Random mod questions - best bang for the buck

[DJWUZJ]

Trying to sort out the snake oil from those mods that will significantly enhance off road capabilities for next year's adventures.

On the list right now (for sure) this winter is a front locker and rear bumper.

Anyone plugged and played with the following?

- UCA Upgrades - besides strengthening what "looks" like a weak link up front, and providing additional adjustment for bigger meats, will I get better contact and travel when wheeling?

- aftermarket torsion bars - claim to improve overall handling, and even read the claim that factory bars were "weak."

- 3:1 low gear swap - Slee provides a kit to gain 25% lower gearing. On a lot of steep descents, I feel like I'm on my brakes more than if like to be. Is it worth the labor costs, versus going to 4.30 or higher?
-->side bar - I'm thinking the new set of shoes will be 34's, making me think this is a better route, which in turn will enhance low range driving anyways

No plans for front bumper, and a rear locker should probably be on the list, but would like to save that before going to bigger tires and steeper gears.

After seeing what this truck can do, I know it's already very capable, but I'm trying to get it to take on the same challenges with greater ease.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bamabrock]

I would say if you are for sure going to install a front locker to go ahead and install the new gears because you already will have the diff out of the truck. Maybe you could find a rear third member from an earlier 100 without the factory locker with the 4.30 factory gears for a cheap rear swap or bite the bullet and go install the rear locker at the same time.

I find I ride the brakes a bit too much as it is wit the stock TC gears, but I'm used to the 4:1 ratio I had in previous jeeps.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Well, after you get your sliders on...

I probably wouldn't bother with UCA's unless you're due for a new set due to shot ball joints. I like them a lot by my stockers were shot. The other mods listed will do more for you off-road.

I know it's not a popular mod but I would love lower T-case gears. This would allow 33's for road trips or 35 for trail trips without too much compromise IMO (good mileage with 33's, plenty of torque for any situation/tire when in L). I find the gearing a hair tall as it is with 33's in Low range, especially on descents. Pretty good price for the crawl improvement when compared to a dual re-gear. Plus the T-case I would build at home but usually leave diff set up to real gear pros saving even more $$.

OR... Do it all, either way you can't go wrong!

 

[OregonLC]

I think Cory is the best bang for your buck random mod.

 

[stonepa]

Not sure what exactly you will use the cruiser for but I'd say first on the list is a full service 'plus'. All that stuff is great unless a wiring harness has a problem. Replace anything that looks at all iffy. Do that and you can leave at any time for any where. Just did a 10,000 mile trip in my 98 LC, east coast to Seattle, thru Death Valley , around the south west, then home. Just turned over 300k miles and 100% reliable. I can realistically drive this thing anywhere.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Looking at your build thread, I hope you have sliders on order first...

 

[DJWUZJ]

Sliders are already on order 8)

 

[bamabrock]

Maybe add a minibar to the homemade drawer combo you have.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Answers in red. I'm not expert but I've wasted a lot of money modding 2 100s.

Trying to sort out the snake oil from those mods that will significantly enhance off road capabilities for next year's adventures.

Sounds like tires would be the best bang for your buck right now

On the list right now (for sure) this winter is a front locker and rear bumper.

The rear bumper is probably more for utility and looks than increasing off road performance, unless you're doing Moab-like trails where you'll scrape and hit it on ledges a lot.

Anyone plugged and played with the following?

- UCA Upgrades - besides strengthening what "looks" like a weak link up front, and providing additional adjustment for bigger meats, will I get better contact and travel when wheeling?

Wait for the Slee's SPCs and I'm sure there are better mods to start with, like a front bumper.

- aftermarket torsion bars - claim to improve overall handling, and even read the claim that factory bars were "weak."

don't worry about this until you get a front bumper

- 3:1 low gear swap - Slee provides a kit to gain 25% lower gearing. On a lot of steep descents, I feel like I'm on my brakes more than if like to be. Is it worth the labor costs, versus going to 4.30 or higher?
-->side bar - I'm thinking the new set of shoes will be 34's, making me think this is a better route, which in turn will enhance low range driving anyways

I haven't heard of anyone doing this yet, but if you're going to run 33"+ tires, swapping to 4.88 gears in both diffs (maybe when you get that front locker installed) would also help increase your low range gearing, while taking stress off the transmission, brakes and gears, giving you better mpg and throttle response.

No plans for front bumper, and a rear locker should probably be on the list, but would like to save that before going to bigger tires and steeper gears.

If you're not getting a front bumper any time soon, don't worry about the front torsion bars. You only really need stronger ones once you get a bumper and winch up there.

After seeing what this truck can do, I know it's already very capable, but I'm trying to get it to take on the same challenges with greater ease.

Recovery points if you don't already have them.
Thanks in advance!