by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
Resolutions.
Everyone makes them around this time of year, right?
Spend more time on the trails, take better care of yourself, finish that long-suffering project that just can't seem to get done.
Whatever the resolution, a new year is a great time to let go of the past, gain some perspective and charge forward into a fresh calendar.
Sure, some of those more ambitious resolutions may not make it past this month, but others will hopefully stick around longer. Maybe even until completion.
One that should, is that resolution to change up your Jeep’s old, stagnant interior. After all, you are planning to spend quite a bit of time in the vehicle this year, right, so why not make all that time as comfortable, functional and good looking as possible.
These items can run from straight up carpeting and seating changes for those who have older interiors, to products that give you more storage space, better sound, paint protection, to even smaller items that keep your smartphone in place and allows for hands-free conversations when traveling.
So to get the most out of your interior-changing resolution in this new year, here are some top, proven products that will make things more comfortable, more weather protective and more pleasing — all while adding years to your Jeep’s inside.
Grab Handles
Even if you’ve owned your Jeep for a few years now, chances are you’ve previously had (or ridden in) another vehicle that provided some type of handle above the passenger side and rear doors. You know the ones we’re talking about. The handle you clutched with a vise grip when a turn got a little too sharp or ride a bit rough.
Yet in a Jeep, with its roll cage between you and the top, well, that kind of interior-mounted handle really isn’t very feasible.
These days, those driving either a Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT do have integrated handles on the door pillars, but many others with older Jeeps are not so fortunate.
Luckily, a Jeep’s roll cage actually offers a perfect handle solution — and so can the vehicle’s front A-pillars. With a Jeep, who needs an interior top-mounted grab handle when you can securely attach what you need around the roll cage or on the pillar. This way, not only can you grab the handle when driving conditions warrant, but you can even use it for getting in and out of the vehicle. This is especially helpful for those who have added a body or suspension lift.
Jeep grab handles run from simple nylon constructed versions, to deluxe nylon products with comfortable foam grips, to heavy-duty Paracord editions that are exceptionally strong and durable. Most of these handles utilize hook and loop attachments that securely fit around the roll bar and provide long lasting ‘grab-a-bility’ when the need arises. Some rear edition ones will even bolt into the vehicle’s sound bar. Still others offer a metal construction that bolt into the front A pillar and provide a solid durability.
Additionally, most are offered in various colors so you can truly customize those handles to fit whatever interior scheme suits your needs.
Floor Liners
Whether you are a daily driver with your Jeep, or only use it primarily on the weekends, you will no doubt spend a lot of time inside the vehicle. So much so that you’ll probably consider it like a second home. And a great way to easily keep that second home ‘mess free’ is with a set of protective floor liners.
Floor liners are that glove which seals your Jeep interior's floor from just about anything you drag into the vehicle - water, mud, snow, gum, grease, or whatever else may be on your shoes.
Sure, a Jeep’s carpeting is weather and mildew-resistant, and it helps deaden some of that exterior noise, but it doesn’t take long for that carpet to show signs of wear when it is under constant abuse.
So floor liners simply make sense to keep all that stuff off the carpet to prolong its lifespan.
These liners come in quite a few different combinations as well.
There are carpeted mats that are stain-resistant and help guard against the everyday wear and tear your Jeep interior will see. Some can be rubberized and have a grooved body to help trap moisture like mud or snow. Others are all-weather heavy-duty liners that utilize a lipped outer edge and either a molded thermoplastic, or stain-resistant carpeted base, to form a protective barrier — all while remaining easy to clean. Finally, there are liners that are engineered with trail tough molded polyethylene and offer a deep ‘tire type’ tread pattern, as well as a raised edge, to totally protect from everything like mud to grease, while also remaining simple to clean.
Most liners also come in front, rear, and cargo sections so you can get just as much protection as you feel you will need.
Seat Covers
New Jeep seats are great. Used seats, maybe not so much. But there is one thing all Jeep seats have in common — the need to be protected. See, your Jeep simply isn’t like a normal car. Well, not if you plan to take that top off in the warmer months and enjoy a fully open cabin. And when you do, it will expose those seats to the elements like sun, wind and (potentially) rain. All stuff that does not go well with seat material.
So for many, installing a protective seat cover kit made of things like neoprene, polyester, or nylon can go a long way to enhancing the lifespan of your Jeep's seats, while also giving you a chance to customize the vehicle's look.
These covers are also fairly simple to install and either utilize elastic on the base to hold in place, a hood and look system to cinch down, or even straps and buckles to securely lock into position so they don’t slide around.
Many covers also have several different color options so you can match up to your Jeep's exterior color, an interior theme, or whatever else you have going on with the vehicle. Additionally, some even have pouches integrated into the cover or the ability to add MOLLE bags, which provide extra storage space. And that can be important as you learn more and more how limited storage space can be inside a Jeep. Plus, most seat covers come off as easily as they fit so you are able to clean them from time to time.
Storage Options
Own a Jeep for any length of time and you’ll quickly learn that cargo space is certainly at a premium. And while the newer four-door Wrangler Unlimited vehicles have a bit more room, you may still struggle to find the space you require when you add in passengers and their needs. Also, if you sport a soft top, or even just plan to take the hardtop off for a few months, safely securing that cargo can get worrisome when you are not around the vehicle. Sure the factory console has a lock, but so does your screen door and you wouldn’t feel safe just using that to protect your house when you go on vacation, right?
