I need some help with a decision. I know what I want, but I can't have both because I'm a college student and money is very limited. By the end of my internship this summer, I'll have 6K in my pocket...I'm only going to put 5K in my Jeep and save the other 1000 bucks for a rainy day. Also, I just got in an accident (other persons fault) and jacked up my plastic front bumper, so hopefully I'll get about 600 or so after insurance comes through. Anyway, what I have so far is a 2" puck spacer budget boost and 33" BFG AT's. I have a front d30 and rear d44 with 3.73 gear ratio. So, here's my two option of what to put on my Jeep by the end of summer:

Option 1.
-Hanson JK Stubby Front Bumper (670)
-Hanson JK Rear Bumper (900)
-Cragar Wheels x5 (315)
-BFG M/T's x5 (1050)
-Warn Winch (890)
-Optima Battery (220)
-Superior 4.56 Gearing x2 (460)
-Teraflex 2.5" HD Boost (550)
-D44 OX Locker for the rear (850)
Total: $5905

Option 2.
-Hanson JK Fenderbar Front Bumper (870)
-Hanson JK Rear Bumper (900)
-Hanson Tire Carrier (500)
-Warn Winch (890)
-Optima Battery (220)
-Superlift 4" Lift (915)
-Superior 5.13 Gearing x2 (460)
-35" BFT M/T's x5 (1250)
Total: $6005

Also, I know you're all thinking about install too. The bumpers and winch/battery I'm gonna do myself. My tires and wheels will be mounted and balanced for a good 70-100 bucks or so at discount tire if my boy is working there. And my main mechanic will install my Option 1 lift for 80 bucks...my option 2 lift will cost about a good 250 or so. My gearing will be about 300-500, I forget which exactly. Locker is about a good 200 my mechanic said too.

But what I'm trying to say is the check I get from my insurance company will take care of my install for the majority of it. And my cash over the summer will go into my Jeep. Oh, and don't worry, I won't be poor...my b-day is in September, so I'll have a good 600 bucks in pocket to spend around school and stay alive.

So what do you all think I should do? Take note though that this Jeep will also be sent on an offroad excursion on the western half of America and the Australian Outback. If you feel I don't need something tell me, if you feel I should add something to a list or in general, let me know.

Thanks for your input, comments/concerns and I know there may be some criticism too.

 

I'm a college student too so I can sort of relate to the situation you're facing. I know it's tempting, but most would agree that it's not smart to deplete your savings on a Jeep at this point in your life.

If it were me, I would install a rear locker and a winch and call it a day. If the locker doesn't get you out, the winch surely will. That one piece of self-recovery equipment could save you several thousand dollars in other mods.

Think about it. 35s only put an inch more clearance under your axles/diffs than your current setup. Is that one inch of clearance really worth $3,000 to you? Plus you'd be getting anywhere from 2-5 fewer miles per gallon. With $4/gallon gas, that's something else a college student needs to keep in mind.

But, if you insist on getting 35s, I guess I'll address your parts list a little bit:

--I don't understand everyone's obsession with aftermarket rear bumpers. They don't offer much more clearance than the stock bumper. I would also rather scuff up a plastic OME bumper than a $400-$1000 steel bumper. The stock carrier should hold up fine to 35s, so there's really no need for a new rear bumper/tire carrier.

--I also think it's pointless to regear to 4.56 gears. If you're going to regear and run 35s, most people would recommend going with at least 4.88s, if not 5.13s.

--As for a lift, add a 1" body lift in addition to your current spacer lift and you'll easily have room for 35s. Body lifts are good for keeping the center of gravity low, and they're cheap too. I think they cost about $130, and you could probably install it yourself.

-----------------------------------------

Option Ryno:
--Rear locker... $850
--Front bumper... $670
--Winch... $890
Total: $2410

 

I can see a good reason for a replacement rear bumper particularly if you're talking about expeditions.You'll want something that'll carry some extra cans. Personally I'm not a fan of Jerry cans riding beside me inside the cab. 35's are a bit much for the tailgate as well. You might want to look at some other companies than Hanson. They're a little slow in embracing the JK. While their bumpers are showing on the site (when it's working) I'm not sure the rear is available yet.

Also, while George at OX says they're working on a locker for the rear D44 (soon is the term) it's not out yet. You may want to look at ARB instead. That'll give you on board air capability as well. That's something you'll come to appreciate when you're out there.

X2 on that 4.56. Research the 4.88's and 5.13's.

Hopefully you have your recovery gear already.

Last, but not least are you doing the work yourself? If not, that'll add some to your total.

Cheers and have fun out there!

 

When you go to bigger tires stay on the stock wheels and save some bank.

Also consider the long term effects and cost of ownership any mods will entail.
Milage alone is soon to be a huge factor.
Changing drivetrain angles etc. is also a long term issue.

We ALL uinderstand the temptations but consider well.

Youve invested in your future by going to collage.
Don't stop there!

If you absolutly must have some offroad fun then be conservative about it.
Just getting out on a trail is very worthwhile.
The things your stock Jeep can do might surprise you.

I would urge you to do all that before you decide on anything else.
Just go have some fun and find out what you really need.
Then think about it for a while.
Then go out some more menatlly testing your cost benifits.

Then make your move(s)

Getting home is really what it is all about.

If you do "Go Big" then do it conservatively and do it right.
Do you really want to change your drive lines?
When you remove the sway bar pins and start really flexing, are youy prepared to have the rubber boot clamp ripped off?

Can you deal with any stability issues and drivability issues lifting might (will) entail?

There are endless options and desires and reasons and excuses too.

Be more mature than most in this forum and TAKE YOUR TIME.
You'll be just fine.

I waited 34 years to get my 1st Jeep .
No kidding!
Now I'm not suggesting you should, or anyone should go that far.
But I did have other far more important priorities in my life.

Now having my 4 children "grown" and "gone" it's finally MY TURN!
Yeh!

But then I EARNED IT.

Young folks often seem to take the near term satisfactions instead of doing hard things.
It makes for less options later on generally.

Do as you need to do to be true to you.

There is no wisdom anyone can give you really.

But do remember, SPEED KILLS , so TAKE IT SLOW.

peace

 

x2.

I hate to be a party pooper, but he's probably right. Sounds like you already havea pretty nice ride for a college guy. I wouldn't even get locker(s). If you must, throw a cheap winch on the factory bumper. You could also throw a cheap Aussie locker in the front (about $250).

This way, you can save more of that 6k. Then you can spend less time working in the future, and more time wheeling and chasing college tail, er... I mean studying!!!

 

Thanks, I agree with you all so far. Yeah, my front bumper has to be replaced because it's all smashed up from an accident, so I might as well by a steel one. I think you're all right though, I really should save some cash in general...maybe I'll do the locker another time (considering it's not even out yet), and regear another time too...See that's what I wanted to hear, thanks for your opinions...Yeah, I think I'll keep my wheels, switch over to MT's and stay away from the lift and bigger tires.

So my new set up for now will just be the front and rear bumper, MT's and a winch. Perfect.

Thanks again! You guys helped me just save cash I don't even have yet.

 

I'm glad we, I mean they, could help. Do you really think you need the rear bumper?

 

I don't have a hitch on my JK, it came with the tow hook frame, so I want to be able to attach a bike rack to my hitch and the bumper I want comes with a hitch.

 

You dont need to spend that much....you can get alot done with 3K..jmo

KSK