Hey Ted...Left the bumpers on the Goat...Since I drove ( ummm wheeled ) it like I stole it...the dealership deserved the bumpers. Besides they would not tranfer to the CRD so easily and I would have to replace the original bumpers to my trade-in. I figured since I had rolled it off the 15ft embankemnt early on and had many other trail scars ( fixed but still there in my mind ) , it was time to trade for some miles per gallon.
Condo burned down on Halloween Eve so I haven't had time to train for any triathlons...not that bad...have found out I have more free time for other things when you cut out 35 hours a week in workouts.
Can't decide on first mods but I do know that I am not making this into another Ground Breaking RockCrawler...lol. I am going to take my time and build it more as a 4wd trails/camping KJ. I have not decided on lift/tire size/bumper mods but I think I will try some kind of Roof Top Tent
(not the "Hot Tub" monstrosity like yours...

).
Really like the CRD so far and the extra 6 miles per gallon out of the first tank made me happier with my decision. I am looking into a plug-in module to boost performance/fuel mileage right now. Cool thing about the CRD...even tho the engine adds around $1800 to the sticker price...some of that includes the fog lamps, Selec-Trac, 5-speed Auto, Limited Wheels and Tires, ect...so it really only adds ~$800 to the price...a bargain in my book.
Still have the BoulderBars.com Tranny Skid (never installed the new one after destroying the SKID ROW Skid). I also still have the TransferCase Skid in my office so that is a freebee. I need some sliders with a nerf bar...might buy some. I am also thinking of a front hidden hitch for my winch(with a handled carrier) so I can swap from front to rear...or... Might design a bolt on bull bar...looks like I could attach to the Factory Tow Hook location and use the hidden hitch as the third attachment point. Then I think a tray could be built into the bull bar design that would hold the winch. Maybe even make a exoskeleton bar that comes off the bull bar and follows the front fender(outside the fender flairs and connects to the sliders. They could actually be made removeable (notch them like a jig saw puzzle and run some Grade 8 hardware thru them). Then I could tie the two wheel flair hoops together with another removeable hoop across the hood. Just an idea...