All upgrades, mostly in order of appearance that I have planned for my heep:
All upgrades that end in a "?" are potential upgrades, and may not occur at all, particularly if advice against them is given.
1. 3" lift
2. Sway bar disconnects (homebrew or bought?)
3. Rear shackles?
4. New rear bumper with swingaway tire rack, gas can storage, hi-lift storage, ammo boxes, (all padlockable) 2" receiver.
6. Roof rack
7. Light bar?
8. CB radio?
9. 30" tires
10. Winch?

By this point I will most likely be out of budget before summer comes round, followed quickly by college. Despite how it sounds, the rear bumper should be pretty cheep.

Any words of advice, yay/nay on any of these?

 

Might wanna add "front bumper" so you can mount the winch.

http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone.php

Just a suggestion. I'm going this route whenever $$ is good.

 

My front bumper's license plate mounted in a 2" receiver in there, btw that front bumper is WAY aftermarket. My pops bought it, it has a lifetime warranty not to bend or break, or they'll replace it free. Here's a better picture of it:


PS Like that scratch? I clipped the back of one of those flatbed trailers they tow behind rigs (with like the 3' long ramps on them, permanently marked wide load....) and hit it pretty good. I stopped in a nearby parking spot and checked out the damage. I hit them hard enough they felt it up in the cab

Tally up another one for jeep.

 

Is that the order you plan on buying everything or is thing going to be all at once?

 

Well if you are planning on actaully getting the tires dirty:
http://www.rearendparts.com/product.php?productid=1536
This gives you a full spool when needed, and open diff the rest of the time.
With one of these you will find you whinch time becomes less.

 

Sway bar disco's... I've been running the same pair of JKS quicker disco's for 8 years, all I do is grease them. Thier operation is simple, length is adjustable and they are beefy (I've broken the stock end links).
With all the weight you plan on hanging off your bumper, I think you will need shackels to level the rig front/rear. I would never store a hi-lift outside the vehicle. The 'elements' will make it's operation unpredictable, to down right dangerous.
A roof rack is going to kill gas milage... and, if you decide to run a roof rack, a light bar will not be required. Personally, I would not do either. Rather use the money saved by not buying a rack or bar and get a couple quality lights and mount them on the bumper.
cb's are great if the guys you wheel with have them as well. If you wheel alone, look at a satelite phone.
30" tires will work good with stock gearing.
A winch is never a bad idea. I've always managed with come-alongs and straps, but I never wheel alone. I will get a winch at some point, and when I do, it will be a receiver mount setup so it can be used front or rear.

My .02

 

Required reading if you're going to do a swin-out tire carrier.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=907275

 

you're about to go INTO college? Personally, having just finished college and been in the EXACT same state of mind with my Jeep...I'll put it this way.

I owe more money on school than I would need to make my Jeep totally sick. And I haven't gone to grad school yet. Best investment so far? Quality tires.

ie: I wouldn't do it until you're out of school. You're gonna need that cash for other stuff. (essentials and fun non-essentials)

 

30's? id atleast do 31x10.50

 

Man thats what i was going 2 say

 

im getting ready for college and im thinking that, if your like me, college is gona cost a LOT so why not wait?

 

1) The 3" lift is actually a semi-fix for my worn out bushings on my rear leafs (the suspension is like 15~20 years old).

2) Sway bar discos are still in. (cheep)

3) Rear shackles are still in. (pretty cheep)

4) This is the reason I'm getting the shackles, that and I need something a little more resilient

5) [lol it didn't exist, i suck at counting]

6) Out on account of not really needing it/other factors.

7) I'll get a budget kit. I can't do a bumper mount because it'll void my warranty (that and I'll get better angling on roof lights)

8) This was my planned communication device. I don't off-road alone though.

9) IF and only IF I can find them cheep. I don't want to have to cut my flares

10) out on account of $$$. At least for now.

As for answering your questions about the money, I'll be fine. Daddy ATM is going to pull me some loans and I'll be working during the school year.

 

oh thats just sick, whata badazz winch set up

 

If I can get a winch cheep cheep, I'll get one. Otherwise, I'll have to wait on that till after college.

 

Here, join the National Guard, have them pay for your school, use the sign on bonus to pimp out the jeep...and if Obama deploys you (not that likely) use that money for something else...like a house! You know how much I've paid for my schooling...a total of 0 dollars, they even pay for my books and send me an extra 600 a month while I'm in school...bomb way to go bro!