If you were purchasing upgrades for a used Wrangler JK, there are a number of upgrades, or mods, for which you can spend some money. Many suggested items below are now standard or available as an option on the newer JLs as will be seen in this article. This article, and this video, will identify some of them and then prioritize at least five useful upgrades for a used Wrangler JK, with safety, aesthetics, and affordability in mind.
Possible Upgrades for a Used Wrangler JK
Although the list is endless, some possible upgrades for a used Wrangler JK will be investigated in the space below. Affiliate links will also be provided for those interested in pursuing any such upgrades.
Gas Cap Cover
Although standard on some models of the Wrangler JL, a gas cap cover has made our list of useful upgrades for a used Wrangler JK, as it helps keep the snow and ice out of the gas cap filler area. This is mostly a concern in the northern states and in Canada, but even southern Jeepers might like the many options of gas cap covers out there to add some inexpensive personal touches to their Jeeps.
⬇️GAS CAP COVERS –
Canada: https://amzn.to/3fQX9WS
Grab Bars
Standard on all Wrangler JLs, Grab Bars has made our list of useful upgrades for a used Wrangler JK, as it helps one have something to brace yourself against when offroad, or when entering or exiting the Jeep. Many choices catering to your personal style are available in hard solid bar form, or soft paracord style. Once you click the link below, you’ll spend a lot of time investigating the options available to impart your personal style.
⬇️GRAB BARS –
Canada: https://amzn.to/2JnVagy
Grill Inserts
Standard on the Wrangler JL, Grill Inserts are definitely an inexpensive, but useful upgrade for a used Wrangler JK. Not only are they aestheically an opportunity to pimp up your Jeep, but they also provide your radiator and transmission cooler with protection from flying stones.
⬇️GRILL INSERTS –
Canada: https://amzn.to/3fPaU8m
Hood Latches
The rubber styled hood latches on the Wrangler JK degrade over time, loosen, and allow for annoying hood flutter when on the road. Metal ones that come standard on the JL, are now available as a useful upgrade on a used Wrangler JK. After investigating the link below, you’ll see that you don’t have to stick with one style, as there are many to choose from.
⬇️HOOD LATCHES –
Canada: https://amzn.to/2KJaTqY
Headlights
The brightness of the stock Jeep Wrangler JL and JK are ridiculously low. For the JL, LED lights were a factory installed option, thankfully. However the aftermarket LED options for this useful upgrade on a used Wrangler JK are plentiful. If considering installing these as a DIY, look for ones that offer a plug and play option. If you just want to install brighter bulbs, the PIAA Extreme White Plus are a less expensive option.
⬇️LED HEADLIGHTS –
Canada: https://amzn.to/3o6tJXt
⬇️PIAA EXTREME WHITE PLUS HEADLIGHT BULBS –
Canada: https://amzn.to/2VjDlly
A real JK owner review of the PIAA Extreme White Plus headlight bulbs can be found at www.stdi.com.
Stereo
The 8.4” Uconnect Stereo option on the new Wrangler JLs is an amazing Infotainment System. One of the best available, based on many automobile journalist reviews. However, there still are many good aftermarket options that make a useful upgrade for a used Wrangler JK. Many Jeep Forum members speak highly of the Sony AX1000 system, as it not only offers Apple Car Play and Android Auto, but also affords you the ability to connect an aftermarket rear view camera, and view its image on the AX1000 screen. The fact that it actually has a dial knob for volume seems to also be popular among the reviewers. Whichever stereo you pick, you might be wise to look for a model that allows you to utilize the already existing steering wheel controls.
⬇️STEREO –
Canada: https://amzn.to/2HVgiuc
Tires
New tires is definitely an area that would make a useful upgrade for a used Wrangler JK. Models like the BF Goodrich KO2, GoodYear Duratrac, and the Falcon WildPeak are All Terrain tires with the mountain snowflake rating. Many Jeep owners give favourable reviews on these tires, like the aggressive looks, and wear them all year as a result of their mountain snowflake rating.
⬇️TIRES –
Canada: https://amzn.to/33uxPAZ
Conclusion: Five Recommended Useful Upgrades for a Used Wrangler JK
For our top five recommended useful upgrades for a used Wrangler JK, we chose;
1) Tires for safety and aestheics, yet an expensive but necessary upgrade,
2) Headlights for safety as well as aestheics,(those LED halo-rings look cool),
3) Grab Bars for function, as it makes it a lot easier to get in and out of the Jeep, and not too much money,
4) Gas Cap Cover, for same reasons as above, and finally,
5) Stereo, as Apple Car Play and a rear view camera image on the infotainment system screen is definitely desirable, but left for last as it is a pricey upgrade, and the other items therefore take priority.
Grill inserts are important and not too much money, but since our Jeep already had them, we didn’t include it on our list.
Feel free to check out the video on YouTube and read some comments shared by viewers for even more ideas and suggestions.
