Good enough for Badlands?

Video Guy · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:38 pm

Let the mods begin! I got my bonus pay. Woohoo! However, most of it's paying for my daughter's summer camp, so I have to prioritize and start with the basics: tires, skids, and tow hooks. As you probably guessed, the rubber is the most expensive upgrade, $600 for a set of five Grabber AT2's (245/70R16).

That leaves me about $200 for "fun money." What I need is as follows:

front MOPAR tow hooks $80 (jparts.com)
MOPAR rear tow hook $65 (jparts.com)

MOPAR skids (dealer prices):
transmission $49
fuel tank $115
engine $49
transfer case $49

For the beginner trails at the Badlands, can I get by with just front hooks, engine skid, and transfer case skid? I can buy that for about $200 if I install everything myself. (Does anybody around Indy have a good floor jack and stands I can borrow?) I know the park requires tow hooks, but it doesn't specify that you need them both front and back. What's the rule? I figure that if I'm stuck in the mud, it makes more sense to be towed out from the front so I don't have to drive through again and get re-stuck.

What do you suggest? Remember, I'm trying to do this on the cheap and will not be hitting the trails all that much -- maybe 5-6 times a year.

Thanks,

T.J.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:48 pm

Check Ebay, if you like shopping there, I saw front tow hooks for the Liberty at $10 +$15.99 shipping, still way cheaper then dealer or jparts.

justforjeeps.com I believe has skid plate prices for less then dealer...I asked for skids in the wanted section at the very bottom you can check some of the responses I got there for what types and prices are available...

Here's the link if you want...

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... php?t=9570

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:04 pm

I'd say rock rails are the most important thing next to tow hooks at the badlands, and then maybe skids and a diff ring.

They don't check your vehicle for tow hooks, or anything else for that matter either.

They allow any junk that runs on thier property as far as I can tell.

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:21 pm

I don't know how far you want to go building up you rig, but from experience, I'd go and see if I can find some at used
if you are going to lift, you will want bigger tires and probably mtrs so stay away from buying new ats unless you are going to give it good use

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:09 pm

I have a rear tow hook for sale $40.

Spend your money on armor 1st. skids & rock rails. You can run the green trail at the badlands with no lift and stock tires.

FreeJeep · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:40 pm

I would not suggest going wheeling without both front and rear tow hooks, even if its not required. You can't always be pulled either way.

I'd suggest (in order)
tow hooks
skids
rock rails
---------------(above basic Badlands requirements IMHO)
lift
tires

DonC

AndySRT · **Posted:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:56 pm

yes defintly get rock rails otherwise you may end up doing this to fix your rocker panel.

that was the first time i went down there on the green trail. :lol:

SunDvl · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:18 am

I'd just buy 4 tires to start - forget the spare and spend the cash else where. You can always pick up a spare at anytime, plus the size difference is minimal and would make very little difference. BakerKJ has the rear tow hook, otherwise, rear tow hooks pop up all the time. However, you'd be better off getting a rear hitch than tow hook.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:41 am

1st - transmission skid. (look at your nice thin aluminum transmission pan and you'll agree this is top priority.)

2nd - transfer case skid. (aluminum t-case protection)
3rd - engine skid (aluminum front diff protection)

for the same price as MOPAR tow hooks you can have a front mount hitch from Reese/Drawtite with tow loops that are already built into it that are 6/10 inch diameter steel.

Do you already have a rear hitch? If so, that's your recovery point.

The first three should be done before driving on a freeway, let alone off road. Protects from road debris. On city streets, you can actually use the Jeep to get around broken down cars or backed up traffic by going off the edge of pavement or over curbs when needed.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:40 am

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I forgot to mention my 10% dealer coupon, and the $25 MOPAR rebate. With the discounts, I can get new front tow hooks, t-case skid, engine skid, and tranny skid for $196.40 (before tax), which is less than jparts.com. I'd rather buy the parts locally so I can deal with someone face to face if a problem arises.

Seems like the majority of folks think I need skids and some form of tow hooks first. Makes sense. I'll consider holding off on the fifth tire to save a few bucks. Wouldn't be any problem to buy the fifth tire in the fall when I'm due for a rotation.

As for choosing A/T versus M/T tires, I can't afford a separate set of mud tires and rims, so I'm choosing an A/T tire that will do okay both on the road and off (but not great on either, I realize this). Because my wife and I will drive 95% on the road, we don't want the noise, vibration, and reduced gas mileage that come with driving mud tires on the highway.

T.J.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:25 pm

Video Guy wrote:

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I forgot to mention my 10% dealer coupon, and the $25 MOPAR rebate. With the discounts, I can get new front tow hooks, t-case skid, engine skid, and tranny skid for $196.40 (before tax), which is less than jparts.com. I'd rather buy the parts locally so I can deal with someone face to face if a problem arises.

