Whether you primarily use your Jeep for street and highway traveling or enjoy four-wheeling off the beaten path, you can improve your vehicle and protect your investment with quality aftermarket modifications. Depending on the driving conditions, factory-installed parts can hold up for a few years, but they’re typically not designed for long-term use. Purchasing parts and accessories from the dealership can be expensive, but you can find premium components online for much less. Here are some of the most affordable upgrades you can make on your Jeep.
Which Modifications Are Ideal?
There are almost infinite ways you can modify your vehicle. You can spend money on upgrades that nearly equals the Jeep’s value if you’re not careful. Focus on the Jeep parts that protect your Jeep, improve performance or extend the service life of other components.
Tonneau Covers
When you install a tonneau cover on a Jeep Gladiator, you can secure the contents in the bed and improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics. The covers come in various styles and designs, including folding, rolling, hard and soft models. The top-of-the-line covers are sturdier and provide better security than cheaper units.
Wheels and Tires
You can customize the style of your Jeep and give it a more aggressive appearance with a new set of wheels. When installing new wheels, it’s wise to replace your old tires with rugged models that perform better off-road. You can use all-terrain tires if you like to go off-road and travel on the highway, but you can also use a specialized tire that can handle specific off-road conditions for better control. Whether you enjoy cruising through a boggy wetland, spinning around in a mud run or climbing over jagged rocks, you can find an aftermarket tire for any task.
Bumpers
Off-road conditions and obstacles can damage your Jeep easily if it’s unprotected. If you install an off-road bumper, you can protect your headlights, grille, body and hood from damage. Some models include winch cutouts, and most can be installed with bolt-on attachments and ordinary tools.
Suspension
Upgrading your suspension can minimize your trips to the repair shop and improve your vehicle’s handling considerably. Sagging suspension can place additional stress on other vital components and reduce the riding comfort. You can find several suspension upgrades that also include lift kits.
Lift Kits
Your undercarriage can incur damage from rocks, organic material on other obstacles on the trail. With a lift kit, you can install larger wheels and travel over obstacles without causing damage. Most kits elevate your vehicle three to six inches.
Winches
A truck winch is a lifesaver when you’re stuck in a bog or a sandy pit. Winches come in several capacity ratings and retraction layouts. The less expensive winches are hand-operated, but you can find premium models that use low-horsepower motors to pull over 12,000 pounds.
Where Can You Find Aftermarket Parts for Your Jeep?
Shopping at the dealership or big brand stores for auto parts can get expensive when you need several modifications. You can find affordable components, accessories and supplies at an online all-terrain parts distributor.
