I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
One of the best things about being a Jeep owner is all the cool stuff you can do to your ride.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Wrangler or a TJ. You are given unlimited creativity in shaping your 4×4 beast to look just the way you like it.
I take it you want something beyond the stock Jeep experience? Something exciting and awesome?
Nice. I’ve got a list of the best 5 Jeep accessories for people like you who can’t stick to vanilla looks. Let’s hop on it!
#1 A Light Bar for Ultra Night Illumination
Some say night drives can be dreadful, dangerous, dull. You might disagree (I know I do) – driving after dark can be amazing, especially if paired with my favorite playlists.
That said, stock lights can kill that excitement with their lack of lumens. They’re pretty subpar in offroad conditions.
If you want a powerful ray of 27000 lumens offroad shine, Yitamotor’s LED light bar is your best buddy. I’m talking about 52″ of uncompromised performance ready to penetrate any darkness with 6000K light.
Instead of boring images, here’s a video to see the full shine on that MONSTER:
What does offroad driving involve? That’s right, heaps of water or dust. Fear not, as this 300W bright baby is both water and dust resistant. It doesn’t really care about weather conditions that much with its IP67 waterproof rating.
To ease installation and spare you some extra dollars, the light bar comes with mounting brackets and a wiring harness. It’s a relatively simple plug-and-play that should take you no more than an hour or two.
#2 A Grille to Make Things More Aggressive
Let’s get this straight:
Jeep is power.
So for some people out there, it makes sense to express this feeling of power with more aggressive mods. The grille is the single most effective accessory to achieve this effect.
I mean, look at this beast:
There are dozens upon dozens of grilles to shape your Jeep JK’s face. I picked this Xprite beauty for several reasons:
- Cool-looking matte black made of HQ ABS plastic. Tough as hell.
- Easy to paint if you need to match it with your Jeep’s colors.
- Perfect fit with OEMs or even common aftermarket mods.
It’s not that hard to install either!
Now, you might be tired of the Venom or Gladiator or Beast designs to express a badass 4×4 ride. In that case, take a look at this Shark beauty.
And don’t worry, this is yet another good brand for Jeep accessories. Sharks are rarer to come by, so you’ll stand out even more.
#3 Some Hood Catchers for Zero Hood Flutter
Open…close…open…close. Regular use, paired with weather conditions and somewhat flimsy, plastic construction will cause hood catcher degradation. It might happen sooner than you expected!
One of the simplest-to-install Jeep accessories is a hood catcher. It also helps that you have Rugged Ridge in the game – inarguably, one of the leading manufacturers of cool Jeep Wrangler gadgets.
So why go with these?
First of all, unlike the stock plastic mediocrity, you get tough aluminum construction. To top it off, the aluminum beauty is reinforced by stainless hardware.
This improved manufacture leads to reason #2: hood flutter. Better durability and fitting means reduced flutter and no more flap-flap-flap when you just want to enjoy driving.
Aesthetics matter too. Silver, Black, or Textured Black – Rugged Ridge gives you several finishes that simply look way, way better than dull stock hood catchers.
A limited 5-year warranty – quite long, in fact, is only a tasty cherry on top of that 4×4 cake.
#4 A Lock Box for Your Ultimate Security
OK, this one is for you open-air Jeep fanatics who are rocking a soft top Wrangler. Yeah, roaming the roads with breeze swirling around you is great.
But you also have to think of security!
This lockbox buddy is a polished solution to any worries related to your valuables. Looks clean and cool, huh?
Dimensions are 17” in length x 7.5” in width and a compact 3.75” in height. What matters more is that:
- a) it comes with an intelligently designed pick-resistant cylinder lock and two keys
- b) it’s manufactured from tough as hell 16 gauge carbon steel
- c) it simply looks amazing with the well-known textured black powder coat finish all Jeep owners know
In short, this is an affordable way for you to have peace of mind whenever, wherever.
Here’s the tricky part, however: it won’t fit some Jeep Wrangler models.
If you want that extra cool Jeep accessory to work as intended, you have to drive:
- 2007-2018 Wrangler JK Unlimited (4-door)
- 2007-2010 Wrangler JK (2-door)
It will not fit 2011-2018 2-door Wranglers, sadly.
