Opinions What To Do Next?

Luke

Luke

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
403
Location
Palm Beach, Florda
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?
 
The very first thing I would start with is any suspension modifications (like new shocks).

I'd do a winch next, but stick with steel if the synthetic is that much more. Honestly, you'll be fine with either one
 
Those shocks will give me 2" more down travel at each wheel so that's 4" of extra travel at full flex right?


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Just remember, the more weight, the lower the Jeep will become. Synthetic line is MUCH lighter than steel. More weight also equals less MPG.

Protection is always a great upgrade, and a great place to start. It's cheaper to protect than replace. If you get armour, and a winch, you could always add a small spacer lift to offset any height lost due to the extra weight.

Also look at getting a steering box skid plate. They're cheap, and very easy to install.
 
I plan to get one soon I am gonna get poison Spyder for the steering skid


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If you plan on getting use out of the winch then synthetic is the way to go. It can be easily spooled in and out, you really do not need gloves and it is considered to be much safer. I love my synthetic line.
 
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It stays outside in south Florida. I've heard synthetic line needs to be replaced after about two years because of the UV rays any idea how true that is?
 
Stop believing the ads for cold-air intakes. They sound great in the ads and the theory of cold air being denser is true but they just don't work/help in a TJ. One of the first things I did to the replacement/used TJ I bought was to remove its CAI intake and go back to stock with a fresh AC-Delco paper element air filter. Nope, no performance or mpg difference afterward whatsoever.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Stop believing the ads for cold-air intakes. They sound great in the ads and the theory of cold air being denser is true but they just don't work/help in a TJ. One of the first things I did to the replacement/used TJ I bought was to remove its CAI intake and go back to stock with a fresh AC-Delco paper element air filter. Nope, no performance or mpg difference afterward whatsoever.
Click to expand...

X2 to this.

A cold-air-intake is hands down the biggest waste of money, snake-oil scam out there (at least when it comes to the Wrangler TJ). Seriously, just give me your money instead if you're going to throw it away on a CAI :D
 
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Luke said:
It stays outside in south Florida. I've heard synthetic line needs to be replaced after about two years because of the UV rays any idea how true that is?
Click to expand...

Not true at all. Also, if you are really concerned about UV rays, there is no doubt in my mind you should be using a winch cover, considering they are like $11 here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JMOSAA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

That's the same one I have. It will fit any size winch, and it's a very cheap and worthwhile 'mod'. A must if you have a winch.

Where is @mrblaine when you need him. He can debunk all the myths you've heard about synthetic winch line. It was used in maritime operations far before it was ever used for winch lines. And all be damned if the sea isn't one of the harshest environments you could put something through.
 
Chris said:
Not true at all. Also, if you are really concerned about UV rays, there is no doubt in my mind you should be using a winch cover, considering they are like $11 here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JMOSAA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

That's the same one I have. It will fit any size winch, and it's a very cheap and worthwhile 'mod'. A must if you have a winch.

Where is @mrblaine when you need him. He can debunk all the myths you've heard about synthetic winch line. It was used in maritime operations far before it was ever used for winch lines. And all be damned if the sea isn't one of the harshest environments you could put something through.
Click to expand...
X2, our synthetic winch lines have been treated to protect them against UV exposure. Don't confuse them with cheap polypropylene rope like the hardware store sells which quickly deteriorates in the sun. Synthetic ropes have been laying around on the decks of ships and docks for many years before we Jeepers discovered them for use on our winches. :)
 
I purchased the same cover last year when Chris mentioned the same thing earlier. It replaced the rubber cover (did not breathe) that came with the winch
 
Luke said:
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?
Click to expand...

Engo Synthetic 9K and winch cover. See the pricing here. Free shipping.

Have a blessed and prosperous day!

Allen
 
Luke said:
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?
Click to expand...
My recommendation is to get the winch with the wire cable first, it will cost less. Then/if you manage to damage the wire rope through usage as happened to me a couple times, then you can upgrade to a synthetic 3/8" rope. I replaced wire rope with more wire rope twice before deciding twice was enough and went to 3/8" synthetic. I did that upgrade probably 12-13 years ago and have yet to have to replace a synthetic rope.

Wire rope most commonly gets damaged by it not being spooled onto the drum tightly enough to prevent the rope from pulling down through the layers during a hard pull. That can kink and often break individual wire rope strands. That happens when you don't properly re-wrap the rope under sufficient tension after use which is not always possible if you use your winch multiple times during the day. That issue goes away once you upgrade to synthetic.

And don't think you'll only ever be pulling it out short distances, that won't always be the case. :)
 

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