Which comes first: suspension & tires *or* armor?

[DuneCruiser21]

Apologies in advance if there's a consolidated thread on this topic somewhere. If there is it's been beyond my ability to weed through all of the great information here and find it. If there isn't -- I think it's kinda scattered about the site -- maybe this can lead to one...

First, I've already invested in the relatively inexpensive basics -- good recovery straps, a hitch-mounted recovery shackle, Hi Lift jack, portable compressor, heavy-duty come-along (a real winch is way down the priority list), etc.

Thanks to all the great info. on this site, I'm off to a good start, I think.

That said, beyond the stuff I can throw in the back of my truck when heading off-road I'm essentially running a stock rig right now. Even so, on my first real trail run this past weekend my stock FJC did just fine; if not great! [BTW -- "yes"; I do in fact know the Steelcraft brush guard on my rig offers little in the way of "real" protection. It was installed by the previous owner. But honestly, I like it, even if it is more bling than armor.]

The only thing I was a bit uncomfortable with was the number of times my (factory) rock rails and skid plate(s) got kissed by some of the rocks and limbs on a stock/beginner's trail. (It was an organized run with a local group.)

I definitely plan to do more wheeling, but my FJC is also my every-day ride. Therefore, I plan to stick to easy/moderate stuff for now and there's no need to turn my truck into a trail-eating beast, yet.


And so, with that background, my $64k question is: Which comes first...

a) Off-road suspension and tires? Note: I'm not even sure I can afford suspension & tires at the same time, so of the two, which should I do first?

or

b) All the recommended "under-armor" I'm reading about? Here again, I may not even be able to afford all of it at the same time so in what order should I try to protect things?

Based on what I've read on these topics I suspect I should start with better / bigger tires that do not require "lift" (but they in turn will provide a little tiny bit of lift) and some armor for some of the more critical / exposed components under the truck.

But I figured I'd ask the experts.

Thanks in advance,

[Layonnn]

Depends on the trails you are riding. Mud, sand, dirt hills and such, Tires and lift first

Rocks, small rocks, big rocks, sharp rocks, then maybe armor is a better choice. I have only the factory skids and they have held up fine. With proper lines you can avoid most damage to the undercarriage. But, terrains are highly variable and slipping happens often and you end up where you didn't want to be.

[stevemacfarlane]

If you drive this around town more than off road (most of us), consider real bumpers (steel, not stock plastic) near the top of the list. The bumpers also have numerous off road advantages.

[MrBigAxe]

Here is my order of things... I'm nowhere near the end of this list:
cheap rock rails
quality lift
tires and wheels
roof rack
front bumper and winch
rear bumper
skids
better rock rails
swingout

[Layonnn]

MrBigAxe previously said:

Here is my order of things... I'm nowhere near the end of this list:
cheap rock rails
quality lift
tires and wheels
roof rack
front bumper and winch
rear bumper
skids
better rock rails
swingout

You have a swing out what? Tire carrier???

[amaintaylor]

Yes, Yes, and Yes. In that order.

[MrBigAxe]

layonnn previously said:

You have a swing out what? Tire carrier???

Not yet... I'm nowhere near that point yet... I want the Demello swingout tire carrier.

[GONWHLN]

there is a thread named ( I think, moderators help me out here)"the first $2000" here that gives a great point of view for first time mods. I myself chose to get the lift and tires first.( still waiting to install, in a couple weeks) LAYONNN has a great point about the proper lines with the stock skids. I'm in the southeast and mainly hit up tight trails with all kinds of terrain. Next for me are the skids, then bumpers and winch. Sounds like you are off to the right start with the recovery gear, definetly a must. Good luck, hope you find what you're looking for.

[timbo2]

amaintaylor previously said:

Yes, Yes, and Yes. In that order.

What he said x 2!

[DuneCruiser21]

layonnn previously said:

Depends on the trails you are riding. Mud, sand, dirt hills and such, Tires and lift first

Rocks, small rocks, big rocks, sharp rocks, then maybe armor is a better choice. I have only the factory skids and they have held up fine. With proper lines you can avoid most damage to the under carriage. But, terrains are highly variable and slipping happens often and you end up where you didn't want to be.

Thanks. Some additional background...

1) I am a newbie. I've learned the basic concept of choosing the tallest obstacles in my path and driving the tires, rather than the undercarriage, over them, when possible. But that's the extent of my "choosing the proper line" experience so far. This past run was my first, not counting beach driving.

2) I'm wheeling in New England. Rocks, mud, water, water with submerged rocks, rocks, downed limbs, and rocks come with the territory. I also drive the beaches and dunes on Cape Cod in the summer.

But again, it was the thumps and screeches coming from the underbelly that I heard this past weekend (and the fact my tires have 40k miles on them - time to retire them soon) that got me thinking about this.

3) I am a newbie.

4) There are a lot of rocks around here.

5) I am new to this hobby.

You get the idea.

Finally, 90% of the time I'll be driving on roads and highways; the other 10% will be wheeling.

Does that help clarify?