Steven
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Steven
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2018
- Threads
- 21
- Messages
- 114
- Reaction score
- 102
- Location
- Austin, TX
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4
- Occupation
- Dad
- Thread starter
- #1
This is a longer post.
The current considerations for the direction of my build are weight, recovery, and family camping trips. My list is not meant to be a step-by-step to-do list, but more of a guide to keep me on track. I would like to get feedback on my logic as to the order of operations that I will explain below.
The current considerations for the direction of my build are weight, recovery, and family camping trips. My list is not meant to be a step-by-step to-do list, but more of a guide to keep me on track. I would like to get feedback on my logic as to the order of operations that I will explain below.
(1) Air compressor (ORO: York Mini)
The easiest way to gain traction for a self recover is to air down your tires. The problem is that you shouldn’t drive home on deflated tires. I currently carry a bicycle pump that works really well for impromptu workouts and also airs up my tires without much issues. Even though it does works, I would like to upgrade to a York just to have one. It is first on my list because it is an upgrade to my current setup but there is no reason it couldn’t get moved around the list as other priorities become pressing.
(2) Rear bumper (GenRight: Aluminum)
As my family is getting bigger, the JL seems to be getting smaller. This feels especially true for weekend getaways and car camping trips. My wife suggested we get a hitch rack as a solution. I’m not a big fan of those so we settled on a roof rack. As I am starting to look into racks, the one that I like needs to know what rear bumper you have. In case the rear bumper I want changes something on the rack, I figured I would get that settled before getting the rack. Initially I figured I would go with Rubicon take-offs, but a LiteBrite video changed my mind. Now I am leaning towards an aluminum set for weight savings and strength over stock. GenRight is not the cheapest for sure, but they have a good reputation and I like the grade of aluminum they use.
(3) Roof rack (Gobi: Stealth Rack)
As I already mentioned, I need the extra storage space as my family is getting bigger. Any ole roof rack would work, except that I am a soft-top guy and don’t want a hard top. Soft-top compatible racks are a bit less prevalent but there a few good options out there. I’m personally a fan of the traditional aesthetics and Gobi can do a good looking soft-top rack. Better still, they seem to be a long standing and reputable company.
(4) Radio antenna (?)
One of my newer hobbies is radio communications. I already have a radio, but have no good mounting solution for the antenna. A roof rack will provide that solution, I think. I figured I will put it on a hinged mount so I can fold it down and protect it from bashing everything when I’m not using it.
(5) Front bumper (GenRight: w/Winch Gaurd - Aluminum)
The front stock bumper is useless off-road, so I hear. I tend to believe that since mine is already showing signs of weakness after pushing some stuff around at my dad’s place. I see no reason to not get a GenRight front since I plan on using their rear already. Moreover, I need a lighter, but solid, winch mounting solution in lieu of a Rubicon take-off.
(6) Jumper cables (custom)
This is just a project I’ve been think about for a while. I think it would be slick to have an externally accessible power plug to use for jumper cables. The only reason it comes after the front bumper is because I want to have the plug go through the front and rear bumpers.
(7) Winch (Warn: Zeon 12-S)
Do I need a winch? No, but I could help recover a lot of people with one. Why warn? Because they are proven. Why do I need a twelve thousand pound winch? Easy, because the standard rule of thumb is to have 1.5 times the weight of your rig. With a GCWR of 8117 pounds, a 12k winch fits that criteria. Even better, with a 5500 pound GVWR, the winch can still pull 1.5 times the weight of the JL on the fourth wrap. The synthetic rope is for weight savings with the added benefit of less momentum if it snaps. While the Zeon Premium is really fancy, it is the fancy remote control that made me opt for the mid-grade Zeon. I plan on getting the wireless remote accessory for the Zeon, but I didn’t want to give up the ability to plug-in.
(8) Rock rails (?)
After I bought my Jeep, I installed a set of Rubi-Rails. They were a great improvement for protection over the stock side steps. Normally I wouldn’t purposely do something twice, but I got them at a steal of a deal. The only reason I am wanting to swap the Rubi-Rails out is so I can put a set of rails that can support the weight of the Jeep. I don’t plan on rock crawling much and probably not enough worry about that scenario. However, I would like the ability to lift the Jeep with a farm jack using the rails.
