Opinion on where to put money

[adrenalinepirate]

First jeep didn't have a winch and only one pull over 4 years. Had a winch on my truck and never used it. Now I'm thinking no winch and a front locker. When I say locker I want a selectable. What I'm asking is in a build process would a locker be first before a winch? Not going to get crazy with this rig but 33's limited slip in the rear and is my dd. Another factor is it seats in a parking lot. Considering all aspects because dd duties. Or even one ton steering? Bent three steering set-ups on my last xj.
Let the opinions run. Lol.

 

[USN0174]

locker>winch... just my .02 though. many will have a different opinion.

 

[in4aride]

winch. Locker will get you in more trouble to require a winch.

 

[time2getdirty]

l agree with mike. Lockers get you in trouble recovery gear gets you out.

 

[Super D]

I would go with armor first ( i.e belly/gas tank skids, rocker protection, etc), then winch, and lastly lockers. As said before lockers just get you into more trouble in the long run. That's where I would put my money. But that's my opinion.

 

[Hypoid]

Bent three steering set-ups? Were they stock, aftermarket, or both?

I guess if you are gonna play hard, be sure to go with somebody who has a winch.

 

[DutchVDub]

Keeping it small on 33's a winch would be my priority. The open front and smaller tires will keep you from getting into trouble or breaking, and the winch will get you through anything that takes you by surprise. Then skid plates and body armor to protect the sensitive stuff on the rig. Obviously any brake and steering upgrades. Lastly the selectable front locker.

 

[adrenalinepirate]

Armor is in the works(bumpers, gas skid, rear quarter armor and rocksliders) but what the deal is I have a winch but was thinking of selling it to fund a locker or one ton steering. The three I bent were stock. My last xj before I went crazy on it and built it on 38's and then sold it, wheeled it a lot and messed it up. So this time around planning a lot before wheeling it.

 

[USN0174]

Keep the winch. Check out serious offroad's steering set ups. They look niceee.

 

[xj-grin]

they are nice, I have one! :cheers:

 

[in4aride]

Keep the winch. do a zj tie rod (plenty for 33's) and then work on the locker

 

[Beezle]

My vote is to keep the winch, with a winch you're already a step ahead. Do what in4aride said and do the ZJ tie rod then shop some lockers.

 

[DutchVDub]

Yeah, don't even waste your money on a 1ton steering setup unless you're going full cross over steering. Nothing against Frank/Serious offroad, its just a nature of the inverted Y and T setups. They basically suck. If all your steering is shot though, then go with the Serious Offroad setup.

 

[1-tonxj]

My mailbox .

 

[adrenalinepirate]

What mailbox?

 

[MaxxXJ]

I did armor first, lift, rear locker,front and rear bumpers, now I'm making a winch bumper since ive bought a winch, ive had stock steering for 2 years now on 31's. I have wheeled for 2 years and haven't used a winch yet. But it's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

 

[1-tonxj]

What mailbox?

It's a 35-40 mile drive to Bailey to make the drop ,But I'll let you keep a few bucks for gas money ...During the week my pickup is parked at the truck stop in commerce city you could just leave it under the aw4 or inside the XJ hatch in the bed of the pickup .