Up to this point, I've only done moderate trails with my Jeep, the most difficult probably being the trails up around Big Bear Lake, CA and some of the moderate trails in the Sierras around Shaver Lake. In 2014 I will be tackling the Rubicon as part of the Jeep Jamboree and, since this is also my DD, I want to make sure I can drive this thing home without any serious damage. I've slowly been adding mods as I could afford them but my list is so long I know I'll never get everything before my trip. So, I could use some help in prioritizing my list.

Here's what I have or know I will have:
Rubicon front/rear lockers
Off-road stubby bumpers (front & back)
2" JKS Jspec lift:
-front LCAs (fixed length)
-front & rear adjust. trackbar
-Bilstein 5100 shocks
Nitto 35" tires
5.13 gears
Rubicon Rock Rails
ACE Rock Sliders
Or-Fab Tire Carrier
Aftermarket Skids:
-oil pan
-transfer case
-control arms
-evap can
PS Bombshell Diff covers
Muffler relocated under the cab
C-Gussetts
Stabilizer shock relocation kit

Here are the top items I'm considering adding in addition to these (but can't afford all right now):
1" spring spacers
rear LCAs (fixed length)
rocker body armor
rear track bar skid
gas tank skid (aftermarket)
transmission crossmember

How would you prioritize this list and is there anthing you would add that is more important?

 

i wouldnt worry about any more armor or skids. I would be looking at axle shafts front/rear. Also possibly driveshafts. Personally i would like a spacer either id rather get new coils. Control arms are nice, but dont really gain any performance, but it would help keep bushings from going out. You seem to like the fixed lengths, but id rather have adjustable. Id also look at a tie rod, the stock one is a pile and will get knocked out of alignment easily and that can make for some fun rides home.

 

I would too but they are twice the price. Someday I'll get a new long arm lift so I'm not wanting to invest too much more into this lift. Just the necessities to make it drivable and perform on the trail (with obvious limitations).

 

in that case i still say tie rod, then axle shafts and possibly driveshafts. I broke a front axle shaft and bent BOTH rear flanges on only 35s. These are all expensive, but will work no matter what lift you get.

 

Defiantly do some rocker armor/sliders, and some cromoly rear shafts. Your rig is good to go now for the rubicon trail, its not as hard as it people make it out to be. I only found one spot that was really hard for 35's and that was middle slice and you can easily go around that spot and is only a couple hundred feet long. If you are really wanting to get more capable for rocks then I would seriously be looking into bigger tires, but since this is a DD you will have to make that determination yourself.

 

I,m guessing you have a winch if not I would get one. Also I would invest in parts that might break on the trail ( shafts (drive and axle) and u-joints).

 

Ball joints, tie rod, drag link, gussets, sleeves, and or truss, drive shafts, axles, sliders, corner armor, control arm skids, winch, hi lift, tow strap, evap relocation, ....

 

As you get into tougher trails, I would consider taking a closer look at all the steering components. Not sexy, hidden and expensive... but huge piece of mind. Would upgrade to a flipped drag link. If you can do at the same time, I would upgrade the steering knuckles. Will bring the tie rod up higher... Personally, I think much higher. Will require a trackbar relocation bracket. Recommend Currie on the drag link and Synergy on relocation. With the tie rod higher, everything will be much closer together... Synergy works great and allowed me to relocate my steering stabilizer up higher. Then I would upgrade the tie rod last. Your entire steering system will be much higher and better protected. And I also changed out the axle shaft to a G2.

 

As far as armor goes I'm surprised nobody mentioned the oil pan skid

 

probably because in his op its already listed.....good job.