Man, that is a lot of bang for the buck!

Video Guy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:09 pm

I just ordered four General Grabber AT2's from Tire Barn. I decided to step up to 245/70R16 instead of 235. L.O.S.T. peer pressure

I'll replace my spare in the fall when it's time to rotate the tires. The tires should arrive from the warehouse Monday, so I plan to have them installed at lunch Tuesday. The shop's only 5 minutes from my office.

I'm gonna hold off on buying the Mopar skids until I can arrange to borrow a floor jack, jack stands, and a torque wrench from my neighbors. I get these 10% coupons just about monthly, and the $25 rebate's good through September. There's no way I'm paying the dealership $90/hour to bolt on skid plates when I can do it myself -- unless you guys in the Indy area know of anybody willing to slap them on quickly for a few bucks or case of beer.

T.J.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:10 pm

Video Guy wrote:

I just ordered four General Grabber AT2's from Tire Barn. I decided to step up to 245/70R16 instead of 235. L.O.S.T. peer pressure

I'll replace my spare in the fall when it's time to rotate the tires. The tires should arrive from the warehouse Monday, so I plan to have them installed at lunch Tuesday. The shop's only 5 minutes from my office.

I'm gonna hold off on buying the Mopar skids until I can arrange to borrow a floor jack, jack stands, and a torque wrench from my neighbors. I get these 10% coupons just about monthly, and the $25 rebate's good through September. There's no way I'm paying the dealership $90/hour to bolt on skid plates when I can do it myself -- unless you guys in the Indy area know of anybody willing to slap them on quickly for a few bucks or case of beer.

T.J.

You do not need all of those tools to put the skids on unless you cannot fit under the jeep(no offense).

I have all of the skids and the only ones Ive ever used is the front one and the tcase skid. The tcase skid only has minor scratches and probably wouldnt of gotten hit if it wasnt there. The front one has almost lost all of its paint, it gets hit all of the time. But, I do have a lift which helps alot. :lol:

On a stock libby, the tranny/tcase skid and the front skid will get used alot. Having a hitch is almost as good as a skid for the rear bumper. I would put out the extra money out for that, they get hit all of the time. The gas tank skid is the most important b/c you could die, but Ive never seen one get hit. Only on crazy rocks will they get hit.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:54 pm

Thanks, Jeepster. I now have a plan. Baby steps, I guess.

FWIW, here are the new 245/70R16 all-terrain tires. I like 'em a lot after about 200 miles.

T.J.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:35 pm

sharp!

Video Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:56 am

pixeldzn wrote:

sharp!

Thanks! I just wish I could get 'em off the pavement to check the traction. I'm dying for some light offroad action, but all the trails around here are private property. :evil:

The next best thing might be the farm fields that are being plowed up for new home construction. A new subdivision seems to spring up weekly. I'm tempted to go mud romping after the workers have left for the day, but I'm worried about hitting a gas or sewer pipeline (the ground is staked everywhere) and being charged with vandalism. And what if I get stuck? I don't even have tow hooks yet, so I know that would be irresponsible. That's what I get for being city folk, I guess.

Too bad the Badlands is 90 minutes away. I'd like a place nearby where I can take an occasional "detour" to get L.O.S.T. I'd like to attend Camp Jeep in WI, but my wife has zero interest and after new tires and insane vet bills for my dog, I really shoudln't spend that kind of money anyway. I'd be happy with a dirt road at this point. :roll:

alljeep · **Posted:** Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:57 pm

Video Guy wrote:

pixeldzn wrote:

sharp!

Thanks! I just wish I could get 'em off the pavement to check the traction. I'm dying for some light offroad action, but all the trails around here are private property. :evil:

The next best thing might be the farm fields that are being plowed up for new home construction. A new subdivision seems to spring up weekly. I'm tempted to go mud romping after the workers have left for the day, but I'm worried about hitting a gas or sewer pipeline (the ground is staked everywhere) and being charged with vandalism. And what if I get stuck? I don't even have tow hooks yet, so I know that would be irresponsible. That's what I get for being city folk, I guess.

Too bad the Badlands is 90 minutes away. I'd like a place nearby where I can take an occasional "detour" to get L.O.S.T. I'd like to attend Camp Jeep in WI, but my wife has zero interest and after new tires and insane vet bills for my dog, I really shoudln't spend that kind of money anyway. I'd be happy with a dirt road at this point. :roll:

If you come to the SW side of Indy we can try the dirt piles in the new section they are building next to my house - it's their surplus dirt so no getting into trouble.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:42 pm

alljeep wrote:

If you come to the SW side of Indy we can try the dirt piles in the new section they are building next to my house - it's their surplus dirt so no getting into trouble.

Now you're talkin'! I'll hit you up with a PM the next time I'm headed in that direction in the next week or so.

Good enough for Badlands?

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