Did you need to use wheel spacers with the stock rims? I am probably not going to lift for a while if at all, and wonder about rubbing. Your Jeep looks great!
I have been wanting to do this trail for a while now. I am currently dealing with some health issues but might be able to head out before it gets hot again, like in the Spring. Been in Afton Canyon several times, but never went further east. So, you are planning to go west to east, ending in...
No regrets. I ordered what I wanted. The only thing that was a little annoying was that I had to pay extra for the wheels that had been stock the years before.
Satellite radio so that you can summon help while out in BFE. Benadryl for allergic reactions and at least one tactical tourniquet (don't use it until you have been taught when and how to use it properly). Of course plenty of 4x4 gauze and rolled gauze for covering wounds.
Driver skill and experience > Rubicon features
Sure, it is nice to have the lockers, sway bar disco, etc... but lockers are not needed on most trails as often as people would have you think. The sway bar disco is just a convenience thing and another possible system to go bad on you. Not to...
If I lived in an area that had snow every winter, I would be more interested in having a LSD than lockers. Rubicons are great, but they are not the end all be all for all off roaders. People will question your choices that you probably spent a lot of time thinking about and come at you with...
I was the same way. Always liked LR and the skinnier tires. Funny thing is, when I got my Defender, it had very "Un Land Rover" 265/75R16 BFG AT tires! My JK had 255/75R17 BFG MT2's for a while before I went up to 35. When I get new tires for my JL, I will be looking at the 35/10.5 options...
I will not be buying another Wrangler. Not because I have had any problems or because of cost, its just that I plan on keeping my 2023 forever. It is my third Jeep, and I wont be without one again. If it gets stolen or wrecked, I will get another Wrangler, but possibly not new.
I put 2.0 shocks and stabilizer on two weeks ago with the rest of the suspension remaining stock for now. It is without question an improvement over stock overall. I am very happy with the way my Jeep just feels like it is more planted both on and off road.
Any pics of those 255/85R17? Is your JK lifted on stock tires? I want to eventually lift and run 35" tires, while keeping the stock rims. I had 255/75R17 KM2's on my JK and really liked having pizza cutters.
I replaced the stock shocks with Fox 2.0 shocks. Replaced the steering stabilizer, too with Fox 2.0. Its a little stiffer than stock on pavement, which I like, and was a lot better at staying planted while on gravely and rutted roads. I am happy with the change.