Those who own a Jeep are afforded the unique ability to customize their vehicles in virtually any manner that they see fit. By nature, Jeep owners are often a passionate bunch, which is outwardly reflected by the subsequent modifications made to their beloved weekend cruisers and off-road trail warriors. In more ways than one, a Jeep embodies the very character of its owner.
Of the numerous Jeep models past and present, few are as often customized as the Wrangler. The number of aftermarket parts and accessories available for the Jeep Wrangler are vast, and one can easily spend an entire afternoon hunting down those which offer the exact style and functionality that they desire. The level to which a Wrangler can be customized is truly only limited by the extent of one's imagination and the depth of their wallet.
Whether you own a Jeep Wrangler JK, Wrangler TJ, or a Wrangler JL, any possible Jeep accessory which you could dream of is no further away than a click of the mouse. Sorting through this endless sea of accessories can be mesmerizing, and more often than not is the jumping-off point of a Wrangler owner's journey into off-road expression.
The following are some of the most notable options for customizing a Jeep Wrangler in 2020.
Product Categories
For the sake of simplicity, the bulk of Jeep accessories can be consolidated into several categories. Each category represents a certain type of aftermarket upgrade that offers its own distinct value to consumers.
Winches
If you have ever found yourself in the clutches of desperation at the hands of a misadventure along the trail, you are probably well aware of the value that a winch offers. If you have not, this is a lesson that is inevitably learned at one point or another by all off-roaders. The use of a heavy-duty winch is the single biggest lifeline for all who love nothing more than to venture far from the pavement.
Both electric and hydraulic winches are available for Wranglers of every year model. These winches come in a number of size ratings and load capacities, presenting options for all who call the path less traveled home. Additionally, consumers can select between winches that feature steel cable or synthetic rope to cater to the circumstances that one might encounter.
Lift Kits
A lifted Jeep not only exudes a healthy dose of aesthetic appeal but also offers its driver numerous operational advantages when navigating across rugged terrain. One byproduct of the installation of a lift kit is the increase in ground clearance which is gained. This can be invaluable when crawling across rocks or churning your way through 3-foot deep mud.
Lift kits come in numerous sizes and compositions, ranging from subtle body lifts to sizable suspension lifts. The installation of more pronounced suspension lifts can remedy most any of the fitment issues that are commonly associated with the installation of aftermarket wheels and tires. Such a lift creates extra space within a Jeep’s wheel well, making a simple proposition out of installing even the most substantial of mudders.
Light Bars
Whether you intend to navigate trails day and night or just wish to keep a watchful eye on deer and other wildlife when cruising rural roads after sundown, an LED light bar is a worthwhile addition to any Jeep Wrangler. Light bars come in a nearly infinite number of configurations and lumen ratings, offering something for every consumer. High-end LED lighting is capable of illuminating even the darkest of mountain passes and secluded gorges with ease, providing those operating under the cover of darkness with the ultimate peace of mind.
Many of today’s light bars come complete with integrated operational interfaces, which allow users to easily toggle through a number of settings at a moment's notice. Additionally, light bars are available at virtually any price point, making them an excellent choice for those wishing to wet their feet in the world of Jeep Wrangler customization.
Headlights and Taillights
Aside from, or in conjunction with, the installation of a light bar, Jeep owners can also upgrade their Wrangler’s stock headlights and tail lights. In the world of aftermarket Jeep headlights and tail lights, LED offerings reign supreme. Lights of this nature allow you to see and be seen from great distances, bolstering safety and helping to light the way when darkness falls on your next trail ride.
Aftermarket headlights and tail lights are available in a number of different styles and many feature enhanced levels of operator control, wherein a Jeep owner can easily toggle between numerous brightness settings. In recent years, headlights that feature collared halos have also become quite popular, and an abundance of such offerings can be located for purchase.
Skid Plates
Your new Jeep is an investment, and it should be treated as such. As with any investment, it should be protected at all costs, and few aftermarket upgrades accomplish this quite as efficiently as that of a custom skid plate. Skid plates bolt to the undercarriage of your Jeep, providing a significant amount of protection against trail debris and jagged boulders, which can easily puncture an engine oil or transmission pan.
