Most functional off-road upgrades?

[Token]

At minimum... Front diff cover. You can't see rocks that are in water or mud.
A good thing would also be an engine/transmission skid plate. Protects the oil pan, trans pan, and vulnerable transmission cooler lines. Even a branch on the trail could rip one of those causing a very bad day.

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[Hayseed_JLUR]

Don't forget the angry grill - that way the trails know you mean business.

 

[PA-Punkn]

Also consider differential skids and upgraded diff covers. These seem to always take a beating.

How important is upgrading the diff covers if you already have diff skids in place? Obviously the more armor the better, but maybe funding would be better spent with armor for other areas?

 

[Fsttanks]

How important is upgrading the diff covers if you already have diff skids in place? Obviously the more armor the better, but maybe funding would be better spent with armor for other areas?

A quality front diff cover and both a rear diff skid and cover for sure. These points are to lowest on the Jeep and tend to take the most impacts and get “hung up” often especially if the Jeep is used routinely in rocky terrain like that the OP is planning on for his trip. So myself and many other would rate their need high for Jeeps used often in rocky terrain.

More belly armor could be added elsewhere sure, but those areas are already fairly well protected by the factory cross members and skid plates. Unless one is often going to be doing some hard core “rock crawling”, belly armor is IMO not always the best use of limited build funds.

 

[OnlyOne]

You don't need anything to run the trails out here. A stock sport will take you just about anywhere. What you've got is already overkill.

 

[Halstem1]

I do need a good jack. I can't decide what to do on that. At a minimum, i'll probably get a bottle jack. I really want the ARB Jack but 800$. ouch. I have no desire to own a high lift but maybe I should. Just not a fan.

 

[Toycrusher]

I do need a good jack. I can't decide what to do on that. At a minimum, i'll probably get a bottle jack. I really want the ARB Jack but 800$. ouch. I have no desire to own a high lift but maybe I should. Just not a fan.

If you get a high lift, you need a base and you need to figure out ahead of time how the heck you plan to lift each corner of the Jeep. It's not nearly intuitive

 

[FitBliss]

I went to an off-road park with my cousin in his bone stock 18 Rubi and my lifted rubi, winch, wheels, 35's etc. and he could do everything I could he just had to pick his line where as I could do any line I wanted. I also could go twice as fast as where he had to crawl. So I think the stock Rubi can do almost any trails but it requires more skill and more patience, I now have 37's and I just go over half the stuff like oh did I just do that?? It is so easy now! I never even get to use my lockers or even 4x4 for most the stuff clearance is amazing!!

 

[Halstem1]

At minimum... Front diff cover. You can't see rocks that are in water or mud.
A good thing would also be an engine/transmission skid plate. Protects the oil pan, trans pan, and vulnerable transmission cooler lines. Even a branch on the trail could rip one of those causing a very bad day.

Any recommendations on Engine/Trans skids? Was looking at Evo but I've heard fitment can suck. Also, it removes the crossmember bar and leaves the entire exhaust a little exposed. I was talking to someone on here that is using the ASFIR aluminum one that looks interesting. I really wish that Metalcloak would offer a engine only version of theirs. Thats what I actually want. I don't see myself needing the full belly skid. If I do, I have surpassed my experience level and should turn around. haha.

 

[Token]

Any recommendations on Engine/Trans skids? Was looking at Evo but I've heard fitment can suck. Also, it removes the crossmember bar and leaves the entire exhaust a little exposed. I was talking to someone on here that is using the ASFIR aluminum one that looks interesting. I really wish that Metalcloak would offer a engine only version of theirs. Thats what I actually want. I don't see myself needing the full belly skid. If I do, I have surpassed my experience level and should turn around. haha.

You can buy the Rusty's Off Road skids as components, so you only get what you need/want, and can add more if you find you need it.
I'd start with the engine/trans skid:
https://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-...lates/rustys-jl-wrangler-36l-engine-skid.html
Yes, the transmission bar is removed, but that thing is WEAK in comparison to a 3/16" steel plate.

