Im looking to deck out my Defender for some weekend trails around Colorado. I saw a ton of people recommending full steel winches online but that feels like overkill for my budget of around 2k and light rocky terrain usage. Still kinda confused if I really need a snorkel or if thats just for show?
What are the essentials I should prioritize?
Honestly, if you are doing trails around Colorado, skip the snorkel. Unless you are planning on crossing some deep rivers, it is basically just for looks and ends up creating a bit of wind noise on the highway anyway. Since you want to keep it a comfortable daily driver, focus your budget on protection and recovery instead of heavy steel upgrades. I personally went with the ARB Skid Plate 5433010 Aluminum for my setup. It is lightweight enough that it doesn't kill my gas mileage, but it has saved my oil pan more times than I can count on those jagged mountain rocks. For recovery, I suggest grabbing a set of Maxtrax MKII Recovery Boards instead of a winch. They fit easily in the back, dont make any noise when you are driving to work, and they work incredibly well when you get stuck in that nasty Colorado mud. I have used mine a dozen times and have been really happy with how easy they are to use solo. You should also grab a quality compressor like the ARB High Output Portable Compressor CKMTP12 so you can air down your tires properly; that makes a massive difference in traction and ride comfort on the trails compared to just running full pressure. Keeps the ride smooth and saves your suspension from taking such a beating.
TL;DR: Skip the snorkel, grab a solid recovery kit and some aggressive tires. In my experience, you dont need a massive steel winch for CO trails. I run BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 265/65R18 on my rig; they are quiet on pavement but bite hard in the rocks. Spend the rest on a good traction board set and a portable compressor. Trust me, thats plenty for weekend mud.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.