If you mean anything other than a Rubicon and you want to do any off-roading, the answer has got to be tires. If you are including a Rubicon, then a winch and/or additional armor.
There's really nothing you have to do, but if you want to spend some money better tires and wheels would be a good start...but that's going to take you wayyyy over the money stated.
I wouldn't go over 285/70's but you'll need different wheels.
Look into Duratrac's for your stock wheels. I think they make them. Get all five. That should bring you in around $1000. If you have the money for wheels get them and 285's....or something similar.
I just have some extra spending cash and am debating putting into the Jeep or using it for more practical but boring items like the winter clothing I lack.
Wheels and tires were my number one priority though. I've been researching doing 285x75x16s and doing an all black basic wheel (like the cragar style).
Oh and the Quadratec floor liners are a must for Montana so that is on the docket.
37s. Then wait until the next time you post this thread to buy wheels. Then wait for another person to post this thread to buy a lift, and so on. In all seriousness I'd put it towards my loan, that's what I'm doing.
The factory tires are not terrible, in fact I was able to keep up with fairly modded Jeeps on a muddy trail with the factory tires without getting stuck. I would not upgrade them because they are new and you don't need to yet. If you find that are often in terrain where you get stuck a lot then upgrade.
Rubicon shocks and higher rate factory springs (depending on what spring # you currently have) $100-150 on ebay/craiglsist. I got a 1.5" lift this way.
Spiderwebshade $60-100
CB and antenna $100 (great if you wheel with other people for communication, and a good thing to have if you are out in an area without cellphone coverage)
Auxiliary lighting....There are some good LED lights on amazon for as little as $16
Quick disconnects $100-150
Recovery gear (tow strap/snatch strap, gloves, shackles etc) $30 and up
GPS if you don't have it...older units can be had for under $100
I would spend a good chunk of money on some sort of rocker protection. JCR sliders look good for a decent price. Also add some skid plating underneath if you plan on playing in big rocks.
If you do your homework $1000 can go pretty far. The factory tires are not terrible, in fact I was able to keep up with fairly modded Jeeps on a muddy trail with the factory tires without getting stuck. I would not upgrade them because they are new and you don't need to yet. If you find that are often in terrain where you get stuck a lot then upgrade. Rubicon shocks and higher rate factory springs (depending on what spring # you currently have) $100-150 on ebay/craiglsist. I got a 1.5" lift this way. Spiderwebshade $60-100 CB and antenna $100 (great if you wheel with other people for communication, and a good thing to have if you are out in an area without cellphone coverage) Auxiliary lighting....There are some good LED lights on amazon for as little as $16 Quick disconnects $100-150 Recovery gear (tow strap/snatch strap, gloves, shackles etc) $30 and up GPS if you don't have it...older units can be had for under $100 I would spend a good chunk of money on some sort of rocker protection. JCR sliders look good for a decent price. Also add some skid plating underneath if you plan on playing in big rocks.
I'm not going to be doing insane crawling right now. Mainly looking for function that I'll use. Most the off road I'll be doing is driving to peoples houses in secluded ranches off the paved roads. But will have to do it when there are feet of snow on the ground.
I already did the 5" antenna for looks since I don't use it. Also polyfilled the sound bar and added the trailer hitch.
I'm glad out of my entire post the only part you chose to comment on was that I recommended armor. I live in Florida. I've never been to Montana but he said "Field inspections" so in my mind that involves driving off road in less than ideal conditions.
Forgive me if you don't like my suggestion. Your suggestion was Duratracs? Great tire as I run it as well. Definitely over $1000 for 5 and not really needed if the OP isn't going to go offroad. I hear they do well in snow though, but I would probably go for a dedicated winter tire if that was a huge concern (which it could be).
I tried to suggest things that were useful and not expensive. Tires are not a sub $1000 mod.
Well I gave you my suggestions. Your OP asked what everyone would spend $1000 on. I think you really wanted to know what you should spend your money on, instead of what I would spend my money on. You are the only one that can figure that out. Good luck.
After reading your intended use, start with good v-bar tire chains and wheel spacers for chain clearance. Not flashy, but nothing compares to good chains.
Go to a casino, put it all on black and hope it turns into enough for all the goodies you want. I know I'm up to about 10 grand in my "If I were single shopping list"
I would probably put $400 in to headlights. Either the Trucklites, Quadratech's or KC LED's at that price point.
Then I would grab 5 Mammoth 8's from Extreme Terrain at about $100 each and probably $80 to get them installed with the factory tires...
AND
Then my next $1000 and a little more, would be for Duratrac's when it was time to replace the stock tires.
Then the next $1000 goes to a Teraflex 2.5 lift and a set of Rancho RS9000XL shocks with an RK adjustable front trackbar and a Northridge bolt kit.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!