Should it fit, though, you’ll be happy to know that there are no drills involved in the installation. Very easy and intuitive as a setup process. Also, it won’t interfere with seat adjustments so don’t worry about that either.
#5 Buffed Headlights for Clearer Vision
I know, we had the light bar going on, but these headlights are something else. First, light bars are boss for offroad driving, but in standard road conditions you’ll blind other drivers.
Second, not everybody wants to have a huge bar on top of their Jeep.
If you’re a fan of more compact, elegant solutions, these LX-Light buddies are more than great. They’ll both illuminate the light or help you navigate yourself through foggy weather.
As nobody ever liked flicker, they also come with an anti-flicker module built in. Steady, unwavering lighting that will disperse the darkness on the road.
Oh, and they’re DOT certified.
Anyways, probably you’re wondering about things like construction, lumens, and other viable specifics.
The 7” headlights come in two beam modes. The stronger one packs some 4500LM, while the weaker runs on 3200LM. Power punch is 45W per each bulb for 90W altogether.
The fog lights are smaller at 4” but their IP67 waterproof feature makes up for the smaller radius. 1600 lumens will take care of foggy weather to provide you with a vastly improved vision on what you’d get with stock lights.
As with lumens and size, power consumption is also scaled back at 30W.
All in all, a neat Jeep accessory. In fact, one of the best cheap things to do to a Jeep Wrangler in terms of core functionality.
Now, if you want to go premium, you should take a look at higher grade brands like Truck Lite or JW Speaker models. I’ve actually compared the JW Speaker 8700 Evolution J2 and Truck Lite so you can learn more in that post.
As far as installation goes, things are easy with some exceptions. For example, Rubicon owners might need an extra bracket depending on their model. Otherwise, the LED lights should be alright, especially with the following Jeep models:
- 2007-2016 Jeep Wrangler JK 4-door
- 1997-2006 Jeep TJ
- 2007-2015 Jeep Wrangler 2-door
Not that sure about the Sahara as I’m not too familiar with them.
Any other cool Jeep Wrangler accessories or upgrades you can recommend?
I’m curious about your own experience as a Jeep owner. What did you add to your ride in order to make it more unique, more functional, and more yours?
It can be anything! Weird mods, fundamental Wrangler upgrades or any other accessories you’d say are a must-have for Jeep owners.
I’m open to learning more about your own creative ideas on JK or TJ customization!
Benefits of using Jeep Wrangler Accessories
Through these accessories, you can exhibit your particular style since accessories are typically used as a statement of style. Getting to Jeep Wrangler, you have a wide array of options to pick from, each accessory option with its flair. You can use new shocks to elevate your vehicle’s height for extra clearance. You could also change your Jeep tops with a hard, bikini, or soft top.
If these don’t spark your interest, you could opt to incorporate seat covers to change or protect the interior. Want more power? Various accessories are also available to add power. One such accessory that most Jeep owners use is winches – for extra leverage and torque. These facilitate easy pulling free from impediments restricting the vehicle’s movement. You can also have additional power enhancements in the form of larger wheels and tires and new exhausts.
Reduction of Vehicle Damage
If you are a Jeep owner, you probably go off-road with your vehicle. However, this could damage the Jeep. Investing in a strong aftermarket bumper is one means of clearing the path before you and preventing harm from befalling your sweet ride. Jeep Wrangler covers guarantee that the bugs, elements, and other risks do not harm your vehicle when you are away.
Enhance Your Ride
Various accessories help in ensuring that your rides are more comfortable. These are items such as sets, sturdier wheels or tires, and lift even lift kits. Such superior accessories serve to reduce the amount of bounce and force you experience as you drive.
Better Safety
The design of accessories also guarantees your safety in certain circumstances. There are packs and bags for ferrying fire extinguishers on the roll bars of the Jeep, light covers for protection of your headlights or tail lights from breakage, and light bars for better visibility of your path or alert others of your approaching vehicle.
