Got bit so bought a Jeep —— $10k budget

Ok so I have been hard at it looking for a rock / trail Jeep.

Long story short I stumbled upon my first JEEP at a deal I couldn’t refuse. I plan to still buy another already built crawler/trail Jeep but this one should be fun!!

I have a working budget right now at $10,000
All stock 2010 JK Sahara 2 Door 128k Miles 4wd Auto

Tires 37’s - Should I regear?

$10,000 includes the Jeep and mods. Tell me how you think I’ve done as I go. I am looking for some opinions and guidance so stay tuned and help always appreciated!

I’ll post pics as I make accomplishments

Within 24 hours I have a lot of orders already in including next Monday I take it to the shop for a 3 1/2” budget lift (I wanted all shocks / coils etc changed) but at a lower price spectrum as this will only be my trial Jeep for driving and having fun in.

I wanted bronze wheels. I like a simulated beadlock. Still want it to be well made.

Looking to choose right now:
Soft Top
Wheels - prefer bronze
Tires - mild Rock / Mud / Trail
Tire Carrier
Light bar - KC Lite Round style at top 5-7 lights any input?
2 round lights ~4-5” pillar
Seat Covers
Custom Fender Liners - CNC cut my own design into them, anyone familiar?

 

Congrats on the "trial jeep"! Subscribed.....this will be an interesting Jeep build so post the upgrades as they happen. IMO the 2dr JK will look great with 35s and will require less $$+time+mods to handle the 37s. In either case regearing is a recommended upgrade as the 3.8+auto in stock form is adequate but will be challenged by the 35-37s.

 

What lift kit/shocks are you using? Just curious how low budget you are going. From what I've heard from freinds who did it cheap the first time, they ended up spending more long term than if they had gone higher end off the bat. Just my 2 cents

 

Agree, don't cheap out on your suspension. I've pulled off WAY too much crap from friends Jeep because they went budget and it failed prematurely.
Doing it right the first time will save money in the long run.

 

Let the fun begin. Post some photos when you have the 35" on..

 

Ditto. Let's see some Jeep Porn.
What's your long term vision for the Jeep? Take your time. Do it right as mentioned....the first time.

 

Thank you thank you

Yes agreed on the gearing
Looking to probably go with a 4.10
See below for my vision to see what you think you’d recommend

Well I somewhat agree however my cheap and others cheap could all differ and I feel that by spending $5-700 will allow me to feel the capabilities and decide if I am good with it for everything or long term. And to understand what components I believe my style of driving is hardest on.

I am installing the 3.25-3.5” rough country including the arms, shocks etc cost of around $520 parts. This will allow me to actually feel what I pay for while searching for a dedicated rock / trail Jeep. I will be adding a stabilizer, potentially the Antirock and QD sway. If you recommend any additions that you believe are value vs function worth I’d love to hear it.

So essentially this is my entry Jeep. Use it, get a feel for what components, drive styles, options and part of the sport in general I like overall. I am in the market for a fully built, guy selling needs money or wants a new toy type deal. I’m happy to wait as well. This Jeep I anticipate due to the value I paid for it, to end up beat to death and my parts Jeep or to end up in my daughters hands. I am just in tinkering mode, in the world of weekend trips / group rides and seeing how my family is going to like it along with if I want to dedicate more time and money towards this, buying another rzr, racing my autocross car or building my Raptor instead. I’m still in the air on much of it and before spending another $10,000 on this Jeep or more on another I want to get a feel of what I’m truly looking for first. I’m just a fanatic for fast, adventure, traveling and building so here I am. Maybe that wasn’t too long winded and came out as well as I had hoped in my head lol

Thanks all!!

 

Removed lights and grill
Sanded down grill
Going to plasti dip white to see how I like it all white out with the dark lights
Will try on the black bezels and debating dipping those as well

First boxes arrived
Couldn’t get photos of a few items as was dark

7” Led Headlights / Fog Lights $180
LED Interior Bulb swap kit $10
Red Shackles $25.99 x 2
Red Grab Bars $22.99
13” Antenna $19.99
Red Door Limiting Straps $20
Black Headlight Bezels $12.99
EAG inner fender kit $89
EAG Rock Sliders $200
Cowl Covers $12

 

Installed:
Rock sliders
Fenders

 

welcome to the forum

Nice find, really all you need is a winch, looks like some lug nuts and going thru the basics.
jeeps are for trails, to get you to the hunting, fishing, camping etc- SO what is the passion?

Resident curmudgeon
EDIT
oops never mind good luck
after I logged in the pictures and all the other posts appeared...

 

Thank you!
Yeh I have a few upgrades I’m going through now.
Mainly I’m just a driving explorer and sight viewer. We like to go see old building and old roads but this one will be hitting trails as well

 

What part of the country?
I guessing East coast and south.

Hoping someone where you are can add the trails, old abandoned sites.

 

Ky

 

Kentucky - My money goes there - I do like my Bourbon.

 

Updates

I really like the fender flares but the fit is somewhat of a joke for that kind of money
Going to shoot them an email
Otherwise nothing I can’t live with
I like everything so far

 

Good job on the fender installation! I think a set of 3M thin body side moulding along the body edge could close those gaps.

 

whats going on here - 1st a nice jeep - maybe sand paper and some black paint on the wheel flairs BUT the gap and cut outs has me thinking a NJ installer did this... its a jeep - form follows function, If your not handsome better be handy.

Have fun. grumpy - I got a flat to deal with.

Is it just me KISS?

 

You realize I pointed out and mentioned that gap right?

 

yeah I just like adding and blaming NJ.
One of the regulars is stuck there, can't escape.