Silly JeepNewb Questions

pinecone · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:03 pm

OK, I got an 06 Sport. Pretty much basic except for a trailer hitch, 4x4, and rubber mats.

I have been perusing this website and found myself asking why?

Why do I need a lift kit? Will it raise the ground clearance at the lowest point of the vehicle? Styling exercise? IOW, how will it make my Jeep work better off-road?

Why do I need a locker? What exactly will it lock? Will it lock the transfer case or a differential (front or rear)? It does have ESP standard. Will a locker mess up the action of the ESP?

I was watching vids of folks playing in the Louisana or Alabama woods and it looked like the best vehicle for that was a highly modified Suzuki Samurai. The worst was a Hummer H3. I can see the need for other mod recommended like skid plates, rock rails, and tow hooks. So far on my off-road excursions I haven't need those things but I can see in the future that I will need them.

Thanks for indulging a JeepNewb.

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:09 pm

ok, the lift gives u better ground clearance, and gives u better approach and exit angles, also u can fit bigger tires

locker- locks the diff, u have to buy one for the front and one for the back. From what i hear the esp actually makes the lockers work better.

Skids are a must with any kind of wheelin', rocks kill everything, and u never know whats hiding in that mud puddle!!

nolakj · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:54 pm

pinecone wrote:

OK, I got an 06 Sport. Pretty much basic except for a trailer hitch, 4x4, and rubber mats.

I have been perusing this website and found myself asking why?

Why do I need a lift kit? Will it raise the ground clearance at the lowest point of the vehicle? Styling exercise? IOW, how will it make my Jeep work better off-road?

Why do I need a locker? What exactly will it lock? Will it lock the transfer case or a differential (front or rear)? It does have ESP standard. Will a locker mess up the action of the ESP?

I was watching vids of folks playing in the Louisana or Alabama woods and it looked like the best vehicle for that was a highly modified Suzuki Samurai. The worst was a Hummer H3. I can see the need for other mod recommended like skid plates, rock rails, and tow hooks. So far on my off-road excursions I haven't need those things but I can see in the future that I will need them.

Thanks for indulging a JeepNewb.

All good questions pinecone. You will find your answers here.

Also, I have wheeled with that Zuk live and in person several times. It IS that tough. He is usually the guy that makes all the TJs with 6" of lift and 35s look just plain silly.

1. Recovery point front and back (hooks or hitch up front, hitch in back)
2. Skids (all of em. don't skimp too much here)
3. Lift
4. Tires

The rest is pretty subjective (or is it objective?). Most would say rock rails then a locker then a.... etc.... Scared yet?

J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

jason thompson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:10 pm

I agree with nolakj however I think that the best mod to any rig is a good driver
I would get the skids and then go on some rides that are VERY VERY stocker friendly and learn how to use or handle your rig befor I would jump into high dollar mods you may be surprised at what it can do

also I have wheeled with the guys in that video and if I told you that I drove that entire trail in a TJ on 30's and never took a strap you may find it hard to belive but I did just ask nolakj and he will tell you it is 70% driver

just my .02
Jason

nolakj · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:19 pm

Get to know your rig for sure before you dump a bunch of cash into it. As for Jason, 70% driver or luck either way... J/K

The dude can drive.

kolesy · **Posted:** Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:37 pm

pinecone wrote:

OK, I got an 06 Sport. Pretty much basic except for a trailer hitch, 4x4, and rubber mats.

I have been perusing this website and found myself asking why?

Why do I need a lift kit? Will it raise the ground clearance at the lowest point of the vehicle? Styling exercise? IOW, how will it make my Jeep work better off-road?

Why do I need a locker? What exactly will it lock? Will it lock the transfer case or a differential (front or rear)? It does have ESP standard. Will a locker mess up the action of the ESP?

I was watching vids of folks playing in the Louisana or Alabama woods and it looked like the best vehicle for that was a highly modified Suzuki Samurai. The worst was a Hummer H3. I can see the need for other mod recommended like skid plates, rock rails, and tow hooks. So far on my off-road excursions I haven't need those things but I can see in the future that I will need them.

Thanks for indulging a JeepNewb.

Lift will give you more ground clearance under the front, and allow you to run bigger tires which will get you a tad more ground clearance in the rear, also if you go with a full up coil kit you will get an even better ride than stock.

A locker will allow both you wheels to turn at the same time, instead of only one tire turning and losing traction. Some one previous here said that the esp will make the locker work better, not true. It will work just the same. The esp, imo, will help make a lsd work better since it applies brake pressure for you. All a true locker does for you is lock both axle shafts together and allows both tires on that axle to turn together.

Tow points are a must! Front hooks and a rear shackle in the hich on the back is pretty standard.

Lastly if you have any chance of something hitting your underside you will want some type of protection there for sure.

pinecone · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:40 am

nolakj wrote:

J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

I ain't skeered. After all, I work on BMWs for a living.

B***h
Moan
Whine

The mods you suggested make sense and are easily done. I really don't see the need for lockers at this point. It's like going off-road with a GS BMW, ya needs to learn how to ride it before ya go off into the boonies.

