Yo, congrats on the new JL! You're gonna love it in Moab, it is absolutely amazing out there! Since you got a 2k budget, focus on the stuff that actually touches the rocks first. Honestly, the factory diff covers are way too thin for those ledges. I would grab the ARB Differential Cover for Dana 44 M210 M220 immediately for the front and rear. They are super beefy and save your gears from getting smashed!! Next up, you gotta get a winch if you dont already have one. The Warn VR EVO 10-S 10,000lb Winch Synthetic Rope is a fantastic value and fits the stock steel bumper perfectly if you have that package. Between those covers and the winch, you'll feel way more confident dropping off those big steps. Go get it!

To add to the point above, basically protect your rockers!

• LoD Offroad Signature Series Rock Sliders: frame mounted, wont budge
• Rock Krawler Adventure Series Skid Plate System: amazing clearance JLWranglerForums has fantastic guides!

Honestly, reading about your Moab trip reminds me so much of my first time out there with my old wheeling group. We had this guy, Steve, who insisted his rig was indestructible because he spent a fortune on fancy decals and a high-lift jack he didnt even know how to use. He hit one of those nasty ledges on Fins and Things and we all just stood there listening to the metal-on-metal screeching for what felt like an hour. It was a total disaster because nobody brought the right tools to fix a snapped control arm in the dirt and the sun was going down fast.

• Watching him try to use a bungee cord as a temporary fix
• The three-mile hike out just to get cell service
• Paying nearly a grand for a private trail recovery service It really makes you realize how quickly things go south when youre staring at a red rock wall and your pride is on the line. Steve ended up selling that Jeep a month later out of pure frustration, poor guy... definitely a memory I wont forget.