Top 6 Simple Mods to Instantly Improve Your Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT!
Jeep owners are always on the lookout for their next great upgrade—and who can blame them? The Jeep JL Wrangler and JT Gladiator are among the most mod-friendly vehicles ever built. Often compared to “adult Legos,” Jeeps offer an endless range of high-quality, bolt-on modifications that make customization easy and fun. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 6 easy upgrades any Jeep owner can install, regardless of skill level. Whether you're aiming to boost your rig’s rugged style, improve everyday functionality, or gear up for off-road adventures, this guide has you covered.
#1 LED Pod Reverse Light 💡
Anybody who's ever backed up their Jeep before (everyone) can agree that backing up at night sucks! The dim reverse lights on the JL and JT just don't offer the visibility needed for confident backing up. If only a top-tier aftermarket lighting company would come out with a super-bright, super-easy to install LED Pod Reverse Light...
Well, you're in luck, Diode Dynamics offers their Hitch Mount LED Pod Reverse Light for just the occasion. Not only will you get enhanced visibility when reversing, you also get a 4th brake light and an additional running light! Best of all you can plug-and-play it into your Jeep's 7-pin trailer connector. This mod truly ticks all of the boxes.
#2 Fire Extinguisher 🧯
Fire can be a truly destructive force of nature if left to get out of hand. Whether you're on the trail or at camp, a fire extinguisher can prove to be a life saving tool to have. Fire can rear it's ugly head in the form of a vehicle fire, an uncontrolled campfire, a grill that catches fire and more. Element makes protecting your loved ones, yourself and your rig from fire easy and convenient.
Element's E50 and larger E100 models are compact enough to store or mount just about anywhere in your rig, so you can save precious interior space while still carrying a fire extinguisher. So go ahead and make Smokey proud and pick yourself up a compact and easy to use Element Fire Extinguisher!
#3 Shorty Antenna 🔊
Up until 2024 all Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators had a component that has largely remained unchanged since Jeep first added a radio to their vehicles - a long radio antenna. This radio antenna isn't ideal for off-roading as it's constantly banging and twanging off of branches and can even snap back far enough to hit your Jeep’s paint. It also tends to look outdated on your modern Jeep build.
That's where the Rugged Ridge Reflex Antenna 6in comes into play! This low profile antenna gives your Jeep a more rugged look while also virtually eliminating the risk of tree limbs from grabbing at your antenna! Best of all, installation couldn't be easier and can be completed in less than 10 minutes.
#4 GMRS 2-Way Radio 📻
Just like your wife (or husband) always says, communication is key! So why should that be any different with your trail buddies? Midland's MXT275 GMRS 2-Way Radio kit gives you everything you need to get it flawlessly set up in your Jeep. This 2-Way Radio Kit allows you to coordinate navigation, spot each other through obstacles, maintain clear communication for emergency situations, or just talk about your feelings (we won't judge!). Don't go another off-road trip without Midland's MXT275 GMRS 2-Way Radio Kit and share the adventure and good times with your trail buddies!
#5 Front Floor Liners 🛡️
Like it or not, the Jeep JL and JT's come from the factory with carpet. Carpet can easily be ruined by just one or two off-road trips and overtime it degrades from daily use. Tracking in mud, snow, sand, dirt and 100 other flavors of grime will lead to your carpet looking more like rugged off-road terrain than soft, clean flooring. Protect your interior from anything that threatens to ruin your carpet. WeatherTech’s Front Floor Liners for the JL and JT are designed to keep your front footwells clean and protected. Made from patented high-density tri-extruded material, they offer outstanding strength and a secure grip on your factory carpet.
#6 Hydraulic Hood Assist 🚙
When you opened your Jeep JL or JT's hood for the first time, were you disappointed it still features a manual prop rod? Hydraulic hood assists seem like a no-brainer for your pricey 4x4 and would make opening your hood much easier and convienent. Luckily Rough Country has you covered with their Hydraulic Hood Assist! This upgrade eliminates the need to use the old school prop rod and raises your hood automatically. Whether you're giving your Jeep an oil change, changing the engine air filter or just admiring the engine bay, get yourself the Rough Country Hydraulic Hood Assist.
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