In a previous post, “Jeep Wrangler Modifications: Part 1“, I documented many of the changes/additions I’ve made over the years to my Wrangler. This post continues that discussion with even more modifications.
2000 Jeep Wrangler Mods: (Part manufacturers are in parentheses, as are letters keyed to the various photos)
11. Locking differentials (ARB air lockers) and larger, stronger rear axle shafts (Super 35 Kit) – Lockers are awesome! Ability to lock the rear and/or front tires together to prevent one tire from sitting idly on solid ground while the other spins away makes a huge difference off-road. I chose the very popular ARB air lockers, front and rear, combined with larger diameter rear axle shafts that augment the weak Dana 35c rear axle that’s in my Jeep. I installed the switches for the ARB air compressor and the front and rear locker actuation switches in the center right section of my dashboard (q).
12. Locking, steel console and glove compartment lid (p – Tuffy) and locks for my full doors (Tuffy) – The stock console and glove box are flimsy plastic and no deterrent to thieves. When the top is off, you really need some place with secure storage and the Tuffy products deliver that. The console also has two cupholders bolted to the rear for back seat passengers to use. I also have door hinge locks, keyed the same as the console and glove box, which helps prevent door theft.
Interior
Door hinge locks
13. Trailer brake controller (r – Prodigy) – Since I sometimes tow a trailer, I opted for a trailer brake controller, which is really nice when on steep downhills off-road or when heavily loaded.
14. Air compressor (Viair) – Nothing smooths out your ride off-road and provides better traction than airing down your tires. However, then you have to air them back up when you return to pavement. I installed an air compressor just inside the tailgate to do just that and have two flexible hoses to reach anywhere I need. The air compressor is also great for airing up camping or any other accessories that require air. Many Jeepers install an air tank to go along with the compressor. I also have a second air compressor in the engine compartment that powers my ARB air lockers that could be used for airing up tires, but I much prefer a larger, dedicated unit like my Viair for that chore.
Viair compressor
15. CB (Cobra), navigation system (Garmin Nuvi 500), handheld CB (Midland), walkie-talkies (Midland) – For navigation, I use a Garmin Nuvi 500 which has auto, bike, and hiking modes, pre-installed 100K topo maps and a removable battery, such that extra batteries can be used if away from the vehicle for extended times. I have a small Cobra CB that is mounted in the Jeep (to the two roll cage bars that run down the center of the front passenger compartment) along with a portable Midland unit that can be used out of the Jeep, and two Midland walkie-talkies. A CB antenna is mounted to my rear bumper.
16. Front sway bar quick disconnects (JKS), rear sway bar extensions, and adjustable front track bar (JKS) – Unhooking your front sway bar can aid front axle articulation, thereby keeping your front tires on the ground, and quick disconnects can make that simple and safe. With lifted Jeeps, installing rear sway bar extensions help keep sway bar geometry close to what it was designed to be from the factory. An adjustable front track bar allows better fine tuning of suspension geometry while usually being stronger than stock.
17. Roof rack (s – Garvin Expedition Rack) and kayak carriers (Malone) – My latest addition is a stout roof rack from Garvin which allows me to transport my kayaks at will. To help with that, I use two sets of Malone kayak carriers.
Roof rack
18. Aftermarket wheels (American Racing Baja) and larger off-road tires (BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A and Goodyear Wrangler MTR’s) – I have two sets of tires (both 32×11.50R15LT), one all terrain set for normal driving and a set of mud terrains for the more difficult situations. To be honest, I like the BFG All Terrain T/A’s so much that I rarely ever use the mud terrains. The Goodyear MTR’s do have incredibly tough side walls, though! The Baja wheels are 8″ wide with 3.75″ of backspacing. I also use this same tire and wheel combination on my Rubicon Cargo Trailer, thereby allowing me to use the same spares on both the Jeep and trailer, and making a visually attractive package. For a photo and more information on my Rubicon Cargo Trailer, see the post entitled “My Travel Essentials“.
wheels & tires
19. Arm rests (Misch) – Another early edition to my Jeep as the lack of real arm rests got old really quickly.
arm rests
20. Air intake system (Airaid) – This aftermarket system was actually installed to free up some space under the hood so the air compressor for my ARB air lockers could be mounted to the right fender (see part with blue tubing in picture below), but it is normally added to allow greater air intake to the engine, thereby slightly increasing horsepower. The filter element in this unit is simply washed and re-oiled when dirty, such that buying of replacement filters is not required.
air intake
21. Trunk (Steel Horse) – I bought this when my Jeep was almost new as I needed a little extra space to haul things, but haven’t used it much since I got the trailer and the roof rack. A friend modified the tongue so that it’s raised and a different length than stock, such that it snugs right up against the spare tire, while still allowing access to inside the tailgate when the trunk is extended backwards on its slide mechanism.
22. Miscellaneous – Safari doors (Olympic 4×4 Products), safari soft top (like a bikini top except extends all the way to the back of the Jeep), trail cover (Bestop), plastic floor mats (Husky), grab handles, tree-saver strap, tow strap, recovery strap, flat tire repair kit, factory repair manual, collapsible shovel, tools, spare parts, emergency medical kit.
Man, that’s more modifications than I realized until I prepared this list. I guess that’s why Jeep stands for “just empty every pocket”!
Thanks for visiting. Keep on adventuring!
