What day 1 mods do you recommend?

[RecessRampage]

I see a lot of individual mods discussion but I was wondering what day 1 mods people recommend.

I was thinking maybe a phone mount, the 12.3" screen protector, maybe a fender/hinge protector film?

What else would you recommend?

FWIW, I am waiting on my Rubicon X with the XR package, SOT, and warn winch.

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[SaintNick]

Phone mount is a must.

 

[Volstock]

My first mods:

Stubby antenna (Rydonair)
Tempered glass screen protector
Bullet Point Mounting solutions phone mount.

 

[jessedacri]

If you have any wheeling plans, a simple skid for the engine/transmission area is a must too. The rest of the rig is well enough protected and I think the full underbelly stuff is unnecessary after 50k miles of heavy wheeling.

I like the EVO Protek skid on my 2019 but it does seem like they don't make a compatible one for 2021-2024 models due to updated engine mounts.

 

[Diesel1776]

I see a lot of individual mods discussion but I was wondering what day 1 mods people recommend.

Dash cam. Dash cam. Dash cam.

That should be the single most important mod on everyone's list. Get one set up before you even drive it off the lot if possible.

 

[AFD]

Not really "mods", but just a few protective things I'd suggest to get done sooner rather than later..

Front mudflaps and/or PPF to protect the doors from rocks getting stuck in your front tires and flung up (some types of rails/sliders/steps also protect against this). WeatherTech and RokBlokz are the most popular choices for the Rubicon.

Floor liners and cargo mat. Lots of choices here, but Mopar and WeatherTech seem popular.

uConnect screen protector. Mopar and Spigen were popular for the 2018-23 8.4" screen, but not sure what's out there for the new one.

Get a Wool Wax/Fluid Film type of undercoating done if you'll be driving in winter on salted roads. Initial spray will likely be ~$200, but you can probably DIY for under $100.

Maybe consider a full or front PPF application to protect against stone chips. A ceramic coat is another option to consider while your paint is still clean. PPF is expensive and ceramic costs anywhere from a few hundred bucks for a yearly application to a few thousand for a 5 to 8 year application. Ceramic likely won't protect against rock chips too much, but should protect against contaminants damaging the paint.

 

[yokramer]

Nothing, drive it for a bit to see what you want to change. Wheel it a few times progressively harder to see what is going to touch with the type of wheeling you are going to do. Make a plan of the things you really want and stick to it.

That all said if you have more money than sense, on board air, some under body protection (lower control arms and rear shocks to at a minimum) and then whatever cosmetics you want to change.

Edit: Also a winch added to the more money than sense list if you plan to wheel by yourself.

 

[Rustynail11]

mine were stubby antenna. OEM all weather mats (got them here on the forum new for less than half what Jeep wanted) and 67 Designs Rail System with phone mount. This is my 3rd Jeep in the last 13 years and I have always started with small mods 1st while I decided what some of the larger more expensive mods were going to be

 

[At Risk Ute]

Stubby antenna and gorilla lugs.

 

[AcesandEights]

Rolex Submariner.

 

[Heimkehr]

I see a lot of individual mods discussion but I was wondering what day 1 mods people recommend.

I was thinking maybe a phone mount, the 12.3" screen protector, maybe a fender/hinge protector film?

What else would you recommend?

I counsel folks in your position to leave their new vehicle unmodified, for at least a week or so, and to just drive it. The discovery process itself can be rewarding.

Let the ergonomics, the fuel mileage, the operating quirks and everything else about the Jeep reveal itself to you naturally.

It may come to pass that you discover that you don't want a particular bauble that was otherwise earmarked for a Day One installation. Or, maybe something that you weren't in fact planning on comes to mind as a must-have.

Believe us, the vendors will still be there, ready and waiting, when you're ready to click Buy Now. ?

 

[Roky]

 

[Murphydog]

Many good suggestions here - driving a bit before any major changes is a good idea.

At a high level I would suggest a phone mount, many to choose from, search here and you find lots of pictures and experiences
I also would suggest thinking about mud flaps - depending on your plans. The KO2 will toss up lots of debris that will ding the door hinges and rear fenders just from normal driving. Keep in mind if you are also thinking of steps or running boards that will impact what you can buy / fit

 

[AcesandEights]

I don't get the phone mount thing. Don't most of you leave the phone at home, or throw it in a bag? What's the phone for when you're in a Jeep...seems counter-productive?

 

[grimmjeeper]

Skid plates are my typical first mod. If you're going to go off road you want protection for the vulnerable stuff.

After that, if you don't have any experience driving off road (and you intend to take the Jeep off road) go out with a group so you can do the "upgrade driver knowledge" mod.

You should have the driver upgrade in place (either through new experience or from previous off road fun) before doing other functional mods.

If you feel like doing cosmetic or interior mods, do them whenever.

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