While the Wrangler boasts various off-road capable features, these upgrades can help you get more out of your Jeep.
The Jeep Wrangler is among the few American SUVs that tell a patriotic story. It has been around for decades, giving enthusiasts an off-road capable vehicle that can easily conquer any terrain. While modern Wranglers have taken a civilian form, they still take inspiration from the military Willys Jeeps that helped win wars.
All Jeep Wrangler models boast a varying set of off-road capable features. However, you can easily get more out of your Wrangler with just a few upgrades. These upgrades can help improve your overall driving experience and the aesthetic appeal of your Wrangler.
10 Lighting Upgrade
There are many options for lighting up a Jeep Wrangler, including swapping out most of the stock lights for aftermarket options with better style and visibility. Headlights and taillights are among the most common upgrades for a Jeep Wrangler. These mods might vary depending on your Wrangler’s model year. Changing these lights is easier than most people think. It only requires either a Torx bit or a screwdriver and unlatching a few clips.
Additional light upgrade options include cube lights, light bars, and rock lights. These can help add an aggressive look to your Wrangler while improving visibility on the trails. Remember only to use LEDs since they emit more light while drawing less power.
9 Grab Handles
Climbing into the Jeep Wrangler can be daunting for some people, especially if you have a lift. While you can add some running boards for better access, they are often pricier than grab handles. In addition, they can easily get damaged if you plan to take your Wrangler off-road. Grab handles eliminate the struggle of getting in and out of your Jeep Wrangler.
They are affordable, and most aftermarket options offer various styles and colors. You can buy grab handles that complement the interior or add accent colors to the Wrangler. You can also install grab handles at the front and rear for all to enjoy.
8 Lift Kits
Lift kits are among the most popular modifications for Wrangler off-roaders. They are among the pricier upgrades, but they are always worth the cost. A lift kit gives your Jeep Wrangler more ground clearance. This helps you easily conquer the trails or any off-road obstacles. The kit also offers the Wrangler better articulation, giving you more traction and stability during your off-road adventures.
A lift kit also makes it easier for you to add larger wheels to your Wrangler. Choosing the right wheel and tire combinations can make off-roading a breeze. While installing the kit might seem arduous, some kits have easy-to-follow instructions, making it possible to install them in a day.
7 Floor Mats
From the factory, Jeep Wrangler models have floor mats. However, most of these options don’t do much to protect the interior. Whether you’re driving the Jeep on-road or off-road, good, high-quality floor mats can help protect your interior. Most aftermarket options offer more protection while adding some style to the cabin. Consider buying floor mats made of durable plastic, since they’re easier to clean.
You can also choose floor mats with tread patterns to help trap dirt, mud, and water. The advantage of most aftermarket floor mats is that they are available in complete sets. You can also opt to buy floor mats for just the front or rear. If you frequently use the trunk, you can as well look for floor mat sets that include a cargo liner.
6 Soft Top
Soft tops are integral parts of Jeep’s history. They give you the ability to have the top-down for a hair-in-the-wind experience. While hard tops are quieter and offer more security and durability, soft tops give the Wrangler an open-air feel. Nowadays, Jeep offers the soft top as an option for some Wrangler models. However, if you bought the Wrangler with the hardtop, buying a soft top can help you enjoy your Jeep’s full potential.
You never have to be stuck with one top option; you can easily enhance the look of your Jeep. Some aftermarket soft top options have better build quality than most OEM options. These can last for over five years, giving you a lot of value for your money.
5 Aftermarket Bumpers
Swapping out the bumpers is another common upgrade with most Jeep Wrangler owners. Most aftermarket bumpers will give your Wrangler a more aggressive stance, especially when hitting the trails. They also help improve the approach and departure angles, making the Wrangler more fun off-road. Some aftermarket options will also include a slot for a winch, making it easier to fit your recovery gear.
When choosing aftermarket bumpers for your Wrangler, consider the look that you’re going for. For example, there are bumpers that will cover your front end, while stubby bumpers only sit in the center. Finding the right option makes it easier to fit other mods on your Wrangler. Therefore, check the multiple upgrade options that the bumpers offer before making a purchase.
4 Recovery Gear
Whether you plan to use your Wrangler off-road or on-road, it’s always a great idea to upgrade your Jeep’s recovery ability. There are multiple recovery gear options that you can consider for a Wrangler, including adding a winch to your bumper. However, you can also start with simpler recovery items like d-rings, recovery straps, and some gloves.
When choosing the items like the recovery straps, remember that most will have specific weight limits. Getting the right items can help you learn how your Wrangler’s system works before you purchase pricier recovery gear. In addition, you should have the necessary recovery accessories like a heavy-duty jack, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.
3 Rock Sliders
Getting a set of rock sliders is crucial if you plan to use your Wrangler for rock crawling. They help protect your Wrangler while also functioning as steps in and out of your Wrangler. You can also use the rock sliders as a winch recovery point should you roll or flip your Wrangler.
Unlike most upgrades, rock sliders can serve multiple purposes, including protecting the Wrangler from trees or even from other cars, especially those who park closely and swing their doors too hard. The aftermarket scene offers a wide array of rock sliders, helping you find the ones that’ll work best with your Wrangler.
2 Differential Lockers
While some newer Wrangler models have differential lockers, most of the older models don’t. It’s highly advisable to install some aftermarket lockers on your Wrangler if you plan on hitting the trails. Differential lockers help your Wrangler’s wheels to spin identically to each other. This improves traction in low-traction areas.
In case you notice your wheels starting to spin when off-road, hitting the locker button eliminates that immediately. You don’t have to end up stuck in a trail. There are multiple aftermarket options for Jeep Wranglers, including an air locker system that also lets you inflate your tires.
1 Off-road Capable Wheels And Tires
Wheels and tires are among the most popular Jeep Wrangler upgrades. The combination helps your Wrangler look great while impacting handling, ride quality, and your on-road and off-road driving experience. When choosing tires for the Jeep Wrangler, you should always consider how you plan to use the vehicle. For example, off-road tires will give you better traction on the trails.
You can also opt for all-terrain tires, giving you the perfect balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. As for the wheels, there are multiple aftermarket options that will look great on your Wrangler. However, if you’ll frequent the trails, it’s advisable to opt for beadlock wheels. These wheels help secure the tire bead to the wheel regardless of air pressure.
