by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
Editor's Note: Quadratec is currently offering free 2-day Express Shipping on all in-stock items through December 18th at 3:30 P.M. EST.
If there is one thing that this challenge of a year has revealed about the Jeep community, it’s that the group is a resilient bunch.
Close down a lot of recreational areas and shut down popular events, and they forge their own trails — packing up and heading off on camping or more hardcore overlanding adventures in record numbers.
Turn off the office lights and relocate them home for teleworking, and they utilize more of their extra free time to tackle driveway ‘do it yourself’ modification projects in never seen before amounts.
That’s right, while this year certainly has been a difficult one, the Jeep community adapted and found new ways to love their seven-slot-grille machines.
And so, as we offer the seventh annual Quadratec Holiday Jeep Gift Guide, this year’s suggested products flow right to those trends. Popular items designed to amplify and augment what so many on your holiday gift list are doing these days. Things like camping, overlanding and tinkering with their vehicles.
Camping/Overlanding
At this point, it is safe to say that overlanding isn’t just a niche category in the off-road world. It is seemingly THE category. Like we said before, more people than ever loaded up their Jeeps this year and spent time away from home camping or participating in an overlanding adventure.
So if you have someone, or many, on your gift list who fit this description, here are some of the top products in the camping/overlanding segment for 2020.
TENTS
Sure, there are always those Jeep enthusiasts who decide to head out on an overland experience and just plan to sleep in their vehicles. But a much better, and much more comfortable, way is to put up a tent. Whether it is a pop up version or something larger mounted to the roof of the Jeep, having a quality tent will give that special person on your holiday list the chance to stretch out and relax. That way, they are rested and ready for whatever the day brings. Additionally, some even come packaged with an inflatable air mattress for the ultimate in outdoor comfort.
CAMPING CHAIR
After a long day on the trail, enjoying the journey if you will, nothing beats hanging out around a nice campfire having dinner and a good conversation. Of course, it helps to have a nice camping chair to use as well. And while that someone on your gift list can sit on any type of chair, why not give them something as strong and durable as the vehicle that got them to that campsite.
These camping chairs really have it all; with lightweight alloy frames and aluminum arm rests designed to stand up to just about anything, while the durable fabric in the padded seat and backrest provides maximum comfort when seated. These chairs are so good you may end up ordering one for yourself as well.
FIRE PIT
Depending on where those on your gift list love to camp, they may or may not be allowed to set up a wood-based fire because of park or area regulations. So this outdoor fire pit is the perfect gift for someone on your holiday list. Even if there are no rules where they go, this is a easy alternative to having to build a normal campfire.
This fire pit utilizes a regular propane tank and produces a clean, smokeless burn, while giving off enough heat to keep everyone around warm throughout the night. Additionally, the area beneath the bowl barely gets warm so there is no worry about scorching the ground no matter the base. Plus, unlike a normal wood fire, this unit only takes about a half hour to cool down so clean up isn’t messy or waterlogged.
RECOVERY KIT
We’ve all heard the Boy Scout motto of 'be prepared', right? Well, anyone who heads out camping or desires to do more hardcore overlanding should take that motto to heart. And if you are looking for a sensible, yet important, item to give this holiday season, then a Jeep Recovery Kit can be more than a gift. It can be a lifesaver.
Most of these kits are packed with all the recovery essentials needed when off-road — things like tow straps, gloves, shackles, winch line dampeners, snatch block and more. Great stuff that can often be overlooked by many who think they'll never be in a recovery situation. Plus, it all comes in a handy bag so it makes for simple storage for that special person on your holiday gift list.
PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR
If you have someone on your gift list who loves camping or overlanding, then an excellent item to add to that list is an air compressor. That’s because most overlanding is done off-pavement and on rugged terrain that requires aired-down tires on a vehicle. So when that trip is over, how do those tires get aired back up? Sure, a stop at an area gas station can solve the problem, but there may not be any around. Additionally, what happens if they get a flat tire with no spare?
These units are simple to use as cables are attached to the vehicle’s battery for power, and then an extendable air hose individually clamps on each tire valve stem. A few minutes later, that tire is back up to road-worthy pressure. Plus, these units do not take up much space and most come with a handy storage bag where any extra parts can be stored.
OFF-ROAD JACK
You may not know this, but a factory Jeep jack pretty much works like any other car jack - meaning it is really pretty useless for those with larger tires, or for people who take their vehicle into the woods on camping/overlanding excursions.
