Coming back to this, not to disagree with the previous guys, but I'd actually suggest a different approach before you drop thousands on heavy steel. While armor is great, it adds a lot of weight and might be overkill if you're just starting on 'moderate' paths. I've seen so many people buy every bash plate in the catalog then realize they dont have a way to air back up or get unstuck from a simple mud hole!! If you're watching your budget and want the best 'bang for your buck' to actually go wheeling, here is what I would consider: 1. **Recovery Boards vs. Winch**: A winch is crazy expensive and usually needs a new bumper or cradle. I'd start with MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards. They are much cheaper, easier to use, and honestly get you out of 90% of situations without the complexity.
2. **Air Management**: You HAVE to air down for rocky trails for traction and to protect those expensive tires. Instead of wheels first, grab a ARB CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor. It's super reliable and a solid long-term investment for any rig.
3. **Solid Recovery Point**: The stock loops can be a bit sketchy for heavy kinetic pulls. I'd suggest a Factor 55 HitchLink 2.0. It slides right into your receiver and is way more cost-effective than replacing the whole rear recovery assembly right away. Basically, focus on the tools that let you handle the terrain first. Armor is nice insurance, but being able to air down and recover yourself is what actually makes the L663 perform off-road imo. Just my two cents... gl with the new rig!

In my years wheeling, I would suggest Lucky8 L663 Rock Sliders over OEM cuz they're way tougher. For protection, Land Rover Front Undershield VPLEP0436 is okay, but Lucky8 Front Bash Plate covers more stuff. Also, be careful with 20 inch wheels; Tuffant 18 inch Alloy Wheels are a must. Basically, dont rely on OEM for real trails. Best choice? Lucky8 armor. gl!

I went through this last year.
> What were the first three upgrades you made that were truly worth the investment? Dude, I feel u. I was so paranoid about the sensors or getting stuck in deep mud without a way out when I first got mine. My first real trail run was a total wake-up call—I realized pretty quick that even with the air suspension, having a solid recovery setup is *crucial*. I looked into a hidden winch mount cuz I didnt want to ruin the front-end look. Basically, just go with any winch from Warn, you really cant go wrong there. Also, I realized fast that airing down is life, so I installed an onboard compressor. I just went with a setup from ARB and tucked it away. It made the whole trip sooo much less stressful than hunting for a gas station later. Just be careful with the wiring, it gets pretty complex on these new rigs! peace.