That’s why adding some additional interior storage solutions is a great way to open a new year and give you that extra space. For some, that could mean extra security thanks to solid 16-gauge steel lockable consoles either between the front seats, under those front seats, overhead, or even at the rear cargo area.
Others just may appreciate the extra cargo room supplied from products that add storage bags or packs to places such as the tailgate, roll cage, seats, or soundbar areas.
If you are on the go pretty much all the time, dash organizers can help you find a place right up front for some of the smaller stuff you tend to carry around.
Seats
You know how you love that favorite recliner or chair at home? That one place you know is going to be perfectly comfortable. Well, your Jeep seats should be just as comfortable as well. After all, if the vehicle is your daily driver or you love going places on the weekends, you probably spend quite a bit of time in that seat. So why not make it perfect.
Unfortunately, even though the factory Jeep seats do come with padding and springs to help minimize discomfort, those things do wear out over time — especially if you take the vehicle off-road on rougher terrain.
Replacing those worn factory seats gives you the chance to customize the vehicle’s interior look with not only multiple color choices, but also high and low back options, vinyl, fabric and neoprene material selections, different headrest combinations and even racing seats designed to provide the ultimate in comfort.
Additionally, most aftermarket seats will either directly fit the factory mounts, or attach to those factory mounts with adapter brackets.
Portable Device Mounts
These days when we are all going somewhere this new year, we’re not just grabbing the keys and taking off. We’re bringing along technology in the name of smartphones and tablets. And while you can simply throw those devices on the passenger seat, or slide into the center console, there are plenty of device mounts available now that can actually provide functionality for those things while driving.
Now, we do not recommend watching a movie or utilizing a streaming service when driving, but attaching your smartphone to a mount that connects to the windshield, dash, or cup holder, will help you safely store the device so it is there when you need it, and not somewhere under the seat after accidentally sliding off during a turn.
This way, you can easily check traffic conditions or GPS, quickly pull up songs from a playlist, or make hands-free calls. Depending on which mount you choose, you can also use the camera to record all your adventures when off-roading.
All mounts are simple to install, either sliding into your cupholder area, integrating with the dash console, utilizing adhesive, clip to the Jeep’s vents or suctioning to the windshield. And all will give you plenty of room to connect a charger while still retaining full adjustability.
Radio
No matter what your musical tastes may be as this new year dawns, listening to your favorite songs while driving can put anyone in a great mood. Sure, the factory radio set up is okay, but if you really want that music to pop out this new year and turn your Jeep cabin into a full-blown concert, well, an aftermarket head unit is the perfect solution to help with you interior resolution.
Aftermarket systems, especially when combined with new speakers up front or overhead, are usually more powerful than stock OEM units (especially in older Wranglers) and provide clearer, toned, and detailed audio. That's because these kits offer more tuning options to customize that sound, as well as better wattage and signal quality.
Besides improved sound quality, many new systems also feature a touchscreen with smartphone compatibility which helps access things like traffic applications, satellite radio, Apple Carplay or Android Auto, as well as allowing for touch-free phone calls.
Those in older vehicles without the room for larger touchscreens can still get receivers with phone compatibility and access to satellite radio, plus Bluetooth and powerful sound customization.
Many units, whether single or double DIN, offer plug and play installation —meaning you simply unplug the factory receiver and add in the aftermarket version. After that, it is just a matter of tuning the sound quality exactly to what works best for you.
Entry Guards
With all the protective parts that come with your Jeep, it seems a little weird that one of the most highly trafficked areas has nothing in place to protect against scuffs and scratches. Your gas tank and transfer case have skid plates to shield them, right, but the door frame? Nothing.
Well, you don’t need anything as in depth as a skid plate for your lower door area, just some low-tech and affordable door entry guards.
These products install easily with most brands using a 3M adhesive backing to attach, while utilizing durable thermoplastic, aluminum, or stainless steel material to protect the frame against constant scraping when getting in or our of the Jeep.
Whether your plans this new year focus on daily driving, or simply venturing off-pavement on the weekends, Jeep entry guards should definitely find their way on your vehicle.
Pedals
Changing out your Jeep’s pedals may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about some new year, new interior resolution ideas. But over time, those pedals can wear down and stop providing the surface area needed to safely apply pressure.
So if you’ve noticed those Jeep pedals are no longer what they once were, then replacing something like your clutch or brake pedal pad can restore a firm grip when shifting or braking that can restore confidence — especially when driving off-road.
Additionally, even if the stock pedals are fine, you may want to change up the look from boring rubber to billet aluminum material to give a more custom, classy appearance.
Besides the standard pedals, those with automatic transmissions can also install a dead pedal into the footwell area. These dead pedals, including the Quadratec Driver's Side Dead Pedal easily install against the body to the left of the brake, and provide the perfect spot to rest your foot. Dead pedals are excellent on longer trips when it comes to leg fatigue, and install easily with no drilling or other modifications. They even work with most factory or aftermarket floor liners.
Accents
One thing you may not think about when you look at your Jeep’s interior is that there are multiple places available to add accented customization products as you enter a new year. Places like vents and climate control knobs. Shifters. Even the grab bar, steering column and center console.
Trim rings around those vents are a great way to color match seats or seat covers, and make the interior fit any new year resolution vision. Accents around door handles, cup holders, transfer or shifter boots, as well as the emergency brake can provide a custom look that is simply unique for your vehicle.
Some vehicles can even utilize neoprene wraps for the grab bar and center console, making each a bit more comfortable to hold or rest that arm.
Most interior accent items either slide or click into place to secure, while some feature hook and loop attachments and others adhesive to lock on the vehicle.
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