[FreefallRocks]

As with many others here I have a long list of wants for my JK. Bottom line, I'm impatient and like projects to be "finished" ...do I go ahead and pony up to get wheels/tires/lift/bumpers/lights all at once or space it out some? Financially would be easier to space it out but, if necessary I can stretch myself some...I have many "ifs" regarding my Jeep...

if I get the lift with stock wheels some require me to buy spacers, which is wasted money when I get new wheels later.

If I get the wheels now, how long do I have to deal with rubbing on the stock suspension.

If I get new bumpers without the lift, what's the thing gonna look like sitting even lower than stock?

If a tree falls on a Jeep in the woods, and no one is around to see it, does everyone on Wrangler Forum suddenly feel a random sense of loss?

I guess I'm not looking for specific answers to these questions necessarily, it's simply that I have read and read and read and still not sure, so throw out some opinions...or maybe throw a brick at my head, up to you...

 

[Jackster3]

As with many others here I have a long list of wants for my JK. Bottom line, I'm impatient and like projects to be "finished" ...do I go ahead and pony up to get wheels/tires/lift/bumpers/lights all at once or space it out some? Financially would be easier to space it out but, if necessary I can stretch myself some...I have many "ifs" regarding my Jeep...

if I get the lift with stock wheels some require me to buy spacers, which is wasted money when I get new wheels later.

If I get the wheels now, how long do I have to deal with rubbing on the stock suspension.

If I get new bumpers without the lift, what's the thing gonna look like sitting even lower than stock?

If a tree falls on a Jeep in the woods, and no one is around to see it, does everyone on Wrangler Forum suddenly feel a random sense of loss?

I guess I'm not looking for specific answers to these questions necessarily, it's simply that I have read and read and read and still not sure, so throw out some opinions...or maybe throw a brick at my head, up to you...

Personally i will be getting a lift wheels and tires all at once. It just makes life easier. As far a other mods like bumpers and such im gonna wait until after the lift wheels and tires when money allows me to put them on.

In all reality you can mix and match for sure depending on tire size. I would say pony up and buy lift wheels and tires together.

 

[pluke the 2]

dont be that guy

 

[MTH]

Of course it's best if you can do everything all at once.

The next best approach in my opinion depends on whether you value aesthetics or functionality more.

Many "true jeepers" are all about functionality, so if you're going to space out your mods, they would say you should do those focused on protection first for offroading--armor (bumpers, skid plates, etc.) and recovery gear.

By contrast, most "real folks" don't get to offroad all the time and just can't help but drool over the lift/tires/wheels mods and do those first. Those do help you offroad too btw.

Either way, really.

My only caveat would be to do the lift, wheels, and tires at the same time. The bumpers can come before or after either one at a time or both at once.

 

[Blkfenderslookbetter]

Here's my $.02... Do the wheels / tires / lift at the same time. That's probably the "smart money" if there is such a thing when it comes to mods. I agree with you, that using spacers to keep the stock wheels is a waste of money, and arguably not a smart thing to do anyway. Mind you, I haven't done anything yet... but my plan is to do those things first, and all 3 at the same time. To me, it provides a solid foundation for all future mods, whether functional or aesthetic. I wrestled with doing everything at once (AEV turnkey build) But decided against it. Mainly due to the fact that I wanted to do things over time, and as a hobby. It will certainly keep my interest longer doing it that way, and my Jeep will evolve rather than looking like a total makeover. Nothing is wrong with either approach, it's just what works better for me.

I'm definitely going with a 2.5" lift, because I don't want any of the other issues.. driveshaft, etc. My thinking at this point is to start with 33" tires for the first round, then when it comes time to replace them, I'll go to 35" and add the bumpers with a rear tire carrier. Then again... I'll let you know when I actually pull the trigger.

Hope that helps,... it's easier than chucking a brick at your head.

 

[Navydave73]

I agree with the recovery gear route. I am adding mods that will allow me to be self sufficient on a trail first, ie..Viair ADA, hi lift jack, lights and skid plates. I am fabricating my own tire carrier bumper and I thought I was doing the right thing by using 1/4 plate but now the thing weighs a ton and I'm not even finished. I know I need a rack above the tire and gas cans, etc...I wish I had the ability to weld aluminum because that would have kept the weight down on the rear carrier. I am planning on the RR aluminum front bumper and synthetic cable winch to help with weight.
There are a lot of bitchin lifted JKs in my hood, but that will have to wait....I'm focusing on recovery gear and armor first.
I had an LJ before and did too much too soon and ride quality sufferred for it. Now, on my JKUR, I'm taking my time and trying to do things I need and make them look as factory as possible.
I found a supplier of deutsch connectors and I am making my own wire harness for switches, for example. Looks factory....except for the OTRATTW etched switch covers that say "ZOMBIE RESPONSE LIGHTS"....Sweet.

