joseph.l.dantonio
Observer
is a lift a nessesity for an overland or is armor and rock rails enough? just dont want to buy a cheapo lift as far as whats available for my 2012 grand now
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- Thread starter joseph.l.dantonio
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m(a)ce
Adventurer
avoiding the cheap lift would be a good idea. do it right the first time and avoid being frustrated and needing to do it later.
as for mods, it always depends on where you're actually going and what you're doing.
I'd say add a little armor and see how far it gets you. its always surprising how far the stock or stockish vehicles can go.
as for mods, it always depends on where you're actually going and what you're doing.
I'd say add a little armor and see how far it gets you. its always surprising how far the stock or stockish vehicles can go.
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
^this^
Many of us (myself included) are grossly guilty of over building our rigs for what we do with them. While that is not always a bad thing it does often keep us from simply enjoying the chance to use it. I'd suggest looking at the areas you wish to explore, talk to folks that actually run those trails/areas, and see what they have to say. Usually good maintenance, a wee bit of additional protection, and a dose of common sense for you vehicle and personal capabilities will get you many places. The ability to self recovery is high on the list behind first aid/repair basics and you should know your vehicle is reliable beyond a doubt. If you find yourself trying harder areas to access then you may want to look into modifications to allow for that. But don't go cheap on these as you will likely only find yourself unhappy and having wasted that money that could have gone to a better quality set up.
Many of us (myself included) are grossly guilty of over building our rigs for what we do with them. While that is not always a bad thing it does often keep us from simply enjoying the chance to use it. I'd suggest looking at the areas you wish to explore, talk to folks that actually run those trails/areas, and see what they have to say. Usually good maintenance, a wee bit of additional protection, and a dose of common sense for you vehicle and personal capabilities will get you many places. The ability to self recovery is high on the list behind first aid/repair basics and you should know your vehicle is reliable beyond a doubt. If you find yourself trying harder areas to access then you may want to look into modifications to allow for that. But don't go cheap on these as you will likely only find yourself unhappy and having wasted that money that could have gone to a better quality set up.
Good advice above. Also are you mainly doing trips or outings as a solo vehicle or is another vehicle along? If you're mainly going into the backcountry as a solo vehichle as I do myself then you're gonna want to error on the side of caution. reliability is the biggest thing you should be concerned with so spend your money on keeping it in tip top shape, preventive maintenance and all that. Also when you are out on trails you've got to ask yourself if you really need to go through this way or continue on. The more your vehicle is built the more the potential to over estimate it's capabilities and get yourself in a seriously stuck situation alone and by yourself.
2-3 inch lift, some basic armor and rock sliders should be plenty. a 2 inch lift will keep you in the factory specs and handling. 2 inches or more and you're going to have to start spending money to do it properly.
2-3 inch lift, some basic armor and rock sliders should be plenty. a 2 inch lift will keep you in the factory specs and handling. 2 inches or more and you're going to have to start spending money to do it properly.
Bigjerm
SE Expedition Society
I am guilty of building my vehicle into something I don't really need that much. Sure now and then I get out and drag it over big rocks and ledges but rarely.
To do it over again. A lift is only needed if the terrain you plan to cover needs bigger tires. Sure it looks cool to be tall but it doesn't serve much purpose unless you "need" it. Protect the body, the oil pan, the gas tank, the transmission and get a winch because once the bigger tires and locker get you stuck further away you will need it.
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To do it over again. A lift is only needed if the terrain you plan to cover needs bigger tires. Sure it looks cool to be tall but it doesn't serve much purpose unless you "need" it. Protect the body, the oil pan, the gas tank, the transmission and get a winch because once the bigger tires and locker get you stuck further away you will need it.
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88Xj
Banned
Sounds exactly on point in here...2", slightly bigger meats. The bigger tires with a taller sidewall will be ice offroad! Lift it 2" to help carry weight so it won't sag below stock height, but also slightly more clearence for tires & anything your driving over! I would say armor it up. Protect key points. High clearence slighters, gas tank if its hanging down back there, Tcase, Oil pan, & front & rear diff. I've smashed 2 oem D30 diff covers with just light trail riding..no rock crawling. I now run solid covers front & rear.
Also recovery recovery recovery. You want at least 2 points in the front and 1 in the rear..but I'd try for at least 2 on each end. Learn how to use a high lift if you can't affoard a winch right away. Tow straps, know your area, first aid. Those are 100% essential in a camping/ExPo rig. I bring my recovery gear every where as I've pulled out a few stuck kids before. In the winter I pull out stuck vehicles for 50 a pop. Sure beats the 150 from a tow company
Think outta the box, because mods that may help you, will also help others & can even make you some change on the side!
On my Xj its 2-3" and 31's with some OEM extras & some armor. Its small, geared correctly, gets better mileage than alot of guys claim to get stock, 18/23. It has a factory LSD rear & will have a locker up front shortly. Small and practical is where its at! No need for a big lift & huge bumpers for those light-medium duty camping trips.
Also recovery recovery recovery. You want at least 2 points in the front and 1 in the rear..but I'd try for at least 2 on each end. Learn how to use a high lift if you can't affoard a winch right away. Tow straps, know your area, first aid. Those are 100% essential in a camping/ExPo rig. I bring my recovery gear every where as I've pulled out a few stuck kids before. In the winter I pull out stuck vehicles for 50 a pop. Sure beats the 150 from a tow company
Think outta the box, because mods that may help you, will also help others & can even make you some change on the side!
On my Xj its 2-3" and 31's with some OEM extras & some armor. Its small, geared correctly, gets better mileage than alot of guys claim to get stock, 18/23. It has a factory LSD rear & will have a locker up front shortly. Small and practical is where its at! No need for a big lift & huge bumpers for those light-medium duty camping trips.
I wanted to get 33" under my jeep. I ended up going with a 4" lift for 2 factors . Mine is an unlimited so it is a bit longer and it is an auto so the belly is a bit lower. It now has enough clearance to make me a happy with the transmission being low and the tires are good enough to get where I want w/o being too much.
Best thing to do is what you are. ask questions, go wheel some and decide how far you really need to go with tires and lift.
Best thing to do is what you are. ask questions, go wheel some and decide how far you really need to go with tires and lift.
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
In case anyone missed it, the car in question is a 2012 Grand Cherokee. I would go the route of picking up a second Jeep to modify and is cheaper to fix.
Will Riggs
Observer
^^ this ^^ Unless you're just planning on camping out of it and maybe some dirt roads, I would seriously consider purchasing a beater.
joseph.l.dantonio
Observer
this is the beater
"This is the beater" hahahah I love it! Seriously any kind of armour you can get underneath is a god shot its a pain in the *** working on bent and sheard off bolts anf mounts. The cherokee if you have the offroad edition gives you up to a 4 inch lift stock. That's pretty good in my eyes.