So the wife and I return home from walking the dog. She checks the mail while I deposit my dog's waste (bagged of course) in our outdoor trash bin. As she approaches the recycling bin w/mail in hand, I notice the distinctive colors of a 4 Wheel Parts' ORA mag, which she is attempting to hide from me. My wife then says, "I was going to recycle this mag because you don't need anymore crap for your Jeep." I said give me five minutes with any off road mag and I can find 1/2 doz mods I could make to my Rubicon. She didn't laugh.
I've done only a handful mods in the two years I've owned my '13 JKUR, namely Truck Lite LEDs, Aluminum Crusher Flares ,TF HD carrier, Trek Armor seat covers, Smittybuilt tube front doors, VDP end caps.
I now have this mindset that I must go in stealth mode on any mod I make to my Jeep. For example, If I installed a Magna-flow exhaust, I wouldn't make it out of my driveway without my wife knowing the change in sound to my JK. I'm curious to know how many others have gone in to stealth mode modification and what mods they've done that they've kept hidden from their spouse. Would also like to know what mods you've done where you've been busted.
Here are a few to get started:
1. Upgrade speakers/amp
2. Underside body armor
3.Spod
I got my 10a bumper and told my wife I got it for really cheap.
When I had my imports, I was sponsored, so I used the sponsor card when I spent money on mods.
MY wife doesn't care, as long as I can pay for it and as long as she doesn't have to cut back on expenses to pay for the dumb (in her eyes) mods , that is where it can get very tricky!
I offered to install ACE rocksliders to assist the in-laws getting in/out of the jeep since they are visiting soon, but she did not bite....
LOL! Anything underhood I guess.... MY wife doesn't care, as long as I can pay for it and as long as she doesn't have to cut back on expenses to pay for the dumb (in her eyes) mods , that is where it can get very tricky! I offered to install ACE rocksliders to assist the in-laws getting in/out of the jeep since they are visiting soon, but she did not bite....
Saw a good joke a few weeks ago that may pertain to your situation: "My worst fear is that when I die, my wife will sell my Jeep parts for what I told her they cost."
Guess I'm lucky, mine keeps encouraging me to build my sport the way I want it. Lift, wheels/tires, rock sliders, regear.
I guess you could start "winning" a bunch of raffles/give aways. As long as she doesn't notice the checking account.
...You must mean your gf right? Wives don't do this cause they inherent financial intelligence after marriage. We want to spend more cause we think we're buying our youth back. ....which is priceless so we justify it.
I knew a lawyer that did this. Bought a new Porsche - same color, same interior, just a new model year with a more powerful engine. His wife found out the next year!
Found a set of takeoff Rubicon shocks on craigslist for $50 and told the wife it would raise the JKU Sport about 2.5 inches, she said OK. Bought the shocks and on the way home picked up a RE 2.5 in lift kit and a set of JKS quick disconnects. I installed everything while she spent the day shopping with friends and when she came home she said "looks nice" and went in the house. Just make sure you don't leave any takeoff parts laying around.
I must be lucky. My didn't even notice when I installed the Method Bronze Roost wheels and the Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ 315/70/17. She did notice the bumpers and winch.
If you think you're going to get away with hiding purchases, you're just spending time with your soon to be X anyway. :blackeye I get what I want and the wife couldn't care less. She gets what she wants and expects me to notice. Small price to pay for 44 years together.
If you feel the need to hide your purchases you're likely spending time with you're eventual X. Either due to her control issues or due to your irresponsibility issues.
Did it with my last Rubicon and a pair of High-End Home Audio Speakers.
I remember sitting down and my Wife says, "I don't remember these speakers being this Tall"
I said, "You're just sitting lower" and I hit "Play".
The Jeep was a little dicier, I ducked that one for a couple weeks until the smell cleared out and I got dirty.
Funny, because I copped to a pair of sliders that she did notice and caught a dirty look for those..... imagine if she had thought to look at the odometer
Women are funny, move something in their make-up cabinet or a friend gets a new pair of shoes and they'll spot that from across a Mall parking lot but get a new Jeep or a completely different set of speakers (same finish) and it's "where's Waldo".
If you are mechanical and have a day off separate from your wife you can actually lift your jeep without her knowing about it but it takes a few months to get it done right. start by adding 1/2" spacers all the way around and leave it that way for a couple of weeks and then add another set of 1/2" spacers and leave it that way for a month and do that until you are up to 2" and then throw on the full blown lift. If she starts questioning why it is more difficult to get in just tell her she must be shrinking.
I've had stuff shipped directly to the installer, or when stuff arrives immediately unpack and recycle the boxes. What also works, "got this Spiderweb shade so you can stay out of the sun". "these grab handles help you get intoo the Jeep", which of course is all true, but never asks prices.
My biggest problem is that my wife wants things that I don't. Example: running boards. I like the look of mine without any but since she is 5'0" it's a struggle for her to get in (2" lift on 285/70/17s). I bought grab handles hoping that would help but no. Other than that she really doesn't care what I do as long as the bills are paid, we have food to eat, and I do something nice for her from time to time.
Politely point out that you have never stopped here from modifying her vehicle. When she says she doesn't want to modify hers, that makes this situation here problem and not yours.
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