No matter what your off road vehicle of choice is, everyone has been at a beginning stage of modifying their off road rig, or even a daily driver they just want to make more rugged. It's a fair bet that most people will post a question on a Facebook Group or forum of where to start, or where to best invest their money. While that is a great place to start with ideas, we recommend working with an expert builder. They can work with you to understand your budget, your vision and help you choose the right components to bring your off road vehicle modifications to life. Plus, sometimes, one upgrade affects something else down the line. We can help manage those surprises.
All that being said, no matter if you drive a Jeep, full size truck, or SUV and whether it is new, or just new to you, read on for our five favorite upgrades:
We chose to install a mix of Mopar/OEM upgrades and other aftermarket brands on our Jeep Gladiator Sport S trail rig. There are a lot of options to choose from in any category. We work with you to choose the best option for fit, finish, and your budget.
Rock Sliders: Whether your driving style is mild, or wild, we recommend rock sliders for everyone. Rock sliders are mounted to the frame of your vehicle and protect the rocker panels and body of your vehicle by acting as a shield. The Rock slider absorbs the impact and distributes along the length of the rock slider minimizing impact and damage to your vehicle. Rock sliders are not necessarily running boards, or steps, although you can find rock sliders that are built to serve a step purpose. The Zeus Off Road Jeep Gladiator trail rig has Mopar Rock Sliders installed. They had the sleek look and style with all the function we needed.
Skid Plates: Skid plates are usually made from steel or aluminum and designed to protect the underside of a vehicle from damage caused by rocks, debris, or other obstacles. They deflect debris that could damage the engine, transmission, fuel tank, and other components helping you avoid costly damage to your vehicle. We chose to install Mopar OEM skid plates on our Jeep Gladiator trail rig.
Lockers: Also known as locking differentials, are a must have if you plan on heading off road on rougher terrain with incline or changing trail conditions. When engaged, lockers can lock the wheels on an axle together to allow you to transfer 100% of the torque to the wheel with the most traction. Lockers come in a variety of configurations, so understanding what style is right for your driving and vehicle is important to get the most benefit out of this upgrade. We chose to install OEM Factory Jeep Rubicon Lockers on our Jeep Gladiator Sport S trail rig. They are a proven technology and seamless installation.
Winch: A major benefit of having a winch off-road is self-recovery capability. A winch can allow you to recover your vehicle from difficult situations like mud, sand, snow, or obstacles without relying on outside assistance. With the ability to self-recover, you can confidently explore more challenging trails and push your vehicle's limits without fear of getting permanently stuck. You can also reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle that might occur during a manual recovery attempt. We chose an SX Series Winch from Superwinch for our rig.
And lastly, Molle Panels or other in cab organization.
Molle panels can help protect your belongings from damage. Having panels installed in your vehicle can prevent your gear from shifting around and getting damaged, or worse, injuring a passenger. They are highly customizable, therefore allow you to organize your gear to create efficient storage for items you need to keep accessible.
As with any project, accessories and options are abundant and can be overwhelming. It's hard to choose what is right for your vehicle driving style.
Our team of experts live the off road lifestyle and not only have the technical knowledge, they have practical knowledge and skills to help you choose the right upgrades for your rig and your budget.
How can we help you build your adventure? Contact us at 952-855-7607 or click the button below to share your project ideas with us.