While it is true that most Jeeps come outfitted with a skid plate from the factory, stock plates are not rated to survive the abuses rendered by a life spent on the trail. The bulk of aftermarket skid plates are substantially thicker and more robust than stock skid plates, thereby offering an enhanced level of protection.
Tires and Wheels
If you were to look at any custom Jeep Wrangler, your attention would most likely be initially drawn toward the aesthetic appeal of its aftermarket wheels and tires. The installation of a set of custom wheels and duty-specific tires is one of the simplest ways to add personality to your Jeep Wrangler. Although such an upgrade can be quite pricey, its benefits span far beyond that of simply making your Jeep look the part.
Aftermarket wheels and tires come in a broad range of sizes, affording Jeep owners the opportunity to transfer power and torque to the trail in a more efficient manner. In fact, many within the off-roading community consider it a must to outfit their Jeeps with mudders or other off-road tires. The installation of an aftermarket set of wheels and tires is also the perfect way to compliment a newly installed lift kit.
Aftermarket Bumpers
Few upgrades can add a stylish yet aggressive feel to your Jeep Wrangler quite as quickly as that of aftermarket bumpers. A wealth of both front bumpers and rear bumpers are available for purchase on today’s market and many offer additional points of value, such as D-rings, bull bars, and brush guards. If you want to make your Jeep Wrangler look and perform like a tank, this is nothing short of an essential upgrade.
Aside from adding a significant amount of cosmetic appeal to any Wrangler, the installation of aftermarket bumpers are also added insurance against the unforeseen along the trail. When navigation becomes difficult and treacherous terrain sends you barreling into a grove of cedar trees, a robust custom bumper can be the only thing standing between continued travels and a busted radiator.
Fender Flares
Aftermarket fender flares are dual purpose in nature. If your Wrangler has already been outfitted with custom bumpers, there is little that will round out an aggressive look in the same manner as the addition of a quality set of fender flares. However, did you know that fender flares can also protect your Jeep and aid in aftermarket tire fitment?
Fender flares typically protrude outward at an angle that essentially extends the depth of a Jeep’s wheel well. This often becomes a necessity for the accommodation of tires that feature a more substantial width than those of stock sizes. Additionally, fender flares can protect your tires and wheel wells from flying debris such as rocks and gravel, while simultaneously preventing mud from caking up in the same areas.
Tube Doors
If you are the adventurous type who likes to see what the trail throws your way from every angle, a set of tube doors for your Jeep Wrangler might end up being a purchase worth making. Tube doors play off of the “no-door” look of the past, where many Wrangler enthusiasts removed their doors when cruising or trail riding during the fair weather months throughout the spring, summer, and early fall.
Today, Jeep Wrangler owners can still experience the open-air feel of cruising down the road in the absence of traditional doors, while providing a buffer between themselves and nearby traffic or obstacles found along the trail. Tube doors are minimalistic in nature but serve as a viable option to secure yourself within the safe confines of your Jeep.
Hitches
While a Jeep Wrangler is seen by many as a means of off-road expression, at the end of the day, we all have to put in our fair share of work in order to make it to the weekend. This is where the installation of a quality hitch pays dividends. With a robust hitch and a small utility trailer, a Wrangler becomes the perfect work vehicle. As an added benefit, a hitch can also be used to pull a trailer loaded down with dirt bikes or quads in order to facilitate a multi-faceted off-road excursion.
Hitches are offered in a number of configurations, and many custom models offer a level of compatibility with aftermarket bumpers and various other rear-facing accessories. Low profile hitches are also available, which present the added benefit of retaining additional ground clearance when the trail ahead grows treacherous.
Tire Carriers
One of the most overlooked of all aftermarket Jeep Wrangler accessories is that of a spare tire carrier. While most Wranglers come outfitted with spare tire carriers from the factory, stock carriers are not intended for use with oversized or custom wheels. In many cases, Jeep owners fit their vehicles with custom tires, only to find that they lack sufficient clearance to stow an identical spare on their stock tire carrier.
