Top 5 (functional) Accessories for Any Jeep

[Wolf Island Diver]

As for off road accessories, there’s already a few threads on all that stuff. It’s a bigger list than 5 and sort of all (most) or none. For example, you really need pulleys or snatch blocks if you’re going to winch, which means you need more shackles. It balloons. But I’ll just add a few points, maybe that saves people some money in the short term.

The stock jack is fine even for lifted jeeps with a jack base. If you do remove it and replace with a bottle jack, etc. DONT FORGET to keep its handle in the truck. That lowers the spare! I don’t recommend a Hi-Lift for general jacking purposes. If Jeeps came with a Hi-Lift, I’d throw it away and go get the old OEM scissor jack.

The first off road accessories anyone should get are traction boards and at least an entrenching tool (Vietnam era G.I. type, not those tiny black pocket shovels) or a real shovel. It’s amazing what you can do moving a few rocks and even some strips of 3/4” plywood. Also a good recovery rope. Straps are okay, but ropes are better. At least someone else can pull you out and frequently with a winch you end up getting pulled out backwards because you went somewhere your shouldn’t have.

If you’re going off road, to the beach, camping, etc., you’ll inevitably need a good first aid kit. And lots of burn cream, cold packs, bandaids, a tick key, bug spray, sunscreen, solarcane and basic OTC meds are far more likely to be useful than Israeli dressings and the like. You’re more likely to have a sunburned kid or covered in ticks than a stuck Jeep or get shot.

Lastly, I’ve said this a few times on the forum. If you’re kitting out for off roading, especially rocks, don’t forget a spill kit of some kind. It’s just good citizenship and helps keep the trails open for everyone, if we can clean up our messes. It’s bad enough to break down on the trail in front of everyone, then to be the guy who covered the trail in DEF or antifreeze or oil that everyone now has to drive through.

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[Wolf Island Diver]

This list is a solid one too. The grab handles are Velcro and easy. The dog hammock was my first purchase. I have a lab that loves to swim so he rides there if the trip is too long for the pick-up bed. The zip up sides add some security when the doors are off although I may be getting tube doors for Father’s Day to keep the dog safer.

You may try that Auto Zipline
Kurgo Auto Zipline for Dogs, Adjustable Dog Safety Belt Leash, Pet Seat Belt Tether, Reduce Distracted Driving, Includes Dog Leash & Carabiner Clips, 6 feet
https://a.co/d/cSDCp88

Mine is connected at the top of the rear seats around roll bar. My dog will hang half way out the windows half the time but he’s secured while still getting free roam of the back seat and both windows. It would work fine with tube doors too. The headrests act as stoppers so he can only move but so far in either direction.

Also, for the regular doors, I recommend good door covers to keep them from being destroyed by the dog:

https://thinskinz.com/collections/frontpage/products/jeep-jl-jt-pro

 

[Rahkmalla]

1. On-Board Air (or portable air depending on budget): If you wanna air down on the trail, you need to air up to get back home. I don't care if you buy a bicycle pump and wanna spend an hour and your last remaining bits of energy doing it. Get some air!

2. Doorless mirrors: pick ones that actually function as mirrors that let you see shit. Putting tiny motorcycle mirrors that are meant to be viewed from a foot away on your truck mounted 3 feet away from you may get by the legalities, but they don't actually give you any visibility. If you don't think you need mirrors to drive, than I'd prefer you not drive on the same roads I do.

3. Tonneau cover: the truck has very little storage space in the cabin, and almost zero storage space when you strip your jeep down naked. Need somewhere closed up to put stuff.

4. Hood lock: Your Jeep's hood is just open to the public. Fix that shit.

Those are my only 4 that i think are must-haves for anyone. Others are conditional.:

I think all non-rubicon owners who actually offroad owe it to themselves to get some form of swaybar disconnect (i use apex autolynx)

I think all hardtop owners should get a sunrider

I think all halogen owners should get projecter LED headlights (not LED bulbs in reflector housings)

I think all owners who offroad or spend any notable time on gravel should have mudflaps front AND REAR. Don't be that guy who prioritizes your hinges over someone else's windshield.

i think anyone who expects to get their jeep dirty should get armorlite.

