Off Road Xtreme’s audience includes all types of enthusiasts with varying levels of knowledge and experience. We cannot all be experts ready to take on advanced technical vehicle enhancements. This article will highlight some of the low-hanging fruit when it comes to modifications. Off Road Xtreme presents five upgrades for a Jeep Wrangler you cannot mess up.

Off-roading is so unique compared to other auto-based sports with different vehicles for different types of recreation. One thing we can all agree on is that the Jeep Wrangler is the most commonly modified vehicle out there, hands down, across the board. It is a legendary 4×4 platform from the factory with loads of aftermarket options. We have identified a few products that just about anyone can add themselves or complete with the help of a friend. 

You Can Do These Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler Or On Any Vehicle

Keep in mind we are merely using the Jeep Wrangler platform as an example. Most companies such as the ones we have listed below will likely have the same or similar products available for popular vehicle applications.

Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler: Stay Grounded And Get A Grip

A really common first upgrade is to outfit your ride with oversized or aggressive tires. Getting a good set of trail-rated tires will help your rig perform better off-road and not leave you hung out miles from the pavement. We recommend going with a trusted name brand tire, and Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels is one of those legendary automotive icons that are well established. 

Mickey Thompson offers a complete line of mild Baja Boss A/T tires to the more aggressive Baja ATZ Hybrid all terrain tire. With their extreme Baja Boss M/T and premium MTZ tire, they have a well-rounded lineup. If I was shopping for a rugged off-road capable tire for my daily driver, I would most definitely land on the ATZ. It comes with a 45,000-mile limited warranty, 3 ply construction, and aggressive shoulder lugs. The “hybrid” design crosses an all-terrain tire with a mud terrain tread pattern and plants a wide footprint for extra grip but also gives a smooth ride on paved conditions. 

Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 Tire Features:

• Tough sculptured tread blocks for great all-around traction
• Silica-reinforced tread compound for wet performance, longevity, and cut/chip resistance
• Powerply 3-Ply sidewall construction for sidewall protection and responsive handling
• Deep aggressive shoulder SideBiters® for protection and improved off-road traction
• Scalloped shoulder lugs for improved off-road traction

If I needed tires to replace the worn out rubber for my main 4×4 rig, the Baja Boss M/T is an ultra-premium extreme mud terrain with a low-noise asymmetrical tread pattern. Offered up to Load Range F, this heavy duty radial tire with Mickey Thompson’s proprietary Powerply™ XD adds 50% heavier denier cord to the angled third ply. These advanced construction features provide better puncture resistance, quicker steering response, and greater stability.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T Tire Features:

• Asymmetrical tread pattern reduces noise, improves handling and ride
• Extra large four-pitch Sidebiters® for unparalleled off-road traction
• Stone ejector ribs prevent gravel from being wedged into tread grooves
• Silica-reinforced compound for better wear, cut and chip resistance, improved wet handling and braking
• Sizes from 15-24 inch wheel diameters for a variety of leveled and lifted vehicles
• Several sizes with increased load carrying capacity, including load range F

Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler: Breathe Easy And Let It Flow

A performance exhaust system is another quick and affordable modification that is easy to check off the list. Coming in at under $1,000, a complete exhaust system from a reputable manufacturer can free up some untapped ponies and improve the audible notes of your steed.  

Flowmaster Exhaust is a performance exhaust name brand well known for decades. They offer purpose built kits for all types of vehicles that offer a suite of sound from mild to wild. If you drive a new JL Wrangler, they have at least eleven different systems to choose from. Looking for an exhaust that can handle the trail and still pull the wool on pavement without getting pulled over every week, then the Flowmaster Flowfx Extreme Cat-Back Exhaust System is the ticket. 

Flowmaster Flowfx Extreme Features:

• FlowFX series performance muffler offers a deep powerful sound and increased performance
• 409 stainless steel construction delivers extra durability and improved long-term corrosion resistance
• Uses factory hanger locations for easy installation
• 3.0-inch 16-gauge mandrel bent stainless steel tubing helps maintain maximum exhaust flow for better power
• Includes all necessary hardware for an at home installation
• Dump style exit allows for better ground clearance when in extreme off-road conditions
• Lifetime Limited Warranty

For a JK Wrangler, they offer all the same series of exhaust. Flowmaster also has several options for the Jeep TJ as well.

Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler: Command And Control Performance

After a rig has been modified and enhanced for off-road trail driving, it really should be re-calibrated. This used to be complicated but now with modern technical devices it has become streamlined and easy to do. So easy that any vehicle owner with a hand-held programmer​ can unlock, calibrate, tune or program their ride in any number of ways. 

Superchips leads the market in this sector and they have recently revamped their Trail Dash unit with the new TD3. This is a device specifically built for jeepers who want to get the most performance out of their rig. 

