Hey everyone, I tried searching but didn't come up with anything about this. I was looking or some advice for buying a winch with a bumper vs a lift kit for my first major mod. I would do both but my college budget doesn't leave me much room to do that right now. I have a 09 jkx with good year wrangler tires that are about 32".

If I went the lift kit route I would get the TerraFlex 2.5" coil lift with some blisten shocks which would run me around $700 depending where I would get it from.

If I chose to get a winch and bumper it would cost a little bit more but may be worth it for the fact of having a winch to get out of some situations and help me learn my jeep's limits before I get a lift kit.

I haven't been on any trails too extreme but i off road anytime i have the chance and would like to venture out pretty soon to hidden falls and have some fun. I would like to get some advice which would be my best next step at the moment to improve me jeeps capability.

Also any recommendations on a winch that I can get the best bang for the buck on?


Thanks!

 

Lift kit! Well I guess it depends on how ofton you are going off road, but that is what I would buy 1st.

Most winch owners use there winch to rescue other people.

Just my .2 cents!

 

I personally would go lift kit. However, the agruement could be made for if you typically wheel with people then one of them most likely could tow strap you off of whatever you get stuck on and therefore you should buy the lift. If you typically go out alone then having a winch could really come in handy if you have a problem.

 

I would say it depends on if you plan on keeping your tires and if you plan on lifting it yourself. $700 seems low to me unless you plan on getting the TF with shock adapters and no shocks then purchasing Bilstiens. TF does make a 2.5" w/ their shocks around 700 bucks, was going to get it myself then thought you know what why not spend a little more and get the AEV that comes w/ bilstiens.

 

I would say lift kit, but yup, I'm being bias here on this one. Save a little money and get the 2.5" with TeraFlex shocks. FYI the bilsteins are valved stiffer than TeraFlex shocks.

 

Based on your original post, do you also have money for new tires and gears. The only reason to buy the lift is to fit larger tires, and on a JK that means 35" or taller... The need for gears.

I would say to get the winch first. On 32's you can winch yourself through more technical trails than you can get through with 35's on undergeard axles with no lockers.

 

You're in Texas and it doesn't snow a lot there, so this probably won't help much. A lot of people will get winches and drive around during snow storms as the "good samaritan" that pulls people out of ditches or bad situations. Whatever your motive, it helps people in the end.

I say go for the lift, because Texas has a lot of good off roading, and you'll be able to drive over taller things, and ford slightly deeper water. Maybe a deep water fording kit to protect your air intake for a future mod?

 

I say winch. A lift would only help if you also had enough money to also add some new tires now. If not you're getting bigger tires too, the lift will look strange.

A winch is a great safety device that allows you and your wheeling buddies to have more fun without calling in a tow truck!

I've done lifts first in the past. This time around I started with winch and bumper.

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone!
It's still a hard decision but I'm leaning more towards a winch and bumper at the moment because I do wheel by myself at the moment. Still looking for a club around the San Antonio/Austin area!

Any specials going on right now for the TF 2.5 lift with shock adapters and the TF shocks?

Anyone also know how much sag I will experience with a bumper like the evo 1/4 pounder with a decent size winch? Thanks.

 

If it was me, I'd go with a lift first. The base for your overall build