Before I owned a Jeep, I didn’t realize that once you purchased one, you were a member of this elusive club. The more you get into the Jeep Rallys, the vents, the customization, the more you realize that it’s a bond that you will have with other Jeep owners that you don’t get with other types of vehicles.
The first time I learned about this special Jeep club was when we were driving down the road in my husband’s newly purchased Jeep Wrangler. Across the highway another Jeep passed by and waved – and my husband waved back. I didn’t say anything until it happened again just a little while later, “Who was that, do you know them?” I asked. He laughed and said, “No, it’s the Jeep Wave.” The Urban Dictionary defines the Jeep Wave as ”
An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class and discomfort tolerance (exception to 97 and newer Jeep owners) to own the ultimate vehicle – the Jeep. Generally consists of either a raised hand waving or 4 fingers extended upward from the steering wheel, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.”
So yeah – there’s that. And like I mentioned before, the Jeep rallys, the different events all over the US (kind of like a biker rally) the off-roading clubs, etc. Owning a Jeep Wrangler isn’t just owning another vehicle – it’s an experience.
So to make the most of that experience, here’s a few things that I recommend to give you the full Jeep owner experience.
Lift Kit.
If you are unfamiliar a lift kit raises the body or suspension of a Wrangler. The lift increases the distance between the frame and the body – or the suspension between the axles and the frame (you’ll chose what kit based on the reason for installing it). If you plan to do off-roading, you’ll want to lift the Jeep to increase the ground clearance, suspension travel, and fit larger tires on your Jeep. Other people like to lift their Wranglers because it just makes it look better overall.
Winch.
Winches will help bail you out of some um, tough, situations if needed. If you plan to use your Wrangler for off-roading, I think a winch is a must have. It can also be nice to use if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow; we’ve used ours to tow people out of ditches and off un- plowed streets. Like I always say, “It’s better to have it, and not need it. Then to need it, and not have it.”
Bigger Tires.
Again, this all depends on how you plan to use your Wrangler. Some bigger tires do look better, especially if you lift your Jeep. If you plan on off-roading, bigger tires are another must-have. If you don’t plan to do a lot of off-roading and you drive on the interstate or at fast speeds often, just be careful of how big the tires are. Bigger tires and a lift tend to give more airflow under the vehicle, which can make it prone to flipping.
Grab Handles.
Grab bars are just an extra safety precaution that I would recommend for anyone going off-roading, or traveling without the top on. It helps a person maintain balance, and have something to hold on to in case of an emergency. (I have used our grab handles more than I’d like to admit).
There are tons of options when it comes to pimping out your Jeep Wrangler, but these are my top picks. There are never ending accessories and upgrades to be done, and if you are looking for a project vehicle to work on for – well the rest of your life – a purchasing a Jeep Wrangler will do it.
