What do you want to do? If you're starting out wheel'n these might be some ideas:
Lift
A Rubicon Express 2" BB goes for about $200 incl. shipping and comes with the 2" spring spacers, 4 long travel socks, and bump stops.
Recovery
$12 get's you some good 10,000 lb. tow hooks for the front. At a minimum, install these.
And for goodness sake, $35 for a sturdy 30ft tow strap.
Communication
If you plan on running with a club or some friends (highly advisable) then the remainder could go towards a good CB, antenna, and tuning. It really helps being able to communicate easily if you're in a group. You can get by without a CB but once you have one you won't want to give it up.
I got my CB Radio from good ole Wally World for 30 bucks (its a midland). The rest I got at a Flying J (truck stop), including the wire, the firestick antenna, and the mounting bracket. Alll in all, I think I spent around 50 bucks.
The CB I got was a bit pricey but had some features that I felt were worth the price. Instead of the typical receiver box that you have to find a spot for the Cobra 75 WXST has a remote receiver that you can fit behind your dash. All the controls are on the hand mic than fits real nicely just next to the steering column. Plus it has some signal processing that really clears up the signal. Problem is the CB runs about $95 and that's a low price for it at Amazon.com. But, it REALLY cleans up the interior of the TJ a lot and for me it was worth it. The write-up on 4x4xplor.com really got my interested in this CB.
This is the whole CB installation. Very clean and tidy.
However, there are more cost-effective CB units out there such as the one gmbtj mentioned above but it requires some creativity in finding a good place to mount them in the tight TJ interior.
As for the 10,000 lb. tow hooks? I've usually seen them down at the local Schucks / Autozone for about $6-7 ea. So a pair should run $12-14 total. Don't forget the tow strap. The tow-hooks won't do you any good if you don't have something to hook onto them with and a buddy with a 2nd buggy is helpful, too.
To my mind, the upgrade path should make sense considering what you will be doing with the Jeep.
If you will be wheeling on rocks, then I would go like this:
1. Skids for oil, gas, steering box (this will use up your money - but it will ensure the most vulnerable parts are armored against your bad driving)
2. Rocker skids (schrockworx are the most popular or AtoZ) - this is another $300
3. Lift/bigger wheels (more clearance) Get ready to faint.
4. Winch
If you will be wheeling in lighter terrain or in mud, then skids aren't your top priority perhaps, and instead you might start with a winch, and work your way from lift backwards through that list.
The thought being that a rock crawling Jeep needs protection from rocks, clearance, and recoverability in that order.
But a mud-crawling Jeep needs recoverability, clearance, and protection in that order.
I think. Just my .02. Others will disagree, and unfortunately, you get to pick the best and dump the rest, as they say.
best place to get a CB would have to be Ebay. Just read the entire auction before you bid. And the tow hooks, I got mine yesterday at 4 wheel parts for 5 bucks a piece. Quit a deal if you ask me. Also 4wheel parts sells a recovery kit that comes with tow hooks a 30 foot strap some shackes and some other stuff for around 50
I have the same CB as Lupinsea and I really like it. Like he said it is a big more costly then most but IMHO it is worth it. Since I'm always running around with the top down in a big city theft is a concern for me. With the CB I'm running I can just unscrew the cord and put it in the center consol, out of site out of mind. :thumbsup:
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