Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Best Appearance-Only Mods, for Beefier look

5K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  Bent jeep 
#1 ·
Hi all, want to know about best external *appearance* mods, for the money, 2015 Rubi. Many of the new Rubicons I’ve seen around my town look great… they look bigger and beefier, and they make the stock one’s look whimpy by comparison.

I have to admit, I am not sure what specifically the other ones have done to look so much better---I know it’s mainly the size and stance of the tires, and maybe the front bumper, maybe a lift.

Here is my thinking on inexpensive to more expensive mods to get closer to that beefy look, and I am just wondering if this sounds right and where to draw the line. So give me your thoughts (and again, this is for 95% for appearance; moderately deep snow is the worst “off-roading” I will probably hit):

  1. Start with wheel spacers to add a more aggressive stance with the stock tires (cheap)
  2. Next, larger tires on the existing rims (I know there is a limit)
  3. Next, even larger tires on new wider rims (I know there is a limit without the lift kit)
  4. New front bumper (which type?)
  5. Even larger tires on wider rims with a lift kit and probably new or modified fenders to make room.
  6. Anything else?
Budget is of course an issue so thanks for your thoughts on whether this order makes sense for the best appearance-bang for the buck, and where to draw the line.
 
See less See more
#7 ·
That's a great suggestion, as I look at pictures of various jeeps I can see that makes a big difference. Thanks! By the way, I found the thread on how to do this (cut the bumper, buy the endcaps, etc). I also assume there are replacement bumpers out there that come stubby already and maybe add a grill protection bar?
 
#3 · (Edited)
Hi all, want to know about best external *appearance* mods, for the money, 2015 Rubi. Many of the new Rubicons I’ve seen around my town look great… they look bigger and beefier, and they make the stock one’s look whimpy by comparison.

I have to admit, I am not sure what specifically the other ones have done to look so much better---I know it’s mainly the size and stance of the tires, and maybe the front bumper, maybe a lift.

Here is my thinking on inexpensive to more expensive mods to get closer to that beefy look, and I am just wondering if this sounds right and where to draw the line. So give me your thoughts (and again, this is for 95% for appearance; moderately deep snow is the worst “off-roading” I will probably hit):

  1. Start with wheel spacers to add a more aggressive stance with the stock tires (cheap)
  2. Next, larger tires on the existing rims (I know there is a limit)
  3. Next, even larger tires on new wider rims (I know there is a limit without the lift kit)
  4. New front bumper (which type?)
  5. Even larger tires on wider rims with a lift kit and probably new or modified fenders to make room.
  6. Anything else?
Budget is of course an issue so thanks for your thoughts on whether this order makes sense for the best appearance-bang for the buck, and where to draw the line.
It sounds like you want a 4WP looking Jeep, you know, you drive in they bolt on a bunch of ridiculous looking mods and you drive out. Which is fine it's your Jeep. Since budget is almost ALWAYS an issue, WHY would you spend money on spacers only to replace (waste that money) on new wheels? Then waste more money buying new wheels AGAIN instead of doing it once? These are your words!
4) Regarding bumper, buy what YOU like, you're the only one that needs to like it!
5) SAVE UP AND DO THIS ALL AT ONCE! You will save a ton of money and have not only a "good looking" Jeep but also a very functional one too!

Deep snow wheeling can be VERY dangerous because you never know what is under the snow...rocks, stumps, ditch etc. Build it once, build it right!
 
#4 ·
Hi all, want to know about best external *appearance* mods, for the money, 2015 Rubi. Many of the new Rubicons I’ve seen around my town look great… they look bigger and beefier, and they make the stock one’s look whimpy by comparison.

I have to admit, I am not sure what specifically the other ones have done to look so much better---I know it’s mainly the size and stance of the tires, and maybe the front bumper, maybe a lift.

Here is my thinking on inexpensive to more expensive mods to get closer to that beefy look, and I am just wondering if this sounds right and where to draw the line. So give me your thoughts (and again, this is for 95% for appearance; moderately deep snow is the worst “off-roading” I will probably hit):

  1. Start with wheel spacers to add a more aggressive stance with the stock tires (cheap) nothing wrong with that
  2. Next, larger tires on the existing rims (I know there is a limit)you will be limited by the vehicle more than the wheel. I've run 15" wide tires on 9" rims before. Just have to be careful when you air them down.[\b]
    [*]Next, even larger tires on new wider rims (I know there is a limit without the lift kit) ive seen people stuff 35s under stock suspension before.
    [*]New front bumper (which type?)
    [*]Even larger tires on wider rims with a lift kit and probably new or modified fenders to make room.
    [*]Anything else?

Budget is of course an issue so thanks for your thoughts on whether this order makes sense for the best appearance-bang for the buck, and where to draw the line.


My thoughts in red.
 
#5 ·
Thanks Sinister6. Clarification. I am not saying that I would do all of these one after the other, which would be stupid as you say. The idea is that each can be done instead of the other... the "next" just means "this is the next most expensive option." So the question is, which one (or combo) gives the best appearance bang for the buck. Obviously, the lift is the most expensive, but if someone said "do the lift first, it's really the only way to get the look you want" then I'd take that as good advice. Or if someone said "the spacers will provide a huge appearance change, that may be all you need given the size of stock Rubi tires" that would be great advice too. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#6 ·
if your just looking for the look..
2" budget boost
35's with 1.5" spacers... keeping the OEM rims.

bumper get what looks good..
 
#8 ·
Two suggestions:

1. Look at the hundreds of images in the pic threads of JK's with mods galore and pick the mods that you think look beefy
2. Search for a thread that surface a few months ago about "how to look tough" and you will read about a long list of suggestions

You stated this if just for appearance so substance does not matter.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top