So any Jeep enthusiast on your gift giving list, especially those who love to head off-road, will definitely appreciate a proper off-road jack. These heavy-duty jacks are designed to take on larger tire changes and can attach to a wider base so they are more stable on rougher ground. These jacks can also hold the vehicle in place should any other trail repairs be needed, and they are extremely durable so they'll hold up well and last for years.
FLOOR LINERS
Spend any time out camping or braving the elements when overlanding, and you’ll come to realize just how important floor protection can be inside a Jeep. Yet so many simply believe their carpeting can handle the load. So if you have someone on your holiday list that has started enjoying camping trips this year, then a solid, durable set of floor liners can provide years of protection for their Jeep’s interior.
See, not only can everyday wear and tear chip away at a Jeep's carpeting, so can the elements like water, mud, snow, or other debris encountered on the trail. Most liners are also custom made to perfectly fit the Jeep's footwell area, and come with anchors so the liners do not move around. Some are carpeted, while others are rubberized or plastic with grooves to trap moisture and raised sidewalls to prevent spillage into the carpet.
SEAT COVERS
Like carpeting, Jeep seats are affected by the elements more so than just about any other type of vehicle seating. Whenever that top is down, seats can be assaulted by weather, the sun, or other things like mud and sand. Or, when out camping or overlanding, clothes can get dirty which will quickly transfer that grime to cloth or leather seats.
This is why seat covers are a solid gift option for anyone on your list who loves the outdoors. Whether it is neoprene, vinyl, nylon, or some other material, seat covers protect that factory material and will help increase the overall longevity of the Jeep's seats. Plus, with all kinds of color combinations, seat covers can also provide a nice way to customize the vehicle's interior.
BIKE RACKS
Those who love overlanding say it is the journey that makes the whole thing special. And while that may be true, those who overland still need something to do once that journey is finished and they reach their camp. Something like mountain biking as those two things really pair together.
Yet many who love both simply do not bring along their bikes because of space considerations on their vehicle. So if you have someone on your gift list who fits this category, then a quality bike rack is certainly an excellent option.
These racks either fit around the Jeep’s spare tire, or attach into the vehicle’s rear hitch, and can securely stow up to four bikes depending on the specific rack. Plus, when they are not needed, they can easily be detached and stored until the next adventure.
DIY Items
Even though this year has been challenging for many, it also ended up being educational and inspiring to legions of Jeep owners. That’s because they took the time to learn more about their vehicles and tackle all kinds of Do-It-Yourself projects — gaining confidence and a better understanding of their Jeep along the way.
So if you have those on your holiday list who fit into this category, here are some excellent DIY gift ideas that could make for that next great project.
TUBULAR DOORS
When the top comes off for many Jeeps owners out there, so do the doors. After all, what does an open cab really mean if it is not truly an open cab? Pulling off those doors, whether just driver and passenger or all four for Unlimited owners, can really make for a more exciting driving experience, and put you more in touch with what Jeep driving was really like when the vehicle first arrived all those years ago.
However, if you have someone on your Jeep list who enjoys this type of thing, they may not have anything to put in place of those doors when driving. Which is why tubular doors have really come on as a fantastic alternative for anyone who wants to pull off their Jeep doors, but still needs something there.
Tubular doors provide just the right amount of air to material coverage, and many can latch right on to existing door hardware. Some can even be outfitted with canvas bags to help with cargo storage. It really is a fun and useful DIY item that is pretty simple to attach, and can be done right in the driveway or garage.
LED HEADLIGHTS
Seeing while driving is always important. That sounds obvious, howeve, there may be many on your holiday gift list this year that have no idea just how much better they could see with a perfect set of LED headlights.
See, the stock halogen lights on a Jeep are quite underpowered, yet they end up drawing a lot of energy from the battery. Plus, they have a limited lifespan. By swapping to LED lights, that person on your gift list will get a much more powerful driving experience thanks to a deeper, and wider, light beam. These lights also utilize significantly less power so there won’t be any battery issue if there are other products on the Jeep — like a winch or other auxiliary lighting — that require extra power as well. Additionally, LED lights have a crazy long lifespan that will most likely outlast the vehicle itself.
Installation of LED lights are quite simple as most are plug-and-play replacements, making them an excellent DIY project for almost anyone.
HOOD LOCKS
No matter which Jeep Wrangler those on your Jeep holiday list drive, one of the trickiest things they deal with is the vehicle’s hood. That’s because unlike regular cars, that Jeep hood does not offer any locking protection from the factory. At all. So should they have any under-the-hood modifications like an air intake or accessory switching system, they could be vulnerable to those with prying eyes. Even the Jeep’s battery could be in jeopardy if the hood is popped.
