what should my first upgrades be?

[Pookapotamus]

a body lift will just lift the body of the jeep frame it self

Sense; This makes none.

Samm, the hardest part of owning a jeep is getting advice from everybody else that owns one.

Good luck with your jeep and be sure to check out the "Jeep 101" course that the CJA offers in the spring.

Pook

[Joel]

a body lift will just lift the body of the jeep frame it self

Sense; This makes none.

Non-sense, an XJ owner trying to make sense of body lift? 

[Pookapotamus]

I lift my body every time I go over the curb at the mall! 

[Slewfoot]

a body lift will just lift the body of the jeep frame it self, most people do it to clear the tires from rubbing on the body, suspension lift lifts the whole jeep frame but keeps the axles in place

A body lift helps accomplish a few things, and, as part of a complete build can be extremely beneficial.  For example, my 1.25 inch body lift allowed be to lift my gas tank 1 inch, my motor 1 inch and transfercase almost about 3 inches.  I now have about 4 inches more ground clearance under the belly than stock.  The extra inch of belly clearance came from a lower profile transmission mount which allows the skid plate to be mounted about an inch closer to the transfercase than stock.

The body lift was key to all of this and allowed me much better off-road performance while maintaining stock 'street-friendly' suspension performance and ride (the total package was well over $2000.00 though).

Some folks will say a body lift uselessly raises the center of gravity - I haven't noticed any ill effects...actually, it doesn't even feel like the center of gravity has changed at all.

Samm, Pookapotamus is right that the hardest part is getting advice.  Everyone will provide advice from their perspective (ranging from mall-crawler to high-performance off-road ).  Just keep that in mind when going through the advice 

Right now, I feel my jeep is a great balance between on and off road (but it's a Rubicon, so it started with a great off-road advantage).

hps4evr has some really sound advice too:  go wheel it a bit so you can see where the weaknesses and strengths are - join a stocker-friendly run or two.  You might find that your best performance gain is some different tires.
 

[Vinman]

If I were building on the cheap, I would do a 2" Budget boost, run 32"  AT tires on stock rims and call it good.
Less than $200.00 plus tires of your choice.
That setup will look good and take through most of trails around this area and have minimal effect on road manners.

Good luck

[Pookapotamus]

no more Rubigrator Darren???  now who is going to go infront of me so i can get down the trails??

[Slewfoot]

no more Rubigrator Darren???  now who is going to go infront of me so i can get down the trails??

No more Rubigrator  and I haven't been high-centered since!!!!!!!

[samm]

If I were building on the cheap, I would do a 2" Budget boost, run 32"  AT tires on stock rims and call it good.
Less than $200.00 plus tires of your choice.
That setup will look good and take through most of trails around this area and have minimal effect on road manners.

Good luck

Thanks

And thanks everyone else who's posted their 2 cents so far as well!

[new2jeepguy]

yup dont do that cold air intake stuff get a winch   thats no. 1

[Jrama]

If I were building on the cheap, I would do a 2" Budget boost, run 32"  AT tires on stock rims and call it good.
Less than $200.00 plus tires of your choice.
That setup will look good and take through most of trails around this area and have minimal effect on road manners.

Good luck

A  modest body lift is an awesome upgrade, it is ultra cheap clearance, doesn't effect the cog, and makes cleaning and wrenching easier. IMO a 3" and 1.25" body lift is pretty ideal. 2" suspension and 1" body is good too

Winch only becomes a priority when you are going to be using it regularly...I personally wouldn't bother until you start running trails where semi regular winching becomes the norm. oh and as far as winches are concerned  don't cheap out, buy something reasonable, like a good used Warn

Cold air intake.....as everyone else said....money could be better spent

[BUKI]

Darren's lifted... Oh my snuff.  . Can't wait to go wheeling with you now. Honestly. A stock jeep is so much fun, wheel it first that way.  To find obstacles that you can't get passed the first time and then re-attack them later with a lift, tires etc. is an adrenaline rush to say the least. 
Oh and I forgot to mention... Welcome to the addiction.
Personally my first addition was a soft top, and better speakers

[Spinalguy]

We can give you all kinds of ideas but UNTIL you give us your max budget, everything suggested is moot

[Bill]

An '06 TJ is pretty much ready. Just get out there and drive it off road.

The only things to really improve are good tires, air pressure and articulation. But you need to start exploring first. That will help you pick the areas you need to upgrade. Leave the engine alone. Ground clearance, traction and articulation rank way higher on the must do list with any Wrangler.

Oh ya... and a group of guys to go wheelin' with so the best use for your money is... buy beer !!!

[Buzze]

I agree totally with Vinman!! But also, for a daily driver, some charmy armour.  Just some rock sliders/ Stiff running boards and something for the corners. It is  just so much more relaxed if grinding some rocks or corners. Have fun, go crazy as you go ;-).

[RenegadeTJ]

Reading all of the good comments and suggestions before me, there isn't much more to be said at this point in terms of things to do the a TJ.

Personally, I agree with the avoidance of changing anything to do with the motor at this point.   Tires and Suspension are the biggest two items to look at in the future, based upon the type of 4 wheelin' that one choses to do.

However, the first thing that I would like to suggest is to invest in some basic safety / rescue items for the trail.  For example, in my Jeep, I carry the following:   

1. First aid kit
2. Fire Extinguisher
3. Quality Tow strap and some D rings
4. Portable CB Radio
5. 4L jug of drinkable water
6. Good condition spare tire, complete with tire iron, working jack, etc.

-Byron
'05 Jeep TJ Renegade