I know that not all of us have 10k lying around to dump into our Jeeps (although it does happen a nickel at a time), but I wanted to pass along a report on the '12 performance off road experience I had this past weekend.. I went to Hidden Falls in Marble Falls, TX for the first time in a stock Jeep (my last trip was in my highly modified '06 TJ Unlimited). I was incredibly surprised at where I went to say the least. I was in a group of several Jeeps that were highly modified and they were all a bit surprised as well. I did every level 3 and most of the level 4 trails with little to no trouble at all.. My point of posting this was to at least pass on that a stock Jeep of today is waaaaaay more capable than the Jeeps of past times in the stock version, so don't be afraid to use it! The only damage suffered was a dent in my catalytic converter.... Mods have their place for sure, but i think protection and recovery should be at the top of the list (coming from a guy that has a 4" long arm waiting on tires and rims in the barn and still no winch) Anyway, I see ALOT of negative talk and questions about what should come first and I wanted to share some thoughts on the subject...

Wheel easy, focus on protecting your investment, know your limits and have some fun...

Laters,,,,

 

Great post! The JK is an incredibly capable rig right out of the box.

Jeep on!

 

Here here... I too found my way to Hidden Falls in my then >72 hour old JKUR. I even made it over a level 5 trail (by-passed 2 obstacles, but I bet I could have done them, just not safely at my experience level)

I'll be returning next weekend (12-13th) for another round of fun! I also agree having some basic recovery gear and safety gear is important before we go too crazy on other mods. Great post, go Jeep!

 

How is it more capable than stock Jeeps of the past? ... Jeeps have always been capable, stock Jeeps have been suprising their owners with their capabilities for decades...

 

Yep in stock form my 11 jku sport goes places that would have made my old S-10 with 3 in lift and 31's pee down it's leg. I totally agree that protection and safety should be at the top of the list. I managed to take a god sized chunk out of a rim and bent up one of the side steps up almost into the body. I have decided my next mods will be a good set of rocksliders and a full set of skid plates to protect the belly. Then I will worry about a lift and tires.

 

The capability of a stock Jeep is pretty amazing. I appreciate stock Jeeps and built Jeeps alike. Even the strip models with steel wheels...it's a Jeep! You don't have to build them up in order for them to be fun.

 

Oh I agree... Maybe I should have chosen my words a little better :-) They have been surprising owners, and military personnel forever.. But I have to say, this is number 5 stocker for me and it is waaaaay more capable than any of my previous stockers....

And as the past has proven, this one wont stay stock for long.... But I am very, very impressed..

 

There is one Stock Jeep Wrangler that would have a lot of issues claiming over obstacles…..


2-Wheel drive JKU. I know to each his own but I don’t understand

AMen

 

I honestly didn't know that this existed... I'm actually having a hard time believing that it exists... Meh. Just... Meh.

 

I do not know if they still offer it but here is a 2008

2008 Jeep Wrangler $18,980 - Crevier Mini - SANTA ANA, CA 92705-4743 Dealer