Jeep Wrangler is a favorite among off-road drivers with its rugged styling and iconic look. Designed to be the ultimate adventure vehicle, the Wrangler is exceptional with removable doors and tops, four-wheel drive, ground clearance, traction, suspension, and maneuverability, all suited to off-road excellence. Go beyond standard Jeep features and customize your off-roading, rock crawling experience with upscale mufflers, bumpers, and tires that go the extra mile in performance.
Upgrade your muffler
Jeeps are renowned for sound, and muffler options let you choose the decibel level you want when you go off-road. From the quieter street muffler to aggressive off-road mufflers, you control the soundtrack of your lifestyle. Street mufflers are primarily designed for Jeep Wranglers intended for public roads without disturbing the peace. If that’s not the rush you want as an avid off-roader you might prefer a muffler with more ground clearance for rugged terrain and a bit more voice.
· Rock crawler mufflers are a step up in the sound department, with a more aggressive exterior sound while keeping it quieter inside the cabin. Specifically designed to offer extra ground clearance and help to keep your Jeep from bottoming out when off-roading, a rock crawler series muffler is great choice for any Jeep Wrangler.
· Off-road mufflers are engineered to deliver sound that will truly wake up your jeep. You’ll be heard before you’re seen, as these mufflers offer impressive sound to keep your blood pumping. For extreme noise along with extra ground clearance, an off-road muffler is the perfect alternative to the rock crawler muffler.
· Competition series mufflers deliver maximum power by extracting every ounce of performance from your engine. Primarily designed for street use, they are the lightest mufflers you can buy but for off-road activity, they don’t give additional ground clearance like the rock crawler series mufflers or the desired lift and sound of the off-road mufflers.
Get serious about bumpers
Most Jeeps made after 2007 have plastic front and rear bumpers, which is fine for tame in-town driving due to their proven durability. But for demanding off-road capability, upgrading to steel Jeep factory-installed bumpers or aftermarket steel bumpers will give added strength and durability for challenging terrain. Different materials and styles create options to customize for performance and appearance for a one-of-a-kind Jeep Wrangler.
· Bumpers are available in a variety of widths from factory-width bumpers (full front coverage) to mid-size and stubby widths that sit centrally, not covering the full front of the Jeep.
· Lightweight tubular bumpers are most cost effective for a non-stock look, but few designs can handle the weight of a winch or other desirable accessories like LED headlights and D-links.
· Rock crawler bumpers are tough “stubbies” with plenty of options for off-road lights, hooks, and winches.
· Dramatic stinger bumpers are specifically built for off-road use and protection from critical roof roll-over in an accident. Some states prohibit their use for highway driving, but a less prominent version of the stinger is the road-safe stinger for both street and off-road driving.
· Steel bumpers are strong, inexpensive, and stylish, but they add additional weight to the front of the jeep and will rust. Finishes include solid steel, stainless steel, painted, and powder-coated black in gloss, satin, matte, and wrinkle.
· Costlier aluminum bumpers are lighter weight and never rust but can bend when subjected to hard off-road use.
· Bumpers can come with pre-installed LED lights for more visibility, recovery points that accept bolt-on hooks or D-rings, and even a built-in winch plate. Superior to straps or chains for rescuing a fallen Jeep, most winches come with at least 100 feet of cable and should have the pulling power of at least one-and-a-half times the weight of your jeep.
· Most aftermarket bumpers not only provide additional protection to the front end of your jeep but are designed for increased tire clearance and better approach angles for tough obstacles. An aftermarket jeep rear bumper will help you get over those big rocks and with a tire carrier add-on, you have a full-size spare available when you need it.
Customize tire performance
The right tires can make or break the look of your jeep. When selecting tires for your off-road experience, you need to consider several key factors. While cost is always a consideration, safety and reliability move to the top of the list with off-road driving. The accelerated challenges and risks of driving rugged terrain need to be mitigated as much as possible by selecting the best tires for how you’ll be driving. If your jeep is truly for off-roading and not daily commute use, you need a tire that can accommodate the most extreme situation the tire will be in.
Experts agree that the two most common types of tires for Jeep Wrangler off-roading are all-terrain tires (AT) or mud-terrain tires (MT).Compare the features and benefits of each style as you make your decision, and if you plan to purchase a larger tire size than the stock OE tires on your jeep, make sure there is proper clearance between the tires and your vehicle’s fenders.
All-terrain tires
In general, AT tires are designed to work well in every terrain and weather. The smaller tread blocks make them well-equipped to handle wet, snowy, and icy terrain.
· AT can handle rocks in high traction areas and most off-road driving situations, but they
fall short when dealing with deep mud in off-road conditions.
· On sand or desert terrains AT handles better than MT due to a tighter tread design for a
balance of grip and flotation, giving more stability at speed.
· AT handles snow better than MT tires unless they are snowflake rated.
· AT tires are universally quieter than MT tires.
· Less rolling resistance of the AT tire assures greater fuel economy than the MT.
· All-terrain tires come with a tire milage guarantee and will usually last longer than MT
tires.
Mud-terrain tires
Mud-terrain tires provide safety and durability when off-roading and the big blocky design looks aggressive and will make your jeep a serious contender.
· Better than AT in deep mud, the large and deep tread design provides traction on loose
and wet rocky terrain, digging deep and finding grip even in deep mud.
· The MT large tread blocks give the tire optimal grip on extreme terrain without muck
building up between the blocks. Self-cleaning, the tires release compacted mud and rock
from the tread as you drive.
· MT tires are heavy-duty and optimized for off-road use and bests AT tires for rock
crawling where there’s a mix of loose dirt and rocks.
· A mud-terrain tire is going to produce louder road noise than an AT tire.
· MT tires are not as effective in the snow as AT tires, unless they are snowflake rated
and then they work in all seasons.
· MT tires generally do not come with a tire mileage guarantee. Designed for off-roading,
on pavement they wear quicker, have limited traction, and are less fuel-efficient than AT
tires.
With all the off-road excitement that Jeep owners love, accidents and damage are,
unfortunately, part of owning a Jeep. When damage does happen, trust LKQ Online to
offer the best value and selection of superior-grade Jeep OE used auto parts and new
aftermarket parts to keep your vehicle in tip-top condition. Find engine and performance
parts, lift and lowering kits, suspension and chassis components, interior and exterior
accessories, soft tops, bumpers, tires, and wheels that meet or exceed Jeep’s standards
of quality and ruggedness.