|
|
Great Gobs of Goodies You Can InstallEasy Upgrades From the February, 2009 issue of Jp By Roy Carl, Jr. Photography by Roy Carl, Jr.
|
|
 Stainless steel accessories...  Stainless steel accessories are very popular upgrades among Jeep CJ, YJ, and TJ owners. Ease of installation, rust prevention, and protection from rocks, trees, branches, and other debris make these light and radiator screen sets worthwhile.  Stainless windshield hinge...  Stainless windshield hinge kits can replace their rusty or broken stock counterparts to improve vehicle looks. The cowl vent cover and filler protector are meant to replace the OEM plastic parts that tend to become brittle and crack from exposure to the elements.  Polyurethane components are...  Polyurethane components are currently offered for nearly every possible application. In most cases, poly items outperform rubber ones and last much longer. Many manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties on most items. Offerings include body mounts, motor and transmission mounts, antisway bar assemblies, and suspension bushing sets. Even coil-spring spacers are available for a 1- to 2-inch lift.  Easy suspension upgrades include...  Easy suspension upgrades include heavy-duty shackle and spring hanger sets. These popular items are offered through a number of sources. Versions include lift, greaseable, antikickback, towing, boomerang, or dogleg designs. Improved handling, better articulation, and increased lift and suspension travel are some of the benefits.  Disconnect-type sway bar links...  Disconnect-type sway bar links are another upgrade designed to improve flexibility and axle articulation. This particular kit uses a two-piece design with grease fittings. To disconnect the sway bar, remove the pins and separate the links.  This style of disconnect uses...  This style of disconnect uses a one-piece link, which is removed from the modified mounting studs. Both types perform the same function and are solid and well designed. Always compare product design and application when choosing a kit for your particular vehicle.  Lock-out hubs and upgrade...  Lock-out hubs and upgrade kits are available for nearly all vintages of Jeeps. These kits are also offered in different design-and-function configurations. Some are auto-locking, and others are manually engaged with either a 1/4 or 1/2 turn of the dial. Kits to upgrade the newer YJ, TJ, and XJ series are also available. Hub stud kits are an easy cure for constantly loose or broken bolts.  Most Jeep seats are held in...  Most Jeep seats are held in with no more than four bolts, and the plethora of direct-fit aftermarket seats means an upgrade for your rear is in order. Options available include reclining and tilt mechanisms as well as pump-up lumbar supports for cushy driving.  Big tires and front lockers...  Big tires and front lockers can place a great amount of stress and force on the steering box, the box mounts, and the frame. Steering box braces help distribute the load and prevent the box from moving and cracking the brackets. Many variations are available.  The additional workload on...  The additional workload on the steering system also affects the steering shaft between the column and box. Aftermarket replacement shafts feature stronger joints, which have real U-joints. These permanently sealed joints are far better than the stock metal-to-metal-style ones on the factory unit. These shafts adjust for length, making custom swaps a breeze.  Stock tie-rod ends can wear...  Stock tie-rod ends can wear out and break, but spherical rod ends and stronger steering linkages are available to cure the problem. These units can be much stronger than stock and are easily adapted to top mounted steering systems.  Jeeps are known for having...  Jeeps are known for having poor heating systems, which is why this simple doohickey is a welcome item. Improved plastic heater ducts actually improve airflow on CJs and warm the inside much better than the old cardboard-style ones.  Cardboard was also used for...  Cardboard was also used for factory Jeep gloveboxes, but this tough ABS-plastic style is available in standard and oversize versions. Just like the steel, lockable boxes, these simple enclosures keep your valuables safe.  Even double- or triple-edged...  Even double- or triple-edged wiper blades can make an improvement on your Jeep and are a piece of cake to install. The special helper springs shown in the center can be attached to the wiper arms to increase contact pressure between the blades and windshield.  An illuminating idea is to...  An illuminating idea is to install brighter-burning bulbs with higher wattage in certain fixtures on your Jeep. The brighter lights reduce eyestrain during night rides. Make sure that the fixture can handle the extra heat, though, since brighter lights usually develop more heat.  If you have a CJ-5 and no...  If you have a CJ-5 and no tilt, getting in and out can be a tight proposition. New or rebuilt steering columns for '76-and-later CJs and earlier FSJs can benefit from the tilt feature and are a breeze to install.  Improved filtering, which...  Improved filtering, which provides more airflow is easy with special air-cleaner housings and elements. Snorkel kits are available for many Jeep applications, which work on both carbureted and fuel-injected engines.  One of the best upgrades is...  