by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Fun fall weekend afternoons cruising through the woods enjoying all the seasonal foliage changes. It is certainly one of the best things about this time of year. A little crisp chill in the air. Not yet time for the holiday craziness. Just some relaxing time with family, friends or your fellow Jeep enthusiasts.
Well, this time of year also can mean a more thorough inspection of the vehicle as cooler times await. And after a long, hot, summer, that Jeep may be in store for some changes. Or, you just may want to make a few nice modifications to help protect the thing as the calender drones onward.
So here are some top trending product recommendations for this fall.
Seat Covers
Not every day over the past summer was full of sun and fun. It surely rained at some point, and when it did, perhaps that top was down or off the vehicle and your seats took some abuse. Really, though, rain or shine those factory Jeep seats are always under assault any time the top is off the vehicle.
So infusing your seats with some highly protective seat covers is an excellent move this fall. Whether your choice is weather-absorbing and comfortable neoprene, highly breathable polycotton, easy-to-clean ballistic nylon, vinyl or great looking and soft leatherette, these covers will allow your Jeep seats to last longer and give you a little more insulation for the ride. Not only that, but most covers are also easy to remove and clean when needed. Perfect for your on-the-go Jeep lifestyle.
A final benefit to adding protective seat covers inside your Jeep's cab is the ability to customize to nearly any look you want. Most covers have numerous color schemes that can match, for example, accent bezels you have done to the dash area or paint job you've done to the vehicle’s body tub. Or, perhaps, even the respective colors of your Jeep club. It's all up to you. And the best part, it will look just the way you want each time that top comes off.
Lockable Interior Storage
It is really no secret that cargo space and security inside your Jeep is pretty limited – as you’ve probably found out. And while the four-door Wrangler Unlimited's do offer a bit more room, you may still struggle to find the space you need. Also, if you sport a soft top, or even just plan to take the hardtop off on a warmer fall afternoon, safely securing that cargo can get worrisome. 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. Would you?
So, for interior cargo options, many first-time Jeep owners who need that security can look to solid 16-gauge steel lockable consoles either between the front seats, under the seat, overhead, or even at the rear cargo area.
Many of these applications are no-drill installs that, once in place, can't be removed without a key, while others (like center storage consoles) may require drilling for proper installation. Regardless, the heavy gauge steel in these storage solutions can stand up to potential 'visitors' so you'll have peace of mind any time you are away from your Jeep.
Floor Liners
The factory carpeting inside your Jeep is pretty competent at handling water if you ‘forget’ to cover the vehicle and it rained during the summer. Aftermarket versions are as well. They all can absorb water and dry out, and normally are mildew resistant. But just because your carpeting has those features doesn’t mean it is ok with doing it over the long run.
Like anything else, the more you expose that carpeting to moisture, the faster it shortens the product’s lifespan.
So to give your Jeep carpeting its best chance at long-term survival—especially for all of you continually on the go—protective floor liners are an ideal solution.
Floor liners simply fit over the existing carpet in the driver and passenger foot area, and are also available for back passenger footwell coverage as well as cargo area protection. What that means is most exposed carpeting areas now will have a ‘shield’ designed to really keep just about anything off it; rain, snow, mud, dirt. Not to mention liners will also keep your feet from rubbing against the carpeting and prematurely wearing out the material.
Also, these days liners aren’t just some generic carpeted overlay that sits there and covers the factory carpeting. Most liners now are custom designed to exactly fit your specific vehicle, and are available in a multitude of materials like rubber, thermoplastic and high-density tri-extruded—as well as carpeting—that all are able to trap and hold water or debris in place. Plus, they are simple to remove and clean when needed, which makes things so much easier than continually removing drain plugs to get water out of the vehicle. Or breaking out that scrub brush to attach muddy carpet stains.
Jeep Top and Door Storage
You know it. We know it. When the weather turns a little chilly this time of year, that soft top comes off and you need a decent place to put the thing so it doesn't get damaged. Somewhere safe and protective, and not just tossed into the garage or backyard where anything could happen. By protecting that top and doors, you’ll definitely be able to seriously enjoy them when it comes time to put back on the vehicle.
Sure, you could toss them into the backseat or cargo area until needed; maybe even the garage somewhere like we said before and hope they do not get all scratched up. Or you can invest in a solid storage bag that will protect soft window plastic as well as keeping those zipper tracks from losing teeth.
For the hardtop crowd, storage options are a bit more plentiful. If you do not have a family member, neighbor, or friend who can help remove the thing, you can hook up a hoist (power or regular) in your garage that will easily lift the top off your vehicle, and even store it, until you are ready to mount it back on the Jeep.