(9)Hi-lift (Hi-lift: jack)
Old technology is never obsolete, just niche. A Hi-Lift is a niche piece of equipment that still serves a multitude of roles on the Jeep and is my personal choice for a winch backup plan.
(10) Lift kit (Evo Mfg: long arm…)
Surprise! A jeep guy wants a lift his Jeep. I’m actually not that interested in a big lift, but a small lift is highly suggested for the skid plates that I am interested in. I know I could get away with a puck lift, but that’s no fun. For my enjoyment, I want to try my hand at installing a long arm kit with custom spring rates and tuned shocks. That is mostly a dream… I have a history of trying big and then having to go home. Regardless, Evo makes a kit that has a tucked mounting location but reuses springs and shocks. My idea is to not reuse the stock stuff but go custom, like I mentioned. I am waiting on doing the lift so that way I can have most of the added weight on the Jeep before I try to get a particular amount of lift to clear my tires.
(11) Skid plates (Artec: Full Bellypan - Aluminum)
If you are dropping your rig on rocks, then I don’t think you could really argue against steel skid plates. Since that is not my intent, aluminum will me good enough. I do enough stupid things in the Jeep that my exhaust ypipe has a three inch dent from soft-roading. A full skid system only makes logical sense to me if you’re protecting the underside
(12) Fender flares (Mopar: High Clearance)
Up until this point, there hasn’t been a need for more wheel well space. That is finally changing since I am about ready to swap up to a slightly larger tire. The Mopar fenders are the Rubicon versions. I haven’t done the math to to double check the tire size will give me the angle I am looking for, but these fenders with the lift will clear 35’s. If the math doesn’t work out and I need to go bigger than that, I will have expand my list to include axle upgrades.
(13) Tires (BFG: KO2)
The thing that started this list has made its way to the bottom. Bigger tires give you more ground clearance and that is all I really wanted. I’ve run KO2’s in the past and they’ve been good all around tires. There are other option I am interested in, but I have time decide what tread pattern/compound will suite my habits best.
The current considerations for the direction of my build are weight, recovery, and family camping trips. My list is not meant to be a step-by-step to-do list, but more of a guide to keep me on track. I would like to get feedback on my logic as to the order of operations that I will explain below.
The current considerations for the direction of my build are weight, recovery, and family camping trips. My list is not meant to be a step-by-step to-do list, but more of a guide to keep me on track. I would like to get feedback on my logic as to the order of operations that I will explain below.
(1) Air compressor (ORO: York Mini)
The easiest way to gain traction for a self recover is to air down your tires. The problem is that you shouldn’t drive home on deflated tires. I currently carry a bicycle pump that works really well for impromptu workouts and also airs up my tires without much issues. Even though it does works, I would like to upgrade to a York just to have one. It is first on my list because it is an upgrade to my current setup but there is no reason it couldn’t get moved around the list as other priorities become pressing.
(2) Rear bumper (GenRight: Aluminum)
As my family is getting bigger, the JL seems to be getting smaller. This feels especially true for weekend getaways and car camping trips. My wife suggested we get a hitch rack as a solution. I’m not a big fan of those so we settled on a roof rack. As I am starting to look into racks, the one that I like needs to know what rear bumper you have. In case the rear bumper I want changes something on the rack, I figured I would get that settled before getting the rack. Initially I figured I would go with Rubicon take-offs, but a LiteBrite video changed my mind. Now I am leaning towards an aluminum set for weight savings and strength over stock. GenRight is not the cheapest for sure, but they have a good reputation and I like the grade of aluminum they use.
(3) Roof rack (Gobi: Stealth Rack)
As I already mentioned, I need the extra storage space as my family is getting bigger. Any ole roof rack would work, except that I am a soft-top guy and don’t want a hard top. Soft-top compatible racks are a bit less prevalent but there a few good options out there. I’m personally a fan of the traditional aesthetics and Gobi can do a good looking soft-top rack. Better still, they seem to be a long standing and reputable company.
