Need your opinion on how to spend my money...

Ldogg

Ldogg

New member
I am looking at picking up a few things over the Labor Day holiday sales and I am torn on what I should get. I wanted to get some opinions on what you guys would do. My rig is basically stock except for KMC wheels OBA and an spod. Stock fenders and bumpers.

So here's what I am looking at.
I am definitely buying a front bumper...

Poison Spyder Brawler Lite
Brawler lite skid

Now here's my question. should I buy a warn zeon 10-S and a rigid 10" lightbar or should I instead spend the same amount and buy a Rock Krawler 2.5" Max Travel lift with Bilsteins?


I am kinda leaning towards the lift but I won't be able to swap tires out for a bit. At least this way though I can install the lift in warmer weather, and then buy the winch at Christmas time.

So.... Winch and light or Lift? What would you do?

Thanks!
 
Go for the lift. I would X out the skid for the bumper. I rock the same bumper without the skid. Looks better IMO. Plus that skid is kinda pricey
 
Personally I'd do lift and tires before anything else, and skip the skid plate for the bumper. You can always throw that on later (I also have a Brawler lite).


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I have a rubicon though, I thought I needed to worry about the swaybar disconnect motor? I guess adding it later isn't a big deal though. I agree it's a little pricy for sure.
 
Ldogg said:
I have a rubicon though, I thought I needed to worry about the swaybar disconnect motor? I guess adding it later isn't a big deal though. I agree it's a little pricy for sure.
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The crash bar up front will protect it. You can also flip the motor and cut off the crash bar for even more clearance.
 
Oh ok. Thx! The extra 220 I save from the skid can go towards picking up the light bar.
 
I just ordered the Brawler Midsize from PSC last night and got the skid plate for that very reason (disconnect on the Rubi). I'd rather spend the money now for the skid plate than later for the repair.

I'm also looking at the Warn Zeon 10s. I'm watching the websites to see if there are any specials coming up for the weekend. I found a local dealer in Maryland who can get them a little under MSRP, but I still think there might be a better deal this weekend. I just hope Warn changes the special they have running now. I don't need another emergency kit since I usually carry one of my own. Now if they threw in a light bar with the winch...that would be something.

Despite just ordering the winch and bumper, I'd recommend the lift if weather is your concern. Good luck with your decision and keep us posted. I enjoy spending money vicariously through everyone else on the forum.
 
MTG said:
Skip Rigid and you can buy a 20" light bar with that $.
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I am kinda hung up on the combo mount from PSC. I agree though I could find a cheaper or larger alternative. :)

I know I wound prefer the light bar deal or the recovery bag that they were doing a few months ago. It's another reason I was leaning towards the lift.

Plus my jeep is an 08, it's got 45k on it, original shocks and tires, and I have a feeling the added weight is going to really sag the front end, more than say a newer jeep.
 
ScottC said:
Now if they threw in a light bar with the winch...that would be something.
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Its funny you say that. About a month ago when I ordered my Zeon 10S, Northridge was offering a free 10" Rigid LED light bar with the purchase of a Warn winch. Needless to say, I took advantage of this. Absolutely love the light, extremely bright and helps out a ton on those country backroads.

For the OP, I'm going to have to agree with what everyone else is suggesting. Save the $200 on the skid, and put it towards something else. If you want to save even more money, buy the Rock Krawler 2.5 Flex kit(as opposed to the Max Flex). You'll probably save $300-400 there too. Then buy your control arms, trac bar, etc at a later time.

I personally am running a Rock Krawler 2.5 flex kit, with a Brawler Lite front bumper, Zeon 10S, and Rigid 10" LED light bar. I have a build thread going where you can check it out to see how it looks( http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?9109-My-2013-Billet-JKU-Sport-Build). If you have any questions at all, feel free to shoot me a PM.
 
Thx. I had looked at the flex system first, but then saw that the front LCA's were like 300 and figured why not get it all at once.
 
Ldogg said:
Thx. I had looked at the flex system first, but then saw that the front LCA's were like 300 and figured why not get it all at once.
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Well, the only difference between the Max flex and the flex is the Max flex comes with lower REAR Control Arms and another pair of extended brake lines. The rear lowers you don't NEED initially, and you really only NEED the extended brake lines for the rear. The front stock brake lines have all kinds of room after you cut off the metal bracket and unhook a few clips on the frame. So in reality, you could save a few and get the Flex system, then upgrade the rear LCA's at a later time. Yes they are $300, but if you look out for deals, you can pick them up much cheaper. Northridge recently had a discount on RK accessories which put the LCA's just over $200 for the pair.
 
I don't like going with something just because it's cheaper. I a buy what I want the first time around even if it means waiting a bit longer kind of guy. I also tend to research the **** out of any MOD or part before I do the MOD or get the part. I like to by what I feel is the best for the kind of things I plan on doing with my Jeep with that being said.
I would go with the skid plate and at lest a 3in lift if you are going to go to 35's or 37's at some point. I would also go with the EVO Enforcer. It should be in about the same price range as the RK lift. I have run RK parts before and have nothing Bad to say about them, but IMO The EVO Enforcer is a better lift.
 
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I can get the max travel 2.5 with the blistein 5100's, bumpstops and other pieces for 1450 out the door. The enforcer is 1400 without shocks. I am the same way, I will go over parts several time and research as much as I can. I also see if with the RK kit I can run 35's with stock fenders and 37's with cut fenders. If I went to 37's what else would I need to do? I know gears as I have an auto with 4:10's and probably need to beef up the axles as well? Sorry this is my first lifted vehicle and I want to make good decisions not just slap stuff on and then upgrade 6 months from now.
 
Ldogg said:
I can get the max travel 2.5 with the blistein 5100's, bumpstops and other pieces for 1450 out the door. The enforcer is 1400 without shocks. I am the same way, I will go over parts several time and research as much as I can. I also see if with the RK kit I can run 35's with stock fenders and 37's with cut fenders. If I went to 37's what else would I need to do? I know gears as I have an auto with 4:10's and probably need to beef up the axles as well? Sorry this is my first lifted vehicle and I want to make good decisions not just slap stuff on and then upgrade 6 months from now.
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RK makes good stuff, and if thats the lift that will male you happy for years then get it.
Lots on here about what you need if you go to 37's, but most have to do with 3-4in lifts.
I had a 2.5 TF BB with shock extensions on my last Jeep, and always felt like I wanted more flex, and I knew I wanted at lest a 3in lift on my new Jeep. Some times it's fun to do fast over bumps, or down bumpy dirt roads in addition to rock climbing. I felt like EVO had better lifts for me because while I don't race I do like to do some go fast off road, and their mix of rock crawling and dessert racing seamed like the best fit. I also like that easy upgrading without replacing much. Thinking about going with the DD long arm, so I can add on the double throw down coil overs and EVO Leaver at some point down the road, but that's if I decide to go 37's instead of 35's.
 
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