Most guys want to build the world's most killer rig for pennies scraped together from between the couch cushions. In real life that just doesn't happen. If you want real, quality parts you have to dole out some real, quality cash. But you don't always have to part with as much of it as you think. Here are some of the screamingest deals around.
That's right. It's technically possible to grab a high-pinion Dana 60 with your choice of ratio, Ford Explorer discs with integral parking brakes, 35-spline shafts, dual 4.5x5 and 5.5x5 lug patterns, a 1310 yoke, an open diff, and your choice of gear ratios for under $3,000. Can't weld on your own spring perches and shock mounts? How's about a Trail Series with a Detroit Locker and YJ perches and brackets for $3,294? Even the most expensive Trail Series axle, with TJ brackets and an ARB Air Locker is under $4,000. For an axle that is virtually indestructible, that's the definition of a deal to us.
Contact: Dynatrac, 714/596-4461, www.dynatrac.com.
Actually, Rough Country's 3-inch lift for '84-'01 XJs lists for only $235 on the company's Web site, but we'd strongly advise purchasing the optional longer front and rear brake lines for $59.95 and $29.95, respectively. The suspension kit includes new front coils, a rear add-a-leaf for the rear springs, and four Heckethorn 8000 series shocks. You'll be able to fit 31s cleanly under your fenders for just a little cash outlay.
Contact: Rough Country, 800/222-7023, www.roughcountry.com.
At under $40 apiece, the 15x8 Black Mountain wheel from Collins Bros. Jeep is nearly half the cost of most other black steel wheels with similar styling. The Black Mountain wheel we found has a 5x4.5-inch bolt pattern for Wranglers, XJs, and ZJs. For around the same price as one fancy aluminum wheel, you can outfit your Jeep with four durable steelies. If you ever dent one off-road, just smack it back into shape with a hammer.
Contact: Collins Brothers Jeep, 800/699-5337, www.collinsbrosjeep.com.
For not much more than one of those "made in China" winches, the Superwinch EP 9.0 gets you a lot for your hard-earned cash. First, it doesn't feel flimsy or thrown together like most of the cheapie winches on the market. The T-handle engages and disengages the winch crisply. It comes with 100 feet of 21/64-inch cable, a roller fairlead, eight feet of two-gauge power leads, and even includes a hook leash and a 20,000-pound snatch block. The motor is a 4.6hp unit that, combined with the winch's 156:1 gear reduction, gives a rated line pull of 9,000 pounds.
Contact: Superwinch, 860/928-7787, www.superwinch.com.
A good rollcage has fast become a necessity in this day and age of extreme wheeling. Even trails considered boring today are pretty extreme by the standards of the '40s, '50s, '60s, and '70s when mustached men tooled around in open-top Jeeps without seatbelts, rollcages, or a long life expectancy. To us, Poison Spyder Customs' weld-in Trail Cage offers a huge increase in protection for a minimum of cash. Even if you can't weld, the 0.120-wall, 13/4-inch tubing comes precut and notched for a perfect fit. Heck, your local muffler shop could weld it in for you. In terms of increasing the effectiveness and safety of your Jeep by building off the stock rear hoop, we don't think you can touch it.
Contact: Poison Spyder Customs, 303/777-4820, www.spydercustoms.com.