The Trail Dash 3 all-new CRAWL screen gives you everything you need at your fingertips while off-roading. Vehicle Pitch & Roll, Front & Rear Differential Lock, Swaybar Quick Connect, Line Lock, Rock Lock, TPMS Adjust, along with Engine idle speed and up to four user selectable PID’s.

For Jeep Rubicon owners, the TD3 will allow you full control over your vehicle differential lockers. For example, when locked up, why limit vehicle speed to under 25-mph only. You could also turn on the rear locker while in two-wheel-drive, or both front and rear lockers while in four-high. The OEM design prevents these settings, but the TD3 allows full control. 

Superchips Trail Dash 3 Features:

• High-Resolution 5 Edge to Edge Swipe Screen
• Built in Wi-Fi for Easy Product Updates
• CRAWL Screen Offers Quick Access to Popular Off-Road Feature Controls
• Custom Color Mixer for Gauge Arcs, Needles, and Backgrounds
• Multiple Gauge Screen Layouts
• Switch Panel Screen to Control EAS Power Switches
• Fully Customizable Backgrounds
• HDMI Style Plug for Power and Linking EAS Accessories
• One-Touch Easy Menu NavigationHigh-Resolution 5 Edge to Edge Swipe Screen
• Built in Wi-Fi for Easy Product Updates
• CRAWL Screen Offers Quick Access to Popular Off-Road Feature Controls
• Custom Color Mixer for Gauge Arcs, Needles, and Backgrounds
• Multiple Gauge Screen Layouts
• Switch Panel Screen to Control EAS Power Switches
• Fully Customizable Backgrounds
• HDMI Style Plug for Power and Linking EAS Accessories
• One-Touch Easy Menu Navigation

Besides the Trail Dash, Superchips has a ton of programmer and tuning devices designed specifically for various applications and a lot of other Jeep products.

Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler: Off-Road Sturdy Cargo & Organization

With your Wrangler rolling on good rubber, the performance all tuned and humming, we would now suggest outfitting the vehicle with a cargo system. Jeeps are not exactly known for being enormously spacious, in fact they are built small to be nimble and trail compatible. Adding rugged cargo enhancements will allow you to haul all the necessary gear needed for a day on the trail or an extended off-road adventure. Staying organized is an added benefit while keeping everything easily accessible to retain your sanity.   

Garvin Industries is a family run business and has been specializing in the manufacturing of cargo trays, racks, and other specialty off-road vehicle products since 1975. All American made, hand fabricated and built in house at their facility in California, Garvin Industries have also manufactured products for OEM accounts such as: Warn Industries, Superwinch, and A.M. General Corp. 

They offer vehicle specific products for JL Wranglers, JK Wranglers, TJ, YJ, CJ, other Jeeps, and vehicles too. The racks are the biggest movers, and come in all different configurations. To deck out my new JL as an “overlander” their Expedition Full Rack would do the trick. I am partial to this setup because I could further upgrade with a rear ladder system, an ARB Awning mount, LED Light Mounts, Rotopax Mounts, and Tool Mounts as well. There are a ton of available accessories and even a Yakima or Thule cross bar system could be added for endless mounting options.

Garvin Industries Expedition Full Rack Features:

• No drilling required for installation
• Mounts securely to front windshield brackets and to lower body of Jeep
• Hold up to 300 pounds driving off-road and 600 lbs static weight
• Perfect for a roof top tent
• Features enough clearance to remove the Jeep’s Freedom top front sections without having to remove the rack

There is also a Jeep JK Wrangler Adventure Rack available, or you could opt for any other of the rack styles. 

Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler: Extended Range and Adventure Ready

Now that you are almost ready to hit the trail for that off-road adventure, let’s get you some extra range. When going off-grid exploring the wilderness, it is important to know where the nearest gas station is, and how far you can venture away and still make it back for a fill up. This is basically defined as your fuel range.

Titan Fuel Tanks produces XXL direct replacement tanks, auxiliary tanks, and transfer tanks to help extend one’s vehicle fuel range. With these wonderful time saving solution products, you can put an end to the headaches on long road trips, save time, improve range, cut fuel costs and fill up when you want. 

Their Titan Trail Trekker II™ Tank is specifically designed for off-road rigs. This transfer tank mounts to and straddles full size spare tires carried at the rear of the vehicle.

Titan Trail Trekker II Features:

• 12 gallon capacity
• Fits all stock and most aftermarket Wrangler tire carriers
• Models and mounting kits to fit 5, 6, and 8 lug patterns
• Tank is fully grounded
• Lifetime Warranty
• FREE 2 GPM Shaker Siphon included

Military grade cross-linked polymer construction means these things are built to last and tough enough for serious off-roading abuse. Sold with a lifetime warranty and American made means you can trust Titan to not leave you stranded on the trail. 

What Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler You You Choose?

Off Road Xtreme wants to hear from you. Feel free to drop a comment or share with your friends on what Five Upgrades For A Jeep Wrangler you would choose. Like we stated, this was the low hanging fruit, and sometimes that is all you need to catch the bug and get the ball rolling.