I was just curious as to why I see a lot of people (non-Rubicon owners) installing suspension lifts and larger tires before they install armor, gears/locker(s) then larger tires. I understand the function of a lift and larger tires but I am curious about the order of modifications.

 

I would take a stab in the dark and say that the wrangler is pretty capable straight out the box, the weekness being those street tires, so change them and it totally transforms the jeep offroad, plus its a great visual mod too.

 

I think its all about THEIR priorities.

For myself, I feel I will NEVER have enough clearance from lift to clear everything, and that skid plates/sliders are the first priority, IF I have to do only ONE, etc.

That way, I can have fun, and still have a little more insurance I can get to work monday morning, etc.

Now, if I have not done any mods, and I need new tires, well, that pretty much means the new tires ARE the first mod, and as the slippery slope goes, you don't want to get smaller tires if you can fit larger ones if you just.....(Fill in the blank), and so forth.

So, sure, in that scenario, you end up doing it all backwards from a practical function standpoint....but it makes sense logistically.

 

Buy what you want first!

If you are having trouble off road, fix those parts first. Are you dragging your guts? Do you have street tires? Getting stuck because only 2 wheels are spinning? You know where to go from there.

I will say this: if you were to remove your rear bumper, and then hold it in your hand (only one needed...) You'd be replacing it. Instantly.

 

I started out on a tight budget before I deployed to the desert so I took off the front bumper to make room on the trails and i avoided hitting things so armor really was a luxury at that point for me. Tires on the trail are a must. Without traction you won't go to far, loose the stockers. I threw some 265/75/16's on the stock steel for the first year and a half and had no issues and still plenty of power. To ease the cost I bought stuff month by month and put in the garage until I was ready to install it.

 

I understand what you are getting at but for me there was no rhyme or reason to what I did and in what order. I hit the trail first, made a list of mods (It is always getting longer not shorter evan after I get stuff).
I pretty much have the list of everything I'd like to do, and I do it as I come across parts at a good value or if I get the impulse to place an order somewhere, I will.
At the end of the day, I NEED IT ALL ANYWAY.

 

A lot of people upgrade the looks before they upgrade the protection...nothing wrong with that. I personally did it the other way, I spent my money on solid bumpers and rockers first. Then waited another year to do the suspension, driveline, and wheels/tires. I think it was definitely the better way to go.

 

x2 Armor is always my first priority. Not that you have to spend a ton, but a minimal amount, especially on the rockers for a non Rubi, is better.

Depending on what kind of offroading you do, you may not need the armor or you may just want to look better with a lift when you're cruising the mall parking lot.

It really depends on what type of offroading you're into: mud, rocks, beaches, trails, malls, etc. Beyond that it really comes down to preference and budget.

 

Every vehicle I have ever owned...mod list goes as follows:

1) Wheels/tires
2) Suspension
3) Exhaust

Although for all cases other than the JK, that involved larger rims and lower profile tires and lowering the suspension. :p

I admit...90% of my decisions are based on aesthetics and sound. Performance comes later as I begin to push my self-limitations in the Jeep.

Although, previous comments are accurate. I've been very impressed with the JKs capabilities on stock mechanical with larger tires and lift. I haven't had a need for anything else yet.......yet!

 

I'm a non Rubi guy.

I started with bumper / winch then sliders. But really other than sliders the JK is pretty good for skid protection compaired to other Jeeps. Also with the make shift e-lockers its a hole different world than the TJ's. If a JK lifts a tire it's not stuck it may be a little jerky but you will get through. I also have the limited slip rear and the combo is really quite good short of a locker. That being said after the slider protection I would go straight for lift and tires.

With my and 35's I have done alot of trails that stock Rubi guys wouldn't attempt.

So to sum it up I agree with getting sliders first to protect that weak point on a non Rubi JK after that I would go for lift and tires everytime.