 

[Gvsukids]

4. Hood lock: Your Jeep's hood is just open to the public. Fix that shit.

Millions of Jeeps without needing it. I go without doors so there's no need to worry about the battery.

i think anyone who expects to get their jeep dirty should get armorlite.

Agreed.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

Millions of Jeeps without needing it. I go without doors so there's no need to worry about the battery.


Agreed.

Yeah, I’ve never really understood the Jeep hood lock thing. If I remember correctly, aftermarket latches were useful on JKs because the hood would flutter in the wind. But I’ve always shrugged at locks. We used to pop hoods all the time in the FD, so if someone wants under the hood, all it takes a your body weight as leverage and a halligan or crow bar, lock or not. It doesn’t even make much noise usually. With a Jeep a professional can always open the hood from the backside with an electric impact driver and torx bit at the hinges in probably under a minute.

But all the really valuable stuff is either under the jeep or in it. Professionals want rims and catalytic converters or the whole vehicle. Crackheads want change out of the center console. Teenage punks wanted aftermarket head units back when people had them or whatever crap you’ve left in the Jeep. They’re too lazy and online to do this kind of crap anymore. I’ve had Jeeps since 1998 and never had someone mess with stuff under hood even through multiple break (slice) ins.

Personally I hope they steal the shitty OEM battery, so GEICO can buy me a nice upgraded one with their wholesale sources.

 

[Gvsukids]

If I remember correctly, aftermarket latches were useful on JKs because the hood would flutter in the wind.

Friend of mine upgraded his JK latches with JL ones.

 

[Alan SOBX]

You may try that Auto Zipline
Kurgo Auto Zipline for Dogs, Adjustable Dog Safety Belt Leash, Pet Seat Belt Tether, Reduce Distracted Driving, Includes Dog Leash & Carabiner Clips, 6 feet
https://a.co/d/cSDCp88

Mine is connected at the top of the rear seats around roll bar. My dog will hang half way out the windows half the time but he’s secured while still getting free roam of the back seat and both windows. It would work fine with tube doors too. The headrests act as stoppers so he can only move but so far in either direction.

Also, for the regular doors, I recommend good door covers to keep them from being destroyed by the dog:

https://thinskinz.com/collections/frontpage/products/jeep-jl-jt-pro

I love the zipline!! Thank you for the recommendation!!

 

[salsadoc]

as many have already said, bestop sunrider if you have a hard top

 

[Max-t]

Depending on climate. Cyclonic pre-filter.
Dual top group (that sunrider is pointless on a gladiator. Just put the tops in the back. It ain’t hard. But fuck the hard top if it’s Sunny enough to open the “freedom top”)

Rolling door rack
Metal rear bumper (but try to make it reasonable weight)
Some cheap seat covers
Softopper

 

[Ohio JKU]

Here's my .02:
Some repeated from above but my priorities;

1. emergency road kit, spare breaker bar lug wrench, etc. I like to have a longer actual breaker bar and socket not just the oem kit.

2. First aid kit, include more serious stuff like clot and tourniquet if remote and or pew pew...

3. lift and tires.... because

4. Door off mirrors

5. tow straps at least....or begin off road set up if wheeling the jeep: mine is a daily driver and used as a truck so I have gone the other branch with work truck: other tools, tow pins, hitches, etc.... (work and using the truck stuff).

6. Bed cover weather / security (somewhat)

7. Other fun jeep stuff- soft tops or sun riders

8. Personalization-add decals, remove decals?

9. Travel - I like to get souvenirs from places we go and use the underside of a bed cover panel to sticker bomb and it looks cool when flipped up, but isn't there all the time.

10. maintenance log, helps remember what was done, checked, serviced, modified. Useful for the ordinary reasons but also a few years in you'd be surprised how wrong you can be about when you made some mods....

 

[guntrust]

1. 37's
2. Lift
3. Regear to 5.13

These are the most functionally important mods i've done.

Also, those of you with auto might want to switch to stick.

 

[RockTrixWheels]

Some of these top 5 are great to know! Definitely will look into getting some of these for sure!
1. All-Terrain Tires

2. Portable Air Compressor

3. Roof Rack

4. LED Light Bars

5. Heavy-Duty Bumpers

Bonus: Winch

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