Opinions What To Do Next?

[Jerry Bransford]

Which is why I need a winch (Yes I know it wont always save me)

No, you need to stop wheeling alone which is a very basic tenet of recreational offroading. Surely you have friends to offroad with.

 

[Luke]

I really don't haha plus I don't like going out with groups. I go out into the woods for the fun of trail riding but also to get away from people.


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[Jerry Bransford]

I really don't haha plus I don't like going out with groups. I go out into the woods for the fun of trail riding but also to get away from people.

Ok you do what you want. It's too bad sound advice is too often wasted on the youth who always know better.

 

[Luke]

If you have a reliable vehicle and a winch there's no real reason to not go out alone.


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[Jerry Bransford]

A vehicle is reliable until it's not. Winches are great until they fail. I'm done here, it's tough to shout into the wind too long.

 

[Luke]

If you always keep it in tip top shape it isn't going to randomly break down on a trail. A good winch shouldn't fail unless is used in a way it wasn't intended.


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[Jerry Bransford]

Ok Luke, you clearly already know it all so good luck with all that.

 

[Luke]

Never said I know it all I'm not sure where you got that idea from.


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[derekmac]

I've seen new winches fail, well maintained winches fail, winches being overused, and killing the battery.

ANY vehicle, no matter how well maintained can fail. Last month we had a 2016 JK die on the trail. It started, but wouldn't go out of limp mode.

I like going out to get away, but always have at least one other rig with me.

 

[Ahoragi]

Okay as many of you know I'm a college student working a $10 an hour job. I've gotten done most of the cheap things to make my TJ a reliable daily driver and a few other things like tires and nicer wheels than the factory steel wheels. My Jeep gets 21 MPG on the highway so I don't want to lift it. I'm thinking of doing a cold air intake for better power and maybe even 22 MPG. Its my daily so I'm not going to do anything extreme, just local trails a few times a month and 4 wheeling road trips every few months.

I'm thinking maybe go with OME shocks for a 2" lift (I looked into it and they will fit) for some extra down travel.

I would like to get a winch but, I'm not sure if its worth paying almost double for synthetic line since I wont be pulling cable much and if do its just because I'm flexed out or high centered. Which winch would get me the best bang for my buck?

I would like rocker protection because the Jeep is so low and I've come very close to destroying my rocker panel several times, I would like to get the Body Armor Rockcrawler Side Guards. I like that they attach to the frame but that seems like a lot of leverage. Anyone have experience with these?

I would like to get an engine skid and have heard good things about skid row off-road. Anyone have experience with them or recommendations?

Also, I like the look of a stock Jeep. Do you guys think by the time I add rocker protection and a winch it will no longer look stockish?

finally, what order do you guys think I should purchase these?

I'll put the wheeling alone subject aside since sound advice was already given on that topic (pls listen).

For a budget build, I'd recommend the xrc8. I purchased my xrc8 from 4wd hardware in ohio and got a 5 year warranty on it. This was 6 or 7 years ago and it's still working as of last week when I pulled parts of a huge tree out of my yard. If you want to do it right the first time then keep working and saving then buy a Warn. Synthetic rope is a must if you want to keep your jeep light. The steel cable is heavy.

If you like the stock look then look into H&R springs with a shock of your choice. I run the H&R springs with Rancho RS9000XL's (setting 2 front and rear). I am at around 1.5" of lift and the ride is nice. My jeep is empty though with no accessories and I assume I'll get down to 1/2" or 3/4" of lift once I add a winch and rear bumper with hitch. I too like the stock look so that is why I chose H&R springs. You can get them at tirerack.com. I had OME 2" kit on previously if it matters.

I have no experience with the skids you mentioned so I can't comment on those.

As for the order of purchase, I'd get Extraction points and devices first and then work on suspension/steering. I equip my jeeps with tow hooks, winch, strap, tree saver, and hi-jack before any off road trip. They are must have items.

 

[Luke]

I'll put the wheeling alone subject aside since sound advice was already given on that topic (pls listen).

For a budget build, I'd recommend the xrc8. I purchased my xrc8 from 4wd hardware in ohio and got a 5 year warranty on it. This was 6 or 7 years ago and it's still working as of last week when I pulled parts of a huge tree out of my yard. If you want to do it right the first time then keep working and saving then buy a Warn. Synthetic rope is a must if you want to keep your jeep light. The steel cable is heavy.

If you like the stock look then look into H&R springs with a shock of your choice. I run the H&R springs with Rancho RS9000XL's (setting 2 front and rear). I am at around 1.5" of lift and the ride is nice. My jeep is empty though with no accessories and I assume I'll get down to 1/2" or 3/4" of lift once I add a winch and rear bumper with hitch. I too like the stock look so that is why I chose H&R springs. You can get them at tirerack.com. I had OME 2" kit on previously if it matters.

I have no experience with the skids you mentioned so I can't comment on those.

As for the order of purchase, I'd get Extraction points and devices first and then work on suspension/steering. I equip my jeeps with tow hooks, winch, strap, tree saver, and hi-jack before any off road trip. They are must have items.

Thanks for the input this was very helpful

 

[joshself]

I agree with the no wheeling alone. Stuff can just break at random times- simple as that, but back to your original post:

I have the waterproof smittybilt winch with synthetic line and it has done me well for 2.5 years now. Synthetic line in my opinion is better. It saves weight and is safer with many other positive attributes. I also custom wired it into the dash (I have to do the same when I rewire an entire CJ-7 next month...). If you do a winch remember you'll need a winch plate too depending on your bumper.

Since you mentioned that you get high centered often maybe invest in a stronger crossmember or skid? I am all for body armor, but it does add weight. It's a jeep you'll get some scratches.

I'd also recommend checking out recovery gear other than the winch because it could be vital to getting unstuck. You'll need tree straps anyways for the winch.

As others said, you may want to start with suspension. When my jeep was still on the previous owners 2" BB with stock coils It sagged once the winch was on. Now with 3" lift and hardened coils it Is almost perfectly level.


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[CBJason]

Old fart here, new but passionate Jeeper. Can't speak to the gear order as I am in something of the same boat myself - wanting to do a lot but on a tight budget.

So, I'll speak on the wheeling. I can totally understand Luke's desire to get out alone and spend some time with his own thoughts, away from people in general. Same mentality here dude, so I getcha!

That said, I spent 8 years in the Army, and as a kid growing up, my dad taught me survival skills in the woods, ranging from land navigation, to hunting, and living off the land in even less than favorable conditions.

Both of those experiences helped me realize that getting time to yourself is important, but being utterly alone is dangerous, and not something you should ever willingly put yourself into.

Keep in mind that I also just went on my first off-road experience with a bunch of other Jeepers. It was awesome, but the size of the crowd was above my preferred comfort level for "getting away". I'd prefer a smaller crowd of 3-4 folks in 2-3 jeeps.

The point here is that you can get away from it all, but don't be foolish about it. At a minimum, take a buddy with you, even if it's just one jeep. But you should never go alone.