Sounds like familiar territory to me. If you're going to start doing runs that need 33's or a really good spotter, you might start thinking toward the 33's. I hate to say that ($$$), but I did a lot on 31's and got tired of scraping this and hitting that. My oil pan to this day is severely dented. I thought like you, armor sooner than later, rock sliders. I still haven't done the armor, but with 33's it is less necessary for the trails I have done. I would do it with an SYE/DC and TT. That's really all I have left to do with my Jeep, other than comfort changes to interior. But I'm just going to wheel it in my new WA environment for awhile before doing anything. Besides, I'm putting money toward the MTB, as you know.So things are about to get real.
While I'm working on the install, the guys I've been wheeling with have been hatching plans to tackle a couple of Badge of Honor trails up at Big Bear. Gold Mountain and John Bull.
I think I'll be ready for Gold Mountain. Everything I've seen about John Bull says you need 33s or you'll be sitting on the rocks, and lockers are recommended. I'd be on 31s with open diffs. But we're supposed to have an experienced spotter on the run, and that makes all the difference.
This is making me think I need to install armor sooner rather than later. The rock sliders look necessary. And I might even think about adding control arm skids and an engine skid.
I have to think about that while I'm wrenching...
Great build, great thread, really enjoyed it from post #1!