I'm finally looking to mod my otherwise stock '10 Sahara Unlimited (red rock). The JK piggy bank just hit my target of $3,500 and now I need some advice from the experts.

I drive it every day around town and do some decent highway travel a couple times a week. I want to boost the performance (power) and lift it a tad but don't want to mess with anything too serious. Mainly looking for something that gives it a more aggressive look, makes it a little less sluggish and more capable for some light, weekend wheeling.

I honestly didn't have anything specific in mind when I set the $3,500 goal. It was just a comfortable number (i.e. anything more and my wife would be angry). Some items of interest...superchip, exhaust, intake...would like to keep the stock wheels...nothing bigger than 35s for the tires.

Suggestions?

 

I have a 2010 Sport and just yesterday I opened a second checking account specifically for it! I thought I was going to come across weird to the banker, but was relieved to find out he had 5 separate accounts for similar reasons as me.

Mod'n is really up to you and what you feel you need. I personally want to save up for an off road bumper with a Winch. I've not needed it yet, but already been on group Jeep trips where people (lifted and non lifted) needed to be winched out.
I may even get a leveling kit seeing that a bumper/winch combo will cause sag.

After that I'm going for a Snorkel/Breather tube extension. My first "Real" off roading trip had me in deeper water than I was comfortable with and I was scared to death of hydro lock.

I'm holding off on larger tires/ lift since it is a daily driver. My stock 32" On/Off road wranglers have proven themselves in mud at Drummond Island, and I have 6 witnesses in this forum to prove it

I'm also thinking off road lights and rear lights, and other accessories that will need to be powered. So a Benchmark Dual battery set up is also in my future.

If you don't already have it, I'd get an Air Compressor. It's great for when you gotta air down and air back up. Also less of a hassle when your tires are low. Just yesterday, it was like 15 degrees and my tires were noticeable low. I aired them up right there with my Compressor in the corporate parking lot!

How are you on recovery/trail gear? A YJ buddy of mine wants to go wheeling with me, and I just discovered he doesn't have anything as far as straps/ropes, shackles or what have you. I suggested to him that recovery gear is a good investment.

Most of my mods so far have left my JK looking stock, but they're useful. Most people on the street seem to think you aren't modified until you've lifted and put on larger tires. But then when they're evap falls off or a rock smashes their side step, they realize "Oh, those skids/rails you got were a good idea!"

Most other stuff I'll replace with something cool once it fails/falls off.

That is a pretty good chunk of change you've saved up! I can't wait till my pile of dough is that big! Bottom line, I'd get what you feel is practical first, then mod for other stuff later, but that is just my humble opinion. But whatever you do, be sure to post some pics!

 

I'd go for gears first, 5.13 if you are going to run 35" tires, and spacers if you want to keep the stock rims. after that I'd look at air intake and some form of computer tool, I went with superchips for mine. for exhaust just un bolt the factory muffler and go to an exhaust shop and have a descent muffler welded in line down the driver side, so now you should have 2500 left to do whatever you want, if you plan on doing any off road look into a rear locker.
on board air or co2 tank would also be good.

make a list and write down what you want grouped by category, performance, safety, recovery, visual. then group items that need to be done together like locker with gears.

best of luck... my build is going to cost as much as I paid for my JK... and I'm doing most of the work in my garage. but my jeep will be bomb and zombie ready!

 

Like others said it comes down to how you work your Jeep.

Be honest with yourself about how you are going to use your Jeep, if you're 'really' going to see much off-road, or you just want the off-road look.

Since you’re talking about "power" & "less sluggish", maybe you'd be happy saving a bit more and going with a RIPP supercharger. Other wise perhaps a budget boost with 35" All-terrain (think Duratrac) with new gears and & superchip.

If do plan to wheel it regularly, then look at the style of off-roading your going to encounter, rocks, mud, trails, water crossing, expedition, zombies. Going this route you'll want to spend more money things like gussets, sliders, lockers, drive shafts, recovery gear, better quality lift kit...etc. Protect your investment. (If you can call a Jeep that)

You must be a responsible person to have saved your money for your mods, so now build it to fit your lifestyle and not for looks alone.

My opinion.

 

Less sluggish, all around performance and better looks with 3500 budget:

using 33's as the largest tire size:
4.88's ($1500) with 33" duratracs $1000 (if you ever intend on 35's, then do 5.13's now. may want that rear locker now also (over budget))
spidertrax spacers $200 and teraflex level kit $400
superchips tuner $300
evap relocate $80
tranny cooler $60

spent the 3500 .