[Capeman29]

e3 Diamond Spark Plugs

TOTAL SNAKEOIL! had them in for 5 months, finally replacing them cuz they caused all kinds of starting and running problems, after replacing my fuel pump and CPS without needing to to try and fix, it came down to crappy spark plugs. These are just weirdly shaped nickel alloy ended pieces of junk, go double platinum next time!

[CaptRon]

Originally Posted by jericho2068

Most of us have done it, paid money for mods that we regretted later! What mod do you regret? I'll start with something small, I went with a stainless light bar, instead of black...Yours?

LOL. Where to start?
I like the Rock Crawler 7" long arm suspension and the way it works, but I hate the cheaply designed brackets. Have replaced the front steering bracket twice, because it's to thin of metal and it cracks.
Rock Crawler high clearance steering kit. It is strong, but the way it connects to the spindles is a bad design.
The old style Goodyear mud terrains. These tires got so many good reviews and they didn't work in the rocks like the BFG mudders or the Pro Comp mudders.

Good thread, Jericho! Ron

[RaggedOleMan]

Mods (in my opinion) to avoid and one's I'd recommend:

SmittyBilt: I've been dissapointed with my SmittyBilt purchases. I refuse to continue to reward them by buying their stuff. In fairness to them, I bought a set of their seat covers at a 4-Wheel Parts thing at the Puyallup fairgrounds and they suck big time. In my opinion they're pure junk, although they do cover up the ciggy-butt hole in my drivers seat which is why I bought them. I also bought their grab handles. I suppose they work, but, they're poor quality, too. At the end of the day I have to say I wouldn't buy any larger ticket item from them because of the poor quality of their lower ticket items.

(Edit: 1.29.2010)
SmittyBilt Portable Air Compressor: $69 @ 4 Wheel Parts. I run 11 psi on the trails and 28 on the street. Airing back up to 28 from 11 with this little red compressor takes me about 20 (+/-) minutes including setting it up and putting it away. I've used it three or four times prior to writing this review. What's not good about it is the gauge. Sucks big time, way off and begs to be replaced. The other issue is that the battery leads are maxed out to reach the drivers rear tire. Other than those two items I'm quite happy with the inexpensive little compressor. And, I broke my own rule about not rewarding SmittyBilt with more purchases. Ah, my hypocrisy knows no bounds, eh? Yes, I'd recommend it, dam* it.

Aussie Locker: Just purchased one for my D30, but haven't installed it yet. I'm on a pretty tight budget, and while I recognize the advantages of a selectable locker, I just can't afford/justify the additional, substantial expense. [Re-gearing from 3:07 takes the first $1,350.00 (for both axels), then comes the locker...not in my current budget]. The Aussie is $250 +/- and will work with my existing 3:07 gearing without breaking the bank. At the same time I'm hell bent on making my rig a little bit more capable. Given the choice between a PowerTrax and an Aussie I went with the Aussie purely for the sake of my minuscule budget. I believe Powertrax is made here in the USA, but, the Aussie isn't...can't defend that part of my decision other than to say budget drove my decision. Will update this Aussie post with installation and performance reviews when I'm ready. NOTE: Installing any locker in my stock D35 appears to be asking for trouble, based on some of the threads here on the JF.
(End edit)

EDIT 3/15/2010: Very happy with it!
Installed the Aussie: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/aussie-install-d30-989823/
1st Trip after the install: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f58/evan-creek-13-mar-10-a-990885/

(EDIT February 10, 2010)
Currie CurrectLync Steering Upgrade: I just purchased this unit for my Tj. With help from Stu Olson's web site (http://stu-offroad.com/siteindex.asp) I'll get this installed in the coming weeks and update this post. (END EDIT 2.10.2010)

(EDIT 2/2/2010) I installed the Currie system by using Stu Olson' site and my own sweat. Install was relatively easy...the results were outstanding. My heep feels so much more stable and quieter on the road. Haven't been on the trail with it yet, but, if the way it feels on the road is any indication, then it should be great! I'm really, really pleased with the performance of Currie set up. I did have to add 3 washers to the drivers steering stop because when turned hard passenger there was a minor rub/conflict with the passenger sway bar link mounting bracket. Adjusting the steering stop solved the problem. I would recommend this product to anyone...

Rampage Bumper: I really liked the look of their rear bumper/carrier and bought it. I need to say that it does what I bought if for quite well: Stout bumper and tire carrier. However, it hang's pretty low/sacrifice rear clearance and it's a PITA to install, plus the carrier rotates on a bolt that's not designed to be greased or adjusted. The paint didn't hold up to one Seattle winter before the rust surfaced. The hitch has worked great for occasionally toting around a 10' utility trailer. I didn't buy their (Rampage 4") "light's", I did buy some 4" lights at NAPA that were half the price and work fine, but, they (NAPA light's) have a blue tint which I hate. (EDIT; 2/16/10) -> The low height of the bumper lights exposes the lights to damage or failure as a result of mild to moderate water crossing's. Never occurred to me before I bought it.

