Top Exterior Accessories For The Jeep Wrangler
Adding aftermarket accessories to a Jeep Wrangler is a right of passage of sorts into the Jeeping world. The Wranglers unmatched off-road capabilities make it well suited for a host of modifications that have the potential to take the Jeep to the next level of performance. Everyone has a different philosophy of what a Jeep needs and the reality is depending on how you intend to use your Jeep will ultimately outline the direction you should take when modding your Jeep. Whether you are turning your Wrangler into a Hardcore rock crawler, full on overland expedition vehicle or just want it to look great driving around town the approach you take will vary. So what we have done is outlined a list of our Top 10 mods that will make every Jeep just a little bit better.
1. Upgraded Aftermarket Tires
Tires are literally where the rubber hits the road in your adventures and no other upgrade will have as much of an immediate impact as adding a set of solid tires to your Jeep. Choosing a tire that is designed for your type of use and the terrain that you plan to encounter is by far the most important part. While there are brands and even certain models of tire like the BF Goodrich K02s that have a cult like following, the thing that matters most is that you really analyze where you will be taking your Jeep and how you plan to off-road to determine which tire is best suited for your needs. If you are looking for recommendations checkout our tire buyers guide for an in-depth breakdown. Keep that size does matter but not in the way you are thinking smaller is often better. If your Jeep is going to spend most of it’s life on pavement with a few off-road trips here and there, adding a massive tire that requires a lift and other upgrades may look good but won’t really give you the best value for your money when it comes to upgrading your Jeep. However if you intend to lift your Jeep, it often makes sense to upgrade from your stock tires when you make that transition to ensure that you are choosing a tire size that will work well with your lift and is designed for the use you have planned. Here are a few of our top favorites!
2. Slight Lift
While the stock Wrangler does look pretty incredible adding a slight lift will not only make it look better, but it will increase performance off-road. The reality is most people do not need a massive 4 or 6 inch lift and the bigger the lift the more complicated things get. But there are a host of aftermarket lifts that look incredible, create a more comfortable ride than stock and will improve clearance and articulation for off-roading. If you are looking for an in-depth breakdown of which lift kits stay tuned for a future article, but for now here are a few of our favorites.
3. Roof Rack
A solid well built roof rack is an awesome addition to any Jeep. The versatility that comes from having a roof rack on your Jeep really sets up a Jeep as launch pad for any adventure. Allowing you to mount bikes, kayaks, paddle boards and much more. Additionally because Wranglers have a fairly small cargo area a roof-rack allows you to easily mount and carry gear in storage boxes on your roof. Utilizing versatile solutions like the Wolfpacks from FrontRunner can really improve cargo capacity. We highly recommend the following racks:
1. Slim Full Rack From Front Runner.
2. Stealth Rack from Gobi.
3. Kargo Master Congo Rack.
4. Smittybilt Exoskeleton.
Read our entire Roof Rack Buyers Guide here
4. Front & Rear Bumpers
Adding a well built set of bumpers truly adds an incredible amount of protection when off-roading. Bumpers often called Bull Bars throughout the globe offer a variety of benefits.
A. Increased Protection: Quality bumpers are built with impact in mind, so they are designed to provide added protection when compared to your factory setup. Often while off-road your bumper is going to be the first thing to touch the ground or scrape against an obstacle, which will keep your rig from being damaged.
B. Increased Mounting Points. Whether you are looking to just add in reinforced tow hooks, or you are looking to winch or mount a light bar, an aftermarket front bumper is going to make your life a lot easier. Not only are most designed to house and protect your winch but they often come with additional mounting points for other accessories.
C. Reinforced Functionality. In a jeep your rear swing out does a lot of work! Not only is it holding a tire that can weigh a lot but it is opened and closed regularly to access the rear cargo area which puts a lot of wear and tear on it. Adding a rear bumper with a rear swing out is not only essential if you add a bigger heavier after marketing tire, but will save your rear door in the long run by taking your spare tire off of it and moving it to the rear swing out.
6. Rock Sliders
Rock sliders are an essential add on for anyone looking to take their Jeep off-road. In fact after upgrading your tires this can be your most useful addition. Stock JKUs are actually very capable off-road however due to the longer wheel base they can get hung up on ledges or drops. Adding Rock sliders keep your rocker panel free from dents and allow you to literally slide over objects that would normally damage your rig. Additionally they can also help with side impacts from debris and rocks in off camber situations. Rock Sliders come in a variety of configurations from very stealth to adding extra features like a side step. Spend some time researching the various offers out there and stay tuned for our upcoming rock sliders buyers guide.
7. Body Armor & Skid Plates
Body armor and skid plates add the extra level of protection your Jeep needs for those really aggressive trails. Skid plates protect your undercarriage from large obstacles and body armor allows you to add an extra level of protection to places like your rear corners and tail lights that will keep your Jeep looking great. Checkout the latest in body armor and skid plates here.
8.Door Steps
These simple easy to install and inexpensive upgrades are life savers if you are running a roof rack or carrier rack on your Jeep. They quickly install directly to your doors hinges so you can step up when accessing your Jeeps roof. Tying anything down on top of a Jeep can be tough but with door steps you can easily access your roof. Checkout pricing on Amazon.
9.Lights
Breaking down which lights your Jeep needs really depends on how you are going to use your Jeep. Upgrading factory bulbs to high quality LED bulbs can be a really smart upgrade for anyone! But what if you want more light? Think about adding an LED light bar or possibly some KC Hi-lights. Over the past few years the LED light bar world has exploded. If you are looking for an in-depth breakdown of light bars checkout out our complete buyers guide. But in summary do your research choose a light bar that comes from a company with a solid reputation and is going to be easy to work with when it comes to customer service and support. If the saying “you get what you pay for” was not way older than light bars it would have been coined during a discussion about light bars. The range in quality is so huge when it comes to light bars that it is essential to do proper research to make sure you do not purchase a dud.
10. Winch
Adding a Winch to your setup is something that should be thoroughly thought through. They can be pricey and depending on the terrain you drive on they can range from being something you absolutely need or an area where your money could be spent better elsewhere. If you love to wheel in snow, sand, or mud regularly then adding a winch is highly recommended. Being able to complete a successful self recovery could be a life or death situation. When picking out a winch make sure to research the reputation of the brand and understand what their warranty is. Additionally you will need to take a few things into consideration.
1. Knowing the loaded weight of your rig is critical. Purchasing a winch that is under-powered for the size of your rig could make it useless, you need to know how much your rig weighs loaded up with gear and people and take into consideration that when stuck in mud the suction on your rig can significantly add to your vehicles weight.
2. Steel vs Synthetic line. The debate hear could go on for a millennia do your research understand the pros and cons and make a purchase based on what you are most comfortable with.
3. Training: We highly suggest getting proper training. Winching can be dangerous and taking a training course will not only keep you safe but build your skill set and confidence for when you need it. Here are a few of the top rated winches on the marketplace.
Honorable Mentions.
Hood Latches
Hi-lift Mounts
Awning
Conclusion
With thousands of accessories you can add to your Jeep narrowing it down can be tough. What do you think of our top exterior accessories? What accessory do you think is most important? What would have you included that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
