Alright, so I'm in the process of planning a massive adventure with a couple of friends for a Moab trip. Driving from Western NC, to Moab. Wheeling, camping, the whole nine yards. So here is where I need some help... I'm compiling a list of everything that I need before leaving. Keep in mind that this trip is not coming up fast at all. Planned for summer of '16, so I have plenty of time to work. The list includes mostly mods to the ruuner, as well as supplies, gear, recovery, tools, spare parts etc. This is gonna be a huge trip. Bucket lister for sure. Planning on 2-3 weeks total trip time, and hitting every trail that we can. Anything and everything can help. Here's what I've got so far...

Armor:
F/R Bumper
Sliders
Skids (Front, belly, gas tank)

Recovery:
Tree Saver
Tow Strap
Snatch Strap
Winch
D-Rings/Shackles
Hi-lift

Camping:
Sleeping bags
Blankets
Water storage (ideas?)
Axe/Hatchet
Shovel
Matches
Food
Cooler/Fridge (YETI vs. ARB fridge)

Mods
Sleeping/storage platform
Dual Batteries?
Extended diff breather

Tools/Parts
Full Socket/Wrench set
CV axle nut socket
Breaker Bar

Other
CB
Jerry can
Full size spare
Air Compressor
All Fluids
Plugs
Tie Rod Ends
Spare CV (at least one)
Belts

That's all I've got off the top of my head but I would love to hear what you guys have to add. Thanks!

Before you decide on a cooler read some professional reviews. In my research I consistently found Yeti to the lowest performing cooler tested while having one of the highest prices. I personally decided to go with a Pelican, but there are several good options out there.

The other advice I can give that if you are making that long of a trip you are going to have a lot of nights camping. That means a lot of nights setting up and tearing down camp. If you are carrying around all that gear making room in the back to sleep every night may get old pretty quick unless you get pretty organized. I would work on potential setups and try them out for weekend trips and try to get it dialed before your big adventure. Ask yourself "Do I want to deal with this 20ish nights in a row?"

Good luck!

Bare minimum, Front and rear bumper, 33's, sliders, rear locker, d rings, hi lift, and recovery straps.

The "luxuries" would consist of skids, winch, front air locker, air compressor, and all that other junk. Get the bare necessities first. Do all maintanence first. Nothing is worse than having something fail when it was easily replaced, tighten, or fixed before. ask me how i know......

Oh and bring some extra underpants for those moments.

You don't NEED any of that shit. What you need is a week or two of vacation, a 4Runner, and a copy of Charles Wells Guide To Moab. That's all you need. Everything else is negotiable.

After that, you first need to look at your spares box and recovery gear. That's been covered in about fifty different threads, so happy reading, but your list looks ok to me (don't bother with spare spark plugs. Do bother with extra belts). Once that's covered, armor is good - there's another fifty threads to read . Then you can worry about lift and tires and a locker, that's another two hundred threads right there. You'll want an air compressor for sure, and you'll also want a tire repair kit. You absolutely don't need dual batteries, although they can be nice, so put that on the bottom of your list. You don't need a sleeping platform. I would definitely go for a fridge over an overpriced "performance" cooler. Add a couple tarps and some spare poles to your list, because it's nice to have somewhere to go to escape midday sun or a rainy night. Add a portable toilet system to your list, because most dispersed camping areas in the Moab area are starting to require them.

ARC hit your camping arrangements square on the head - unless you've got a cargo trailer or something to carry all your gear, planning on sleeping in the truck for two weeks is a mistake. If its just going to be you, consider a tentcot or hammock. Sets up in thirty seconds, breaks down in a minute. If you'll have a sleeping partner, get a double tentcot or a medium dome tent with comfy air pads or cots (or both). Think simplicity here, and try and spend multiple nights in the same spot - setup and teardown of camp every day is a pain in the butt and eats into your wheeling time.

On the subject of coolers. I bought a 75qt Orca. Which is like a yeti or engle but unlike yeti is made right in Tennesee(yeti is made in the philippeans )It was $290 as opposed to close to $500 for a yeti and I can attest that it will keep your stuff cold for 5 days on regular ice. Haven't tried dry ice yet but I would guess it could go a while on that stuff. Another must have for camping is the trusty cast iron stew pot. It's heavy takes up room, but fill with meat potatoes and veggies add a little water from the creek and seasoning throw it on some hot coals and 3 beers later dinner is served.

That's exactly what I was thinking. You can have a great time in a STOCK 3rd gen. Any tasteful mods on top of that is just going help out. Just don't let new mods make you over confident and get in over your head.

Yeah, I haven't really put that much thought into the cooler. One of my friends said it was the best out there, so I just had it down. Not choosing necessarily a Yeti, but something of the same sorts. A high quality cooler or the fridge.
And for the camping, yeah, the point is to spend the majority of the nights camping out. Setting up the camp every night would be a hassle if i were setting up tents/unorganized, etc. My idea was to make a dual purpose sleeping/storage platform (similar to rickashay's) so all gear would be organized, and I can get some pads or something to lay on for comfort. Already have a roof rack, so things on the platform that won't be effected by rain/etc, can go up top while I sleep.
Definitely going to try a few setups between now and then to see what works and what doesn't. Would suck driving 1700 miles from home and realize your set up sucks! Haha. Thank you for the input!

