First- Is the $60k including the purchase of the Jeep? Or is $60k the budget for just the aftermarket build? My Jeep (after purchase price) had a build entry price easily starting at about $60k for 1 ton axles, coilovers and three tube bypass shocks at each corner, new bead lock wheels, 40” tires, and the shop labor. That is also no mods to engine or transmission, all those were left stock. Race seats, harnesses, bolt in cage, and many other upgrades were added over time, but again $60k is just a start for axles, suspension, tires, wheels, labor.
Second- NO Absolutely NO. Stock Rubicon axles will not handle bombing through the desert, at least not for more than one or two outings with your friends.
Three- you need to lower your expectations on keeping up or even staying in radio range with what your friends are running. A $60k budget ain’t gonna be even close to enough money spent on axle, suspension and motor/trans upgrades and/or complete swap out. Basically $60k - $100k in aftermarket build on Jeep will get you a Jeep that will only out do other jeeps or a mostly stock Ford Raptor in desert terrain. If you are really interested in Jeeps as being the Swiss Army knife of daily drivers, you need to be realistic about it being able to go fast in the dirt. And I’m not even talking stock two seater side-by-side fast. What it will cost you to build the Jeep that can begin to touch Polaris RZR speed in whoops, would be easier and cheaper to accomplish buying a trailer that tows the used prerunner you bought off desert racing classifieds.
Here’s a great example of the fastest desert Jeeps currently racing, that are the closest to being street legal (actually with a windshield thrown in, its probably street legal in AZ) The class/series they race in is called JeepSpeed. This class when taking part in SCORE, BITD, KOH races is the last class, or group, to leave the starting line. Way behind even the side-by-sides starting time. Why? Because they are Slooooowwww.
So if you can live with swallowing your pride by having a Jeep that’s fastest amongst Jeeps, take part here on the forum and be willing to learn about what’s practical and realistic.
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