What You Need to Know About Customizing Your Used Jeep Wrangler

There are many reasons why the Jeep Wrangler stands out from the crowd—its off-roading capability, the removable tops and doors, and its unique design. But one of the most exciting perks of the Wrangler is its endless list of available modifications. It can be especially fun to mod a used Wrangler because you can save money upfront and make it your own over time. Before you head out to a used Jeep dealer, it’s good to start thinking about what you’re looking for. Want to build a mud crawler? More interested in an all-terrain beast? We’ve got info on some of the most popular Jeep Wrangler modifications and which trim levels are most fun to customize to get you started.

A Look at Some Common Modifications

Wheels and Tires

Let’s start simple. Sure, technically, this is something you can switch up on any vehicle type or brand, but wheels and tires are especially important for Wrangler drivers. If you’re off-roading, you’ll want larger tires, preferably mud tires or all-terrains with wheels no larger than half the tire’s height. If you’re building a Wrangler just to look cool on the highway and in the streets, you can then consider big, flashy wheels and won’t have to worry so much about tires. We’d still recommend at least adding all-terrain tires to your street Jeep because there may still be times when you want to utilize your ride’s 4×4 capability, like during bad weather or on an unfamiliar backroad.

Off-Roading Light Bars and Auxiliary Lighting

Now it’s time to talk about lighting. Light bars are bright LED add-ons that increase nighttime visibility. It’s important to keep in mind that this item isn’t too city-savvy; you’ll probably get honked at a lot, and it might even be illegal for you to use light bars in town; however, when you’re camping, farming, or heading off the trails, this one is a must-have. You can install LED light bars on your Wrangler in different locations, but these mods are most commonly installed above the windshield to increase your overhead view range.

The hood and front bumper are optional locations, too. Light bars illuminate the area much better than stock headlights and can be handy when you’re stationary as well, like when it’s time to set up the campsite after dark. Light bars are part of a broader category referred to as “auxiliary lighting” that covers a variety of additional bright light add-ons that can provide similar results.

Colorful Lighting

Speaking of lights, not all of them have to be functional; you can have fun with lighting mods as well. Colorful light add-ons work well for off-roaders and street prowlers alike because they function solely for aesthetic appeal. Options include underglow lighting, spare wheel lighting, headlight rings, and interior lighting. There are different color options, too, with dynamic features for multiple colors and flashing patterns.

Body Armor

Adding body armor to your Wrangler will significantly increase its aesthetic appeal while protecting the exterior from off-road damage. Options include everything from specific panels to inclusive kits that cover the entire Jeep, with door panels, corner panels, rock rails, rear quarter panels, and more. Technically, there are even some sturdy overhead carriers that count as body armor and rock sliders that include side steps for added convenience.

Winches

The winch is a common mod for off-roaders, but it’s more useful on the trails, and anyone can benefit from one. Winches are used to help pull other people out of tight situations or even to get your own ride unstuck. There are several different winch types to choose from; hydraulic and electric are the most common, with electric being the most convenient and hydraulic typically the strongest. Hydraulic winches are a bit more expensive and aren’t as common for off-roaders because they’re less convenient. They’ll run longer than an electric winch, but it’s not likely that you’ll need the hydraulic power. It’s more suitable for commercial-level endeavors. When fixing a Jeep Wrangler, your best bet is to stick with an electric winch.

Grille Inserts and Add-Ons

Another fun way to upgrade your Wrangler’s looks is by enhancing the front-end design. One way to do this is via grille inserts, which are visible through the grille itself and come in many different designs. These mods are less expensive than actual grilles and are easy to install. You can also upgrade the grille itself in several ways; matte designs, different colored grilles (like the stock Willys), and chromed-out options; the choices are endless. No matter how you decide to enhance your Jeep’s grille area, it’s a great way to make your ride stand out from the crowd.

The Best Trim Levels for Mods

The Sport

The Wrangler Sport, found on the lot of our Jeep dealership in Minot, is a fun trim to customize because it’s the most “bare bones” model you can get, so it’s easy to make it your own from the ground up. Like all Wranglers, it’s naturally off-road capable, but you get the chance to make it even more so. It also has a lower price tag because it’s a base-level trim. Add that to the fact that you’re going for a used model, and you can invest far less upfront and save cash for future upgrades.

The Rubicon

When you’re into hardcore off-roading, the Rubicon is the way to go. This trim level has been around since the early 2000s and has always had one goal in mind: serious all-terrain capability. Since the Rubicon has a standard Rock-Trac system, you can focus on enhancing its already impressive trailing power rather than building it from the ground up. This model is definitely one you’ll want to add a winch to if you plan on using it for what it’s truly made for: serious off-roading adventure.

The Willys

Want something somewhere in the middle? The Willys trim is a great one to modify. It’s a more modern trim level, so it’s only available on used Wrangler models that are 2020 and newer, which does put it in a “newer used” category. It has standard off-roading capability and features, including mud tires, rock rails, and enhanced skid plates. While it’s a bit more expensive of a used option than the JK generation (2007-2018), it comes with so much off-roading power already that it won’t require many modifications unless you’re looking for more aesthetic changes.

Built for Customization

These models are some of the “most fun” to customize for the reasons we mentioned, affordability, and stock off-road capability, but every Wrangler is upgrade-ready. No matter which year or trim level you choose, these vehicles are made for enthusiasts, whether that means the people who tear up trails or folks who just like to have the snazziest ride on the road. No model is necessarily more “equipped” for modifications than any other; we just pointed out some options that are the best fits for different driver types.

So, don’t feel tied to any specific trim or model year. As a used Jeep Wrangler dealer, we see many different makes and models come in and out of our dealership. You may find anything from a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to a unique special edition trim if you’re lucky enough. It’s all about which Jeep speaks the most to your lifestyle, aesthetic, and budget. The best thing to do is take each prospective model for a test drive so you can understand which stock features are necessary and which ones you can live without or ones you can at least get by without until it’s time to start installing the add-ons.