> My budget is around $1,200 for this first round of mods, and I'm trying to keep the weight down to maintain fuel economy.

Sooo since you're hitting PNW rocks, you gotta look at the Primitive Racing Mid-Armor Engine Skid Plate actually. The factory Wilderness plate is okay, but this one is 3/16 inch aluminum—way tougher but super light so it won't kill your MPG, right? Pair that with some LP Aventure Rock Sliders to save your rocker panels. Honestly, lights are cool, but the Baja Designs S1 Amber LED Ditch Light Kit is basically the pro move for cutting through that thick PNW fog. Good luck out there!

oh man, congrats on the 2024 Wilderness! i literally just went through this same process with mine. since ur in the PNW like me, you definitely gotta prioritize protection cuz those trails get rocky fast... basically, for your budget, I would suggest starting with the Subaru Genuine Parts Rear Differential Skid Plate J1010FN010. honestly, its only like 100 bucks and its super easy to bolt on yourself. for the ditch lights, i think the Diode Dynamics SS3 LED Ditch Light Kit for 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is the way to go. it's highkey better than most cheap options and fits your budget perfectly! i was also worried about weight, but these barely affect the mpg at all. maybe also consider some LP Aventure Front Bumper Guard for 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness later if u want more protection? anyway, just make sure to check ur clearance before hitting anything too crazy!! gl out there!

TL;DR from this thread: focus on armor first! Everyone's basically saying skip the fancy stuff and get a diff plate and engine skid cuz PNW rocks are no joke. Honestly, for your $1,200 budget, you gotta check out stuff from brands like LP Aventure or Rival 4x4. Just grab any high-quality aluminum skids from them and you'll save tons of weight while staying protected. Seriously, keeping it light is key for that MPG! 👍

Regarding what #3 said about "TL;DR from this thread: focus on armor first!..."

• I'm gonna politely disagree just a bit based on my first few trips out. The Wilderness actually comes with decent factory protection for most moderate stuff, and honestly, I was way more worried about getting stuck without a way out or messing up my tires. I've been super satisfied focusing on recovery and air management first for peace of mind and reliability. Here is what worked for me while staying under budget:
• I grabbed a Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor. Airing down makes the ride so much smoother and saves your suspension from taking a beating on those PNW washboards. Its a total lifesaver.
• Instead of heavy sliders right away, I got some Maxtrax MKII Recovery Boards. They've saved me once already when I misjudged a muddy patch, and they are way lighter than steel armor so my MPG stayed fine.
• For better visibility without the wiring headache, I used Lamin-X Amber Fog Light Covers. It's a super cheap way to get that amber tint for dust and snow while protecting the lenses from rock chips. Basically, I found that being able to air back up and get myself unstuck made me way more confident than just having extra metal underneath... just my two cents tho!