 

[Halstem1]

You can buy the Rusty's Off Road skids as components, so you only get what you need/want, and can add more if you find you need it.
I'd start with the engine/trans skid:
https://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-...lates/rustys-jl-wrangler-36l-engine-skid.html
Yes, the transmission bar is removed, but that thing is WEAK in comparison to a 3/16" steel plate.

This is helpful! Thanks. I hadn’t looked at Rusty’s!

 

[NJJeep Guy]

The fake carbon fiber hinge covers gave me a good laugh this morning. Totally needed equipment for any off road situation! /s

 

[4xFUN]

Any recommendations on Engine/Trans skids? Was looking at Evo but I've heard fitment can suck. Also, it removes the crossmember bar and leaves the entire exhaust a little exposed. I was talking to someone on here that is using the ASFIR aluminum one that looks interesting. I really wish that Metalcloak would offer a engine only version of theirs. Thats what I actually want. I don't see myself needing the full belly skid. If I do, I have surpassed my experience level and should turn around. haha.

I went with EVO w/their exhaust loop skid on my JLR and did have to modify it but only because they do not offer a 2-door version, other than that no problem with fitment. I may upgrade down the road when Artec and/or Rusty's offer a 2-door system. I like the idea of removing the OEM gas tank skid and replacing it to both save weight and increase clearance. Artec of course offers aluminum now and Rusty's might offer aluminum in the future...
Rear LCA skids are easy, Rancho makes bolt on ones that seem to fit higher and tighter than others I looked at.
Without a doubt, Next Venture Motorsports makes the best rear diff skid on the market. Peroid.
Metalcloak's front diff cover/skid is a good value and also gives better clearance than most.

 

[Halstem1]

You can buy the Rusty's Off Road skids as components, so you only get what you need/want, and can add more if you find you need it.
I'd start with the engine/trans skid:
https://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-...lates/rustys-jl-wrangler-36l-engine-skid.html
Yes, the transmission bar is removed, but that thing is WEAK in comparison to a 3/16" steel plate.

Thank you very much for the recommendation on the Rusty's stuff. That is exactly what I have been looking for! I ordered the engine skid for now. I really like that I can add the other skids as I need them. I also like that they use the pocket washers to protect the bolt heads. I did see a recent YouTube video of someone that didn't get the correct bolts and had to go source their own but hopefully not a big deal. I'm really excited about that. Thanks!

Rusty also has some other stuff I might be adding eventually. Their control arm skids look really nice. They also have a rear bumper that could be really nice.

 

[LooselyHeldPlans]

Just curious what everyone considers a "must do" off-road upgrade before they hit the trails?

I have a million things I want to do like skids and rear bumper and front drive shaft and control arms... I've also been "upgrading" stuff just to find it created problems and had to remove it. I'm tired of wasting money and wondering where its best spent. I know, a subjective question.

I'm headed out to Colorado in a few weeks and trying to decide if there is anything I should order or get done before I go? Or just run it as is and see what happens.

Currently have a JLUR with 2" lift, 37's, upgraded steering, and winch. Am I good?

Yeah, you can't do anything in Colorado without at least 40's.... j/k of course. I'zm stock hight/tire and have tackled all but the places where the buggies hang out. I scrape rarely and certainly have to pay attention to what I'm doing... but I also get a sold 19 MPG on the highway. That being said, I always take the easiest route and have no interest in seeing what kind of obstacles I can drive over.

You will be fine... I have run most of the trails other than Poughkeepsie Gulch in Ouray area (including Black Bear) in a a 2017 stock JKUR.

Bring paper maps or GAIA maps along with you...

Same here. NBD.

At minimum... Front diff cover. You can't see rocks that are in water or mud.
A good thing would also be an engine/transmission skid plate. Protects the oil pan, trans pan, and vulnerable transmission cooler lines. Even a branch on the trail could rip one of those causing a very bad day.

Nah, that's not a minimum for nearly 99% of the trails out there. Just drive slow and careful, he'll be fine.

You don't need anything to run the trails out here. A stock sport will take you just about anywhere. What you've got is already overkill.

You see stock Toyota's on nearly all of the Reds. It's kinda humbling.

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