I am the proud owner of my first Jeep, a bone stock 2011 Natural Green JKU Sahara.
Go ahead, laugh. Get it out of your system.
She was specifically bought to do two things; haul the dogs to the beach and get the groceries (to fully understand how pathetic that is, she replaced a Volvo Cross-Country wagon. Before that was a series of Explorers. I’m so ashamed).
We were in to the “actually going to RV shows” phase of our lives, planning the National Park tours with Fred and Ethyl and a few hundred thousand of our closest freinds . The Jeep could double as seaworthy lifeboat for our RV ”adventure.” (Again, ashamed).
That was a year ago. Unfortunately I found this forum. Now the bug has bit.
I haven’t been camping since Boy Scouts (circa 1974) but suddenly want to camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon, get chased by grizzly bears, and wander the wilds of the Outback. Since none of that is going to happen soon, I’ll settle for bouncing around the Ocala National Forest or exploring side roads off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We want to start out with a little gravel-roading to off the beaten track places – nothing that will require satellite phones or mobilizing the National Guard, but still places that we’re not overrun by tourists and feel like we’ve actually accomplished something.
So here’s the question – what mods should come first?
And here’s the complication – it has to be a “stealth” build – as much as possible it has to look like a bone-stock 2011 JK Sahara – Natural Green. It has to drive like its on the way to Publix.
The main reason is that for the next 15 or so payments I only get custody on weekends (after that all bets are off).
Also, she can’t have any lift at all. Since we live in la Florida the top comes off at Labor Day and doesn’t go back on until Memorial Day. She gets to sleep inside during the winter but won’t clear the garage door with either a hard or soft top – only fits topless or with a safari top. (Serious. ½” inch of clearance with no top. Aired down to 15). I’m even worried that changing her shoes will keep her outside.
We just ordered a cool trailer kit that we can eventually beef up into a full blown expedition trailer. (designed by forum member jscherb http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68035-Bolt-together-fiberglass-Jeep-tub-trailer-kit . I’ll do a build thread for it when it comes in and ask stupid questions there as well).
So factoring all that – 90% daily driver, some forest roads & sandy beaches, light trailer, no lift, still making payments - what do I need to do to her to get her ready for some easy – moderate adventuring?
Here’s what’s been done so far:
1. Two mismatched Rescue Dogs salvaged from Jax Animal Control;
3. Bestop Safari Top.
4. Old fire extinguisher from under the kitchen sink.
5. Shovel mounted to the tailgate (This was a serious first step since it involved taking a drill to the sheet metal to mount the Quickfist clamps).
6. Cheap Harbor Freight 12v compressor
7. Cheap HF tow strap.
So we’re basically we’re starting from nuthin’. Nuthin’ except the dogs. They’re the reason we bought the dang Jeep in the first place. Dogs are expensive.
My well of ignorance is deep, but here’s my thinking so far on what's next:
1. Transmission cooler. Mopar or aftermarket? (because we bought her right off the lot with no tow package. There was not a lot of research involved the first time, but I’m already specing a 2016 Rubicon Diesel).
2. Hi lift jack (will stay in the garage most of the time and only come out to play).
3. Front receiver and receiver mounted winch that will live in the garage with the jack. Keeping the stock bumpers for now.
4. Wheels & tires? Rather wait until the stock rubber wears out. And then there’s the whole garage clearance problem.
5. Re-gear? No clue – should I wait until she gets new wheels?
6. Sliders? As light as possible but still be for more than looks.
7. Armor such as skid plates & differential covers? – are they worth it for light duty?
8. CB radio (Ham?)
9. Beef up any of the drive train? Is that overkill?
10. Driving lights?
11. New garage?
12. Winning lottery ticket?
What am I missing?
Learned a lot from lurking and looking forward to your advice, sarcasm and suggestions.
Go ahead, laugh. Get it out of your system.
She was specifically bought to do two things; haul the dogs to the beach and get the groceries (to fully understand how pathetic that is, she replaced a Volvo Cross-Country wagon. Before that was a series of Explorers. I’m so ashamed).
We were in to the “actually going to RV shows” phase of our lives, planning the National Park tours with Fred and Ethyl and a few hundred thousand of our closest freinds . The Jeep could double as seaworthy lifeboat for our RV ”adventure.” (Again, ashamed).
That was a year ago. Unfortunately I found this forum. Now the bug has bit.
I haven’t been camping since Boy Scouts (circa 1974) but suddenly want to camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon, get chased by grizzly bears, and wander the wilds of the Outback. Since none of that is going to happen soon, I’ll settle for bouncing around the Ocala National Forest or exploring side roads off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We want to start out with a little gravel-roading to off the beaten track places – nothing that will require satellite phones or mobilizing the National Guard, but still places that we’re not overrun by tourists and feel like we’ve actually accomplished something.
So here’s the question – what mods should come first?
And here’s the complication – it has to be a “stealth” build – as much as possible it has to look like a bone-stock 2011 JK Sahara – Natural Green. It has to drive like its on the way to Publix.
The main reason is that for the next 15 or so payments I only get custody on weekends (after that all bets are off).
Also, she can’t have any lift at all. Since we live in la Florida the top comes off at Labor Day and doesn’t go back on until Memorial Day. She gets to sleep inside during the winter but won’t clear the garage door with either a hard or soft top – only fits topless or with a safari top. (Serious. ½” inch of clearance with no top. Aired down to 15). I’m even worried that changing her shoes will keep her outside.
We just ordered a cool trailer kit that we can eventually beef up into a full blown expedition trailer. (designed by forum member jscherb http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68035-Bolt-together-fiberglass-Jeep-tub-trailer-kit . I’ll do a build thread for it when it comes in and ask stupid questions there as well).
So factoring all that – 90% daily driver, some forest roads & sandy beaches, light trailer, no lift, still making payments - what do I need to do to her to get her ready for some easy – moderate adventuring?
Here’s what’s been done so far:
1. Two mismatched Rescue Dogs salvaged from Jax Animal Control;
a. Mk III Ocklawaha Swamp Husky
b. Mk IV Southern Pit Beagle
2. Rugged Ridge Locking Gas Cap (I put it on myself)!3. Bestop Safari Top.
4. Old fire extinguisher from under the kitchen sink.
5. Shovel mounted to the tailgate (This was a serious first step since it involved taking a drill to the sheet metal to mount the Quickfist clamps).
6. Cheap Harbor Freight 12v compressor
7. Cheap HF tow strap.
So we’re basically we’re starting from nuthin’. Nuthin’ except the dogs. They’re the reason we bought the dang Jeep in the first place. Dogs are expensive.
My well of ignorance is deep, but here’s my thinking so far on what's next:
1. Transmission cooler. Mopar or aftermarket? (because we bought her right off the lot with no tow package. There was not a lot of research involved the first time, but I’m already specing a 2016 Rubicon Diesel).
2. Hi lift jack (will stay in the garage most of the time and only come out to play).
3. Front receiver and receiver mounted winch that will live in the garage with the jack. Keeping the stock bumpers for now.
4. Wheels & tires? Rather wait until the stock rubber wears out. And then there’s the whole garage clearance problem.
5. Re-gear? No clue – should I wait until she gets new wheels?
6. Sliders? As light as possible but still be for more than looks.
7. Armor such as skid plates & differential covers? – are they worth it for light duty?
8. CB radio (Ham?)
9. Beef up any of the drive train? Is that overkill?
10. Driving lights?
11. New garage?
12. Winning lottery ticket?
What am I missing?
Learned a lot from lurking and looking forward to your advice, sarcasm and suggestions.
