Must do MODS for first time owner

[YBABRAT]

Sounds great, can't stand ESS! Would love to see this, do you have a thread with pictures of what you did?

Awesome, can't stand stupid warning stickers either!

Been meaning to buy one of those touch screen protectors preferably a non-glare type.

Several people mention shocks, I've got 2025 WIllys 4 door, any particular non-reservoir shocks that would be good?

Ha! about warning stickers... i removed mine last year after obtaining my jeep. Those things will become permanent after time. The sooner you remove them the easier.

Never really made a complete thread on my work. Just random entries. The only big thread which most will never do, is my winch install thread. It covers a lot, but I stopped adding entries because too many got me sidetracked. I do better when nobody gets involved. My big threads are done blog style. Its how I keep my ideas without deviating when I return to the tasks I create. my biggest on another site took 5 years to complete but it was too outrageous for the members to try and even think of how to distract me. HA! I go way way outside of the box.

I will try to assemble bits and pieces that I posted through some replies to other threads and my own smaller threads I shared.

If I were to get shocks... still on factory Rubicon reds (all factory) and with 118000 on odo. I'd get Fox remote reservoir and auto bump stops (can't think of the manufacturer, there is a build thread). Quite pleased with my factory steering stabilizer, even though it was installed wrong at assembly.

All I can say is if removing all the unneeded ess stuff, prepare to dig in and remove your batteries, fuse box, mounting and wiring. It may take your weekend, but doing it all at once makes it more rewarding than going back through it all time and again.

Be prepared to have a good pile of cables and unnecessary parts when done. I reperposed cables for my winch install and heavly modified Chinese dual compressor, air compressor. Saved some coin.

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[Valpo Jeep]

We bought our Wrangler to haul kayaks and get towed behind our RV so our mods list was a bit different.

AT tires
tow bar base plate
brake light kit
Rhino rack backbone and cross-bars
Thule Hullavators for the kayaks.

 

[GinaC]

Add mud flaps to that list unless you really like having your door handles be filthy all the time.

 

[techdisaster]

I'm coming back to Jeep after wheeling with a Bronco for the last three years. I'm keeping my recovery gear, first aid kit, cooler, etc. from the Bronco. These are the things I'll be adding to the Jeep right away:

• Hotheads liner
• GMRS radio (It would be too much work to remove it from the Bronco)
• ARB hard mounted air compressor (probably the new brushless one mounted in the engine bay)
• Full skid plates
• Frame mounted sliders
• Ditch Lights
• Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T - staying with the 35" tire size. I run 37's on my Bronco, but she has a fat belly. 35" tires on the Jeep is just .2" less ground clearance than 37's on a Bronco Raptor.
• Seat Jackers
• Tazer

I am fighting every urge to start buying all these things now. I'm still waiting on a build date from the dealer. Once this thing goes into production I will go on a spending spree. Hopefully around Black Friday for some great deals.

 

[LSJKU]

hemi swap

Love it! Even though I have a well thought out plan for my new JLR, I am occasionally drawn to swapping in a new 6.4L SRT and Tremec T56. That would be a hoot!

Maybe in the future... I'm sticking to my build plan right now. That includes the present dilemma of RockJock Antirocks vs SwayLOCs, both ends.

 

[LSJKU]

SHOCKS! Even if you don't plan to lift it the stock shocks are garbage. Especially on a sport. Under dampened for any kind of bumps at speed and ridiculously short travel. Just 5.88" of stroke up front. Virtually every after market shock for no lift will have 9-11" of stroke. All will do a better job of dampening. A 53-85% increase in suspension travel for as little as $400 and better handling and ride control. Obviously if you're going full lift soon just upgrade the shocks then, but if you're keeping it mostly stock throw that stock junk in the trash ASAP. Even with the xr package and it's extra long bumpstops and long compressed length shocks you still only get 7.5" of travel. With that bumpstop you can run rocksport reds that have 12"+. The only reason the Bronco and 4runner are even in the ballpark on the stock rti ramp comparisons is the terrible factory shock choices. Even the raptor won't come close to the wheel travel of a stock Jeep with a shock upgrade.

Whoa cowboy! I just rebuilt my Raptor suspension at 47,000 miles with SDI, Icon, Foutz parts and am getting around 13" of articulation front and back. And I haven't even addressed the front LCA's or rear bypass frame yet. Granted it's not a Jeep rock-crawler but the truck is awesome for what it was designed for. And the SDI e-clik has totally transformed the suspension. I'm not even sure at this point if I need to add the LCA's or bypass rack. Maybe if my driving skills improve accordingly.

You are correct stating that the stock Jeep shocks are garbage. They are! And those are among the few OEM items still on my Jeep suspension. Only because I am waiting to change them out with the SDI e-clik shocks when I change out the rest of the LCAs and UCAs with RK or MC arms. I was so impressed with the SDI e-clik results on my Raptor I decided to give it a shot on my JLR. Just not sure how it's all going to work together with the Antirocks or SwayLOCs already on my list.

