You choose for yourself what you need and what you dont, no need to listen to shop who sells all as they will sell you all mods for cost of ur wrangler by brainwashing you easily.
2.5 inch pro comp lift kit
(Only for desert, on road for daily use you might hate it as ur jeep will be more tipsy on turns).
Aev jk front winch bumber
(only for desert and then RTA might not pass ur car in next passing as metal bumper not allowed any more).
Pocket fender flare for jk
(Its just cosmetic stuff, no practical use)
3.6 afe air intake filter
(This might be useful for slightly better acceleration for road and desert, careful in not buying the one that makes noise then you will have issues with sharjah police)
Rugged ridg black rims 17" with machined lip
(Will make jeep more heavy and kill engine in desert more, but it might looks good)
Cooper stt 33x12.5R17
(Will make jeep more heavy and kill engine in desert more, but it might looks good)
And want to change the deffrentional raio to 4.56
(This is good mod to gain some power to neutralize the extra weight you are putting, but it will void the warranty for sure).
If time was like before then getting headers and exhaust would have been best bet, but now noisy vehicle is big trouble.
If i am in your place i will choose myself that what i want more and go that route. I think your friend is right mate.