First jeep/build ideas

[riversedge210]

Hey guys,

I just got my first Jeep (‘21 80th Ed.) and I’m already itching to start building it up.

We don’t get much warm weather here, so I’ve been enjoying my doorless commutes-It’s my daily driver. I’m not going to be taking it on very many intense trails, but I would like it to be capable when the moment comes.

My first step is going to be upgrading the lights:

Deciding headlights and taillights was pretty easy, but I’m having trouble with the fenders. I really like the look of the Rugged Ridge Max Terrains, Bushwacker Hyperform Fenders,AAL High-line fenders, but it looks like these were designed for the Rubicon and Sahara fenders. I’d really like to keep my OEM gloss black fenders and just get them modded to look like those. Is that something that the dealership could do?

Has anyone tried these or know of a compatible solution for the sport S fenders?

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[Riotfunk]

You can’t make your fenders like the high line. You’d have to buy new ones. If you’re Not wheeling it. Leave the fenders alone.


Best to see what you’re gonna need is to take it out and drive/wheel it as is. Then you’ll at least know at minimum what you need.
Why spend a bunch of loot on things if you’re not gonna use it.

 

[Reinen]

It already is quite capable when the moment comes. Especially the moments you seem to be talking about. There is nothing that you want to do that your Jeep can't already do.

The important thing to know about Jeep mods is that they're nearly always a compromise. Make something better and you make something else worse. The more capable you make it as an off-roader, the worse you make it as a DD. So you don't want to needlessly overdo it and shoot yourself in the foot.

Seriously, hold off on doing any mods for a while. I know it's tough. But from a long-time Jeeper to a first-time Jeeper, I guarantee you that after a few months to a year some mods won't look as appealing as they do now. It's also likely that you'll realize that you want/need something else that you haven't thought of yet. So give it some time. Let things sink in before you pull the trigger.

 

[JPAloha]

^^^^ this.

I started into modding the JL the same day I brought it home but only after owning several JK’s and knowing what I needed the JL to do.
You see so many people who do one mod just to replace it with something else down the road, this most likely comes from not fully understanding what they needed/wanted. I’m yet to reverse a mod beyond a cargo mat.

If you’re only planning to do mild trails, fire roads, etc. your Jeep will handle them just fine. I used to do exactly that sort of thing in a bone stock JK Sahara 2 door. Eventually I realized better tires were needed but that it didn’t need a lift to do what I wanted at that time. I improved the lighting, added a CB and that was about it. Take your time.

 

[73TAWM]

Hey guys,

I just got my first Jeep (‘21 80th Ed.) and I’m already itching to start building it up.

We don’t get much warm weather here, so I’ve been enjoying my doorless commutes-It’s my daily driver. I’m not going to be taking it on very many intense trails, but I would like it to be capable when the moment comes.

My first step is going to be upgrading the lights:

Deciding headlights and taillights was pretty easy, but I’m having trouble with the fenders. I really like the look of the Rugged Ridge Max Terrains, Bushwacker Hyperform Fenders,AAL High-line fenders, but it looks like these were designed for the Rubicon and Sahara fenders. I’d really like to keep my OEM gloss black fenders and just get them modded to look like those. Is that something that the dealership could do?

Has anyone tried these or know of a compatible solution for the sport S fenders?

What you are asking for can be found on Quake LED web sight.

https://quakeled.com/jeep-jl-jt-sport-slim-drl-fender-chop-kit-w-sequential-turns-side-markers.html

Do you need them? Like others have said, no.
Do you want them? Obviously.
I have a 21 JLU that I put the Bushwacker Hyper Flare fender forms on because I loved the look. I wouldn't buy anything from that company with the trouble I have had. The fenders don't fit tight against the body like they should, it allows mud and water to pass through and where it's not tight, it looks like shit. From a distance they look great and after them sending me a second set, I sold the first set and the guy thought they looked fine with the gap. To each their own I guess. I will be eventually buying the Quake chop set and chopping my factory fenders. Do I need them? No but it's my Jeep and it'll look how I want it to.

Bushwhacker will take three days to respond to any email, each time you email and they leave no phone number on their site to talk to someone directly. They said they couldn't replicate the problem I was describing but after two sets doing the exact same thing, I either have a factory defective set of front panels on the Jeep body or they lie. The problem could be fixed if they'd build the forms to include a clip at the trouble spot but for some stupid reason they remove two clip spots and there is no reason for it. Poor design.

I can't speak for the Quake quality, and I'm a little nervous about cutting my factory fenders (on the bench in the garage still), but every build I see with the look I want, turns out to be the Quake chop kit.

 

[rcadden]

I'll echo others, and suggest joining your local Jeep club and going to a few meetups, maybe some easy trail rides, off-road parks, etc. This will give you an opportunity to see what others in your area have found to be necessary/worth doing, and ask questions.

Bone stock, your Jeep can handle probably 95% of what you yourself will be comfortable doing. The only reason for mods is going to be comfort, personal preference, aesthetics, convenience, etc. It doesn't sound like capability is going to be a concern.

My recommendation is that you set up a spreadsheet or some other tracking document. Whenever you find something that you think you want, put it on the spreadsheet. At a minimum, include a link to whatever it is/where to buy it, and estimated pricing. Drive your Jeep for ~6 months before you buy anything for it.

This gives you time to save some $$, actual experience with your Jeep to understand what you dislike/want to fix/change, and a chance to discover that something you thought you wanted/needed would actually be a colossal waste of money for you.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Hey guys,

I just got my first Jeep (‘21 80th Ed.) and I’m already itching to start building it up.

We don’t get much warm weather here, so I’ve been enjoying my doorless commutes-It’s my daily driver. I’m not going to be taking it on very many intense trails, but I would like it to be capable when the moment comes.

My first step is going to be upgrading the lights:

Deciding headlights and taillights was pretty easy, but I’m having trouble with the fenders. I really like the look of the Rugged Ridge Max Terrains, Bushwacker Hyperform Fenders,AAL High-line fenders, but it looks like these were designed for the Rubicon and Sahara fenders. I’d really like to keep my OEM gloss black fenders and just get them modded to look like those. Is that something that the dealership could do?

Has anyone tried these or know of a compatible solution for the sport S fenders?

I have told this to a LOT of folks over the years. If you any intentions of wheeling it then your first buy you be a GREAT set of tires.

What I see on the trails: Lifts, Lights, DO DAH DO DAH, $X.XXXs spent on stuff that that does little to take you to the summit of that trail you are.

The most important item is the Jeeps Shoes. If you playes Football, Baseball, Track, you buy the right shoe that will get you in the winners circle before you bought some fancy pair of shorts...Starting to smell the Coffee?

For Light wheeling, city, hwy, overall great tire is the Goodyear Duratrac. Its the best overall tire I have had on my Jeeps. When I got ready to kick it up a notch from 35s to 37s, I put on BFG KMs and I have never ran a better tire for HARD CORE Rocks.

The KO2s are more steet than offroad.

So I hit the trails and what I see is TIRE SPIN and they got a $5000 buck lift and $500 buck Reservoir shocks that accomplish nothing unless you are runing the Baja 1000 they are about as useful as a screendoor on a submarine...But as long as you like it then go for it and I will back you 100%, your Jeep, your wallet.

 

[riversedge210]

Hey I really appreciate all of your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!

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