by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
While it doesn't really matter the time of year, winter can be an extremely difficult season for your Jeep's interior. Mud, salt, snow, slush and other road cleaning solutions easily attach to footwear or clothing to enter your vehicle like stealthy assassins — ready to do harm and all kinds of damage.
The question then is simple— is your Jeep’s interior ready to fight back against those conditions?
If the answer is no, or you just are not sure, then it is time to take an honest evaluation of the vehicle's interior. Look at that carpeting, seats, floor protection, even storage space, and determine if upgrades—or solid protective items—are required. Really, you can think of this as a sort of tune-up for your Jeep’s interior. Just like you do for an engine.
So, as you begin to evaluate, here are the top five Jeep interior products that continually are on the ‘most wanted’ list when it comes to protecting your vehicle's cabin.
Seat Covers
Jeep seats are affected by the elements more than just about any other type of vehicle seating. In the winter, as we said, that means continuous exposure to moisture every time you and your passengers climb in the Jeep. Same thing in the summer, but problems can also occur once that top goes down. Because seats can be attacked by weather and sun not to mention the usual water, mud or other debris. So, if you are rolling into the winter without doing any seat maintenance or cleaning, then that original material may have some issues.
This is why Jeep seat covers are one of the most popular interior products out there, year after year, and make for a great upgrade heading into colder weather. That could mean snug-fitting neoprene, vinyl, ballistic nylon, polycotton, or some other durable material. Seat covers provide your current seats the shield they need to increase overall longevity, while offering you a good bit of comfort and some additional warmth. Plus, covers can hide seat imperfections and many come with all kinds of color combinations, so they can also provide a nice way to change over the vehicle's interior look.
Floor Liners
Just like with Jeep seats, your vehicle's carpeting does not really play well with the elements. And it doesn't really matter if that top is on or off. Everyday wear and tear can eat away at a Jeep's carpeting over time just as much as tracking in mud or snow, or accidentally leaving the top down in the rain. So, before your carpeting really needs replacement, think about installing a highly protective set of floor liners over that carpet to ensure it remains at its best.
Most liners are custom-engineered to perfectly fit the Jeep's front and back footwell areas and even come with anchors so the liners do not move around. Some are carpeted, while others are rubberized or molded plastic with high edges and grooves to trap moisture or spills. And the best part, floor liners are simple to remove and hose off following a spill or other mess — making them way easier to deal with than having to pull out vast sections of carpeting.
Consoles and Storage
One of the top drawbacks of owning a Jeep is the lack of real storage space. If you just bring your phone along for the ride, then storage is not a big deal. But when you have other things like books, trail maps, work stuff, kid items — maybe even something more expensive — then investing in additional protective and secure internal storage options not only makes sense, it is absolutely necessary.
Storage products like larger center consoles, roll bar storage bags, grab handle bags, MOLLE seat back storage compartments, dash top consoles or even under seat storage boxes can all give you the extra space you need for your everyday belongings, while lockable metal versions provide a handy way to secure valuables when the Jeep top is off and you are away from your vehicle.
Carpeting
You may think the carpeting in your Jeep is merely something sitting under your feet. However, it also serves the important task of helping regulate the temperature of your Jeep’s interior, keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer as well as being a layer of insulation to help reduce road noise.
So when that layer of protection breaks down because of old age or wear from one too many off-road trips, then finding a capable carpeting replacement should be near the top of your upgrade list. For many, this means a good custom-fit carpet mirroring the factory style and making your vehicle’s interior appear showroom new. These sets are molded to fit the contours of your vehicle, have a rubber backing to help insulate and reduce road noise, and include UV, mildew and stain protection to keep the carpet in excellent shape.
Besides factory-type carpet sets, there are also more economical indoor/outdoor versions that are not molded, and do not have the same carpet thickness, but still have stain, mildew and weather-resistant features. For those with older vehicles that are not driven much, this type of carpet can make the most sense.
Another alternative is molded floor coverings — such as Armorlite. These kits are constructed with a polypropylene fiber top and mildew-resistant foam, and are simple to install and remove, while still providing excellent insulation and noise reduction qualities. Additionally, molded floor coverings are easy to clean and are resistant to stains, acids, chemicals, gas and oils. Plus, the foam does not absorb water and dries in minutes.
And remember, once that new carpet goes in, toss some floor mats over it this time for perfect all-season interior protection.
Grab Handles / Entry Guards
As you’ve no doubt already realized, climbing into a Jeep is different than just about any other vehicle — especially after adding a suspension lift. This additional height is great for overcoming any off-road obstacles, but it does make things somewhat more difficult for you and your passengers to get inside the vehicle. Plus, it can also expose the bottom door sills to scuffs and scraps when people use them for steps. Things can be even more difficult on the trail when the Jeep sits off-camber and someone is trying to get inside.
So installing a set of grab handles above your Jeep doors can provide a helpful boost when climbing into your vehicle, while door entry guards cover up the bottom door sill area and keep it free from abuse.
Grab handles normally attach via hook and loop straps around the upper door roll bar and have either a nylon or foam handle. Once in place, you and any passengers can grab onto the handle for support when stepping into the Jeep. This works especially well with younger children or older family/friends. Door entry guards attach via adhesive tape to that door sill area and are constructed with durable thermoplastic. This material bears the brunt of anyone stepping into the vehicle in order to protect the factory paint from damage.