(4) Radio antenna (?)
One of my newer hobbies is radio communications. I already have a radio, but have no good mounting solution for the antenna. A roof rack will provide that solution, I think. I figured I will put it on a hinged mount so I can fold it down and protect it from bashing everything when I’m not using it.
(5) Front bumper (GenRight: w/Winch Gaurd - Aluminum)
The front stock bumper is useless off-road, so I hear. I tend to believe that since mine is already showing signs of weakness after pushing some stuff around at my dad’s place. I see no reason to not get a GenRight front since I plan on using their rear already. Moreover, I need a lighter, but solid, winch mounting solution in lieu of a Rubicon take-off.
(6) Jumper cables (custom)
This is just a project I’ve been think about for a while. I think it would be slick to have an externally accessible power plug to use for jumper cables. The only reason it comes after the front bumper is because I want to have the plug go through the front and rear bumpers.
(7) Winch (Warn: Zeon 12-S)
Do I need a winch? No, but I could help recover a lot of people with one. Why warn? Because they are proven. Why do I need a twelve thousand pound winch? Easy, because the standard rule of thumb is to have 1.5 times the weight of your rig. With a GCWR of 8117 pounds, a 12k winch fits that criteria. Even better, with a 5500 pound GVWR, the winch can still pull 1.5 times the weight of the JL on the fourth wrap. The synthetic rope is for weight savings with the added benefit of less momentum if it snaps. While the Zeon Premium is really fancy, it is the fancy remote control that made me opt for the mid-grade Zeon. I plan on getting the wireless remote accessory for the Zeon, but I didn’t want to give up the ability to plug-in.
(8) Rock rails (?)
After I bought my Jeep, I installed a set of Rubi-Rails. They were a great improvement for protection over the stock side steps. Normally I wouldn’t purposely do something twice, but I got them at a steal of a deal. The only reason I am wanting to swap the Rubi-Rails out is so I can put a set of rails that can support the weight of the Jeep. I don’t plan on rock crawling much and probably not enough worry about that scenario. However, I would like the ability to lift the Jeep with a farm jack using the rails.
(9)Hi-lift (Hi-lift: jack)
Old technology is never obsolete, just niche. A Hi-Lift is a niche piece of equipment that still serves a multitude of roles on the Jeep and is my personal choice for a winch backup plan.
(10) Lift kit (Evo Mfg: long arm…)
Surprise! A jeep guy wants a lift his Jeep. I’m actually not that interested in a big lift, but a small lift is highly suggested for the skid plates that I am interested in. I know I could get away with a puck lift, but that’s no fun. For my enjoyment, I want to try my hand at installing a long arm kit with custom spring rates and tuned shocks. That is mostly a dream… I have a history of trying big and then having to go home. Regardless, Evo makes a kit that has a tucked mounting location but reuses springs and shocks. My idea is to not reuse the stock stuff but go custom, like I mentioned. I am waiting on doing the lift so that way I can have most of the added weight on the Jeep before I try to get a particular amount of lift to clear my tires.
(11) Skid plates (Artec: Full Bellypan - Aluminum)
If you are dropping your rig on rocks, then I don’t think you could really argue against steel skid plates. Since that is not my intent, aluminum will me good enough. I do enough stupid things in the Jeep that my exhaust ypipe has a three inch dent from soft-roading. A full skid system only makes logical sense to me if you’re protecting the underside
(12) Fender flares (Mopar: High Clearance)
Up until this point, there hasn’t been a need for more wheel well space. That is finally changing since I am about ready to swap up to a slightly larger tire. The Mopar fenders are the Rubicon versions. I haven’t done the math to to double check the tire size will give me the angle I am looking for, but these fenders with the lift will clear 35’s. If the math doesn’t work out and I need to go bigger than that, I will have expand my list to include axle upgrades.
(13) Tires (BFG: KO2)
The thing that started this list has made its way to the bottom. Bigger tires give you more ground clearance and that is all I really wanted. I’ve run KO2’s in the past and they’ve been good all around tires. There are other option I am interested in, but I have time decide what tread pattern/compound will suite my habits best.
Sponsored
