Order of Upgrades

I did my Body lift to give me a little room, then the suspension lift and tires/wheels together. Thats the tough one on your pocketbook. The regear can wait. You might decide you dont need it

I decided on a regear and an 8.8 rear to replace the D 35 in my buggy first and then lift and tires, bumpers are next. Oh, I am going to replace the speakers and stereo as soon as I get my Jeep back from East Coast, they are doing parts and labor. Chase had a 3 inch BDS lift laying around that another customer had ordered and then backed out so he cut me a deal on that. Best part is the rear is being built around my lift so I should not have any issues.

I will put a 1.25 in body and a MML if I need more than 3 inches for the 33's. I will probably go on with the tummy tuck then...


If it were me I would regear 1st because the 3.07 have no place in a Jeep.

hammerheadweds said:

I'm on a tight budget right now and spending money will slowly be coming in. What should my order of upgrades be? I'm looking at getting a front bumper and a winch but also a lift and bigger tires. And I guess probably a regear after the tires due to the 3.07s. Also what order should I do the lift/tires/regear? Or should I wait until I can afford all three?

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Im in the same boat as you. Work is slower and money isnt flowing in like it used to but I am slowly building mine.

I found a BB lift on cragslist for $75. Slapped it on. Kept my 31s. Found a guy who with some Mickey thompsons traded for a pistol. Waiting for tires when I get money.

It's a slow process but im just wheeling my jeep how it is. And loving it. Dong rush it maybe you'll find stuff at better pricss

NC Bear said:

If it were me I would regear 1st because the 3.07 have no place in a Jeep.

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I disagree, it depends on what the jeep is being used for.

If the person wants a nice looking commuter vehicle the 3.07's are perfect with the price of fuel today. Now if fuel was .25/gal like is was when I started driving I'm thinking 5.88's in a Ford 8" rear would do so HD pullin up the side of a mountian.

It's too bad nobody makes a 2 speed rear for the Jeeps like Ford had back in the 50's, I think they were made by Columbia. Virginia State Police Curisers had them, they were fast unk:

OK, so I'm showing my age................

Lift Tires Regear is pretty standard. Depending on the tire size you cant even put them on without a lift. I would actually save up so you can regear just after installing your tires.

Some more info would help out, what size tires are you looking to get?

homebrwd said:

Lift Tires Regear is pretty standard. Depending on the tire size you cant even put them on without a lift. I would actually save up so you can regear just after installing your tires.

Some more info would help out, what size tires are you looking to get?

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Well I'd love 33s but I'm not sure how well the jeep would run with them and the stock gearing if I had to wait to regear. So then I figured I'd go with 32s but if I'm going to regear anyways I might as well go with 33s right? I've done a little research and I think I'm gonna go with the zone 3" lift so that should have room for 33s. I feel like its gonna look pretty silly if I lift it with my small tires. I think the ones right now are 29s

I always build mine in order of how I find deals. I ended up lifting my jeep last due to this. If you are on a budget, keep a close eye on Craigslist and the forums. Build in the order of what you find.

Craigslist is your friend. If you're on a budget do it in order of price.

I found Rubi express CA's with front upper adjustable front lower fixed, rear lower fixed and full traction rear upper 3 link for 300$

Bds 2" springs 50$

Skyjacker m95 monotubes 50$

After this set of 31's I'll be doing 4" currie springs and 10" travel fox resi's tuned by Wayne. All matched with 33" bfg at k/o's for the desert I like to go quick in.

Wait it out and you'll save money. I promise you that.

The very first thing you need to do before doing any offroading is to get an oil pan skidplate. The oil pan is 100% vulnerable to being damaged/punctured on the trail which can ruin the engine if you don't catch it in time. An oil pan skidplate is inexpensive and should be at the top of your list of priorities. And if your TJ is a 2002 or older, the next item on your list should be a gas tank skidplate. 2003 and newer TJs have an adequate gas tank skidplate.

Do not want to hijack this thread , but who makes a quality oil pan skid plate??I thought po thought of everything on my jeep but i know i dont have that skid plate.

Jerry Bransford said:

The very first thing you need to do before doing any offroading is to get an oil pan skidplate. The oil pan is 100% vulnerable to being damaged/punctured on the trail which can ruin the engine if you don't catch it in time. An oil pan skidplate is inexpensive and should be at the top of your list of priorities. And if your TJ is a 2002 or older, the next item on your list should be a gas tank skidplate. 2003 and newer TJs have an adequate gas tank skidplate.

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Thanks for the advice, I had no idea it was so important! Any brands you'd recommend or are they all pretty standard? And mines an 04 so I guess my gas tank skidplate is good anything else I should be picking up?

mrbat23 said:

Do not want to hijack this thread , but who makes a quality oil pan skid plate??I thought po thought of everything on my jeep but i know i dont have that skid plate.

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hammerheadweds said:

Thanks for the advice, I had no idea it was so important! Any brands you'd recommend or are they all pretty standard? And mines an 04 so I guess my gas tank skidplate is good anything else I should be picking up?

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I was just trying to research an oil pan skid for my '04.
+1 for suggestions.

I have teraflex for both and they are great. The gas tank skid requires a spacer kit or a 1" bl to install.