...to have been wheeling once, then to a tech day, and then spending about an hour on quadratec.com looking at things I can't afford.

On the other hand, I was out and about last night, and got me a "Wheelin' Box" from Target. The Rubbermaid 10 gal bin with lid was on clearance, only $5. Looks big enough to hold some basic wheeling items that I don't want to keep in the Jeep 24x7, but small enough can get it in the back of the Jeep without unzipping the window (but the back seat needs to be flipped or out). And the Rubbermaid box is tougher than the typical plastic storage box.

I've been doing a lot of reading, especially in the TJ tech reference and the Jeep forums, and have some ideas of what I'd like to do.

I'm thinking I might armor the Jeep before I lift it now, too. I've always been the cautious type, and after the tech day, I'm leaning towards making my first purchases be the steering, oil, and gas tank skids. That would push my expected lift date out a ways...but at least I'd be able to do whatever wheeling I can in my little stock jeep between now and then, with a bit more confidence. Would probably just save up, and do the lift and new tires all at once.

Anyway, just bored, and posting here to fill my time before an appointment shortly. :) No real point to the post.

I did my lift 1st on my DD and now i wish i would have done armor 1st. the things i need to repair now are going to cost me much more... I think armor is a much wiser choice if you are going to be driving it daily... Keeps everything safe... I have to tell you some of the most fun i have had wheeling has been with a stock rig add to the challenge. this is just my 2 cents....

I think Lummoxx might have caught that jeep thing....welcome to the dark side! Its always fun here! LOL

I think that's a safe assumption to make.

Yeah, thinking it's the armor first. Well, and the hitch. I need to fit a hitch in there somewhere, which might have to be first...and soon. We bought my son his swing set this past weekend (partially explains why there is no Jeep money ), and I've got to figure out how to go get it. My bro in law has a trailer, so if I get the hitch and get it installed in the next week or so, I can borrow his trailer and get it myself.

Otherwise, I'll just rent a Lowes truck.

I also have an inverter I'd like to put in somewhere. Not sure where just yet, since I'm a "yank the rugs and plugs" kind of guy when giving the Jeep a bath.

Heh...stu-offroad.com is a good, bad influence.

If only $ wasn't an issue, I'd head down to Rock Krawler and get that 3.5 lift of theirs. I start to drool a little every time I visit that site.

Why yes, I find it nearly impossible to not include some type of smiley after every statement and/or paragraph!

31's a few skids and eventually a winch is the way to go. once you get to that point maby piece together a lift/ budget boost and jump to 33's or invest in a locker.

I've got some 31's fr sale if you want them, viewtopic.php?f=23&t=12202. They will clear on a stock Wrangler so you wouldn't even need to lift it. That would give you enough capability to do most anything you would want to with a daily driver and still stay on the cheap.

Thanks, I appreciate it, but I don't think I'll do an intermediate tire step. I can't justify spending that money when I know that I want to ultimately be 32" or 33".

My plan, which I expect to take me a while as it is:

Hitch/trailer wiring

Steering/Oil/Gas Skids

2" budget / 1" body

32" tires (maybe 33", still undecided).

In between those major items, I want to do some stuff like, put in my inverter, put in a 3rd fuse/relax panel, get a cheap CB put in, uh...what else...

I pulled my Extenda-trunk out, I've got all the hardware I need to put it in the new Jeep, except for a couple of well nuts. Will do that this weekend, for sure.

I agree with the armor. After tech day I really got underneath mine and saw all the weak points.

The first thing I did was order an EVAP relocation kit. Big plastic box as the low point under the Jeep????

I'll take some pics and do a writeup when we put it in. Then it will be the River Raider Under Armor front to back.

Do you think my wife will buy me that for my birthday? I mean I will be 40!

When you get ready to buy that check with the guys down at Rockkrawler. Might be able to get a good price and save on shipping. Thats my plan as well but now that you said that birthday comment...if that is what we can get for our 40th then someone is a little off on the birthday present giving...cuz i didnt get that! LOL

hahaha sounds alot like my plan
except im going LCOG,
for 2inch with 35's.
i wanted to go big or go home right away but then i came around to the though that armor then lift is always best.
you can do alot with a stockie with some protection.
good luck with the build up. im right in that same boat

You know, I think I'm skipping the hitch, just dropping that right off the list.

I mean, really...I'm gonna wheel it some more with you guys long before I really and truly have a need to pull anything with it.

If you change your mind on the hitch, there is one on CL for $75

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