X2 get the GRB front driveshaft first. The heavy duty green one they sell. It's only 50 bucks more than the normal one. That thing looks solid.

 

Same here, but I'd do front and rear diff guards before the winch. I've seen Disco diffs get bashed in by taking relatively mild hits on easy trails...

 

Well, I was assuming he could drive.
Honestly, if one knows the undercarriage, most damaging rocks can be avoided.

Not saying diff guards aren't a worthwhile option though.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I've decided to first get the heavy duty front drive shaft from GBR. I should be able to swing it in a couple of weeks.

I'll replace the drive shaft and do the door lock actuators at the same time.

Now...for mod #2: I recently managed to gash the sidewall of one of the new tires that came on the rig. They are stock height and more suited for on-road driving than off-road. I need some tires with grip and plies, as my wheelin' will be done on very sharp basalt rock. This presents a quandry as I don't really want to spend $200 on a single replacement tire when that money could get me one of the five new tires I'll need for off-roading (after I install a lift kit). Now I'm wondering if I should just run the spare (although the same size as my tires, it is a different make) until I get up the funds for the lift kit and new tires.

I'm also considering replacing the bum tire and going with a CDL (also from GBR).

 

Good job on the front drive shaft. Are you a gambling man? If you are, put on the spare and pray you don't roll craps; both figuratively and literally

In contrast to ylo's excellent quote, this is the "cheapest" and quite honestly, very easy to activate CDL lever: 10 mm open end wrench

To activate your CDL (you have it, but the truck did not leave the factory with an in-cabin activation)...Crawl under the driver's side of your truck head first with the wrench and a towel to protect your forearm from getting burned on the exhaust...follow your front drive shaft to the TC, the infamous "nipple" is an inch or two off center from the drive shaft going towards the driver's side...use your 10 mm wrench and turn the nut at the bottom of the nipple clock-wise about ~45 degrees, you will hear and feel a slight "tink"...opposite to deactivate.

 

I'll bite. Please explain.

 

Hey Emperor_MA...sorry, I didn't mean to confuse, I just meant that a spare tire is great until you need it in two different places on your truck at the same time!

IMO, put on the spare, save the cash and pray you don't get another gash/flat tire on your 4 remaining tires.

 

Righteous, bro. Gracias.

The tire that's gashed still holds air and can certainly serve as a spare. I have no doubt it could limp me home in a pinch...maybe even in an off-road scenario. I just don't particularly care to run tires with gashed sidewalls on a freeway for any length of time. Something about a blowout at 73 MPH that doesn't sit so well with me......

I shoulda been more specific, as well.