So an excellent gift idea this year is a Jeep hood lock. These lockable solutions mount directly behind the front grille and guards against anyone trying to pry open the hood. Plus, many install with no drilling so there isn’t much mechanical skill required — making it an ideal DIY project. Additionally, some even will work with the Jeep’s original key when installed, so there won’t be any extra keys to attach.
INTERIOR STORAGE
If you ask most Jeep owners about storage inside their vehicle, you’ll most likely get a sigh and eye roll in return. There really just isn’t that much. Sure, those in four-door models have a bit more room, but it still does not compare to other things on the road.
So an excellent gift idea, especially for someone always on the go, is something that will solve that storage issue. Things that can turn unused space like under seats, between roll bars, or even the back cargo area, into storage solutions.
These interior storage products can be anything from secure metal boxes with slide out compartments, to MOLLE bags that could attach around the seat headrests, to weather-resistant items that strap around the Jeep’s roll bars. Some can even turn the dash into usable storage space as well. And they are all easy install products that any Jeep enthusiast can tackle when they have some DIY time.
SIDE PROTECTION
Not all Jeeps are created equal. In fact, many leave the factory merely with tiny side rocker guards. Others have nothing at all to protect the vehicle’s side. Now, you may think nothing of this, but we guarantee you that those Jeep owners on your holiday gift list definitely have — especially ones who want to go on off-road adventures.
Jeep side protection items aren’t flashy, but they absolutely do their job well and keep those doors and side panels from damage; whether that means other car doors, shopping carts, or trail hazards such as rocks and trees. They also make for a much easier way to enter the vehicle, especially if the Jeep has a suspension lift.
Most Jeep side protection products are constructed with heavy gauge steel which makes them formidable against anything they may contact, but most are also bolt on products with no drilling required so they make for excellent garage DIY projects for any skill level.
TOOLS
Having the right tool for the job is pretty much true in any DIY situation, but having the right tool when installing a Jeep part or to remedy a trail situation can often mean the difference between success and something broken - even getting home safely.
For those on your holiday gift list, a good quality tool set doesn’t need to be some full mechanic shop's set. It just needs to be something they can bring along for the ride wherever their travels go. That means anything from small torx sets and multi-tools, to things like tool kits that include wrenches, pliers and sockets. All of this can give someone with DIY aspirations exactly the confidence they need to tackle most projects or repairs.
Lifestyle
From stocking stuffers to office secret Santa gifts, Jeep lifestyle products are excellent for anyone on your holiday list. These things do not need assembly or require installation, just wrap them up and send them off. And who knows, you may even find a few to get for yourself as well.
GLASSES AND CUPS
Pure insulated goodness. That's what you could give to that Jeep enthusiast on this year's gift list. And we mean the pure insulated goodness found in Jeep logo cups, glasses and mugs. These products come in a variety of sizes, are designed to fit inside a Jeep's cup holder and do an excellent job keeping that morning coffee warm, or afternoon soda cold.
JEEP LOGO ITEMS
We've said many times in the past that someone can never have too many Jeep logo items. And that’s not really just an opinion either, because our Jeep Logo Item page is among the most frequented on our site. From Jeep key chains to key covers; license plate frames to towels, these Jeep collectables are the perfect fit for anyone on your shopping list — especially those enthusiasts.
BOOKS
When it comes to reference materials, it seems like you really can find anything you need about a Jeep online these days. So what good are regular books? Well, many Jeep owners who love working on their vehicle, indeed many who even just want to learn more about them, really prefer to actually have that material right in their hands.
Whether it is a repair manual, off-road basics book, or even simply a vehicle specific guide, if you have a Jeep owner on your shopping list this year then you really can't go wrong with any of Jeep reference book.
CLOTHES
One of the best ways for any Jeep enthusiast to express their devotion is to proudly wear something that represents the brand. And you can enhance this emotion with a thoughtful clothing gift for the Jeeper on your shopping list. Maybe it is a shirt or hoodie with an imprinted slogan. Or the go anywhere rugged Jeep logo baseball cap. There are plenty of offerings out there designed to fit plenty of different tastes.
BADGES AND DECALS
Here is a homework assignment for you. The next time you are sitting in traffic, take a look at all the Jeep vehicles around you and see just how many of them have some sort of decal affixed. Maybe it is on the hood or tailgate. Perhaps even the front quarter panel.
Or you can take our word for it.
Because when it comes to decals or badging, Jeep lovers of all types can always find a place for a neat slogan or special design. Plus, decals are a great way for enthusiasts to customize their vehicle and give it a special look unlike anyone else. And the best part, you can be the one who gave that gift.
For hundreds of other gift ideas, we humbly offer our Ultimate Jeep Gift Guide.