Of course, having a buddy or two help lift the hardtop off your vehicle makes things easier. But again, if you are planning on just setting it in the garage or backyard, then you may want to think again before a window accidentally breaks or the top is gouged.
For the best non-hoist storage, hardtop carts have become extremely popular over the past few years. These movable carts securely hold both the top and panels, and include a base with wheels so the whole ensemble can pretty much go wherever you need when storing.
Additionally, when you remove the Jeep’s doors, don’t just place them on the ground somewhere (see the theme here) where they can fall over and become damaged. For those doors, a good set of wall storage pegs are a great way to keep them off the ground and out of danger.
Finally, while most storage carts can keep the hardtop Freedom Panels secure, some may never want to remove the rear section and, thus, have no real use for a cart. If this sounds like you, then canvas cover bags are definitely helpful to keep those Freedom Panels safe and scratch-free.
Grab Handles
Most of us have probably owned a vehicle in the past that had some type of handle above the front and and rear doors. You know what we mean. The thing you clutched passionately when the ride got bumpy, or the driver decided to whip around a turn at high speed. In a Jeep, though, with its roll cage between you and the top, well, that kind of handle really isn’t very feasible.
However, the vehicle’s roll cage actually offers a perfect place to mount an aftermarket handle to give not only a nice ‘hold on’ product when the top is down, but also something you can use to get in and out of the vehicle. Especially in colder weather when you may not be as flexible.
From simply nylon-style handles, to deluxe versions with a foam grip, to heavy-duty Paracord, there are many affordable versions out there that all hook-and-loop around the roll bar and provide smooth ‘grab-a-bility’ when needed. Many even have color options so you can match your Jeep color scheme, or simply find one that draws attention.
Hardtop Accessories
For some, the fall season is when soft tops or summer soft accessories come off the Jeep and a hardtop assumes their place. It is also the time when many discover that hardtop isn't exactly in the same shape as it was when it left the vehicle.
So that is where a stable of accessory parts fits into this part of the calendar. Stuff like replacement hinges or attachment hardware. Or rear glass struts. Maybe even wiper motors or new wiring. All those things can come in handy when the top is re-installed and things do not work like they should.
Additionally, replacement seals and sound deadening insulation make for excellent additions this time of year to help further quiet external noises as well as to retain interior heat.
Finally, don't forget to look at hardtop storage solutions as well. If you do decide down the road to swap back to a soft top, then these products do an excellent job securing that top and keeping it safe while off the Jeep.
Side Protection
Whether the plans for your Jeep involve off-road or overlanding use, or just everyday driving, one of the best things you can do is remove any factory side protection (if equipped) and replace with beefier security and functionality.
See, in most Jeeps from the factory, side protection is an afterthought. Sure, the front and rear get bumpers but the Jeep’s side is usually unprotected. The Rubicon series does receive some rock rails, and the Sahara has plastic side steps, but most others have nothing.
And that matters because those exposed doors can be subject to errant carts in a supermarket lot, or an accidental door strike by someone in an adjacent parking spot.
On the trail, it could mean a tree branch or rock strike.
The enemies of your Jeep doors are out there.
But it is not just protection alone, either. Side protection often involves steps, like the Brute Strength Side Steps; which makes entering and exiting the Jeep much easier for young children and older adults — especially if the vehicle has a suspension lift.
These no-drill steps utilize steel along with aluminum panels on the top and bottom for the ultimate in strength as well as lightweight functionality and are engineered with a durable black power coat finish designed match the finish on most front and rear bumpers.
LED Lighting
Aftermarket lighting options have been around for a while now, so it may not be news to some, but there are still many Jeep owners out there relying on the factory halogen lights for nighttime visibility.
So if you’ve never considered replacing that factory lighting, here are some facts to help you come in from the dark.
Not only are LED headlights much brighter than halogen, but they also have less battery draw and throw a more accurate beam. All this helps keep you safer, reduces stress on the battery in cold weather and makes for less driver eye strain. Plus, LED headlights have an almost unlimited lifespan.
Additionally, LED headlights these days are more affordable than ever, and most brands out there utilize plug-and-play installation, so simply remove the front grille, pull out the current lights and replace with your superior LED versions.
And it is not only headlights, either. Auxiliary lighting options have become increasingly important to off-road drivers who want the best in visibility. Quadratec’s powerful 3-inch Cube LED Lights offer an amazing size to light ratio that is close to natural sunshine, and can also mount right at the front of the Jeep or on the windshield hinge depending on your needs.
With a flood or spot beam, these compact lights will provide years of trouble-free use and feature weather tight seals designed to shield against whatever Mother Nature can throw at them.
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