Front bumper in the works, rear bumper is on the list, I'm running 285's with my current lift, and thinking about adding 1.5" BL and 35's before the trip, so I've got that covered. Stock E-locker, just rebuilt, working on D-Rings, hi-lif is at the house, and I've got most straps, just need a few more!
For the "luxuries" I'm definitely getting skids and sliders, no doubt about it. Mostly because my stock front skid got ripped of, and my gas skid is trashed, and beat up from making it clear the driveshaft. Most likely a winch, for sure air compressor so I can air down and back up as needed. And I've got an almost complete engine tune up planned for the near future, timing belt, water pump, gaskets, belts, plugs, wires, the works. Not gonna risk ANY engine problems that can be fixed with some easy maintenance before hand.
Thanks for the input!

I'll have to look into that book for sure, heard alot of good things about it. I'll look more into the spare parts list, but I think that I should be good with what I've got already, If anything else major happens we've got 2 more vehicles that can make a parts run into town if needed.

I've already done a lift, and I'll probably keep the same set up as I have now, just do some slight adjustments, maybe BL and run 35's, but who knows. And I already have the rear e-locker, like I said above, but I'm not sure if I'll go with an air locker up front or not, just depends of the funds. I think I'll be okay with just the one in the rear. I'll go with a compressor no matter what though. And I hadn't thought of a tire repair kit, very handy to have!

I'm still on the line between a fridge or a cooler, I'll look at reviews and prices and see what better suits my needs. As for the camping I personally want the sleeping platform. Keeps me organized and more storage, and since I have a bad back, (i know 20 is a little young to have back troubles) sleeping on a firm surface with a nice pad on it I can get comfy on, works better for my needs than a hammock, and I'm not big on tents, setup/teardown takes too long and I can never fold them back up right so it just makes a mess. Haha. So I think a sleeping platform will be best suited for my needs, but as ARC suggested, taking some weekend trips will be the decider of what I like best and works for me.
Thanks for the advice!

I haven't heard of that particular brand before. I'll have to look into that for sure. And for the stew pot, that is a fantastic idea. Can't forget this one!

I have no doubt that I could have a great time in a stockker. Because I've done probably more wheeling in mine stock than I should have, (hence the missing front skid. LOL) I've alway been around wheeling my whole life and my dad and I use to talk all the time about this very trip to Moab. My reason of going isn't to a great time. It's to have the best damn time I can possibly have. Haha.
I know the limits of what my vehicle will and will not do, I just want it to be capable enough to do as much as I can, and have the extra mods to be able to be out in my vehicle for 2 weeks.
And again, thanks!

If you decide to do 35's and lock up the front I would bring lots of spare CV's

Toilet paper is essential on any trip. Don't want to be caught without it.

Most important thing to have with you...someone that has been there before and knows the area/trails!

When ever you actually do go, try to find someone on one of the forums you frequent that is local or can go during part of your trip that has been before and is familiar with it all. Alot of the obstacles in Moab are very deceiving, some look downright terrifying yet most rigs will walk right up them if you know the right lines, others look simple but toss people on their lids real quick when they arent paying attention. Having someone that knows the lines and the obstacles will make a huge difference. Also, some of the trails are hard to follow and are in very remote areas, pritchett canyon for example is easy to follow but once you "exit" the trail you are in the middle of nowhere and there are a million different dirt roads that lead everywhere but back to town, you can get turned around real quick, especially in the dark when there are no discernible land marks!

I love Moab, spend ALOT of time there wheeling/camping/dirtbike riding/hiking/etc, if you and your friends are even remotely into the outdoors (which obviously you are) you will have a blast, it is mecca for anything outside, especially wheeling!!

Also, another word of advice, summer is HAWT! We rolled into town at 7pm on Sept 1st for a 5 day camping/wheeling trip this year and it was 97 degrees! Everyone says "it cools down at night in the desert" its still really hot there in the middle of summer! If its possible, April and/or late September are the best times to go (in my opinion).

One more thing, check for big events before you schedule your dates (Easter Jeep Safari/Cruise Moab/NISMO Gathering) when the events are happening, its pretty tough to get on a trail and enjoy it if you aren't a registered member of the event. Just a heads up.

We're heading back for the week of Thanksgiving, but I'm already jealous of your big trip lol!!

Interesting read as i have been wondering the same for a trip up and coming in June. How much farther have you gone on your list?

I'd replace all your screw-pin bow shackles with soft shackles. Not only a weight saver but also they don't become a missile when it fails. Or you could just put your hood up like the Jeep guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

Make absolutely sure your car insurance is paid

So I have been reading up and watching several videos. My question is so I'm not going back in forth. In Moab with the slick rock AND the sand is what should I have my tires at. I figured for the sand to drop pressure, but with the slick rock should my tires be airred up more?