New to this! Top ten list of Expo Mods for new Jeep?

[County98]

Hi guys! Just ordered my 2013 JKU Rubi as an USAF retirement present to myself. SO excited. Also excited I found this forum! I want to set the girl up for short exploring trips and camping (maybe week or so). Will be me, the wife, and the dog.

Never tried to actually set up a functional "Expo" type Jeep before, kind of just threw alot of stuff in the back and hoped for the best on weekend camping. Now, I'm older, more cautious, and my loving wife will kill me if we end up stranded 3 days from no where...:ylsmoke:

For most of us, budget is always a concern, otherwise I would just turn it over to AEV and write a ridiculously large check. Also, alot of build threads evolve as they go, so if you upgraded from one thing to another, I would rather skip the extra spending of the cashish! So, if maybe on board air would be your #5, but it is something to get a little sooner since it's cheaper than a $1000 bumper, then maybe it slips up to #2...savvy?

Help me (and others who want to explore this hobby) build my new Jeep from scratch?

What is your Top Ten list, in order, of mods to do?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)


Thanks for helping me get started! Lots of awesome Jeeps in here to be sure. I know there are threads that touch on this, but side track some and maybe not Jeep specific? If we keep it on track, maybe we can Stickie it later?

 

[Timgco]

Building a new JK for medium to extreme duty use, is not a cheap hobby. I built mine on phases and funds allowed.
UC protection was first on my list. Since you bought the Rubicon, you have a great platform to start with.
Depending on the terrain you will be on, your list may be different from what I did.

Here's what I did:

1: 3.5" AEV SC lift, 35" BFG AT's.
2: AFE Y Pipe (so you don;t ruin your stock driveshaft) (can be substituted with exhaust spacers)
3: EVO skids (oil pan, trans line/ trans, and crossmember/ exhaust loop skids, front lca weld on skids, rear weld on shock skids)
(also had to move the evap can over 2" so teh rear ds would not hit)(also trimmed the pinch seam in the rear wheelwell)
4: Recovery Equipment (tow strap, tree saver, winch ext line, shackles, tools, etc)
5: On board air (PowerTank)
6: front rear Expedition One bumpers, Warn VR10S
7: LED rock lighting, A pillar LED lighting, front bumper LD lighting (IMHO, Rigid Ind is the best on the market)

that's what I did for the JK.

Gear is another story though.
water, fuel, GPS/ mapping, first aid, lighting, camping gear, etc.

 

[ManleyORV]

1: 33"x10.5"x17" KM2's. Fit on stock wheels and look great. Then you never have to worry about whats that clunk or noise. Big proponent of keeping the stock suspension for an Expo rig.
2: Skids. I have River Raider on my JK, but I really dig the new Currie setup and might switch over.
3: Air. I run a Powertank, but for an Expo rig I'd look into a compressor setup or even the Warn winch with the compressor. Maybe carry a C02 system as backup.
4: Recovery Gear is a given including hi-lift etc. Shovel, pull-pal, axe.
5: TOOLS!!!! Normal stuff and then impact, hitch mounted vise and all the specialty socket sizes etc. for a JK.
6: Some survival stuff. First Aid Kit, Blankets, extra food, etc.
8: CB, maybe a long range radio.
9: Offroad GPS
10: Secure Storage, Tuffy Console, Underseat Storage, Rear Storage.
11: Rooftop Tent!!!!! Will make traveling a 1000x more enjoyable!

I know most of my list is boring haha.

-Josh

 

[County98]

Great list! Thanks for getting it started!

I'll probably be leaning to the medium duty and not as aggressive as you've got. This is DD also, so looking at the 2.5" AEV or Teraflex w/ 33's. Later down the road though since it'll still be new. I also didnt think of lighting on my fantasy list, but now that I see it, it seems common sense to get some lighting going, even just for camping.

Good job man.

 

[County98]

Manley, your list is a great starter too. Just what I'm looking for. Never thought about a hitch mounted vise...good one. Not thinking the RTT is in the short term budget though, lol. I saw the new Warn Dual. It's killer, but killer expensive also.

 

[Rancho]

1) Rancho 4" lift your choice, 35" tires
2) Either driveshaft upgrade or Rancho exhaust pipe
3) Warn Powerplant winch
4) CB/race radio
5) Recovery gear (Hi Jack, tree saver, strap etc...)
6) ARB freezer/fridge
7) First aid kit (duh)
8) Roof top/pop tent
9) Strengthen that front axle (gusset/sleeve)
10) have fun

 

[AFSOC]

Congrats on the upcoming retirement. You'll find the JKUR terribly capable right off the lot. I wouldn't be too quick to buy anything for it right away. Just find out how and where you'll be using it, what type and frequency of trips you end up taking and then tailor the rig for your purposes. Lots of us 'think' we'll be using our rigs in a very different manner than we actually end up doing. Just put a few trips on it and address areas you think will improve its results for you.

If I were making a list, I suppose the starting point would be First Aid kit, shovel, extinguisher and a tow strap. These are a couple of universal, basic out of the gate additions. Future additions will reveal themselves as you rack up experience in the arenas you are traveling/camping in.

