Jeep Wrangler Accessories

The average Jeep sustains a lot of damage on the trails: tree branches, rocks and rollovers are just a few of the perils that may befall the average Jeep Wrangler. As the various companies that have produced Jeeps over the years have always followed a “form-follows-function” aesthetic, it should come as no surprise that anything not vital to the operation of the vehicle may or may not last as long as the heavy duty frame and suspension.

As such, one of the most important and common Jeep Wrangler accessories is a new soft top. Generally expensive to replace with stock parts, a massive aftermarket has sprung up to supply a cheap alternative to those factory Jeep Wrangler accessories.
One such company is Rugged Ridge, a fairly new but generally well reviewed company. Rugged ridge sells several variation of its basic soft top, retailing for around $300 for 1987-94 Jeep Wranglers, depending on whether or not you order window tint.

All Rugged Ridge basic soft tops are made of a durable vinyl and polyester layered fabric that is engineered to last significantly longer under the stresses of the trail without tearing, while maintaining the flexibility and ease of use of a stock top. Special additives in these Jeep Wrangler accessories help it to reduce fading under direct UV light 3 times better than the stock fabric top. Even the thread used to sew the fabric is designed to resist fading, being of a fully marine-grade material designed for use in the incredibly abusive environment of an off-shore boat.

Patented crystal clear DOT plastics fill in for the weak stock Plexiglas, being far stringer and more scratch and fade resistant than the stock pieces. Overcoming a particular failing of the stock piece in maintaining its capacity under heavy rains, every seam is literally heat-welded shut. This supplements the strength of the marine thread, seals the sewing-holes and helps to maintain the smooth look of the original top. Stock functionality is maintained, as the Rugged Ridge unit utilizes the factory belt-rail attachment method, eliminating the need to drill holes in or otherwise alter the stock body. This top is a true bolt-on, and one of the better investments the average owner can make as far as Jeep Wrangler accessories go.

Other Jeep Wrangler accessories you may be interested in include the commonly used “rock-step.” This accessory serves the dual function of giving vertically-challenged Jeep owners an leg up in accessing the driver’s seat, and protecting the vulnerable side undercarriage of the truck from damage cause by careless driving or high-centering. However, most people don’t need these particular Jeep Wrangler accessories unless they have oversized tires, which is by far the most common modification made to the average wrangle.

This often necessitates the addition of another of the most commonly used Jeep Wrangler accessories, the fender flare. These often plastic wheel arch covers give your trail modified Jeep a little additional width, which is generally required as in most states the wheels cannot extend more than one inch past the sides of the body.