One of the things I'm always taking into consideration when doing upgrades to my Wrangler is practicality versus performance. You might be wondering what I mean by this, so let me explain...
Let's say for instance you have a Wrangler that you both drive semi-daily and wheel on occasion (this is my situation at least). It's not my only vehicle (we also have a Honda CR-V for the kids) but we do drive it every few days around town. When I am in the process of upgrading things (i.e. axle and drivetrain components) I realize there are a lot of options.
Sure, I could blow a ton of money and upgrade to Dana 60 axles, aftermarket hubs, etc.. The thing is that when you start getting to crazy with the upgrades you cross the point of practicality. What I mean by that is that let's say I upgrade my steering to the Currie Currectlync. I'm on the trail and somehow I managed to break a tie rod end. Well, being as though the Currectlync doesn't use stock tie rod ends I'm pretty much screwed unless someone on the trail happens to have a spare Currie tie rod end (highly unlikely I would think).
Now, had I been running the stock steering setup and needed a replacement tie rod I probably would be much better off since people might usually carry spares, or I could even find one EASILY at any auto part store if I was desperate.
The same situation applies to things such as upgrading unit bearings to 30 splines as well as so many other parts.
Now don't get me wrong, I do have a Currie Currectlync (and I carry spare tie rod ends from Currie) as well as a host of other upgrades. So, in no way am I writing this post with the intention of trying to steer people clear of modifications such as this. I am merely writing this because I am curious to know how you guys with more upgrades (such as myself) fair out on the trails when (and if) you break something? If you're like me you probably carry spares for all your special parts. However, I'm curious to know if you've ever encountered one of those situations where you didn't have a spare, and the part that broke was something that no one else would have possibly been carrying a spare for?
How often do you err on the side or practicality versus performance?
Let's say for instance you have a Wrangler that you both drive semi-daily and wheel on occasion (this is my situation at least). It's not my only vehicle (we also have a Honda CR-V for the kids) but we do drive it every few days around town. When I am in the process of upgrading things (i.e. axle and drivetrain components) I realize there are a lot of options.
Sure, I could blow a ton of money and upgrade to Dana 60 axles, aftermarket hubs, etc.. The thing is that when you start getting to crazy with the upgrades you cross the point of practicality. What I mean by that is that let's say I upgrade my steering to the Currie Currectlync. I'm on the trail and somehow I managed to break a tie rod end. Well, being as though the Currectlync doesn't use stock tie rod ends I'm pretty much screwed unless someone on the trail happens to have a spare Currie tie rod end (highly unlikely I would think).
Now, had I been running the stock steering setup and needed a replacement tie rod I probably would be much better off since people might usually carry spares, or I could even find one EASILY at any auto part store if I was desperate.
The same situation applies to things such as upgrading unit bearings to 30 splines as well as so many other parts.
Now don't get me wrong, I do have a Currie Currectlync (and I carry spare tie rod ends from Currie) as well as a host of other upgrades. So, in no way am I writing this post with the intention of trying to steer people clear of modifications such as this. I am merely writing this because I am curious to know how you guys with more upgrades (such as myself) fair out on the trails when (and if) you break something? If you're like me you probably carry spares for all your special parts. However, I'm curious to know if you've ever encountered one of those situations where you didn't have a spare, and the part that broke was something that no one else would have possibly been carrying a spare for?
How often do you err on the side or practicality versus performance?