When Jeeps were first developed their intended purpose was to be used as military vehicles because of their strength and durability. As more and more soldiers began coming home, Jeeps became more popular among civilians who discovered how functional and fun they could be. Since then, Jeeps have become a vehicle that is used for everything from carpooling to rock crawling. This has increased the demand for Jeep parts and accessories.
Jeep parts can range from replacement fan belts to specialty items such as lift kits. When purchasing parts for your vehicle, the first thing you should determine is what the primary use will be for your ride. If it is going to be an everyday vehicle then the parts and accessories will differ than those needed for off-roading purposes. What we are going to do is help you determine which parts would be best suited for your overall driving needs.
First we will discuss what type of accessories and after-market Jeep parts that will best suit your Jeep if its primary use will be off-road driving.
- Tires – Tires used for off-roading are very different than those used for everyday driving. Choosing your tires for off-road driving should be determined by the type of terrain you will be driving on the most. For instance, mudding tires differ greatly than those used for rock crawling. There are some all-terrain tires available, but if you are going to be driving on one type of terrain it is recommended that you use tires designed for that purpose.
- Lift Kits – Lift kits are a necessity for off-road driving. They are often the first Jeep accessory that drivers purchase. Lift kits are designed to provide a driver with the clearance needed to safely drive over obstacles that may be lying on the trail. It is primarily up to the driver how big they want to go, but to begin with simply choose a size that will provide you with the clearance you feel comfortable with.
- Winches – Winches are usually on the top of any off-road driver’s list of must have accessories. Winches are used to pull a Jeep free if it should become stuck on the trail. They range in sizes and can easily be installed. It is a good idea for anyone who plans to spend any time driving off-road purchase and install a winch on their Jeep. Many off-roading clubs will not allow membership unless you have a winch installed.
Now we will discuss which type of Jeep accessories and parts that are favored by city drivers.
- Tops – If your Jeep is one that has a removable top you may be interested in purchasing a different style. There are many different styles of tops that can be purchased after-market ranging from soft tops to bikini tops. They are relatively easy to install and can be done by virtually anyone.
- Doors – Many Jeep owners who live in warmer climates enjoy taking off their hard doors and replacing them with lighter soft doors or half doors. Doing this will affect the safety of your vehicle and should be thoroughly considered before installation.
- Tires – As with off-roading, city driving presents its own set of obstacles. If you reside in an area that experiences snowy winters you should choose an all-weather tire. This will provide you with the added traction that snow driving may require. If you plan to use your Jeep as a primarily city vehicle but would like to take it off-road on occasion you may want to install an all-traction tire. This will provide you with traction for both city and off-road driving.
