[Stratomaster2000]

Hello everyone! Thanks for visiting this post and a thank you in advance for your tips and advice! I would like to know the order at which you upgraded your Wranglers (or the order in which you wish you had done it). But, if it will help you at all to toss me advice towards my future build, here is what I have planned for my currently stock light khaki 04' TJ Sport.

Zone 4.25 combo lift
33" MT Baja MTZ radials wrapped around 15x8 Black Rock Series 997's (black)
Smittybilt Front SRC Bumper (textured black)
Smittybilt Classic rear Bumper w/tire carrier (textured black)
Quadratec Heavy duty side steps (textured black)
Winch (still doing research)
Monstaliner tub and neoprene seat covers
speaker and cd player upgrade

And I have a feeling with the mudding I'll be doing, eventually I'll wanna toss my crappy little Dana 35 and Dana 30 for something more like Dana 44's or a 8.8 conversion (along with disc brakes). BUT, if I'm gonna do gears, then I might as well go with 35's too right? Makes sence to me hahaha!

Here is the real question, what order do I do all this? Granted, at least at first my Jeep will more likely see more pavement than it will sticky Kentucky clay/mud. Won't the lift mess with my drive shaft lengths? With the MML supposedly this lift won't require a SYE. At least with 33's so I read. 35's I'm not so sure. Anyways, I'd like to do this right the first time. Keep in mind I'm not rock climbing, just muddin' and street driving. So don't be too harsh on my build selections. Money is a huge factor in my build, so I'm not dropping cash on stuff I probably won't need.

Thanks again for the tips and info guys!!! :welcome:

 

[SurfKaster]

If you're gonna come out the gate into the mud then I'd put the winch on top of the list. The lift & bigger tires may gain clearance, but won't do jack when stuck.

Personally if I were on a budget I'd go for the winch 1st, then lift tire combo (33s). Stereo over monstaliner & I'd forgo the smitty bumpers & neoprene seat covers.

 

[krisbman]

Lunchbox up front in the D30. Its plenty stout for 35's then a winch.

 

[Stratomaster2000]

I'm pretty sure initially that I should be able to afford the lift, wheels/tires, and possibly the winch all at once. If something has to give then I think I'll hold off on the winch. More than likely if I'm going muddin', I wont be alone, and someone can pull me out when I'm stuck. Since I'm going lift first instead of axle upgrades, I'll for sure start out with 33s. It could possibly be awhile before I can afford an 8.8 or D44 swap and re-gear. But like I said I'll be on the road more than off, so I THINK I'll be fine.

I like the idea of keeping the D30 and tossing a lunchbox in it. Probably go with a No-slip. I'll more than likely re-gear it at the same time to save money and make it easier to toss the 8.8 or D44 in as well. As far as the rear axle goes, I'm thinking about an Eaton Elocker in it. Or an Auburn Gear ECTED . And then of course re-gearing both the front and back to run 35s if I wanted to in the future. What would be a good gear size to go with? More than likely I wont go larger than 35s. If I did I wouldn't be able to pull my Jeep in my garage lol. And do you guys think this would work out fine so far? Thanks!

 

[seeraedave]

What about under carriage armor?

I'd do that first.

 

[krisbman]

I'm pretty sure initially that I should be able to afford the lift, wheels/tires, and possibly the winch all at once. If something has to give then I think I'll hold off on the winch. More than likely if I'm going muddin', I wont be alone, and someone can pull me out when I'm stuck. Since I'm going lift first instead of axle upgrades, I'll for sure start out with 33s. It could possibly be awhile before I can afford an 8.8 or D44 swap and re-gear. But like I said I'll be on the road more than off, so I THINK I'll be fine. I like the idea of keeping the D30 and tossing a lunchbox in it. Probably go with a No-slip. I'll more than likely re-gear it at the same time to save money and make it easier to toss the 8.8 or D44 in as well. As far as the rear axle goes, I'm thinking about an Eaton Elocker in it. Or an Auburn Gear ECTED . And then of course re-gearing both the front and back to run 35s if I wanted to in the future. What would be a good gear size to go with? More than likely I wont go larger than 35s. If I did I wouldn't be able to pull my Jeep in my garage lol. And do you guys think this would work out fine so far? Thanks!

4.88's if you have the 5 speed and 4.56's If you have the slushbox I believe. Course if you go for 35's you need to upgrade steering and brakes.

As far as the lunchbox in the 30 try the Lokka Locker. Its the same as the Aussie and its $198 shipped to your door and has a better warranty also. Im very happy with mine!

 

[Stratomaster2000]

I have the auto trans, 4.0, and 3.73s from stock. And I don't know how much more under armor I would need for mudding other than Differential Covers maybe? I could be wrong on this. If I did need more than that I would consider it.

 

[krisbman]

I have the auto trans, 4.0, and 3.73s from stock. And I don't know how much more under armor I would need for mudding other than Differential Covers maybe? I could be wrong on this. If I did need more than that I would consider it.

Think you would want 4.56 then. Not sure if I'd worry about skids if just muddin. Definetely a locker

 

[Stratomaster2000]

Awesome thanks for the help! Also while doing more forum searching I happened across Dirtworx Front bumper and Rear bumper w/tire carrier. They get alot better feedback than the Smittybuilts, and cheaper too! Just have to paint them myself. Which is totally fine by me if I get better bumpers and save around $100 or so. 3-4 cans of bed liner and I should be good to go on that.