 

[Cleric73]

I went Lift, small mods...rims/tires. Road around looking like a roller skate before getting the wheels/tires. That was due to budget reasons.

In hind sight, I would have done it the same....just waited until I had everything in hand then put it all on one or two weekends.

I just had a hard time looking at those coils in my garage and my raked Jeep. My penalty for impatience was 2.5" lift with 32" tires for two months (Roller Skate)

 

[wiscosolid]

I started with my JKUR order and just lift/wheels/tires/procal. By the time my jeep arrived at the dealer I had ordered rampage recovery bumpers (front and back), metalcrafters grill insert, mopar fuel door, JW speaker led headlights, qtec floor mats, black jeep grill letters, antennax shorty, ace rock rails and i think that is it. Still haven't picked the jeep up but it should be ready any day. Plenty of more fun mods to be had but I'm excited about the initial build.

I should add that if you don't want the same to happen I suggest avoiding this forum until your jeep arrives.

 

[DJL2]

I did recovery gear first (though I still need a pull pal), then added bumpers, and then decided to lift. I still need additional armor...perhaps ought to have done the armor first. I have not updated wheels and tires as yet. Depending on how big the lift is, you may or may not need to go with new tires immediately to avoid ridicule. Or, like me, you might not care. The BFG KM is a good tire...

 

[Beastmaster]

There are lots of opinions on what should be done first, second, third, etc. so I'll just focus on tires/lift.

If money is an object and you can't do lift and tires at the same time, I'd go with the tires first. You can safely go up to a 33" tire on a stock rig = http://www.wranglerforum.com/f27/largest-tire-on-stock-jk-heres-your-answer-142837.html but your off roading will need to be limited until you can put a lift kit on.
If your taste in tires run larger, you'll have to either do both at the same time or lift it and have a funny looking Jeep until you can afford your 35's - 37's, etc.
Just keep in mind that going up to 2.5 inches in lift is not too expensive and you won't have to do too much extra to your rig. When you go 3" and up, you may end up having to adjust or replace other items (steering, drive shafts, exhaust, etc.)

 

[ValpoJK]

If a tree fell on a Jeep in the woods, yes everyone here would feel a disturbance in the force.

 

[jdambm]

I started with my JKUR order and just lift/wheels/tires/procal. By the time my jeep arrived at the dealer I had ordered rampage recovery bumpers (front and back), metalcrafters grill insert, mopar fuel door, JW speaker led headlights, qtec floor mats, black jeep grill letters, antennax shorty, ace rock rails and i think that is it. Still haven't picked the jeep up but it should be ready any day. Plenty of more fun mods to be had but I'm excited about the initial build.

I should add that if you don't want the same to happen I suggest avoiding this forum until your jeep arrives.

Hey Wisco my wife and I seen your jeep on Saturday while picking up mine what a nice job!! Congrats!!unk:

 

[FreefallRocks]

Uh, yeah...agreed

 

[FreefallRocks]

Thinking about armor/bumpers first, but still not 100% sure...whichever order I go in, tires/wheels/lift will be done at once though. I like the idea of at least the front bumper first, and probably soon, as it's getting closer to winter time and it's "cheap" insurance against people on the roads who can't drive in snow and ice...or at least that's how I'll justify to myself to buy now instead of waiting a bit...

 

[Ex Umbris Currus]

I went with armor first. ACE Rock Rails and EVO Protek Skid System to protect the tranny cooling line and exhaust trumpet. Following that I did an ENGO 10k winch with synthetic line and AEV Procal to get rid of that annoying TPMS. I spaced that stuff out over the course of a year. Next up on my plate is RK 2.5 either Max Travel or X Factor and MB72s with either Cooper STTs 35x12.5R15 or Goodyear Duratrac 315/75R16. Probably soon after that will be EVO upper and lower c gussets and LCA skids. Then Riddler front and rear diff covers. I will probably be adding in a Tom Woods 1310 front driveshaft as well so it doesn't hit the exhaust cross over skid. Somewhere along the line will also be the TeraFlex HD hinged carrier.

I've been planning this build for quite a while though and I've learned patience. I've also wheeled my JK and my old '02 Libby quite a bit and learned what I needed vs. what I wanted.

Of course, if I had the money I'd do it all once though....

 

[wiscosolid]

Hey Wisco my wife and I seen your jeep on Saturday while picking up mine what a nice job!! Congrats!!unk:

Thanks man. I picked it up yesterday from Pat and absolutely love it. Have barely gotten settled in it though. I wish I could take the day off to figure everything out. lovely wisconsin treated me to some snow on my first day as well.