Hey, no worries, enjoying seeing you catch the bug. I am monitoring QA fixes for a software release tonight so I have time to chat online.
I think those of us that have commented just want you to know whats up before you get in too deep, especially since you have family to think of. Perhaps you have seen the J.E.E.P thing, Just Empty Every Pocket. Not sure of the Toyota line of thinking lol. For me it started when I had RC cars in middle school, I would just pour through the Tower hobbies catalog and RC Car action mags. Then it was guitars, then it was girls. I had big dreams on my Tacoma when I got it. Had kids, derail that. I had the good fortune to have a job I can achieve well at, and be able to get a JKU as my wife likes it too, we didn't want a minivan or another big SUV. Took 2 years to even upgrade the Jeep. Then I found GATR - this club is like moving from toys to TOYS. One day you are looking at pictures in a magazine and then one day you are on a moutainside surrounded by awesome equipment going sideways around boulders.
It is a bit expensive to get into this sport/hobby and we are throwing tens of thousands of dollars of vehicles around in rock parks. The scenery, beautiful views, crazy trails, and awesome rigs everywhere is so cool.
So I would hate for you to have the total dismay of a major body damage issue on an early foray out. I have seen it at least once this year. I would say sliders, tires + lift, armor, lockers, tow points in some order. Don't wheel with thin walled tires or without sliders. The club staff and members can get you in and out of the rest. The first +serious+ advice I got when I asked for it after a ride with GATR was to build the axles. Went to Allsouth, joined CORE, broke out the wallet, am hooked on the upgrade process now cuz I can see how much my vehicle can do with the improvements.
I am actually not very experienced, I have an affordable build ontop of a great platform that can do some good stuff and I've started doing big obstacles at the end of the year at Jeepfest (obstacle course) and GATR fest (much bigger). But the top builds on here can probably double my shock travel and obstacles. I just moved through the new-to-the-sport stages recently so I am closer to your end of the build process in financial decisions, core build steps, than some of the advanced guys. Matt, Doug, Tony, Bobby, Jason and Clark are really experienced in wheeling and mechanic'ing. Its your build, enjoy the sport your way, be safe with your vehicle.