Mirror Movers: Installed them around noon. Took them off by 1:00. I WANT to see my passenger side mirror. Besides, they look like s***. First $20 takes them if I can find them...

Pro-Comp: I bought their steering stabilizer and it's been a disappointment to me. I also bought a drop pitman arm from Pro-Comp, but, havent' installed it yet. I do have their 2" recovery straps and have been quite pleased with them. However, I'm not inclined to buy anything else from them other than their straps.

Dunlop Tires: My first set of 32's/Dunlop MT's. As a newbie I didn't do my research and soon regretted the purchase.

3:07's and D35's: I, too made this mistake when I bought my 2nd Jeep new in 05. In retrospect, the Rubi would have been the wiser choice. I'm currently in the 3:07 to 4:56 and Super-35/Super-30 vs D-44 replacement quandry. Used Rubi 44's (w/factory lockers) are probably the better and cheaper choice even though they'll likely have 4:10's. Oh yeah, budget...

(EDIT): Warm M8000: Not sure how I forgot this when I originally posted to this thread. Anyway...Great product at a very good price. I paid a mere $495 for it at a 4 Wheel Parts Extravaganza at the Puyallup fairgrounds but it's worth considerably more than that. Outstanding value...That winch has saved my butt, others' butts many times and will always be considered "standard equipment" on my rig. Reliable? Yes. (Also have the ARB Snatch Block) I would reccomend Warn Winch's to anyone...

BF Goodrich KM2's: A good all around, long mileage tire for my daily driver. (33's/3:07...not a good mix)...Would recommend BFG to anyone.

STAUN Deflaters: Reasonable-good quality. EDIT: 6/17/2010 the ARB or Currie deflater is the way to go...

KC Daylighters: Not bad, but extremely difficult to align. Seems to be reasonable quality. Bought semi-used i.e. never installed on CL for $50. H3 replacement bulbs easy to find.

M.O.R.E. MML and Currie 1" BL:. Love them both. I had to install a steering bracket to adjust for the change in the steering shaft angle. It didn't come with the Currie kit I bought so I got one from M.O.R.E. Also moved my factory console 1" to the rear to adjust for the shifter conflict. Would not encourage more than a 1-1/4" body lift. Both M.O.R.E. and Currie products are good quality products in my opinion/experience and would recommend their products to anyone.

OME: I installed the Old Man Emu system myself, and like it a lot. I didn't have the budget for the Rubicon Express 4-1/2" long arm kit that I wanted, so I went with OME. I added some 1" Teraflex pucks and retained the OME 1/4" spacers/isolaters and factory one's, too. The overall lift (including the the body lift) is 4-3/4". Enough for 35's, but, I'm keeping the 33's until I beef up or swap the axels. I did have a skosh of vibration after the install, but, after the springs settled in the vibes disappeared. Would recommend OME to anyone.

SYE + CV D/S: Wasn't comfortable doing this myself so I paid Olympic 4x4 in Snohomish to do it. I had it done because I had to; I bent the shaft in my T/C out on the trails. Would recommend to anyone...

Rubicon Express Rear UCA's Recommended by Olympic 4x4/Snohomish over other brands. EDIT: 6/17/2010 Won't do the RE again. Currie...

JKS The Quick Disco's are a admittadly a bit clumsy, but do what they're supposed to do and the quality seems reasonable. Also bought their front track bar. Haven't installed it yet. Will I have clearance problems with the D-30 or a D-44??? (2-1/2 OME + 1" pucks + 1/4" spacers + 1" BL) EDIT: Save your money and do the ORO or Currie...

CB: Radio Shack For $69 it does what it's supposed to do every time I need or want to use it. I don't need much more than a mile or so of range and didn't expect more range when I bought it. I did add/supplement with an additional external speaker. Would recommend to anyone. EDIT: 6/17/2010; Only works for line of sight. Wouldn't buy it again.

4' Firestick Antenna: Works great, but with 4-3/4' lift and 33's it's not garage door friendly...get the 2 or 3 foot instead...

Alloy Wheels Lighter than steel and they don't rust. Could care less if they get scuffed. Would recommend to anyone.

Bestop Insta-Trunk Good value, adequate space and secure. Would recommend to anyone.

DIY vs buying new or paying for installations: For those of us with only modest mechanical skills and modest budgets, we sometimes have to pay for installations. However, whenever possible doing upgrades/repairs myself has been a great experience.

