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Mar 06, 2023

Conquer The Trails: 10 Best Off

These off-road modifications help unleash the full potential of the Jeep

These off-road modifications help unleash the full potential of the Jeep Wrangler, turning it into an unstoppable force.

The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic off-road legend with unmatched versatility, a rugged build, and undeniable charisma. It's the go-to SUV for off-road enthusiasts worldwide, thanks to its impressive off-road ability. Jeep offers two body types of the Wrangler, a two-door and a four-door option. Both offer owners with choices for topless, doorless and windowless driving.

While the stock Wrangler can be fun for some people, making a few off-road modifications can unleash the full potential of the Wrangler. These off-road modifications over superb maneuverability and impressive ground clearance, making the Wrangler capable on treacherous terrains. They help the Wrangler embrace the wilderness and unlock its remarkable capabilities.

Grab handles are an essential off-road modification for the Wrangler since they help with accessibility. When modifying your Wrangler for the trails, you'll likely install a lift kit and larger wheels and tires. Having high-quality grab handles on the Wrangler makes it easy to get in and out. In addition, grab handles provide some safety off-road. They help ensure that when the ride gets bumpy, there's something for the occupants to hold on to.

When choosing the ideal grab handles for your Wrangler, you should consider the quality. Some cloth options can be cheap and still highly durable. However, metal grab handles provide a solid place to hold on to when getting in and out of the car. Luckily, most options are easy to install. In addition, the wide variety of options on the market makes it easier to find the ideal style and design.

If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors with your Jeep Wrangler, you'll definitely need a roof rack. The only downside is that you won't easily remove the roof panels for an open-air experience. However, the roof rack can come in handy when carrying a lot of gear, especially when camping. The roof rack helps free interior space, ensuring a more comfortable ride for the passengers.

In addition, installing a roof rack allows you to easily install various accessories, including bike racks, roof tents, kayak carriers, etc. The versatility enables you to adapt the Wrangler to your preferred outdoor activities, thus maximizing its functionality. Most aftermarket roof racks feature high-quality materials like aluminum and steel, thus resisting corrosion and withstanding off-road conditions.

Related: You Can Now Get A Jeep Wrangler With A Game-Changing AccuAir Suspension System

Installing rock sliders on your Jeep Wrangler helps ensure that your body panels have adequate protection from uneven surfaces, rocks, tree stumps, and much more. Rock sliders are sturdy metal bars that you install along the sides of the Wrangler. They extend from the front fender to the rear fender, providing adequate protection for the lower body sides and undercarriage.

As the name suggests, rock sliders also come in handy on rocky trails, allowing the Wrangler to slide over rocks without causing damage to the body. For a good set of rock sliders, you must consider the quality of the materials. Most options feature strong and durable steel. With such rock sliders, the Wrangler can easily withstand impact when navigating through rocks or other obstacles.

Installing a lift kit is among the most popular Jeep Wrangler modifications. It helps offer increased ground clearance, making the Wrangler more off-road capable. By raising the Wrangler's height, you can comfortably navigate over large obstacles, including logs, rocks, and deep ruts, without getting stuck. The lift kit makes it easier to fit larger tires, ensuring they won't rub against the fenders.

When choosing a lift kit for your Wrangler, consider the desired height. There are multiple aftermarket options offering height options ranging from 1.5 inches to over 4.5 inches. The height you need will vary depending on how you plan to use the Wrangler. For example, a 2.5-inch lift will be ideal for most people who want to make the Wrangler comfortable on the road.

Related: Why The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Is The Perfect Off-Roader In 2023

If you don't own the Rubicon trim of the Wrangler, differential lockers are a must-have modification. The differential lockers help offer improved off-road performance by enhancing traction. That's by locking the differential and distributing power equally to both wheels on an axle. With this, your Wrangler can comfortably navigate uneven terrain or slippery surfaces.

The aftermarket scene offers multiple differential locker options, including electronic lockers, mechanical lockers, and air-operated lockers. All options have their advantages and considerations. For example, mechanical lockers require mechanical engagement and are highly durable. Electronic lockers, on the other hand, offer the convenience of engaging and disengaging with the push of a button.

After installing a lift kit on the Jeep Wrangler, the next must-have off-road modification will be fitting aftermarket wheels and tires. Getting a good set of aftermarket wheels ensures that you have durable options that will easily handle any off-road stress. You should also consider getting beadlock-capable wheels, thus ensuring that tires won't dislodge during extreme off-road maneuvers.

Beadlock wheels also ensure you can comfortably maintain low tire pressures when off-roading. The tires, on the other hand, offer better traction off-road, especially when you opt for high-quality all-terrain tires from reputable companies like BFGoodrich, Falken, Michelin, Yokohama, etc. Such tire options have stronger construction and aggressive tread patterns for improved grip.

Related: 10 Jeep Wrangler Models With The Best Resale Value

Replacing the stock bumpers with robust, heavy-duty off-road bumpers can help make your Jeep Wrangler an impressive off-roading machine. Off-road bumpers are essential modifications since they help provide added protection for the Wrangler. They also make it easier to mount multiple off-road accessories, including recovery points.

Most high-quality off-road bumpers use steel for maximum strength and durability. Aluminum is also a common option for those who don't want the excess weight of steel. Both materials are robust and can easily withstand most off-road impacts. When picking an off-road bumper, consider an option that will offer mounting points for a winch, recovery accessories, and auxiliary lights.

When you spend a lot of time off-road, you'll probably need recovery at some point. Having the essential recovery gear helps make it easier to recover the Wrangler easily from any challenging situation. It also allows you to help other off-roaders by rendering help when needed. After installing an off-road bumper, you can fit accessories like D-rings onto the bumper.

D-rings provide secure anchor points for tow ropes, winch cables, and recovery straps. Besides having D-rings, you can also fit a winch on the aftermarket bumper. Additional accessories to get include snatch blocks, tree saver straps, and an emergency kit with safety glasses, a fire extinguisher, and gloves. Having the essential recovery gear provides peace of mind, allowing you to safely navigate challenging situations.

Related: 10 Fast Facts About The 2024 Jeep Wrangler

A winch is an essential vehicle recovery accessory that's a must-have on an off-road Jeep Wrangler. It is handy when stuck in challenging situations like deep ruts, sand, or mud. The winch can help with self-recoveries since it offers controlled pulling, helping the Wrangler regain traction. It offers self-sufficiency on off-road adventures.

When choosing a winch for your Wrangler, you should consider its capacity. Reputable manufacturers like Warn and Smittybilt offer high-quality winches that can easily handle the weight of the Wrangler. Most of these options can easily mount on the front bumper, making them easily accessible. While winches are great for self-recovery, they also allow you to comfortably assist others when in need of recovery.

Installing additional lighting systems on the Jeep Wrangler can help with improved visibility during off-road adventures. These lighting modifications offer better illumination on dark trails and challenging terrains. They also help illuminate the surrounding areas, highlighting potential hazards, obstacles, and terrain changes. With a good off-road lighting solution, you can easily prevent accidents or damage to the Wrangler.

There are plenty of aftermarket lighting options for the Wrangler. They include light bars, fog lights, rock lights, and spotlights. With these options, you can create a unique, personalized look and get enough lighting to improve night off-roading. Opting for LED lights will help with greater brightness, thus getting more coverage.

Brian is a husband, father and freelance writer. He's also a tech and automotive junkie passionate about cars and motorcycles. Brian is also an F1 fan - team Mercedes (LH). When he's not writing, Brian goes for impromptu drives and walks.