One of the best upgrades is the ever-popular electric winch. A simple mounting plate and a few bolts are all it takes to install the unit, and two cables to the battery make you the trail hero. Most modern electric winches can be installed and wired in under an hour.  Strategically lengthening...  Strategically lengthening and relocating breather vent hoses on differentials, transmissions, and transfer cases to a higher point can reduce water infiltration. All it takes is a few feet of hose and a couple of clamps. Small filters and one-way valves or air-break chambers can be added.  One of the best upgrades is...  One of the best upgrades is the ever-popular electric winch. A simple mounting plate and a few bolts are all it takes to install the unit, and two cables to the battery make you the trail hero. Most modern electric winches can be installed and wired in under an hour.  Tubing clamps can be used...  Tubing clamps can be used to locate and secure tubes and lines to prevent vibration and exposure problems. Clamps are available in different designs and materials, depending on your needs. The type shown is a stainless steel strap with a rubber insulation sleeve.  Protective looms and zip ties...  Protective looms and zip ties keep all your wiring safe, sound, and out of the way of damage. Carefully routing and secured wiring can prevent damage from vibration and trail trash. These items are available in a wide variety of colors and styles to complement your wiring job.  A dual-battery tray can be...  A dual-battery tray can be easily installed for more energy storage. Battery-charging and energy-management systems go hand in hand with upgrades such as these. A variety of alternators, switching units, and wiring kits are available to complete the installation.  Heavy-duty front and rear...  Heavy-duty front and rear bumpers are available in many styles. Different brands are made of many sizes and types of materials, and some are able to accept lights, hooks, and winches. Only a few simple bolts are needed to mount these easy-to-install products.  This antenna mount is designed...  This antenna mount is designed to fit in the spare tire bumpstop on a CJ. This makes it easy to fit a CB antenna without drilling holes in the body sheetmetal.  Transfer case upgrades offer...  Transfer case upgrades offer lots of potential. Lower-ratio gearsets, tailshaft conversions, and twin-shifter conversions are a few of the products available. The twin-stick conversion is the only one considered easy, since it's nearly a bolt-in application.  Swing-away spare tire carriers...  Swing-away spare tire carriers are also offered in many different configurations for many different Jeep vehicles. Many owners prefer the ones that mount directly to the frame or rear bumper and reduce damage to the sheetmetal or fiberglass body tubs. A bonus point for those who noticed the locking gas cap upgrade.  While often overlooked, paint-on...  While often overlooked, paint-on or spray-on bedliner products are a great item that's easy to work with. Many vehicle owners apply these linings inside the Jeep to reduce interior noise and seal the floor. This shows a CJ-7 fiberglass tub being coated on the underside, before the body is installed. If you're like many of us, when you aren't driving or trail-riding in your Jeep, you're thinking of ways to improve its looks and performance. Enhancements can range from major driveline and suspension swaps to less complicated and more easily executed upgrades. The purpose of this story is to present a number of upgrades that are easily performed and provide good results. The results may be performance- or cosmetic- oriented or both, in some cases. Without taking sides in the form-versus-function debate, let's just say that the relative ease and worth of any upgrade need only satisfy the owner of the vehicle involved. One of the more difficult tasks facing a prospective upgrader is deciding what and where to buy. There are thousands of items available through any number of sources. Well-known specialty catalog companies, auto-parts stores, mail-order, and even discount stores and the Internet are all sources of items from the exploding aftermarket. New products are constantly being introduced, and shopping in such a dynamic marketplace is beneficial to the consumer. Competition among manufacturers and sellers spurs product quality and reasonable pricing, but there are downsides to consider. Quality and prices can vary. Some products may be rushed to market before they're ready, and early buyers may end up acting as beta testers for some products. Careful evaluation prior to buying and doing business with reputable firms and manufacturers can reduce the risks. There may be any number of manufacturers offering a particular upgrade. Even if the quality and price are comparable, some items may be engineered to operate differently but perform the same function. Be sure to compare the design and function of each, and choose the one that's right for you. Many upgrades can be done with simple parts and hardware applied with equal parts of ingenuity. To be politically correct and not to alienate a certain editor (who shall remain nameless), some uses for duct tape, zip ties, Velcro, and the like can also be considered upgrades.
|
|
|
|
Prerunner XJ Bumper
For years now, Cherokees have been hitting some serious off-road trails, many without one of the...
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tranny-Mount Upgrade
So you love your Jeep and you know that everything on it is in tip-top shape. Well, you better make...
more
|
|
|
|
|