Upgrade path

[dimo]

Greetings and salutations,

Wanting to pick your brains for advice on where to go next in terms of making the car more capable. I currently have a 2013 JKU Sports, Mopar lift, 33s AT, sliders, lights, winch and recovery gear. It is very much a weekend car (25k traveled since new)

I am in two minds, for roughly similar prices I can go a engineered AEV 3.5RS kit + 34 MT tyres or a cheap 2.5 kit (AEV or TeraFlex), re-gear (lockers) and 34/35MTs.

I like the idea of an engineered higher end lift as it will likely be for life, but also love the idea of lockers though not sure how often I would use them.

Any suggestions? Something completely different?

[LeighP]

With a JKU, I've watched them clearing stuff...they need more lift than my JK to clear things due the break over angle on the long wheel base.
I'd personally be inclined to have an engineered 3.5 lift.....but it really comes down to how you use the vehicle. A guy touring outback on dirt and sand might get more benefit out of the 2.5" lift and lockers/gears.

[dimo]

Originally Posted by LeighP

With a JKU, I've watched them clearing stuff...they need more lift than my JK to clear things due the break over angle on the long wheel base.
I'd personally be inclined to have an engineered 3.5 lift.....but it really comes down to how you use the vehicle. A guy touring outback on dirt and sand might get more benefit out of the 2.5" lift and lockers/gears.

Thanks for replying mate, don't do much touring. Mostly hit tracks around Melbourne which is typically mud and hill climbs.

[samft]

save up, do the lot in one go...you'll end up doing it anyway

taller lift will want bigger tyres to fill the arches
bigger tyres will want re-gearing
re-gearing will make you want lockers

it's inevitable and you're only wasting money going for something you don't 'really' want

sounds like your jeep is pretty sweet already, there's no rush, just do it how you want it

how about re-gear and 35's now, leave the lift for later...35's look awesome with less lift by the way

[dimo]

Originally Posted by samft

save up, do the lot in one go...you'll end up doing it anyway

I would love to but I am getting married next year and this is pretty much it for a few years considering the upcoming expenses. Basically this will likely be the extent of the upgrades for a few years. So just trying to figure out what I would be happier with until that time. Thanks for the response, lots to think about.

[Hayesio]

Your truck is reasonably well set up now, I would think it would go most places. If you're not a very experienced 4wder, focus on tire pressure and technique. Got a compressor? If you have this all down pat, then disconnecting sway bars and then lockers would be the next logical step. After that, I would suggest 35's and suspension lift.

[dimo]

Originally Posted by Hayesio

Your truck is reasonably well set up now, I would think it would go most places. If you're not a very experienced 4wder, focus on tire pressure and technique. Got a compressor? If you have this all down pat, then disconnecting sway bars and then lockers would be the next logical step. After that, I would suggest 35's and suspension lift.

Thanks for the reply mate. I have been doing this for a few years now and have undertaken an extensive 4wding course already. I've got all the basics including compressor and disconnects, have the steering stabalizer flipped and upgraded , have diff protectors etc.

It does quite well but nowhere near as capable compared to many of the people I go out with which means once they hit the hard stuff I have to go around a number of the obstacles or get winched up. The main difference is always a larger lift, larger tyres (MT instead of AT) and lockers.