I have always been big fan of portal axles. Portal-Tek.com makes a really nice setup that comes complete bolt in ready with disc brakes, gears and lockers of your choice for around $9k. With those you get a true 4.5" lift at the axles and room for 37" tires with stock suspension. If it were me I would add a the Rubicon Express long arm kit with 2" coils and run 39" tires. Of course those larger tires will cost you. I figure about $2500 for 5 x wheels and tires. After that throw in a gas tank skid, bumpers and which of your choice and your probably at $20k. I would say you go any where with that setup.

Also you could sell your Rubi axles/wheels/tires to offset some of the cost.

 

With the budget you have, I love that you are keeping it "JEEP".

It sounds like your priority is to include your kids. They couldn't care less about a Hemi. Go with a high quality functional trailer instead, and then dial in the lift and tires. I would consider the gears to be essential, and same thing for drive shafts if you go LA 4" and 37's (You will love this set up! Part of the fun will be having the kids climb into your Jeep. The adventure starts here every time they do this!). I would also get a high quality wench just to make sure you won't get stuck somewhere for no apparent reason.

Keep reading this forum. See what things tend to break and get people in trouble. I love the motto, "staying out of trouble is always easier than getting out of trouble". A couple of guys tearing it up is a very different proposition than a family with 2 young kids in the middle of nowhere. Safety should be your #1 priority. That means not going alone if at all possible, and/or telling some official where you will be and when you should be expected home safely. With kids and a wife in the mix, I would also strongly consider further safety issues, meaning that if you are hurt somehow, they will be alright. And if they are injured, they will can have prompt care rendered. A good CB or Sat phone should be included.

You are in an enviable position. Please let us all enjoy this vicariously thru your words and pictures. And have a blast!!!

 

You know, very few people truly understand the benefits of having a high quality wench! I applaud you; your priorities are in the right place. This is one mod I have not heard discussed.

Maybe we could get a thread dedicated to high quality wenches!

On the side... where exactly would you mount your wench?

 

sound good now jack it up and put some big rubber under it.

 

what is it with all the guys in nebraska and iowa going airrock. must be a local thing.

 

I know for me I am a tech junkie and so it ind of has that tech thing to it. Also I have driven a JK with a 4" lift and 37" tires, and my wife had a hard time getting into it, and the AiRock solves this problem. I also wanted the on board air, and I enjoy supporting companies that are closer to me. Since I grew up in the Minneapolis area, and I went to college in Missoula and lived there for several years, so I feel some loyalty to AEV and Off Road Only. I know when my JK shows up I will happily drive the 3 hours to let Off Road Only put it on for me.

 

I believe he said he already had one of those

Well don't about the wench part, but sounds as if she a of very high quality!

 

With the fun that you have planned, I would set it up something like this. I believe this is Sgt. Rocks JK...







A rig like this is a dream come true. And with your budget....the possibilities are endless...

Have fun.

 

Don't get a HEMI! Or you'll never make it more than about 100 miles from a gas station. (200 RT).

 

First, thanks for everyone's encouragements.

I can't wait to start (dealer estimates 5/7).

I loved the post of the red Rubicon with the adventure trailer and the racks (solar panels - probably with some deep cycle battery rack are TOTALLY COOL), sure seems like it can fill the "take the family for a week" requirement. A question though: how "off road" is this kind of trailer? my idea of "away" is not a gravel road, but going out to camp where only other jeepers can get to.

With all these responses, its going to be hard to keep track of all the areas and sub-projects. So, I was thinking, lets go at it one at a time, agree on the add on, add it, post pix and keep going. Since I have the summer off, we should be able to move fairly quickly. Once we agree on the top 3-4, we can start concentrating on each.

Also, for my education I will try to post some specific questions on different items. do you want me to keep those in the main thread or maybe start a different thread under: Project LIG4X4 - 'subject name'?

Couple of general questions for all:

1. What should be the first 3-4 projects in terms of priority and dependency (can't get new wheels/tires till we decide on suspension etc.) Are there any co-dependent projects (something that better be done together with another project?)

2. Is there anything I Could order pre-delivery (my wallet is itching and some items seem to take a long time to deliver).

3. Seems that a lot of items I look for on the 4X4 shops still don't have a JK version, so which would you wait and see what comes out next vs. buying now? (for example, I really liked the Poison Spyder Stinger front bumper but they don't have a JK version yet).

Here's some observations and personal preferences in response to some of the posts:

- I am not looking to put a new engine in (gas mileage and loss of some power are not an issue - this is pure weekend travel vehicle). The reference to freeway driveability is going to and coming back from adventure.

- lets leave the trailer issue separate. I Googled the subject and saw very nice ones from "Adventure Trailers" that will run me about 10K fully loaded, so I will cover it on a different budget as one time expense.

Thanks, All and happy trailing...

Oh, and I did order the CA LIG4X4 license plate with the Yosemite contribution... (hey maybe we should petition for "Thread Lightly" license plates???)