seen such bumper by Rock Hard, ShrockWorks and LoD. Does anyone know if any other companies make such a bumper? Out of the ones listed above, which one leads in quality? I have seen quite many posts about rattles and rusting etc.

$2500, Wheels - five bead locks. The two types I am leaning towards right now are the 17" Hutchinson or the 18" Poison Spyder customs. Anyone else know of good quality, good looking bead locks?

$2000, Tires - five 37 or 38 inch. There is such a wide range of tires I have not done significant research yet. Obviously looking for tires that are great off-road yet won't rattle teeth out on the high way. I understand to try and stay away from bias-ply and go with a radial.

$600, Gears - thinking about 4.88's.

$3000, 4 to 6 inch Lift Kit. Another area where I need to do more research. Shortarm/Longarm, many different companies and styles. Who's making the best kits these days for that price range?

$1000, Drive shafts - Front and rear.

$5000, Supercharger kit - There are three companies that I am aware of. Hesco, Avenger and RIPP. From what I have read, the Hesco is the most basic. The Avenger would appear to be the best for low speed power seeing as it's a root's, but there hasn't been much word on the system. The RIPP seems like it would make the most power and they have been very involved with the community. That putt’s RIPP at the top of the pack.

$300, Snorkel of some sort to work with the S/C.

$3000, Rear Dana 60 - With 37's or 38's and more power, definitely worried about the axles. I am not sure how just upgrading the rear Dana 44's axle shafts, diff covers etc would hold up. In the long run it might be cheaper to just outright go with a Dana 60. From what I have read Mopar and another aftermarket company have Dana 60's coming out for around this price.

$1500, Front Dana 44 Upgrades - Axle shafts, C end support brackets, diff cover. Anything I miss there to bulk up the front Dana 44? I understand a front Dana 60 is very expensive. In serious off-road, has anyone been breaking upgraded front Dana 44's?


Based on my planned upgrade route, would anyone recommend any more components or different components? Will I need to do anything with my transfer case?

I look forward to your guy's thoughts.

 

Viking winch lines are a very good brand for Synthetic winch rope.

 

.... $25k ..... YOU GO MAN!... Sounds like U got it covered!

 

Thanks, I will look into them.

Getting back from a fifteen month deployment does have its benefits. Now only if the stock market wasn't doing so poorly I could also get the BMW motorcycle I've been eyeing!

 

Damn.......AND a BMW bike!!!!???.......I'd say I want your job, but a 15 mo deployment doesn't sound like much fun.

You go guy, Good luck to you and thanks for your service...!!!!

 

maybe i missed it but what about a lift?

 

For the front bumper I would reconsider and go with LOD for the front. I just got to see one up close with a powerplant in it and it was topnotch

If you are going to go to 37's or larger you may as well consider a long arm in the 6' range, i think since you are concerned about on road ride quality that this would be a better option for you. The Teraflex 6" long arm was just released. PM Joe with Teraflex. He can give you the ins and outs that you can't get by just reading info on a website.

With the new axles you are going to want some selectable lockers. Also just go to 5.13s with 37s


Hurry home

 

Your Jeep will come standard with t-case and gas tank skids.

You could definitely save some coin here. If this rig is going to be thrashed off-road then beadlocks become very costly to replace if they get damaged. If it were me, I would save a couple thousand bucks and just get some Pro Comp wheels. Tons of styles to choose from, cheap to buy, cheap to replace, etc.

I would look at the Toyo M/T, BFG KM2, and maybe even the BFG A/T if you don't do a lot of mudding.

As a previous poster said, get 5.13s.

It's hard to beat Teraflex and their customer service. Their 4-inch longarm kit costs about $2800.

 

Agreed... the 5:13's with our kit is awesome... its like driving 300whp.... it out accel's most of the traffic and gets killer gas mileage.


RIPTECH

 

Yep...5.13's are the way to go. Check out the PureJeep Sliders, they are pretty cool, cost is 500 though.