Mods. What to do first....or 5th

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DeckerT4R

DeckerT4R

Joined
May 10, 2006
Threads
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Location
Dawsonville,GA
So it looks like the wife and I are headed to Colorado/Utah next month for some vacation time away. We want to do some wheeling while we are there but its a long haul back to GA. Its got me thinking about Armor. I want it all of course but funds and things do play a part. So I debate what to do, if any. I am thinking of mimicking the recent trip to Ouray. Maybe do i lil Moab action as well.

SO i have a rear bumper, the next things in my mind are:

1. Front Bumper - (ARB or Dobinson) No one has done a Dobinson on an LX though
2. Sliders - Slee if I do it now...I am curious about what bud built will come up with though
3. Skids - Bud Built is the plan

Just the order seems to be unclear. I am planning on doing 1 of these before we go. The LX is a little different, our front bumper hangs down farther than a LC but its a decent approach angle in High. Sliders will be done eventually so If i scrape up the steps i won't cry over it. Skids seem like a smart choice although it is certainly isn't as exciting. I lean toward Front Bumper, but just wanted everyone's thoughts since I am used to GA trails, which is very different.

ALSO i would love to meet up with some of you who are out that way!
 
Agree with TonyP.

If you can only do ONE of those mods?
Make it sliders.

We had many rigs in Ouray that were near stock, and sliders were definitely a benefit.
If no sliders? -I would remove running boards, as they will likely get trashed anyway, and maybe even multiply damage into your panels.

You can get away with a lot without skids, but if you really plan to bang away...skids are worth the price. But to me, a winch is more valuable, and that means a bumper...especially if you are wheeling alone.
 
Last edited:
Honestly, if you've already got the rear bumper, that's the most likely point of impact on any trail.

Bud Built makes incredible products, but personally, I think that's overkill for the type of wheeling you'll likely be doing. ARB's aluminum is plenty heavy-duty and will save a lot of weight.

If you're ok with your side steps getting a little bent, I'd just leave them on there and see how they do. Otherwise, sliders are the best armor protection/investment.

Stick to the easier/moderate trails, take it slow and you should be fine.
 
Markuson said:
Agree with TonyP.

If you can only do ONE of those mods?
Make it sliders.

We had many rigs in Ouray that were near stock, and sliders were definitely a benefit.
If no sliders? -Definitely remove your running boards, as they will likely get trashed anyway, and maybe even multiply damage into your panels.

You can get away with a lot without skids, but if you really plan to bang away...skids are worth the price. But to me, a winch is more valuable, and that means a bumper...especially if you are wheeling alone.
Click to expand...


I am certainly not planning on any crazy wheeling since we very well might be alone. I usually like to travel in a group. If @TonyP could meet up that would be cool. The winch capability is certainly a factor and one reason I lean toward the front bumper, I should have probably mentioned that. Ive done a lot of driving around the country and the possibility of hitting a deer or something on the road also leans me toward bumper. Especially being 2000 miles from home, its just a little insurance you can drive it home. That said i did a 7K mile road trip in a WRX through a blizzard all over the north west and never had an issue. I don't plan on bashing anything or trying to "push" it but hey things happen and thats why I am trying to be prepared.

Seems Sliders is the consensus...
 
Not be a complete buzzkill but wheeling in CO will be extremely hit or miss. More misses than hits, especially at elevation. Trails have already started closing for the season. Many of them will be closed by November regardless of snowfall, or lack thereof, due to seasonal closure. I'm sure someone more well-versed can provide alternatives in the San Juans for once the snow falls, but none of it would likely require any vehicle upgrades other than being prepared for the conditions. There'll still be plenty to see but it's more likely to be on less obstacle-filled forest roads.

You're much more likely to have luck in Moab barring some crazy weather event. IMO anything to help approach or departure angle will be of the greatest benefit, so I'd lean front bumper in this particular case, especially if you're still waiting on slider options.
 
I agree with the others, sliders forsure!
 
DeckerT4R said:
I am certainly not planning on any crazy wheeling since we very well might be alone. I usually like to travel in a group. If @TonyP could meet up that would be cool. The winch capability is certainly a factor and one reason I lean toward the front bumper, I should have probably mentioned that. Ive done a lot of driving around the country and the possibility of hitting a deer or something on the road also leans me toward bumper. Especially being 2000 miles from home, its just a little insurance you can drive it home. That said i did a 7K mile road trip in a WRX through a blizzard all over the north west and never had an issue. I don't plan on bashing anything or trying to "push" it but hey things happen and thats why I am trying to be prepared.

Seems Sliders is the consensus...
Click to expand...

It's funny about critter strikes and bumpers... I was always the guy yammering about the value of full bull bars for critter strike protection...and sure enough, only a month after installing my TJM T13 front bumper, I whacked a deer on a Moab highway at speed on our way back after doing Top of the World. The bumper easily paid for itself in that one incident, and likely saved my Breckenridge trip right after, as my truck was entirely unscathed--saved for a bent license plate. Definitely a fan of full, strong bull bars.

If you can FIND a TJM T13, it's a bargain at less than $1500 including LED fog lights and intelligent LED indicators. I've also learned first hand that they are STOUT.
 
DeckerT4R said:
I am certainly not planning on any crazy wheeling since we very well might be alone. I usually like to travel in a group. If @TonyP could meet up that would be cool. The winch capability is certainly a factor and one reason I lean toward the front bumper, I should have probably mentioned that. Ive done a lot of driving around the country and the possibility of hitting a deer or something on the road also leans me toward bumper. Especially being 2000 miles from home, its just a little insurance you can drive it home. That said i did a 7K mile road trip in a WRX through a blizzard all over the north west and never had an issue. I don't plan on bashing anything or trying to "push" it but hey things happen and thats why I am trying to be prepared.

Seems Sliders is the consensus...
Click to expand...

For sure. Let me know when/where you're thinking.
You'd be fine on Fins n Things if you (or the old lady) are feeling semi-adventurous.
 
I've always wondered why people put winches on the front of their trucks to pull themselves deeper into something they just got themselves stuck in...
 
Malleus said:
I've always wondered why people put winches on the front of their trucks to pull themselves deeper into something they just got themselves stuck in...
Click to expand...

Have you wheeled before? Serious question. Winches have myriad applications and are sometimes literally the only way to safely get out of a situation.
 
Once or twice
 
TonyP said:
2
1
3
Click to expand...

x2 Definitely sliders first, then a front bumper plus a winch. If you're not going to do a winch, I'd wait on the front bumper. For armor, you could add the LCA skids for cheap which is the most consistently bashed item on the trails here in CO. I have/had ARB skid system and it's tough to be beat for the money. The best bang for the buck however will definitely be sliders because it's a big heavy truck with expensive sheet metal.
 
As others have said; sliders.

My first outing with my 200, I mangled the running boards!

:-)
 
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