Correct- and that saying is true in life in many areas- Once you understand the principles and concepts behind things you then do things with knowledge of what you are altering,etc.
Totally agree.
The top guys on here will also tell you to focus on learning to drive it then modify it based on you needs/terrain-
Again agree, and it's kinda funny since I was debating about this issue locally. As I have mentioned in the past, the annual ownership cost of a STOCK Wrangler over here significantly exceeds that of owning one in the States. This mainly due to road taxes and gas prices. Add to that the cost of modifications, as most of the time parts need to be imported, and the cost of not just owning but also MODIFYING one gets even higher.
As a result, it is more the rule than the exception to see TJs on 35'' and especially JKs on 35s and 37s being driven spiritually down the streets of the more rich/posh suburbs of Athens or park or outside cool/fancy places.
There is not an organised Jeep community here, but I have happened to wheel a couple of times on daily trips with some of these Jeeps. Since I'm usually conservative when choosing which trails I'm able to tackle off road, I cannot say I have outwheeled any of them with my TJ on 31''.
To close this parenthesis, I was having a conversation with a couple of owners of these Jeeps , where I was saying that even if it money wasn't the issue, I would probably enjoy building my rig as I go, since I want to learn its and my limits down the way.
Many of us just put a lift kit on then try to sort it out so we can get it to drive right again- sorry, but that is often the case.
I own the TJ for many years but somewhere between lack of time, money and knowledge and even some health issues, it was until recently that I can built it further and on much more informed basis. Having said that, I have enjoyed it topless (or even doorless) in our sunny country for several months a year through the years.
I have to admit though that I have taken quick/wrong decisions and went down the wrong way with the result of having been disappointed and with a much thinner wallet.
This was due to either my eagerness to move forward with my build where knowledge was anything but abundant, or local clowns/crooks that own the few "specialised jeep shops" where all they really want to do is sell aftermarket parts at incredible mark up and charge you a shitload also to install them with no aftermarket support or even the knowledge to do so.
That's why, indeed, this forum and especially the top names you mentioned (
@Jerry Bransford,
@mrblaine,
@toximus) among others do help in learning. Either it's for past mistakes or how to move forward.