 

[County98]

Yup, diggin on the ARB Fridge also. Might be midway on my list ahead of lift/tires (until at least mine wear out). 2 reasons for fridge 1)it's just a ************ gizmo and 2)wife will enjoy the whole experience more...thereby funding more mods...

 

[ManleyORV]

Manley, your list is a great starter too. Just what I'm looking for. Never thought about a hitch mounted vise...good one. Not thinking the RTT is in the short term budget though, lol. I saw the new Warn Dual. It's killer, but killer expensive also.

Check out http://www.tepuitents.com for the tent. I haven't gotten one in my hands yet but from the reviews over on the trailer forum, they are good quality and much cheaper than most other options. Here's a pic of Jason's (one of my employees) 4dr Jeep on 33x10.5 KM2's. We both run them, although he has a 2.5" Budget Boost which helps the proportions for the 4 door. You don't have any rubbing like you do a 285 or especially a 33x12.5 and you can run stock wheels. Plus better gas mileage for those long Expo trips.

-Josh

 

[County98]

Man. The scenery in your third pic is where I want to live. The scenery around Vegas sucks, lol.

I would love to drop 10K on bolt on's, but isnt going to happen fast. Usability first for me, for now. More than likely I will be keeping stock height and bumpers for awhile, and I like that you guys seem too also and that you're running a winch off the stock bumper. Thats the prioritization I'm looking for. Winch cause it's needed fairly early, bumpers as I can afford them.

I'm really enjoying seeing where everyone starts, the items they list I havent thought of, and what priority they put on what. Very important to me to stay as functional as possible without front loading high ticket items...unless it's overwhelmingly important on peoples lists, lol.

Thanks!

 

[County98]

AFSOC, you're absolutely right. This is my 3rd Jeep and now that I'm pushing 40 I'm not interested in going and breaking stuff on purpose. This is 80% DD and long camping/exploring. I want to put this together with a purpose and am appreciating all the good insight.

Cheers!

-Shayne

 

[ColinJ]

Keeping the theme Expo and not rock crawler or mall crawler I'd say this is my list

What is your Top Ten list, in order, of mods to do?
1) AEV 3.5 lift
2) 35 tires (I went with MT but AT might be a better option depending on your terrain)
3) Rear Tire carrier / full spare
4) Front bumper (I like the ARB)
5) Winch (8k or more)
6) Air up device
7) Roof Rack (like Gobi)
8) Fridge (like ARB)
9) Roof Top Tent
10) Snorkel

I'm at step 6 on my Jeep right now.. After 6 you get into the more nice to haves.. I've been doing ok with my tent and cooler this summer but ARB fridge is on the short list.

I assume you have all recovery gear already.. if not that is #1

 

[Timgco]

AEV 2.5 w drop brackets, AEV procal. 33" BFG AT's (great on most all terrain..esp winter months). you can run your stock tires/ wheels with this kit and they still look good. 285 70 17 would be a good size for this kit. The AEV kit will handle the weight of your future mods as well.

AFSOC, you're absolutely right. This is my 3rd Jeep and now that I'm pushing 40 I'm not interested in going and breaking stuff on purpose. This is 80% DD and long camping/exploring. I want to put this together with a purpose and am appreciating all the good insight.

Cheers!

-Shayne

 

[JFarris]

First off, THANK YOU for your service to our country.


My first vehicle I built for this purpose was an FJ Cruiser. I did almost everything you could possibly need, and then some, all at once. Now I have a 12' JKUR, and I have taken a much slower approach. I've already taken it out on numerous trips, and have tackled pretty much everything I would normally encounter on an adventure. Only once did I wish I had a winch. With 2 adults, you do have plenty of room.

With that being said, these 3 things can do wonders when you already have a Rubi. 1) Winch 2) Roof Rack 3) RTT Don't get me wrong, you still need some tools and recovery gear. To me that's right along with water though. Don't leave home without it.

After that, you can think about lift, tires, skids, fancy bumpers. But like some of the wiser people on here, just go out and use it. It's a very capable vehicle, just like it is in stock form,

 

[cgnjeep]

My 2011 2dr JK is still stock for now but this is my list (on a budget) for expo mods. I regularly go on week long trips into remote areas in Alberta and British Columbia with my fiancee and our Boxer dog, these are the things i wish i had with me most of the time.

My essentials:
1) Winch on stock bumper (with RC or smitty winch plate)
2) 255/80R17 (33"x10.5) BFG KM2
3) Air compressor
4) Shovel, HighLift, Ax, Shotgun.
5) Roof rack w/ basket (Cargo Master seems sturdy and affordable) The only reason I need one is because i have a 2 door and space is very limited with the pup in the back.

Extras:
6) Extra lighting (mounted next to windshield)
7) 2.5" budget lift, ive got a 2011 and dont feel i have to replace my suspension parts yet.
8) ARB Fridge
9) Back country GPS
10) Roof top tent (my last pick because I can still pitch a tent) although it would be useful in bear country. On our last trip we spotted a grizzly before going to bed and the dog went nuts... we spent half the night in the jeep.

Congrats on the Jeep and have fun!