 

[Chris_]

Reinforcement clips for the sun visors (the pivot point is weak). Beyond that, of the mods I've done (winch, auxiliary lights, GMRS radio, floor mats, fire extinguisher, tailgate table, etc.) my favorite is still replacing the Freedom panels with a twill Sunrider.

Any thoughts on the Freedom Panel flip-back hinge kit ? Would it be better than the Sunrider?

 

[grimmjeeper]

Day 1:

1. Angry grille
2. Ducks across the dash
3. Tube fenders, color matched of course
4. 37" mud tires on 22's
5. Light bars on the windshield, grille, and bumper.
6. Color changing under glow lights
7. Tube doors, color matched
8. 1,000 watt subwoofer

Ok, after I kick my own ass, I'll start with the real list.

1. Skid plates
2. Winch
3. Radios for trail coms
4. Fire extinguishers

 

[Blues Fan 30]

Day 1:

1. Angry grille
2. Ducks across the dash
3. Tube fenders, color matched of course
4. 37" mud tires on 22's
5. Light bars on the windshield, grille, and bumper.
6. Color changing under glow lights
7. Tube doors, color matched
8. 1,000 watt subwoofer

Ok, after I kick my own ass, I'll start with the real list.

1. Skid plates
2. Winch
3. Radios for trail coms
4. Fire extinguishers

Hey now, I get a lot of compliments on my color matched tube doors.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Whoa cowboy! I just rebuilt my Raptor suspension at 47,000 miles with SDI, Icon, Foutz parts and am getting around 13" of articulation front and back. And I haven't even addressed the front LCA's or rear bypass frame yet. Granted it's not a Jeep rock-crawler but the truck is awesome for what it was designed for. And the SDI e-clik has totally transformed the suspension. I'm not even sure at this point if I need to add the LCA's or bypass rack. Maybe if my driving skills improve accordingly.

You are correct stating that the stock Jeep shocks are garbage. They are! And those are among the few OEM items still on my Jeep suspension. Only because I am waiting to change them out with the SDI e-clik shocks when I change out the rest of the LCAs and UCAs with RK or MC arms. I was so impressed with the SDI e-clik results on my Raptor I decided to give it a shot on my JLR. Just not sure how it's all going to work together with the Antirocks or SwayLOCs already on my list.

12.2" of shock stroke up front works out to about 13.5" of wheel travel and in the rear it's closer to 15.5" because of the angle of the shocks. The Bronco Raptor has 13" front and 14" rear... which is still less than a wrangler with rocksport red shocks as it's only upgrade. And the wrangler still fits on tight trails, doesn't need a country mile to make a uturn, doesn't cost $100k, and most importantly isn't made by Ford. After the last 2 new Ford vehicles I've owned I'll never buy another. Even if I wanted a desert runner that's better than the JT mojave I already own it would be a trx/rho over a Ford.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Hey now, I get a lot of compliments on my color matched tube doors.

 

[LSJKU]

12.2" of shock stroke up front works out to about 13.5" of wheel travel and in the rear it's closer to 15.5" because of the angle of the shocks. The Bronco Raptor has 13" front and 14" rear... which is still less than a wrangler with rocksport red shocks as it's only upgrade. And the wrangler still fits on tight trails, doesn't need a country mile to make a uturn, doesn't cost $100k, and most importantly isn't made by Ford. After the last 2 new Ford vehicles I've owned I'll never buy another. Even if I wanted a desert runner that's better than the JT mojave I already own it would be a trx/rho over a Ford.

Fair enough. I get it: you don't like Fords. I'm fine with that, but please don't make a bunch of assumptions about my Raptor. First off, even though it's worth more than $100k to me, it only cost me $64k out the door, with a Ford extended warranty. I'm still under warranty through most of 2027. And it doesn't take a "country mile" to make a u-turn, I have a shorter wheelbase SCAB, u-turns on a two-lane fine, and gets in and out of parking spaces easily. And I do have a new JLR ($54k out the door, no ext. warranty) I'm building for the tight and rocky trails. Best of both worlds.

It sounds like your experience with Fords has been a lot like my experiences with Dodge. I don't blame you for not wanting another Ford. But I will never own another Dodge Ram either, after I went through 3 transmissions before 50k miles on the one I did buy. On the contrary, I have owned two Raptor SCABs (2010, 2019) and both proved to be the best pickups I have ever owned, within reason. Both on and off road. Can't speak of the present day build quality of the Fords or Raptors as I understand Ford has "cheapened up" the interiors and the trucks have lost a lot of the options I have in mine. From what I read, the trx/rho's have pretty plush interiors (and more HP) compared to the Raptors. Never been in one though.

