I just got my first Jeep a few days ago. '09 Rubicon 2 door, Flame Red, Hard top, Automatic Tranny, touchscreen radio/nav.

I have a few ideas of what I want to do with it (mainly from reading this forum!). But I'm kind of overwhelmed. I am an avid bowhunter and will be pulling a 5x8 utility trailer on 400 mile roundtrips several times a year. The areas I drive through in central/west Texas are loaded with deer and deer/auto accidents are common (I hit two last year in my F250).

So I'm thinking a good front bumper should be high on my list. We don't get a lot of mud, but I do go through some pretty rocky terrain on my hunting property. I'm thinking of a 4" lift with 35" tires.

I also need a hitch receiver basket for hauling ice chests, deer, etc. in the areas where I can't pull a trailer. Anyone know of a good brand/model?

If anyone can give me some opinions on how you would prioritize your upgrades/mods, I would appreciate it. I know these are some open-ended questions....but any info would help.

Thanks!

 

Congrats on the new Jeep, and welcome to the forum!

I'm thinkin' you might want a full-width front bumper for better protection. When I was shopping for my front bumper, I spent a little time considering a full-width one, and I really liked the Rock Hard one.

 

Welcome and congratulations on your Jeep! If I were starting over again, first would be a Superchips Flaspaq, an aftermarket muffler, and a AFE dry drop in air filter.

 

damn nice rubi
i know some guys might disagree with me but i would do a lift and tires first and you could get away easy with a teraflex 3" on your 2 door to fit 35". if i could do it all over again its what i would have done. then you can add bumpers and stuff as you see fit. i was tired of getting stuck for hours so after my lift on went a front bumper and winch. its all about priorities

 

A 4" lift is a lot for 35s, and when you get more than a 3" lift then you are into driveshafts and all. In fact with a fender trim or flat flares you can do a no lift 35" tire rig. Keeping the stock fenders, Northridge 4x4 has a great Old Man Emu Long Travel kit that represents a great value, with heavy duty springs and everything else you'll need. Your rig won't look roller skaty and will keep your center of gravity low. You can even go with 37s with flat flares and some minor trimming.

On the front bumper, and with the deer issue, run with a mid or full width bumper to give you some wheel and front axle protection. A stubby would give you better approach angles, but that's not going to matter if you can't roll your rig to where the rocks are.

So good luck with your Jeep, it sure is pretty and take a look at some planman posts about no lift 35s for some ideas on how to put together a very functional package using good hardware for 35s or 37s. Of course they always evolve into getting lifts, but ones more functional than what many out of the box kits represent.

 

Chew--

Welcome to the forum. Nice Jeep! You're not very clear about the rocky terrain you must cross. Folks are recommending lift and 35s because they figure you're doing something akin to rock crawling. But, with a hitch-mounted rack? I'm thinking that maybe your rocks aren't all of that demanding. The stock JK can do awesome stuff--and you have the Rubicon. Don't short sell it's capabilities. If you do require 35s and a lift, then I'd recommend that you also need a new rear bumper and a trail rack mounted to it. That way you won't give up departure angle with a hitch-mounted rack. If you think that a hitch-mounted rack can handle the trails you have in mind, then I submit that you don't need any mod's besides a better front bumper (for the deer), and maybe some minor protection underneath--oil pan and diffy covers, relocate steering stabilizer and evaporative cannister. After that, tires and a lift will give you a better looking Jeep.

 

Thanks for all the replies! Y'all have nailed me down to the fact that the lift and tires was probably more for looks and "cool factor" than the rock climbing.

I've been wanting a jeep since high school (almost 40 now) and just wanted to raise it up. Realistically and financially I should probably skip that part.

Thanks for the advice!