All of my hardcore wheeling is done in my 82' CJ-5. My 2 cent's worth: Loose the light bar. When the lights are on and the windshield is dusty, you can't see out the front! The dust/dirt refelects the light and effectivly blocks your view! Unless, the front edge of the lights are mounted back away from the front edge of the windsheild.
"been there, done that" Also, this will save you from drilling a large hole in the windsheild upright for the light wiring.(should you not like the light bar.)Also, the bar sticks up above the windsheild from 4 to 8 inches. I've been in places that would have removed the light bar!rocks, trees, (rolling over,! Lights then become least of your worries)
Yeah, one could put the windsheild down, but what good are the lights then!
I find it better to mount the lights at or below your eye level say on the windsheild hindge's or front bumper. I mounted a 150w KC wannabe to each fender, giving my CJ eyeballs ! The light they produce, and the area illumanated is plenty good enough!
Hood scoop. Is it going to be functional? meaning allow air to enter the engin compartment. If so, other things can enter! You mentioned crossing creeks. Hummmmm. Water enerting on top of the motor. Doesn't sound to good to me. The hood will prevent water from comming over the top, (the fan will splash water everywhere, if the water is deep enough) but for the most part will prevent swamping. Unless there's a big hole there.
Otherwise, a hood scoop won't make the vehicle any more capable off road. It may look kool, but I'd save the coin, and instead concentrate on maybe lockers, or a full cage roll bar (if not already installed)
The side steps? Do you have a girlfriend/wife that can't climb? Dependng on the level of rocks you plan on crunching,(say the Rubicon, here in CA.) the steps will only act as anchore's Hanging up at the most inopertune times. Again, maybe look at rocker panel guards instead. These will save the rocker panels, allow the vehicle to slip off rocks, and some guards may have a step built in. (on top) Above everything, the motor & driveline should be sound!
I've had my CJ-5 since 1982, and have added , crunched, smacked, dented and removed lots of aftermarket goodies. A light bar being one of them. I now have matching 3/4" holes on either side of the windsheild, covered up with black electrical tape.(rain gutter metal on one side, crunched in from a tree!)I removed the light bar shortly after using it for the first time while wheeling in a state vehicle park (Hollister Hills) My wife (the jeep) has: 4:10's 33" BFG MT's, on board welder, on board air (motor driven) had a hot water heater for showering, but broke it wheeling, pwr lok up front and ARB in back, T-18/granny, and a fuel injected, newly rebuilt 6cyl, full cage rollbar, amateur radios, 4" susp. 2" body lift. She's rock ready.
Oh yeah, my rocker panels are protected with 1/4" angle. 40lbs each side!
Good luck with your build-up...
Troy
