$1000 to make my first set of mods.... what should I do???

http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2223

Check this out for some lift options and cost

What are you going to be doing with the X?

Are you going to wheel it? If so, how hard?

Do you care about on road performance/handling?

Do you care about gas mileage?

I'd love to get into off-roading, but I'd have to find some group around central Pennsylvania (between State College and Williamsport) to do it with.

Gas mileage and on-road performance aren't of great concern. I guess as long as the mpg doesn't go below 10-15 on the highway, I'm cool with it.

Right now I'm looking for ideas. I'd love to start taking it off-road, get it lifted, bigger meatier tires, lights ontop, and debating on getting a bumper/cattleguard as I see some now don't like them once they got them.

Any ideas are helpful and appreciated.

muzikman said:

Recovery Strap (no metal hooks)
Rear recovery point (trailer hitch?)
CB (or FRS radio)
Sliders
Tires
Full Skid plates
Lift
Front Bumper
Rear bumper
On Board Air
Lights (Unless you really do a lot of night wheeling lights are not very useful IMO.)

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Great list although I would get skids before tires unless you plan on wheeling in alot of Mud. The stockers although not great, can be used while armor is installed to protect the underside goodies such as your xfer case, gas tank etc.

In Western PA, tires were the single best improvement I made. It made night and day difference. But as you point out, Western PA is a lot of mud, clay dirt and slick rocks.

the 'smart' buy is always armor...

but you'll enjoy tires alot more...unfortunately a decent set of treads will take a huge bite out of that 1k

Ditto Daystar lift $300? and Shrockworks sliders $400? will make it pretty safe off road. and you will have money left over for the Firestone lifetime alignment. Then you can go on the trail and not worry too much about jacking something major up. MC

usmc xterra said:

Ditto Daystar lift $300? and Shrockworks sliders $400? will make it pretty safe off road. and you will have money left over for the Firestone lifetime alignment. Then you can go on the trail and not worry too much about jacking something major up. MC

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I support MC on this one. Sliders should be your first mod that you do to your truck. I think just about everyone here will agree with that. That is unless you dont have a trailer hitch. You need a recovery point from the rear, and a trailer hitch or new bumper with hitch mount will help alot. Other than that i have to say you are on your own.

If you want bigger tires 285/75/16 will fit with no lift on your truck (~33" tires)
If you want a small lift go with Daystar its a cheap/easy/good lift
If you want lights Hella 500's are pretty good and can be found on e-bay for a decent price (retail price is around $70 a pair)
If you want a sound system, you are on your own (I dont know much about sound)
If you want a portable air compressor, the absolute best choice is the tsunami, which can be found at pepboys for $60 (i think)(dont buy a cheap air compressor and dont buy a really expensive one)
Other than that im not too sure what you can do with $1000

Welcome! I agree with Muzikman. Recovery gear and armor if you plan to wheel, then save for some tires.

Oh yeah, if you want to spend about $250 on a performance mod you could buy a K&N FIPK (fuel injector performance kit). Its easy to install and gives you slighly better horse power, torque, and gas mileage.

Check it out. http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2006

Another vote for armor. If you want to wheel you gotta armor up. My first thousand went to skids and sliders. If you order the skids and sliders now, by the time they arraive you could save up enough money for lights or tires.

Armor, dude. "Don't forget your cup"

Z.