In a nutshell, the lift gives one more room for bigger tires which gives one the ground clearance needed. The armor is obvious (the GS has armor on it). Tow points are even more obvious.

Please somebody tell me that the ESP is a good thing to have in lieu of a locker. Or explain to me why I need a locker.

moose · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:46 am

pinecone wrote:

Please somebody tell me that the ESP is a good thing to have in lieu of a locker. Or explain to me why I need a locker.

The ESP is a good thing (no matter how much I rag on it in the 6spds). Right out of the box it's like a LSD. I have used it (not enought though, but I'll fix that soon) and it does a good job of getting you where you want to go. For the 5% of the time it's not enough,... well, it depends on you. There are tons of threads on that topic (F&R LSDs, F LSD R Locker, etc.), so I'll let you search on it.

As for the rest, once you have all 4 skid plates (and I think rock rails too; I can go a LOT more places with the skink sliders on!) and tow points you can wheel safe.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:44 am

pinecone wrote:

Please somebody tell me that the ESP is a good thing to have in lieu of a locker. Or explain to me why I need a locker.

IMO with esp I would put a good limited slip in the front and rear from what I under stand esp will apply breaks to the wheels independantly of eachother
so with a LSD if a wheel starts to spin you apply breaks and it helps but both wheels get the same break power
with esp applying the breaks one wheel at a time the lsd would be made more effective

so with esp and Tru-tracks front and rear you should be good
no esp I would put an ARB locker out back
The ARB is IMO the best selectable locker money can by

pinecone · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:37 pm

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:58 pm

pinecone wrote:

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

IMO factory for the engine t-case and fuel tank but go after market on the trans
and if the esp is off in 4lo then I would go with a selectable locker out back because you will spend most of your time off road in 4lo any way

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

pinecone wrote:

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

This is not a correct statement... the ESP never goes completely off. It goes into reduced functionality---- basically meaning it no longer plays with retarding power on your engine to keep you from lifting a wheel. The traction control part of the ESP system, however, ALWAYS stays on... even in 4-LO and even though the "ESP off" button is on. Thus the ESP will still put the brakes on a spinning wheel, even in 4-LO. This is per the owners manual and actual experience.

moose · **Posted:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:39 am

Pablo wrote:

pinecone wrote:

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

This is not a correct statement... the ESP never goes completely off. It goes into reduced functionality---- basically meaning it no longer plays with retarding power on your engine to keep you from lifting a wheel. The traction control part of the ESP system, however, ALWAYS stays on... even in 4-LO and even though the "ESP off" button is on. Thus the ESP will still put the brakes on a spinning wheel, even in 4-LO. This is per the owners manual and actual experience.

Ditto this post and Jason's post about skid plates. I don't know how much the aftermarket skids are, but as long as they aren't more than 30-50% more than DCX, go that way. If I could find some good 1/4" plate sheets, I might see what I can fab up... (maybe my brother will teach me welding in the process

)

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:21 pm

moose wrote:

Pablo wrote:

pinecone wrote:

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

This is not a correct statement... the ESP never goes completely off. It goes into reduced functionality---- basically meaning it no longer plays with retarding power on your engine to keep you from lifting a wheel. The traction control part of the ESP system, however, ALWAYS stays on... even in 4-LO and even though the "ESP off" button is on. Thus the ESP will still put the brakes on a spinning wheel, even in 4-LO. This is per the owners manual and actual experience.

Ditto this post and Jason's post about skid plates. I don't know how much the aftermarket skids are, but as long as they aren't more than 30-50% more than DCX, go that way. If I could find some good 1/4" plate sheets, I might see what I can fab up... (maybe my brother will teach me welding in the process

)

I whent the route of the home made trany skid and it was 1/2 the cost of other's I even paid to have it cut and 4 pcs of angle to brace it I am now working on more bracing so far I can not see the need but more is better
I got an idea from a warn engine skid I put on my TJ

pinecone · **Posted:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:51 pm

Pablo wrote:

pinecone wrote:

I do know in 4LO the ESP is turned off. So in that situation, lockers would be helpful. My first mods to the Jeep are armor and towhooks. Are the factory skids worth it or should I get the aftermarket ones? The aftermarket ones look stouter but how easy do they install?

I'll look around at what's offered.

Y'all have been really helpful so far. Thank you and hope to see y'all on the trail (2 wheels or 4 :lol:

)

This is not a correct statement... the ESP never goes completely off. It goes into reduced functionality---- basically meaning it no longer plays with retarding power on your engine to keep you from lifting a wheel. The traction control part of the ESP system, however, ALWAYS stays on... even in 4-LO and even though the "ESP off" button is on. Thus the ESP will still put the brakes on a spinning wheel, even in 4-LO. This is per the owners manual and actual experience.

That's nice to know. I guess I should have read the owner's manual closer. IOW, ESP backs the throttle off and applies brakes to the offending wheel. In 4LO, it just does the braking part.

This dang truck is smarter than me! :lol:

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