Customizing your off-road vehicle with the right aftermarket components can significantly enhance its performance, durability, and safety. If you own one of these top rated offroad vehicles: Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Ford Bronco, Toyota Tacoma, or Toyota 4Runner, here are some of the top extreme, but super worth it upgrades to consider:
Suspension Systems
1. Lift Kits
- Zone Offroad 6.5-inch Lift Kit: Essential for increasing ground clearance and accommodating larger tires. Perfect for those tackling rough terrains.
- Rusty's Off Road 4.5-inch Performance Kit for Jeep Wrangler JK: Enhances suspension articulation and durability.
*** If parking in a standard garage is your deal, consider no more than a 2.5" lift if you go as big as 37" tires. Our personal favorite is the Skyjacker 2.5-inch Lift kit.
2. Aftermarket Shocks and Struts
- Fox Shocks and King Shocks: Improve handling and comfort on rough terrains, offering a smoother ride and better control. There is a reason why these two brands are top year after year, once you feel what proper shock dampening should feel like you'll wonder how anyone goes without!
Tires and Wheels
1. Offroad Tires and Wheels
- All-terrain or mud-terrain tires from brands like BFGoodrich, Yokohama and Goodyear provide better grip and durability on various surfaces. Investing in good tires will make a huge difference between making the obstacle unassisted.... or having to be winched up because you couldn't get a grip.
2. Rugged Wheels
- Stronger wheels, such as steel rims, can withstand impacts from rocks and other obstacles. Opt for wheels with a negative offset to enhance stability. We love Raceline Defenders and personally use the 20" rims with 37" tires. There is a lot of opinion on the proper rim size for off-roading, what's your take?
Recovery Gear
1. Winches
- A winch and winch bumper are crucial for self-recovery in sticky situations. Brands like Warn and Smittybilt offer reliable options. Now if you are also the guy or gal with the good tires you just might the MVP of saving the day in trails like John Bull in Big Bear, CA.
2. Recovery Gear Straps
- Heavy-duty recovery straps ensure safe and effective vehicle recovery operations, a must-have for any off-road adventure. We like the save the tree options and find Factor 55 to be a really great buy.
Protection
1. Steel Bumpers
- Provide protection against impacts and offer mounting points for winches, recovery points, and additional lighting. Not to mention the ones your vehicle came with will get shredded pretty quickly even with the lightest scrapes with rocky gatekeepers.
2. Skid Plates
- Protect the undercarriage, preventing damage to vital components like the engine, transmission, and fuel tank. Off-road skid plates are essential for any serious Off-Road Rock Crawling. Also highly recommend differential covers, for trails like the Rubicon, this $100 accessory could save thousands in protected diffs and recovery costs.
3. MEK Magnet Removable Trail Armor
- Year after year, this removable armor proves to be the best bang for your buck. It offers protection against scratches, dents, and debris impacts while allowing for easy customization. MEK Magnet Removable Trail Armor is available for Jeep Wrangler armor, Ford Bronco armor, Toyota Tacoma armor, Toyota 4Runner armor, and Jeep Gladiator armor. Prices range from $400 to $1,000.
4. Off-Road Brush Guard
- Protects the front end of your vehicle from brush and debris, enhancing both protection and style.
5. Off-Road Rocker Panel
- Guards the lower sides of your vehicle from rocks and other obstacles and is also a stylish step for if you go really big on the tires and / or lift.
Performance Enhancements
1. Upgraded Control Arms
- Adjustable control arms with forged flex ends improve suspension articulation and durability. Enough said.
2. Differential Lockers for Off-Road
- Ensure both wheels on an axle rotate at the same speed, improving traction on uneven terrain. Eaton and ARB offer lockers that can cost between $500 and $1,500. Most new off-road vehicles will offer these as an upgrade. Many learn to drive without them, but once you feel the difference crawling up an obstacle you'll wonder how you went without for so long!
3. Ram Assist Kits
- For vehicles like the Jeep Gladiator, a PSC Big Bore Extreme Duty Ram Assist Kit enhances steering performance under heavy loads.
Accessories
1. Off-Road Roof Rack
- Additional storage and protection are essential for long trips. The DV8 Off-Road Square Back Hard Top for the Jeep Wrangler JK is a popular choice and we really like Raket Designs roof racks for the Ford Bronco.
2. Lighting
- Upgrading to high-performance off-road lights, such as LED light bars from KC HiLiTES, improves visibility during nighttime or low-visibility conditions. Small side lights will greatly help you see what's around you. If you've ever driven trails at night you'll quickly learn the very limited visibility of just your headlights.
3. Off-Road Snorkel Kit
- Elevates the air intake to prevent water from entering the engine during deep water crossings. Few realize this is an amazing accessory for desert and dusty driving as well and will save your air filters from rapidly clogging and starving your engine of air.
4. Off-Road Trail Doors
- Enhance the open-air driving experience while providing protection your factory doors. But if you are driving a trail where you might get snagged and whipped by branches, then stick to the MEK Removable Trail Armor and use full doors.
5. Off-Road High Lift Jack
- Essential for lifting your vehicle to change a tire or get unstuck in difficult terrain. There are also accessories for this accessory like stability platforms when trying to use your jack on soft ground.
6. Paint Protection Film
- Protects the vehicle's paint from scratches, chips, and other damage. This is a good year-round option but not exactly trail armor level protection from serious brush. Protect your paint accordingly.
Protect Your Investment
Considering the costs associated with repairing paint damage, investing in protective gear is crucial. Here are some average costs for repairing paint damage on popular Off-Road Rock Crawling vehicles:
- Ford Bronco: $1,000 to $3,000
- Jeep Wrangler: $800 to $2,500
- Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner: $500 to $2,000
MEK Magnet Removable Trail Armor stands out for its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. It offers a significant level of protection without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
You've just dropped a pretty penny enhancing your off-road vehicle with these aftermarket components to, lets be honest, so you can drive where others fear to go. Just keep in mind, because few can traverse these hardcore trails means the trails are more likely very overgrown. You spent a lot to get your beast looking and performing it's best, lets not trash it with pinstriping or worse for paint scratches. MEK Magnet Removable Trail Armor, in particular, offers excellent value, combining protection and aesthetic appeal. Equip your ride with these upgrades and be a badass with peace of mind.