Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Buying first Jeep on Friday! Lots of questions

Stuck_in_Snow

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Oct 6, 2025
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Montana
2015 Jeep unlimited Rubicon.
It has 100k miles, what is my first step once i get it?
I want to get an aggressive looking front bumper but have zero mechanical skills, are they bolt and go?
How do i pair fenders with front bumper is it just how i want it to look or does one tie into the other?
If i change fenders do i need to buy the inner fender liners?
Im only worried about snow and getting through drifts and unplowed back roads, any advice? Chains? Snow socks? Will be getting 3 peek rated snow tires.
Amber light bar for winter white outs?
Tools i have duct tape and a random flame thrower.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, as I'm new to this any and all information is welcome and valued.
 
2015 Jeep unlimited Rubicon.
It has 100k miles, what is my first step once i get it?
I want to get an aggressive looking front bumper but have zero mechanical skills, are they bolt and go?
How do i pair fenders with front bumper is it just how i want it to look or does one tie into the other?
If i change fenders do i need to buy the inner fender liners?
Im only worried about snow and getting through drifts and unplowed back roads, any advice? Chains? Snow socks? Will be getting 3 peek rated snow tires.
Amber light bar for winter white outs?
Tools i have duct tape and a random flame thrower.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, as I'm new to this any and all information is welcome and valued.



My Aftermarket bumpers were bolted on just like the Factory ones.

Having lockers in the front and rear would be the best for snow, but if you have a auto trans not sure you can have them.
 
First off, had you had a mechanic go over it to make sure that it's in good working order?

As far as bumpers go, as long as you're not doing anything gucci like dehorning your front end, front and back are both bolt on and should be 15 minute jobs at most.

Some JK bumpers are made to look aesthetic with the stock style fenders. Usually though it's just put on what you want. You don't really even need inner fenders, in my opinion.

How bad will the snow be? Having driven through blizzards before, I found a set of Falken Wildpeaks to be perfect. I also have a winch and recovery gear, though.

An amber bar should not be an issue to install at all.
 
My Aftermarket bumpers were bolted on just like the Factory ones.

Having lockers in the front and rear would be the best for snow, but if you have a auto trans not sure you can have them.

Unless you're talking about wheeling through DEEP snow, lockers are generally considered the worst option for driving in the snow... Heck I'd rather have a spool in the back (vs an auto locker) for snow covered and potentially ice laden roads.
 
A lot of what you're intending seems more about personal preference, so take this advice with a grain of salt...

There are a lot of nice aftermarket bumpers that I wouldn't classify as "aggressive", though we may have different definitions of what "aggressive" means in regards to bumpers. Unless you're adding large tires, a lift, etc., one of the common full width bumpers add functionality and styling. The 10th Anniversary Bumpers look excellent and fit the form and finish of a relatively stock JKU nicely. Find them here: https://www.quadratec.com/products/...p5QhK0fO2cY0CzsFFjsOtEh_mi-25RAAaAiPWEALw_wcB

The ARB bumpers are also quite nice: https://www.quadratec.com/products/12000_120X_PG.htm

As are the AEV bumpers: https://www.quadratec.com/p/aev/ex-front-bumper-wrangler-jk-full-width-12301400aa

The above are all top quality brands built to last. You can save a bunch of money by going with something like Quadratec's "house brand" bumpers (https://www.quadratec.com/categories/jeep-bumpers/front-bumpers/front-full-width-bumpers/?f[0]=sm_field_brand:taxonomy_term:13) but I would suggest you stay away from no-name/Amazon/eBay specials.

By fenders, I assume you're referring to fender flares and not new fenders. Again, as with the above, unless you are adding bigger tires, the OEM flares add a lot of nice coverage with OEM quality. You can go with aftermarket "flat" flares, but you'll look funny with OEM sized tires, and you may not get as good of protection from snow/mud spray.

Note that many flares require you to cut and modify your OEM inner flare, you use an aftermarket option (usually made of aluminum). Personally, unless it is a dedicated trail rig, or you lived and wheeled in the southwest desert, I would run inner fenders. The really do help keep a lot of gunk and road debris off sensitive areas.

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As someone with a lot of experience with snow and winter driving, I'll say that the tires that are good for snowy and ice covered roads are the worst ones for driving through deep snow and large drifts. The opposite is also the case. If your usage mostly entails on-road driving, a set of Blizzaks are hard to beat. If you're romping through deep snow and fields, a good set of M/T tires is hard to beat. Somewhere in the middle are A/T tires, most commonly the ones with 3-Peak Ratings. Like everything, there are compromises and trade offs.

Note that similar to tire differences and their best application, traction aids that are helpful in something like deep snow (e.g. a locker), are potentially problematic for on-road driving. If you plan to do both, you may want to consider a selectable locker (regardless of tire size). A LSD rear and selectable front are notoriously reliable and predictable for winter road and deep snow driving.

Amber bulbs are a preference for the most part. I had them for quite some time and they worked well enough, The most important factory in visibility for me was getting them as low as possible. Getting the highest angle of incidence is what helps prevent glare and the "light speed" effect of heavy snow. I used the yellow bulbs up top as more of a warning light system when parked or working through dark back roads where I didn't want to disturb people or animals.
 
As someone with a lot of experience with snow and winter driving, I'll say that the tires that are good for snowy and ice covered roads are the worst ones for driving through deep snow and large drifts. The opposite is also the case. If your usage mostly entails on-road driving, a set of Blizzaks are hard to beat. If you're romping through deep snow and fields, a good set of M/T tires is hard to beat. Somewhere in the middle are A/T tires, most commonly the ones with 3-Peak Ratings. Like everything, there are compromises and trade offs.
Totally agree. Hard to beat a good A/T as an all around tire choice unless you want multiple wheelsets.

Note that similar to tire differences and their best application, traction aids that are helpful in something like deep snow (e.g. a locker), are potentially problematic for on-road driving. If you plan to do both, you may want to consider a selectable locker (regardless of tire size). A LSD rear and selectable front are notoriously reliable and predictable for winter road and deep snow driving.
Especially with the advent of traction control. Some feel it's a "nanny" but for typical winter driving paired with an LSD in the rear it does a great job of keeping the vehicle out of trouble. Easy to get sideways on a short wheelbase w/o the electronics.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators