The Top 5 Mods to Transform Your Wrangler into a Competent Wheeler

Updated on Jan 11, 2024

The Jeep Wrangler’s legendary capabilities are no secret in the off-road community. At every trailhead and OHV park, you’ll find an eclectic mix of YJs, TJs, JKs, and JLs dominating the challenging terrain.

Jeep Wranglers are renowned for their prowess on the trail, and it only takes a single glance at the underside of the chassis to know why! Dana solid axles, multi-link suspension (except the YJ), and a small form factor make the Wrangler an obvious consideration for wheeling, whether you’re a veteran off-roader or just getting into motorsports.

Jeep Wranglers are competent wheelers exactly as they roll off the assembly line; it only takes a few basic upgrades to transform a bone-stock Jeep into a dominant force off-road! However, if you’re new to motorsports or off-roading, the Wrangler’s massive aftermarket can be overwhelming. Virtually every modification you could think to make has already been done, and the odds are, there are countless kits on the market to accomplish said modification.

So where do you even start? That’s the question our experts are here to answer! We’re compiling a list of the top 5 mods to take your Wrangler from an already capable wheeler to a powerhouse of off-road performance! While this guide focuses on off-road-specific mods, check out our comprehensive Jeep buyer’s guide, covering the top interior, exterior, and performance mods and accessories.

Wheels & Tires

While wheels and tires are highly effective aesthetic modifications, they can also significantly impact off-road performance! When navigating challenging obstacles, loose gravel, mud, or snow, traction is the name of the game; unfortunately, your Jeep’s stock tires leave much to be desired.

Ideally, you'll want to outfit your Jeep with a wider, more aggressive tire to ensure a larger contact patch, thus increasing traction. However, 7–7.5-inch wide factory wheels don’t allow room for much wider than factory tire widths. For this reason, we’d recommend an 8–9-inch wide aftermarket wheel, easily handling up to 12.5-inch wide tires.

Recommended Wheel: Method Black 701

Method Race Wheels is a prominent name in the aftermarket wheel game, specializing in off-road-centric cast aluminum wheels for all makes and models. The 701 is no exception, featuring a rugged cast aluminum construction, classic design, and patented Bead Grip technology to keep your tires from blowing beads at lower air pressures.

Features:

Bead Grip technology allows for lower tire pressures
Similar performance to bead lock wheels
"Safety hump" holds tire bead in place
Matte black finish
Available in 16" and 17"
Classic race-inspired design
Snap-in center cap for 5/6 lug
Push through center cap for 8 lug
Embossed logo

Recommended Tire: Toyo Open Country R/T Trail

After the sweeping success of Toyo’s first hybrid tire, the R/T, the company announced its follow-up: the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail. This new tire features a rugged hybrid tread pattern and shoulder, ensuring maximum grip on the dirt yet comfort on the street. Dual oversized circumferential grooves eject water from the tread, ensuring maximum hydroplaning resistance; lateral Z-Grooves provide continuous traction throughout the tire’s life.

Features:

Hybrid all-terrain/mud-terrain tire
Optimized tread pattern
Staggered shoulder blocks
Extra-thick sidewall
Rim protector
Wide circumferential grooves
Variable pitch pattern

Suspension Lift Kits

While factory clearances can get you by on relatively flat trails, any significant obstacles require ample ground clearance to prevent high centering, scraping the underbody, or damaging essential components like oil pans, steering linkage, and gas tanks. Lifting your Jeep is the most effective way to gain ground clearance and suspension lifts are the most refined and capable products!

Suspension lifts replace your Jeep’s factory components–like coil springs, link arms, and shocks–with beefier and taller components to increase your Jeep’s ride height. As a result, your Jeep gains ground and fender clearances, providing room for oversized tires and allowing you to conquer more extreme obstacles.

Recommended Lift Kit: Icon 3” Basic Lift Kit

It’s always best not to go overboard with your first lift kit. Opt for an entry-level system, like a basic lift, to hone your talents as a driver before upgrading to a multi-thousand-dollar coilover/long-arm lift. And regarding basic lift kits, it’s tough to beat Icon’s 3” lift!

This kit includes everything necessary to lift your Jeep–and lift it right–including taller multi-rate coil springs, remote-reservoir dampers, adjustable front and rear track bars, and extended sway bar links.

Features:

6061 aircraft-grade aluminum components
Specific kits include CDCV shocks
Bolt-on installation
No drilling, cutting, or welding
All hardware and components included
Limited lifetime warranty

Locking Differential: Yukon E-Locking Differential

Your Jeep's tires aren't the only variable impacting traction; your Jeep’s differential type also plays a significant role. There are three primary types of differentials, which include:

Open: Both tires move independently from one another, depending on which wheel has less traction. While helpful in street driving, off-roading presents numerous instances of uneven tire contact with the ground. With an open differential, all power is directed to the tire with less traction, allowing it to spin aimlessly as the tire that’s touching the ground doesn’t move an inch!

Limited Slip: Limited slip differentials, like open differentials, allow your Jeep’s tires to spin independently; however, unlike open differentials, limited slip differentials have a maximum allotted variance between the two tires. If one tire is off of the ground, power gets redirected to the other tire, allowing you to continue making progress.

Locking: Locking differentials mechanically lock both axles together, ensuring that, no matter the conditions, equal power is applied to both tires. These differentials are best for off-road use, as they promote maximum traction and aren’t prone to excessive wear, as with clutch-type limited slip differentials.

For off-roading, we’d recommend a locking differential; however, stay away from spooling differentials if you still plan to drive your Jeep on the street. Instead, check out air-lockers, e-lockers, or auto-locking differentials. For more information on differential types, check out our guide on RealSource!

Recovery Gear (Winches, Straps, and More!)

Any veteran off-roader knows that it’s not if you get stuck, but when you get stuck. It doesn’t matter how capable your rig is, how talented of a driver you are, or how vigilant your spotter is; it only takes one miscommunication, mechanical failure, or slippery rock to land your Jeep squarely stuck on an obstacle. To avoid blocking the trail or having to call for backup, outfit your Jeep with the proper recovery gear, like a premium winch, tow straps, recovery straps, and shackles.

Recommended Winch: Warn VR EVO 10 Winch

The Warn VR EVO 10 Winch is a great starting point for novice wheelers, providing premium performance, a solid warranty, and plenty of features for most situations, all at a price of under $1,000! The winch’s 10,000 lb. line pull can handle even the burliest Jeep JKUs and JLUs, allowing you to pull yourself or others out of sticky situations on the trail.

Features:

VR EVO Series standard duty utility winch
10,000 LB rated line pull (5.2' per minute)
Offered with steel cable or synthetic rope
12V DC Series Wound Motor
Features reliable Albright contactor
2-in-1 wired/wireless remote for maximum convenience
Remote mountable control box
3-stage planetary gearing
218:1 gear ratio
Free-spooling clutch
Spring-actuated brake system
10" x 4.5" mounting bolt pattern
IP68 rating to keep dust and water out of the motor
Limited lifetime mechanical warranty (7-year electrical)

Of course, don’t forget your winching gear, like Smittybilt Trail Gloves, Rugged Ridge Kinetic Recovery Rope Kit, Rugged Ridge Winch Line Dampener, and Iron Cross D-Ring Shackles. Or, pick up a comprehensive kit, like the Rugged Ridge XHD Recovery Kit.

Body Armor (Bumpers, Sliders, and More!)

Before you hit the trail, invest in premium body protection, like rugged plate-steel bumpers, rock sliders, and more! These components guard your Jeep’s sheet metal body panels against unsightly and potentially structural damages, ensuring your Jeep retains its stylish appearance and integrity. Aftermarket bumpers also feature various accessory mounts, allowing you to install winches, off-road lights, and more!

Recommended Front Bumper: Havoc Offroad Gen 2 Claw Hammer Full Width Front Bumper

The Havoc Offroad Gen 2 Claw Hammer Full-Width Front Bumper is a stylish and protective front bumper featuring a rugged plate steel construction, a built-in tubular guard, and a full-width design. Each bumper includes various mounts, including an 8,000–12,000 lb. winch mount, provisions for factory fog lights, and dual ¾-inch D-Ring mounts for reliable recovery points.

Features:

Full-width front bumper
High-clearance design
CNC laser-cut and brake-formed 3/16-inch steel construction
Integrated tubular steel bullbar
Two mounting tabs for additional single lights or most 12-inch light bars
Fully-welded HD shackle mounts
All hardware and shackles included
Winch mount fits most standard 10x4.5 inch bolt pattern winches
Accommodates most 8,000-12,000 lb winches
Does not fit Warn, Zeon, or PowerPlant
Accommodates factory fog lights
UV-protected, two-stage powder coat
Limited lifetime structural warranty/ 3-year finish

Recommended Rear Bumper: Rugged Ridge HD Rear Bumper

The Rugged Ridge HD Rear Bumper is as tough as it is stylish, featuring a fully-welded plate steel construction, integrated D-Ring shackle mounts, and a corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish to guard against rust and scaling. The bumper also features integrated hi-lift jack points that make on-trail tire changes a breeze.

Features: