First mod to a jeep

[Zandcwhite]

If you are going to rock crawl, especially if you are new to it, spend your money on protection. Relocate the steering stabilizer on top of the tie rod as it is a rock magnet in the stock location. Full set of belly skids as the factory skids are sheet metal garbage. Rock sliders that stick out beyond the doors will go a long way to keep the body nice. Finally upgrading the rear bumper as the stock one flexes in to the body leaving damage when you drop it on a ledge or rock. Learning to wheel at stock height on stock tires is great, but the damage you can quickly do while learning can easily be avoided.

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[Smoke Showing]

I also say keep it stock and use it to find out what YOU actually need it to do. You may find that your off-roading is mostly rutted muddy trails and not rock crawling. Don’t rush down the wrong rabbit hole with mods.

 

[Jerpy]

Here's my running list of mods/accessories — have fun!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I told myself that I would drive mine for a long time before doing anything major to it. My long list of mods so far at 19k miles.

In no particular order
An OEM fuel door
A set of Kixback doors off mirrors
Bungie balls to hold the rear seat belts from flapping in the wind
Cut the "Euro" wind guards off of the stock plastic bumper
New wiper blades to replace the factory one that wore out
Black shrink wrap over the silver antenna

Not a mod, but Jeep related, a Top Lift Pro

I've found that it does almost all of what I need stock. No major trails around here. Big Bend is a half day drive away.

When the factory bumpers are damaged or start to look crappy, I'll replace them with metal ones. When the OEM 32s wear out, I'll go with 33s. When the LSD goes, I'll get TruTracs front and rear with a re-gear to 4.30, and then get a lift and 315s. That's my plan anyway, subject to change at anytime based on my wants/needs/bank account.

 

[yarmo]

Put a dash cam in it.. then a fire extinguisher. Then add 40's lol

 

[Apexcars]

40’s

 

[Spank]

Beautiful Jeep! The first thing I'd do is replace those headlights.

 

[OBD]

I removed my rear seat.Added protective mods....Door sill guards,mats,seat covers,cargo liner,fuel door.I did the rear tire delete to save weight and improve gas mileage. I will upgrade to lightweight 33" AT tires and lose the mud terrains at a later date.The Willys is all I will ever need as far as off-road capabilities.

 

[Industrialwrench]

Full set of skids and you’ll go almost anywhere.

 

[rkwfxd]

I had rock sliders, bumpers and full skids before my jeep was ever built. But thats how I use mine.

Some folks might start with a cell phone holder or refrigerator. Others might start with a RTT.

Heck Im sure some started by tearing out the axles and going to tons and 40s with a custom cage.

 

[Zippity]

I am new to jeep, but it has always been a dream vehicle to own a 2 door rubicon. I finally pull the trigger on a Rubicon 2 door purple reign. I would like to start modifying it. what first mods should I focus on first.

Since you live in a warm climate, I would get a TopLift Pro. A little pricey, but well worth it! So easy to remove the top and store it.

 

[2DR OVRLND]

what first mods should I focus on first.

If you plan on doing any off-roading whatsoever I would highly recommend throwing on a winch with a takeoff steel bumper. Other than that it'll do almost anything you want it to since you have such a short wheelbase.

 

[Carolina Jeeper]

No matter if you are planning to offroad or not put together a tool kit and even add a tire plug kit with it. I stow a breaker bar and socket for lugnut removal since the factory lugnut tools are junk.

Some people are adding on board air compressors but I actually just carry a portable one with a 20' hose.

Recovery gear, fire extinguisher, flares...

Auxiliary lighting and or update existing lighting.

Definitely get a dash cam!

All weather floor mats and cargo mat.

My top two favorites are my aftermarket Genesis dual battery kit and the Tazer JL programmer to make changes to my Jeep like enabling or disabling functions and speedometer calibrations after tire size or gear ratio changes.

The list can get pretty long, but these are my favorites.

I've replaced bumpers, tailgate hinge assembly and even added a winch, but they actually aren't my favorite upgrades/modifications.

 

[Tethmes]

Seatbelt silencers if you plan on going topless. $30 is a very small price to pay to keep your sanity intact. I'd also change the headlights personally. As low as $40 for a set of replacement LED bulbs, or as many hundreds as you're willing to pay if you want an entire aftermarket housing. (Disclaimer: You may need a programmer such as a Tazer or JScan to tell the Jeep you swapped to LED if the lights you get give you any flickering. You will definitely want to do this if the LED lights you get don't have a driver included. Example, stock LED takeoffs from another wrangler.)

As far as the functional stuff, first suggestion would be a Tazer! It does much more than just set you up for LED conversions, and will give you most of the reprogramming needs for any mods moving forward. As well as a crap ton of other handy little features that allow you to customize your jeep and make it's little computer quirks less annoying. Other than that, every time you take it offroad you'll figure out what direction you want to go with mods to suit your needs. My own list keeps growing faster than I get the cash to keep up with it... lol.

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