Like I said, best of both worlds. I know which vehicle to get in based on where I'm going. Tight, rocky trails or Moab? Jeep. Open desert running/fire roads in West Texas or Arizona? Raptor. Both are no-compromise, best at what I want to do with them. For me, there is nothing more exhilarating/unsettling than running down an open trail about 60 or 70 mph and at some point realizing your tires are no longer touching the ground. I would not do that in my JLR, or even your JT for that matter.

Car and Driver summed it up best in their review of the 2019 Raptor: "Too much off-road truck for most people, wide as a Freightliner. But hands down, the best pickup for pulse-pounding desert running and pure, dumb fun." I feel the same way about my JLR when in its' environment.

 

[LSJKU]

Day 1:

1. Angry grille
2. Ducks across the dash
3. Tube fenders, color matched of course
4. 37" mud tires on 22's
5. Light bars on the windshield, grille, and bumper.
6. Color changing under glow lights
7. Tube doors, color matched
8. 1,000 watt subwoofer

Ok, after I kick my own ass, I'll start with the real list.

1. Skid plates
2. Winch
3. Radios for trail coms
4. Fire extinguishers

That's an awesome first list! I'm currently saving for a Chinee Angry Grill and a butt load of rubber ducks to hand out in the Walmart parking lot where I currently reside.

Seriously, skids, winch, radio, FE... all good.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Fair enough. I get it: you don't like Fords. I'm fine with that, but please don't make a bunch of assumptions about my Raptor. First off, even though it's worth more than $100k to me, it only cost me $64k out the door, with a Ford extended warranty. I'm still under warranty through most of 2027. And it doesn't take a "country mile" to make a u-turn, I have a shorter wheelbase SCAB, u-turns on a two-lane fine, and gets in and out of parking spaces easily. And I do have a new JLR ($54k out the door, no ext. warranty) I'm building for the tight and rocky trails. Best of both worlds.

It sounds like your experience with Fords has been a lot like my experiences with Dodge. I don't blame you for not wanting another Ford. But I will never own another Dodge Ram either, after I went through 3 transmissions before 50k miles on the one I did buy. On the contrary, I have owned two Raptor SCABs (2010, 2019) and both proved to be the best pickups I have ever owned, within reason. Both on and off road. Can't speak of the present day build quality of the Fords or Raptors as I understand Ford has "cheapened up" the interiors and the trucks have lost a lot of the options I have in mine. From what I read, the trx/rho's have pretty plush interiors (and more HP) compared to the Raptors. Never been in one though.

Like I said, best of both worlds. I know which vehicle to get in based on where I'm going. Tight, rocky trails or Moab? Jeep. Open desert running/fire roads in West Texas or Arizona? Raptor. Both are no-compromise, best at what I want to do with them. For me, there is nothing more exhilarating/unsettling than running down an open trail about 60 or 70 mph and at some point realizing your tires are no longer touching the ground. I would not do that in my JLR, or even your JT for that matter.

Car and Driver summed it up best in their review of the 2019 Raptor: "Too much off-road truck for most people, wide as a Freightliner. But hands down, the best pickup for pulse-pounding desert running and pure, dumb fun." I feel the same way about my JLR when in its' environment.

I've been in a few Raptors in the desert and they are absolutely in their element there. The JT mojave isn't as good, but it's still stable and planted at freeway speeds in the dirt. Being the shorter wheelbase of the Bronco Raptor I've had no issues keeping up with my buddy in his $95k Braptor in my JT that had a $65k msrp but was purchased brand new for $53k or the door with the huge discounts they were offering in late 2023. I'm with you on the best of both worlds idea though. The wife's JLUR on 39s is far better in the big rocks than the JT would be even if I went up to 42s.

 

[LSJKU]

I've been in a few Raptors in the desert and they are absolutely in their element there. The JT mojave isn't as good, but it's still stable and planted at freeway speeds in the dirt. Being the shorter wheelbase of the Bronco Raptor I've had no issues keeping up with my buddy in his $95k Braptor in my JT that had a $65k msrp but was purchased brand new for $53k or the door with the huge discounts they were offering in late 2023. I'm with you on the best of both worlds idea though. The wife's JLUR on 39s is far better in the big rocks than the JT would be even if I went up to 42s.

That's a revealing pic! And it clearly shows why the JLUR is so much better in the big rocks. But it is awesome to hear the Mojave performs so well in the desert too. I've never had a chance to ride in a Mojave or be on the trail with one, but I bet I would like 'em. I didn't even realize Jeep made a 4-door JT! Yours must be one of very few made. Or, more likely, I'm just not being as observant as I could be.

I'm guessing those are 37s on the Mojave? That's what my current JL build is focused on. But those 39s sure are tempting. Lots of eggrolls ($$$) invested in the JLUR drivetrain, I bet. I'm currently researching the Antirock vs SwayLoc upgrade for my JL and most the vehicles I see down that rabbit hole are running 39s, 40s and even 42s as well. The Jeep demons are tempting me badly these days.

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