I started by swapping out stock tires for 33" Duratracs. That gave me a more aggressive A/T tire that what mine came with, but didn't require me to get new wheels or a lift.
My next step was to remove the factory bumper covers (front and rear) and cut the stock bumper down to a stubby. I cut and stained a 1x6 piece of wood that I could bolt to the top of the stubby to mount my HiLift.
While we were out in Moab for EJS last year, we ran into the orange JKU pictured below. I talked to the guy - he explained that he didn't have the budget that his buddies had, so his build was a bit different. He had cut his stock fender flares, and they looked great (until I saw them up close, I didn't realize they were stock). He trimmed the front inner flares, and removed the rear inner flares altogether. In the front, he had a small stubby bumper with a stinger. Rather than a rear bumper, he had EVO 1083 rear frame D-ring mounts.
After we got back from Moab last spring, I knew I wanted to get to 35s. I decided to start by cutting my flares (because it didn't cost me anything). I had been a bit apprehensive to do so before Moab, but not after seeing the orange Jeep. I trimmed the front inner flares and ripped out the rear ones - but I bed-lined the rear.
In January, I had the biggest part of the build done all at once. I re-geared, put on heavier diff covers, added a 2.5" lift, and trussed my front axle. I also did new ball joints and u-joints. The parts were about $2800, and the labor was just under $2000. My wheels and tires were another $2500.
I wanted to do a front bumper, too, but I ran out of budget for now. Later this year, I hope to add an EVO 1/4 pounder front bumper, and then do a bolt on stinger. I'm going to stick with no rear bumper, and add the EVO D-ring mounts like the orange Jeep.
For now, my spare is in the back, sitting at an angle. I removed the stock spare tire rack and did an EVO vent delete tailgate cover.
Mine is the red one in the bottom two photos. It's kinda filthy right now, and it doesn't look as cool sitting in my driveway as it does on the trails. The front picture was taken about a month ago before I swapped the stock tow hooks out for new EVO D-ring mounts.
