Aftermarket alternatives for factory options

[fixbroke]

Hey all,
The fact that Jeep requires that pesky $1000 LED lighting package before adding either the front-facing camera or the steel bumper got me looking into alternatives for those options, plus some of the others on the options list. Here's what I've come up with myself, and I encourage you to add any others you find.

Forward-facing camera: Tazer programmer to enable cargo camera, plus reverse camera installed in grille/bumper. Total cost ~$350. More info here: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/off-road-camera-front-facing-writeup.13714/
Alternatively, Lockpick is working on a new model for the new Uconnect 4C which should be available soon, and these have the option of adding a bunch of different cameras that can be triggered automatically (based on speed settings - forward cam at low speed, side cameras when using turn signals, etc). With cameras, the Lockpick option should cost ~$500.

Steel bumper: So many alternatives available. Good options in the $300 range. https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-jeep-jl-front-bumper.html

Trailer tow package: Bolt-on hitches are cheap and plentiful: https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-2-receiver-hitch-2018-jl.html - wiring kit is maybe another $50. The towing package includes the HD alternator, but it's also attached to the aux switch package and the cargo management package, so you can still get it by adding either of those. You may lose the hitch zoom feature for the backup camera, but that could maybe be added back ion with the Tazer programmer.

Hard top headliner: Lots of aftermarket options available. Hothead is a popular one. Their 2-door JL kit is $249, and I expect a JT kit would cost about the same. https://hotheadheadliners.com/products/copy-of-2018-jeep-wrangler-jl-4-door-hard-top-headliner

Tonneau cover: There will surely be lots of aftermarket options here. Roll-up covers seem to cost about $250-500 for a short bed truck.

Spray-in bedliner: I'm not sure how much Jeep is going to charge for this option, but there are some interesting aftermarket options for other trucks that will likely be available for JTs. I'm a little intrigued by the Bedrug, since I'll be sleeping in the back of the truck while camping and that seems like it will be a good option for that, though I'm a little skeptical about putting dirty stuff in the bed onto the rug. Cost is around $400. https://bedrug.com/ Alternatively, a spray from the local Line-X dealer costs around $500, or a DIY roll-on liner is around $200.

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[Tire Guy]

I am resurrecting this thread because I had the same questions in my head. Now that we know the pricing of the options from Jeep/Mopar. What are the options worth doing on the front end or doing better in the aftermarket both in cost and/or quality.

The base idea is to reduce initial cost and possibly get a better product in the aftermarket. Items on my build list is getting way too long...

Thoughts?

 

[Dietruck]

I am resurrecting this thread because I had the same questions in my head. Now that we know the pricing of the options from Jeep/Mopar. What are the options worth doing on the front end or doing better in the aftermarket both in cost and/or quality.

The base idea is to reduce initial cost and possibly get a better product in the aftermarket. Items on my build list is getting way too long...

Thoughts?

The tow package from the factory almost always is more than a hitch bracket. This is something I always go factory on.

 

[Dietruck]

The tow package from the factory almost always is more than a hitch bracket. This is something I always go factory on.

Remember there is also transmission software and other stuff that might not be listed.

 

[drogers]

The tow package from the factory almost always is more than a hitch bracket. This is something I always go factory on.

Yeah - in this case it’s a hitch, alternator, cooling improvements, and a door placard that says you can tow XXX. You can add a hitch, but you probably won’t be able to add all of those.

 

[billyjk7]

The forward facing cam is integrated and has a washer attached for 2 hundred more than your taser idea. 3 year warranty and no work to install. No brainer.


Those cheap 399 bumpers are the first to rust and look horrible. Most of them are.chineese and rebranded crap. Figments is usually sketchy and the hardware is sub par....and instructions s are even worse. Look around at the cheap aftermarket bumpers around.....cheap paint/ powdercoat etc. The ability to have a modular one that is engineered to accept a winch bumper for 6-7 hundred.......no brainier.

Aftermarket tow hitch with wiring installed to include the pigtail under the dash would be more than 300 bucks. They will rust prematurely to and there is no warranty. No brainers

Bedliner.......this is where I go aftermarket. The factory stuff is thin and applied directly.over the clearcoat with the use of an adhesion promoter. You can actually peel.it off in sheets. Check YouTube. Linex is almost.double as thick and is applied by scuffing the factory paint and then applying leaving you with a mechanical and chemical adhesion. With warranty that exceeds the factory and a better product. 50 bucks more than factory. No brainer

 

[Tire Guy]

All good points.

I'm thinking the headliner would be a good choice for aftermarket. Prices seem competitive and good reviews.

What about the Track-lock anti spin rear diff at $530? What is aftermarket that is a better option for $500?

 

[Slacksuperstar]

A cheap alternative to the front facing camera would be a gopro just attach it to your bumper or hood and connect it to your phone with the app

 

[fixbroke]

The forward facing cam is integrated and has a washer attached for 2 hundred more than your taser idea. 3 year warranty and no work to install. No brainer.

Those cheap 399 bumpers are the first to rust and look horrible. Most of them are.chineese and rebranded crap. Figments is usually sketchy and the hardware is sub par....and instructions s are even worse. Look around at the cheap aftermarket bumpers around.....cheap paint/ powdercoat etc. The ability to have a modular one that is engineered to accept a winch bumper for 6-7 hundred.......no brainier.

Aftermarket tow hitch with wiring installed to include the pigtail under the dash would be more than 300 bucks. They will rust prematurely to and there is no warranty. No brainers

Bedliner.......this is where I go aftermarket. The factory stuff is thin and applied directly.over the clearcoat with the use of an adhesion promoter. You can actually peel.it off in sheets. Check YouTube. Linex is almost.double as thick and is applied by scuffing the factory paint and then applying leaving you with a mechanical and chemical adhesion. With warranty that exceeds the factory and a better product. 50 bucks more than factory. No brainer

Good points. I'll take exception to the front trail camera, though - to get that you have to add the premium audio and LED lighting packages, so in total it's more like $3185 unless you were already planning on those packages. Plus the Tazer lets you do other cool stuff.

I was wondering about the paint/coating quality on the aftermarket bumpers. How much do you have to spend to get something that will last?

At $250, the tow package is actually a really good deal. I was afraid they were going to price it much higher.

 

[fixbroke]

I'm also wondering what the alternatives might be for the Trail Rail. I don't need 110v in my bed, but depending on what sort of tie-down points there are back there I may need something to tie motorcycles to.

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