Top 5 Jeep Wrangler Upgrades for New Owners

Are you the proud owner of a new Jeep Wrangler? If so, congratulations! Welcome to the Wrangler family.

 As you have already figured out, stock Jeep Wranglers come with only the barebone essentials to get you from point A to B. However, few people purchase Jeeps just for use as a daily driver. Even if you did, you’re probably looking to customize it and really tailor it to your liking.

This is exactly where Jeep Wrangler upgrades come into play.

The best part about starting off with few accessories is that you get to add all of your own! Not only will this make your Jeep unique to you, it’d also make it impossible to be stuck with something you don’t like. There’s a reason why we love our Wranglers so much.

Without further ado, here is our non-exhaustive list of the best Jeep Wrangler upgrades for new owners.

Seat Covers

For most, this should be a no brainer. Wrangler owners drive their cars through all types of rain, mud, dirt, and every other element you can think of. This results in extremely torn up seats that often take away from the visual aesthetic of the vehicle. Not to mention they can get pretty uncomfortable at times.

 Seat covers are a great first purchase for your Jeep Wrangler because they not only protect your precious seats but allow you to add an extra element of design to your vehicle. They come in all sorts of color and patterns, with specialty options for sports teams, fictional characters, as well as your favorite colleges and universities. Some even contain seat pouches integrated into the cover for increased storage.

 Don’t be fooled by a fancy design though. Drivers often fall in love with the aesthetics of a seat cover and often forget to ensure its durability. Covers made of nylon, polyester, or neoprene will certainly serve your seats well and keep them looking brand new. Some trusted brands in this category include Bartact, Rugged Ridge, and GearFlag.

Bumpers

 You’re probably thinking, “Well, I already see bumpers on my Jeep Wrangler, what do I need the upgrade for?”

 For one, they look absolutely amazing.

But secondly, and admittedly most important, they provide tons of extra protection in the unfortunate event you have an accident. Jeeps are undoubtedly built to last, but with so many unknown variables that could come to play in one of these situations. For that reason, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and invest in an aftermarket bumper.

 With tons of third-party options available, selecting a bumper can also act as another stylistic, yet functional upgrade made to your Wrangler. There are tons of different types of bumpers available. From cargo and tire carriers to towing options, this Jeep Wrangler modification can serve a plethora of uses that will help you get the most value out of your vehicle.

 In addition to its functionality, the style of bumper you choose will likely have a drastic effect on the look of your vehicle. No two Jeeps look alike, so it’s important to choose a bumper package that suits your practical needs, as well as your vehicle’s general theme and aesthetic.

Lift Kits

 Jeeps were made to be taken off road – no question about it. While lift kits should not be seen only as an upgrade for off-roaders, it’s hard to deny that a lifted Wrangler makes the experience that much more fun.

Are you a new or soon-to-be Jeep owner who’s never seen a lifted Jeep?

 Chances are, there’s no way you haven’t.

Go to your local park, the mall, or quite frankly anywhere people gather and look at Jeeps in the parking lot or as they roll by. You’ll probably see one that looks like a monster truck compared to the others.

Lift kits add an undeniably sexy and aggressive look to the Wrangler that attracts off-road enthusiasts and daily drivers alike. They also open up a world of new possibilities for your vehicle that include larger tires and brand-new suspension mechanisms.

Make no mistake though, for the majority of Jeep owners, a lift kit is far from a necessity. At the end of the day, the Jeep Wrangler was made for off-roading. Stock Jeeps are more than capable of taking on a light day of beach driving and beginner trails. Plenty of Wrangler owners take non-lifted Jeeps to various Jeep Jamborees every weekend.

However, there are limitations in your off-road potential when looking at tougher courses like the Rubicon Trail, often labeled the most difficult off-road course in North America.

When in the market for lift kits, make sure you take a hard look at your budget and do as much research as humanly possible. Lifting your Jeep changes the steering geometrics and may also have an adverse effect on how your vehicle drives from day to day. These and other considerations should be weighed before making the jump. 

The performance, feel, and look of your vehicle will drastically change after the installation of this Jeep Wrangler modification. A performance tuner will help correct your vehicle's speedometer, gear ratio, and other performance indicators after its transformation.

 We all know Jeep Wranglers come with very limited storage options to carry a lot of your daily necessities. If you decide on a soft top, or even just want to take your hard top off for the summer, finding places to store your items unattended is difficult. Most Jeep Wrangler owners I’ve come across who are in this predicament actually choose not to put anything in their vehicles at all. The open design of the vehicle often makes the Wrangler a vehicle that’s extremely susceptible to thieving.

Currently, there are dozens of products are the market that cater to expanding your interior storage. These Jeep Wrangler upgrades come in all shapes and sizes, from equipping your vehicle with a center console space to providing you with an under-seat storage box.

 A product disrupting this category right now is XG Cargo’s Sportsman Line. Their team has developed one of the first rear cargo storage options currently available for sale as a Jeep Wrangler accessory. The heavy duty, water proof storage system also doubles as a pet divider to keep your furry friends safe and secure. The compartment includes tons of pockets and pouches for you to store any and all of your tools and outdoor supplies.

 While most of the items on this list are more or less discretionary based on the way you use your Jeep, an integrated storage accessory is definitely a must have for any Jeep enthusiast. Not only will you have so much more space to keep your items, you’ll be sure all your belongings are protected whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.

Floor Liners 

A trusty Jeep Wrangler with the proper modifications can truly endure almost anything you decide to put it through. Like seat covers, installing floor liners into your vehicle will ensure that your Jeep Wrangler stays clean and sanitary when facing the elements.

 Jeep floor liners are no different than Ford, Dodge, or Chrysler floor liners – they simply protect your floors from whatever mess your feet might bring into your Jeep. If you’re sporting a stock Wrangler and enjoy off road or beach driving, you’ll likely welcome in a fair share of dirt and sand into your vehicle. With a floor liner, it’s as easy as picking it up, and flinging it in the wind to cleanse it of any debris that it meets. Reinstalling it is as simple as laying it right back on the floor it came from.

Floor liners come in various shapes to accommodate your front, rear, and cargo floor dimensions. XG Cargo’s Sportsman Line of integrated storage actually includes a really incredible rear cargo storage liner. Should you be in the market for both products, their package will certainly give you the most bang for your buck when comes to Jeep Wrangler integrated storage and floor liner combinations.

Jeep Wranglers are like snowflakes. They come in a bunch of different shapes, sizes and variations. It’s very possible to make the argument that no two Wranglers are the same. That being said, it’s always important to do your due diligence before purchasing any upgrade for your vehicle. Your Jeep and your bank account will thank you for it.

Were there any Jeep Wrangler modifications that you think should’ve made the list. Let us know in the comment section below!