Debunking Myths About Popular Jeep Wrangler Accessories

Our Jeep Wranglers don’t always come stock with everything we need to satisfy our adventure needs. This desire is the reason why Jeep Wrangler accessories are everywhere – online and in stores everywhere.

The vast amount of Jeep Wrangler modifications on the market makes it difficult to navigate facts from fiction in a space where everyone feels so passionate about their favorite brands. It’s important to get all of your information from a trusted source - as the industry grows, more and more misinformation seeps into the community.

Luckily for you, we’ve set out and compiled a list of the most common myths often associated with these Jeep Wrangler accessories. Let’s start debunking!

Myth: Bigger Aftermarket Wheels Will Fit on my Jeep’s Stock Tire Carrier

As obvious as this one may sound, a lot of Jeepers seem to forget that the stock tire carrier was meant for the stock tire.

Upgrading to bigger, fiercer tires are one of the most popular Jeep Wrangler modifications in existence. It adds an absolutely riveting aesthetic that can be matched by no other vehicle currently available.

When buying tires, it’s always a good idea to buy one or two extra in the event of something terribly unexpected happening. However, it is nota good idea to place this tire on the carrier at the rear of your vehicle.  This could result in unwanted cracks and dents on the rear swing gate due to increased pressure.

The best way to mitigate this problem is to purchase a new carrier with a reinforced heavy gauge alternative. This will ensure your tire doesn’t rattle or provide additional stress to the tailgate when closed.

Myth: Steering Stabilizers Are a Quick Fix for the Death Wobble

A common problem often associated with upgrading your Jeep Wrangler is the “Death Wobble”.

The Death Wobble is something all Wrangler enthusiasts experience at least a couple times during their ownership and it truly is as petrifying as it sounds.

This troubling term describes the notorious, violent rumbling and shaking of your steering that often times contributes to a loss of control and eventually a serious accident. The death wobble exists in a Jeep Wranglers but magnifies with the addition of Jeep Wrangler upgrades. Many Jeepers believe steering stabilizers are the perfect fix for this. After all, stabilizing your steering is really the goal in this endeavor.

However, this assumption does not always prove to be correct.

Tires are not perfectly round, requiring weight balancing of your vehicle to counter the inconsistent weight load. Increasing the size of your tire will exaggerate this problem, leading to the notorious death wobble. A quick fix in this case would be to simply recalibrate your tires so that your alignment and weight balance is perfectly intact. This will likely cost you way less time and effort than the purchase and installation of steering stabilizer.

Often times, a steering stabilizer is improperly used to make up for the mistakes of faulty and/or inadequately installed Jeep Wrangler upgrades. This is NOT the purpose of a stabilizer and will likely cause more harm to your Wrangler than good.

If you’re experiencing a rocky ride after increasing the size of your tires and rims, look into simply balancing the weight of your Jeep Wrangler, as this will likely have a greater impact than installing steering stabilizers.

Myth: Jeeps with manual transmission are better off road than those automatic transmission

One of the most common misconception surrounding the general off-road community stems from the debate that 4x4 vehicles with manual transmission run better off road than the automatic version of said vehicle. For most car enthusiasts, this would make a lot of sense – as the amount of vehicle control you gain from driving stick increases substantially.

However, this does not translate as well when going off road. It’s a little more complicated than that.

The strain of constantly engaging and disengaging while off-road forces a heavy toll onto your vehicle while off-road. Automatic transmission allows the driver to casually crawl through obstacles at a steady, more reliable pace with much less strain on the transmission.

Manual transmission also requires a much more experienced driver behind the wheel to avoid stalling and sudden jolts from terrain.

When purchasing new Jeep for your off-road needs, it’s likely more beneficial to go the automatic route. Using a manual transmission Wrangler for crawling will cause you a world of stress in the long run.

Moral of the story here: drive what you feel comfortable driving. All in all, automatic transmission will only make a marginal difference in the off-road performance of your vehicle.

Your knees and ankles, on the other hand, will be delighted in your decision against driving stick.

Myth: Lifting Your Jeep Negatively Affects Its Ride and Handling

Lift kits are among the top Jeep Wrangler accessories owners tend to acquire. For this reason, there are many misconceptions about how your vehicle fares afterbeing lifted. However, a lot of these claims are purely anecdotal with very little facts to back them up.

Adding a couple inches to your suspension will add a new, fierce look to the classic design of your beautiful Jeep Wrangler. However, there is no actual evidence this upgrade will actually cause your vehicle to handle poorly.

Ultimately, how well your vehicle handles after being lifted comes down to the quality of components used and the accuracy of their install. The top lift kits on the market usually come with either “Progressive” or “Dual Coil” springs that provide a certain level of stiffness to your Jeep Wrangler, depending on the speeds and conditions at which you’re driving. This equates to a softer, smoother ride on slow speeds and flat terrain, and stiffer ride at high speeds and less stable surfaces.

Myth: Jeep Wrangler Storage Upgrades are Unnecessary

This one could not be any more wrong.

As a Wrangler owner, you may have come to notice the extreme lack of space Jeep has provided you in the rear cargo area of your vehicle. This initially was a big gripe for me personally, as I could never find anywhere to keep not only my day to day things, but the items I take with meon my many adventures.

After a while of getting used to the limited space in my vehicle, I stumbled upon XG Cargo’s line of Jeep Wrangler integrated storage options. Their catalogue of sleekly designed accessories has drastically expanded the interior storage space of my Jeep Wrangler, while providing the rear with a new, adventurous looking aesthetic.

While Jeep Wrangler storage upgrades are often the least sought-after modifications for Jeepers to undertake, I certainly think it’s the most important – especially for someone with a thirst for travelling.

Increased storage provides you with a load of opportunities for exploration with your Jeep. Even if you’re not one for travel, equipping your Wrangler with adequate storage accessories will ensure that your everyday belongings remain safe and secure while your vehicle is left unattended. Jeep Wranglers have larger rates of break in than any other vehicle on the market, due to their open design and free flowing rear space. Protect yourself from the thieves by investing in storage options such as the XG Cargo’s Sportsbar Systems or Storage Walls and Floor Liners!

Many misconceptions exist about the use and implementation of Jeep Wranglers and their parts. For this reason, we at XG Cargo would like the stress the immense importanceof receiving all your information from a reliable source. If you hear a questionable fact from a fellow Jeeper, make sure to always fact check your information before performing any work on your own vehicle. What works for their model and trim may not be the best option or yours. Wranglers are like snowflakes – you’ll never find two that are completely identical.

Personalization is one of the best parts of owning a Jeep! It’s always necessary to make safe and secure Wrangler modifications that suit your specific vehicle as opposed to the hundreds of other Jeeps on the road. It’s all a part of the experience!

Are there any myths you have come across in your time owning a Jeep Wrangler? Let us know in the comments below!