Most Bang-for-Your-Buck Off-Road Mods?

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Funny how this thread is about "best bang for your buck off-road mods" and guys fly right past the most important thing that'll get you through and back off the trail, a way to air up your tires after you air down to begin a day of off-roading.

For me, it's my ARB Twin that's mounted under the hood. Followed by a close second or equally important, recovery gear and tools.

Guys going straight to lights which are actually rarely used by most since we mostly wheel during the day. When I've needed my lights at dusk several times, that's not normal, but glad they're there.

Could do none of any wheeling at street pressure and can't get home on 15psi, so, air. Lights are mostly cosmetic and most don't hit hard rock trails requiring skids, etc. Far too many go for the cosmetics first to go for a "look" rather than functional and what you actually need.

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[Baja Bronco]

Radio & navigation. Then, budget willing, lights, skids, tires, etc.

 

[bigblockfox545]

Installing the badlands sway bar disconnect into my black diamond sasquatch. That and tires. Got a flat the first time out with the goodyears.

 

[DoingRaptorThings]

The best bang for the buck is to leverage all of the capabilities your rig already has. Modern Broncos are way, way better than modified rigs from even just a decade ago. You can get by with very little. Most mods add convenience more than capability.

1. Deflate your tires - use a stick or a rock if you don't want to buy a deflator and refill at gas stations if you don't yet have a pump.
2. Use your GOAT modes - They make a world of difference. Know when to use 4L vs 4H. Know when to turn on your lockers - and more importantly, when to turn them off (like when they turn on by default.
3. Disconnect sway bars for better ride and articulation, but leave them connected on steep side hills.

If I could only pick one mod for value, it would be a good recovery rope because there’s no good alternative.

 

[5GENIDN]

Talons Garage transmission skid, absolutely best money I have spent. Zero regrets!

I am glad to here that. I am following your lead and installing mine tonight. Spent a year trying to get one off a raptor and finally gave up. I do have a couple modifications to do to it but I am happy. Appears to be very well made. I am very glad to hear that you think so. and yes I opted for the additional ribs.

 

[Original Bender]

Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 coilovers, SPC upper control arms and RC tie rods and adjustable rear trac bar. Great upgrades for both on & offroad driving.

Do these ride as soft or softer than the fox 3.0 factory offering?

 

[Original Bender]

The best bang for the buck is to leverage all of the capabilities your rig already has. Modern Broncos are way, way better than modified rigs from even just a decade ago. You can get by with very little. Most mods add convenience more than capability.

1. Deflate your tires - use a stick or a rock if you don't want to buy a deflator and refill at gas stations if you don't yet have a pump.
2. Use your GOAT modes - They make a world of difference. Know when to use 4L vs 4H. Know when to turn on your lockers - and more importantly, when to turn them off (like when they turn on by default.
3. Disconnect sway bars for better ride and articulation, but leave them connected on steep side hills.

If I could only pick one mod for value, it would be a good recovery rope because there’s no good alternative.

I put in gas and headed out lol. They are very capable in a base model. This hyper consumerism is wild lol

 

[timhood]

Starting with a Badlands model, I feel like it was already very capable. Most bang for my buck is an air compressor.

 

[timhood]

Funny how this thread is about "best bang for your buck off-road mods" and guys fly right past the most important thing that'll get you through and back off the trail, a way to air up your tires after you air down to begin a day of off-roading.

Great minds think alike. I'm guaranteed to use my air compressor. Anything else? Maybe not. Sometimes probably not. And some things are still in their original package. I won't say which things are still in their original package, so I don't jinx my good luck.

 

[Brian_B]

Talons Garage transmission skid, absolutely best money I have spent. Zero regrets!

Talons is good stuff. Happy with my set

 

[redone17]

Staun Deflators.

 

[White Zombie]

The interesting thing that those that mentioned larger tires are neglecting one thing that larger tires actually require in order to be "EFFECTIVE". Regearing to compensate for the larger tires to get your engine back in the proper powerband.

 

[brkdncr]

A friend to go with you.

 

[jofer]

Best bang for the buck mods for me have been DIY interior things. Replacing the rear seats with a platform for the dog, and adding some straps to the rear windows to hold lightweight odds and ends. The cost wasn't $0, but it wasn't much, and they do exactly what I want them to.

If you have factory skids, they're honestly really good, except for the lack of a transmission skid and perhaps shock mount skids. Don't go replacing factory skids if budget is a concern.

I agree on the air compressor, but while I love the onboard air I installed, the truth is that the portable smittybuilt I was using before that I'd had for ages was fine and way better bang for the buck.

Recovery gear wise, it's hard to beat a shovel in terms of bang for the buck. Not always going to get you out, but will more often than folks realize. A tow strap is a better budget option than a kinetic rope. Don't forget gloves too. I'm a big fan of having a fire extinguisher after a few experiences, and that's cheap as well.

Where I am, extra gas is another key bang for the buck thing. I do have and really like rotopax along with the trailrax side packs and rack, but there are cheaper options. Other folks may not be pushing their range as frequently, though.

You don't need much. There's a lot that's nice to have. I love all of the fancier things too, but the truth is that I'm doing a lot more relatively easy miles in the desert than rock crawling miles. You don't need that much. Especially for a badlands, things are quite capable from the factory.

 

[Bschurr]

When I think best bang for your buck, I think of the items that get used regardless of location, time of day or distance/time covered - so, this is what ALWAYS gets used:
- a (GMRS) radio. I have a Midland hard wired and carry a pair of handheld units.
- air down/up - Staun deflators, ARB twin mounted behind spare tire and proper hoses & connectors.
- OnX - because half the fun is getting out to explore and the other half is getting home

I carry lots of other gear, tools & supplies but, if they never (or rarely) get used and are for the just in case scenario then are they really “a good bang for your buck”?

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