Pricing of Jeep Wrangler Accessories
- Under $30
Accessories in this range are usually lighter in weight and smaller. They include storage bags and light guard covers. Larger items like a complete Jeep cover will be more costly.
- Between $30 and $100
This bracket includes superior quality accessories that can enhance your Jeep’s interior and exterior look. The accessories include covers, bike mounts, and enhanced tail lights.
- $100 and above
You will come across the more robust and larger Jeep accessories in this price range. These are items like light bars, bumpers, air intakes, and Nerf bars.
Key Features to Consider Before Choosing Jeep Accessories
Material Quality
Among the greatest issues with accessories is how long they can last. As you make your purchase, you need to guarantee that the Jeep Wrangler Accessory is of high quality and is durable. This is more so essential if you engage in off-roading a lot. It is wrong for items to fail when you are out in the wild. To ensure you buy top-rated gear, check whether the brand is reputable, their craftsmanship and if the materials used are sturdy.
Compatibility
Not every accessory will fit in your Jeep. You need to check the model of the vehicle to ascertain whether the particular accessory can properly fit on it. There are various Jeep models like the CJ, YJ, JK, TJ, and the modern JL. Most lift kits, for instance, are tailored to fit particular Jeeps like the Wrangler JK or Rubicon.
Secondary Considerations
The Life Span
It is important that the Jeep accessories you get can last through multiple excursions. When you realize wear and tear, it is about time you upgrade to newer accessories.
Style
Style is a matter of personal choice, though if the feel and appearance of the Jeep is something you value, consider matching all the accessories with others. It could be as simple as color-matching or using identical brands.
Tips
Ensure that when using a cover, you always dry it before storing it. Failure to do this might leave you with mold or mildew problems. If you buy winch systems having cable or steel wire rope, consider using thick handling gloves to prevent harming your fingers. Small spikes or frays can develop on the steel leading to cable damage and possible self-harm.
If you intend to install larger wheels and tires on a Jeep, you should consider using a lift kit to raise it. The tires and wheel size can influence your drive and lead to the tires and wheel well rubbing against each other.
Jeep Must-Haves over summer
Jeeps and Summertime are meant for each other. Though there might be no other place you would rather be in the Wrangler on the trail, the hot summer sun is sometimes unbearable. Though air conditioning may offer some reprieve from the high temperatures, wheeling with the windows up prevents you from completely immersing yourself in the outdoor experience.
Versatility is among the main appeals of the Wrangler, with the provision of removing the doors, top, and windshield during slow driving. Regardless of whether you own a JL or JK, various Jeep necessities could make the Wrangler more fun over the warm months of summer.
Soft Top
If your Jeep Wrangler has a hard top, then consider incorporating a high-quality aftermarket soft top for the months of summer. The pair of tops is handy as seasons change and give the Jeep a completely new look. A Wrangler summer top presents you with an easy means of removing the top when necessary. Storing them behind the Jeep is also easy to remove.
Buying a Wrangler secondary soft top eliminates the challenge of removing the hardtop each time you wish to go on the trail with your rig. Soft tops will provide you with the necessary protection and versatility to enable you to remove your top within minutes.
Sun Shade
Sun shades in Wrangler are designed to tolerate extreme winds and often need no modifications for installation. Furthermore, there are no worries about it flapping as you drive on the highway and head to an off-road park. Others might need a header channel, so you must check the product description for extra components that may be necessary. Most are UV- resistant to discourage fading due to the sun. With a sunshade, you continue enjoying the open-air Jeep vibe with extra protection.
Cover
An emergency trail cover can assist in shielding the Jeep’s interior from the rain in case you are found out on your trail or as you camp. With its all-weather shield, the covers can encase the cab of the Wrangler to prevent water from flowing into your Jeep. Covers are helpful in emergencies, though they also assist in keeping the Jeep cool and safe even when parked.
You are not supposed to use such as you drive, but only when your vehicle is not moving. Since some feature flaps accessing the interior is possible whenever required. If you have plans to remove the top for a long period over the summer, a cover is by default among the Must-Haves if you are experiencing bad weather. Stay dry and avoid getting wet with the cover Jeep accessory.