Luckily, this conundrum can be easily remedied with the purchase of an aftermarket tire carrier. These products come in many sizes and configurations, allowing consumers to locate the perfect fit for their needs. Both tube and bumper-mounted options are available, making it possible to circumvent any sizing and clearance restraints.
Roll Bars
For those Jeep owners who routinely seek out hardcore adventure, the purchase of an aftermarket roll bar can be a wise investment. When traveling the backcountry or traversing trails at your local off-road park, the possibility of a rollover always exists. Unfortunately, this exact scenario leads to a number of injuries every year.
Wrangler owners can now purchase custom roll bars and spreader bar kits that offer protection far beyond that of their Jeep’s factory Sports Bar setup. These kits are far more robust in their construction than the Wrangler’s stock bars and can withstand a significantly higher amount of abuse, all while keeping occupants tucked away safely within.
Running Boards
Another dual purpose accessory that many Wrangler owners find to be of immense value is that of aftermarket running boards. Running boards not only look quite stylish but are a practical means of making life easier on yourself when attempting to enter and exit your Jeep. In fact, the use of custom running boards can be an outright necessity for Jeeps that feature more than the most modest of lifts.
Running boards can be purchased in a wide range of configurations, including those which automatically deploy and stow when a Wrangler’s doors are opened or closed. Running boards of this nature also offer the advantage of providing enhanced ground clearance since you are not left to contend with exposed boards that reside below the level of your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Aftermarket Grilles
When one thinks of a Jeep Wrangler, they often envision the iconic Jeep’s signature barred grille pattern. While this design is nothing short of legendary, many Jeep enthusiasts strive to supplement their Wrangler’s style and personality with the installation of a custom grille. Such grilles are offered in an abundance of designs and can be purchased to fit any Wrangler, from those of the early Chrysler years to more modern Fiat makes.
Many aftermarket Jeep grilles are now offered in conjunction with integrated light bars. This is a concept that has seen significant fanfare in recent years and provides consumers with a substantial amount of bang for their buck.
Aftermarket Tops
One of the most celebrated features of the Jeep Wrangler has always been that of its removable top. In the winter months, most Wrangler owners choose to employ the use of a hard top for protection against the elements. However, when the sun shines down during the summer months, many Wrangler owners will exchange their hard tops for soft-tops of various forms and fashions.
Today, Jeep Wrangler owners are far from restricted when it comes to choosing which type of aftermarket top to sport during hospitable weather. Bikini, fastback, tonneau, and brief-style tops are all popular options among Jeep enthusiasts from every corner of the earth. These tops are also available in hybrid configurations and come in a number of colors and materials.
Interior Accessories
While much attention is given to the numerous exterior accessories available for the Jeep Wrangler, far less talk centers around those which are available for the Jeep Wrangler’s interior. In truth, just as many, if not more, interior accessories are offered for the Wrangler than those that can be fitted to its exterior. If you were to take a glance inside the interior of 100 different Wranglers, it is fairly safe to say that no two interiors would look identical, as each reflects the personal tastes of its owner.
Some of the most common aftermarket Jeep Wrangler interior accessories include grab handles, seat covers, floor liners, sunshades, storage consoles, trim packages, and cargo covers. Like any Jeep accessory, each of these individual items is offered by a number of manufacturers and comes in a nearly endless array of configurations.
Outfitting Your Jeep For Success
With the vast array of accessories that are currently available for the Jeep Wrangler, few should ever have any difficulty in finding those components which offer immense value and appeal. From upgrades that are purely cosmetic in nature to those that can save your Jeep from mechanical hardship when ravaged by all that the trail presents, accessories are offered to meet every need.
By determining how you intend to use your Jeep Wrangler, you can assemble a wish list of sorts to guide you when determining which accessories offer the most distinct benefit. When all is said and done, you will be left with a Jeep that is one of a kind in nature, much like yourself and your appreciation for these iconic off-road machines. In many ways, Jeep Wranglers are like fingerprints. No two are exactly the same, and each is as uniquely individual as the one who possesses it.