4WheelParts: I think I read in an earlier post that their sales people are are commission paid. Not necessarily a good thing...customer service is good and pricing is generally competitive. I work with Eric/4-Wheel Parts/Tacoma and he's great...

[CRWDDYZ]

Originally Posted by meha11

smittybilt fender flares

with out a doubt, the worst buit product i have ever purchased. Thankfully the good folks at 4wheel... took em back after 2 weeks of use.

ha...I bought those too...never even unboxed them...returned thema few days later....got real fenders....TNT

[TioLoco]

Originally Posted by airframer

so after reading all 12 pages...we have learned things not to buy are

1. PERFORMANCE MODS
2. ANYTHING WITH THE NAME PRO COMP ON IT
3. AN OFFBRAND REPLACEMENT SOFT TOP
4. BUSHWACKER FLARES

What about Pro Comp Wheels? Just got some steel ones, what do you think?

[jfmonahan]

Great thread. I'm new and still learning. My first mod was a 2" Teraflex lift. I went 2" because I was assured that I would not need to make any changes to the rest of the car. Wrong! With 32x11.5s I developed a death wobble. The only thing that would fix it was to put in an adjustable front track bar (no, the end was NOT worn) and realign the axle. I am also getting some bump steer and poor tracking, both with my original tires and wheels (stock Rubicon Wrangler M/Ts on alloy wheels) and with my new tires on steel wheels. I need to change the pitman arm to compensate, but I'm probably going to put in a bigger lift and will wait until then.

As others have suggested, I shoulda gone with the bigger lift to begin with.

[Alex74012]

nothing yet

my dad did,he bought a 08 jk

[PDoyle]

Originally Posted by jfmonahan

Great thread. I'm new and still learning. My first mod was a 2" Teraflex lift. I went 2" because I was assured that I would not need to make any changes to the rest of the car. Wrong! With 32x11.5s I developed a death wobble. The only thing that would fix it was to put in an adjustable front track bar (no, the end was NOT worn) and realign the axle. I am also getting some bump steer and poor tracking, both with my original tires and wheels (stock Rubicon Wrangler M/Ts on alloy wheels) and with my new tires on steel wheels. I need to change the pitman arm to compensate, but I'm probably going to put in a bigger lift and will wait until then.

As others have suggested, I shoulda gone with the bigger lift to begin with.

How many miles are on the Jeep? Replace any front bushings yet? Your in a great part of the country. No rust!

[crusher242]

Kargo Master Congo cage. Plenty of strength, but the powdercoat is terrible. I'm always wire brushing and spraying it.

[BlackBellamy]

The Tough Stuff paint protectors:



Great idea and they work very well at protecting paint from wandering tree branches. Trouble is they will eventually peel off - and it will happen when you're doing seventy on the highway and they will rip so you won't be able to glue them back on. FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP....

[LURCH634]

Suscribed... Will add later

[jfmonahan]

Originally Posted by PDoyle

How many miles are on the Jeep? Replace any front bushings yet? Your in a great part of the country. No rust!

15,000 when the death wobble started. I did replace the control arm bushings and checked for play in all of the suspension and steering components. As I said, putting in a slightly longer track bar did the trick. The previous owner (14,000 miles in almost 5 years) had the car serviced every 90 days at the dealer.

It does get boring here in sun country. I envy all the people who get to go out and shovel snow, fight traffic and sit around waiting for their cancelled flights. Not.

[N8Marsh]

Great read!

I've yet to get one, but I've confirmed just what I'm shootin for.

Gotta be the TJ, want the 4.0, LOOK FOR THE D44!

Do jeepers call diffs pumpkins at all? For some reason I wanted to just now.

[muddernaught]

omg, I just read this whole thing in one sitting.... so much for sleep!!!

Anyhow, lots of smittybilt hate, does this include their winches? Cause I have the XRC 10 HD on my list and I'd really like to have a winch + oba without paying for the warn powerplant...

Also, anyone have any feelings about LoD Front Winch bumpers or the Rear Xpedition bumper/carrier?

Jeep*::*LoD Offroad

[jvetter03]

Originally Posted by muddernaught

omg, I just read this whole thing in one sitting.... so much for sleep!!!

Anyhow, lots of smittybilt hate, does this include their winches? Cause I have the XRC 10 HD on my list and I'd really like to have a winch + oba without paying for the warn powerplant...

Also, anyone have any feelings about LoD Front Winch bumpers or the Rear Xpedition bumper/carrier?

Jeep*::*LoD Offroad

I have the smittybilt xr-9, it does the job pretty well and has saved my ars a few times, but smittybilt's quality isn't quite "warn quality"...the free spool/engage lug broke off within a month....but smittybilt sent me replacement parts the next day for free.....so at least they stand behind their products.....just remember; you get what you pay for!