by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
The list.
You know the list.
No, not the one that is checked twice and figures out who is naughty or nice, but the one you either keep in your head, phone, or scribbled down somewhere about those Jeep owners in your orbit that require a gift this holiday season.
Now, for some of you, the process is easy. Person A doesn’t have product B for their Jeep, so there you go. Problem solved.
For many others, though, things are not that simple. Person A has a bunch of products B through Z, so you are not exactly sure which way to turn.
Well, that’s why we offer the annual Quadratec Holiday Jeep Gift Guide. We’ve filled this eighth edition with popular products from several different categories — all designed to amplify and augment what those on your holiday gift list are doing with their Jeep these days. Or, you know, yourself if you are doing the self-gift thing. We don’t judge.
Our product mix this year fits into numerous categories including the Jeep’s interior, lighting options, overlanding, lifestyle, tools and protective accessories. Of course, there are way too many products in all to list, and you can find tons of other great ideas on our Ultimate Gift Guide page.
Here we go.
Interior
So, you may think ‘what is the point of choosing Jeep interior products as a gift?’ After all, none of those things are flashy and they really can’t be seen or appreciated by others. But realistically, giving an interior accessory makes for a great holiday gift.
That’s because whether your gift recipient keeps their Jeep top up or down, their interior is always under assault from whatever conditions Mother Nature decides to conjure.
Stuff like mud, water, sand and dirt. Even snow and salt. So it is no wonder why interior protection products always make excellent holiday gifts. Beyond that, though, secure interior storage space is always at a premium inside a Jeep. Whether for yourself or that Jeep enthusiast on your shopping list, here are three top interior products:
No write-up about interior parts would be complete without including floor liners, and it is really because many out there still simply have the factory carpeting above their floor. Don’t get us wrong, carpeting is great, but carpeting alone isn’t the best way to fight against the elements, or simply just everyday wear and tear.
See, just about everything out there is trying to harm a Jeep’s carpet in some way. Whether that means mud or snow, accidentally leaving the top down in the rain or some other type of debris, a Jeep's carpet can quickly deteriorate.
So floor liners make an excellent gift for any Jeep enthusiast on this year's shopping list. Most liners are custom made to perfectly fit a specific 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.
A Jeep’s seats are affected by the elements more so than just about any other type of vehicle seating. Whenever that soft top is down, or the hardtop is off, those seats can be assaulted by weather, the sun, or other things like mud and sand.
This is why seat covers are a solid option for every Jeep owner. Whether it is neoprene, vinyl, nylon, or some other material, seat covers nicely 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.
If you are around Jeep owners long enough, you’ll definitely hear about how lacking the vehicle is with real storage space. Heck, if you own one yourself then you know as well.
So anything designed to increase storage in a Jeep can be a great holiday gift. We’re talking products like larger consoles, roll bar storage bags, or even underseat consoles can be a great gift for the Jeep enthusiast on your list. Not only do these items provide extra space for needed items, but some even come with locking options — which is a big deal for those nice days when the soft top is down and you are away from your Jeep.
Lighting
If there is one thing that has been a constant in the Jeep aftermarket world over the past few years, it is LED lighting. More affordable than ever, these lighting options have pushed halogen into the background and really evolved as far as quality, cost and functionality.
And it is not just for headlights either. LED lighting can be found in taillights, fog lights and even in auxiliary lighting — meaning the Jeep enthusiast in your life can drive smarter, and safer, no matter the conditions.
There are few things on a Jeep more important than its headlights. After all, you really are not going far at night without them. And make no mistake, the weak factory halogen lights just do not cut it these days with all the great aftermarket lighting options out there.
Now, unless you or someone on your holiday gift list upgraded to factory LED lighting, those halogens will be on the vehicle begging to be replaced.
Not only do LED headlights have a better light output and less battery draw, but they also throw a more accurate beam which is closer to actual daylight, are safer and make for less driver eye strain than current factory halogen headlights. Plus, LED headlights have an almost unlimited lifespan.
In a traditional halogen bulb, a thin filament of wire emits a bright light when a current is passed through it, which over time can degrade and eventually fail. An LED light makes use of a semiconductor – a material that releases photons of light when charge is applied. The main benefit of this is there is no filament to burn out, so they shouldn’t ever need to be replaced.
And the best part of this whole thing as far as gift giving — replacement LED headlights don’t require much work to install. Simply take off the front grille, unplug the factory lights, remove from the factory buckets and plug in the new ones.
With the intense popularity of LED lighting, those on your holiday gift list may already have LED headlights. No worries, there are other great options that can augment visibility.
LED Light Bars have become in-demand items over the past few years simply because of their versatility, look and customization options.
You can get them for the top of the windshield, top of the hood, top of a bumper — even across the interior of the windshield. Yes, they do come in a variety of sizes so you can help someone on your gift list tailor the product to fit whatever appearance they desire.
LED light bars are really designed for nighttime trail excursions as they can illuminate the trail unlike anything else, but for those in more remote areas, these bars can pump out light when other cars are not around which makes for a safer driving experience.
Just like light bars, smaller auxiliary LED lighting options are great to help customize someone’s Jeep. And they do not leave a large footprint when on the vehicle so these things can blend in well, say, against windshield hinges or attached to a bumper.
Normally, auxiliary lighting products are smaller cube or round lights that offer either a powerful choice of spot or flood beams. This means a targeted, forward light beam (spot) or a wider, full-range light throw (flood).
This type of light is often simple to install as many bumpers come with light attachment points to accept the auxiliary lighting bracket, or that bracket can bolt into windshield hinges to provide a connection. From there, it is just a matter of connecting the harness to a power source.
Overlanding
Overlanding continues to be perhaps the fastest-growing segment in the four-wheel-drive aftermarket, because it mixes camping, overland travel and off-roading together, then rolls it up into one exciting and demanding adventure. For many, this means simply a journey off-pavement where you rely exclusively on your vehicle for accommodations and gear for accomplishment. If that sounds like someone on your list, here are three product options to consider.
One of the key tenants of overlanding is to always be prepared. That means those who choose to engage with this practice need to have pretty much everything they need when they head out into the wild. With no stores, gas stations, or repair shops in the wilderness, it simply makes sense.
So, if you are looking for the perfect item this holiday season for that Jeep enthusiast who loves overlanding, 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 — like tow straps, gloves, shackles, winch line dampeners, snatch block and more. Great stuff that is often overlooked by many who think they'll never be in a recovery situation.
Not all great overlanding gifts have to do with protecting the Jeep on a trail, or having the right equipment to escape a recovery situation. Overlanding is also about the destination, and having the right gear to set up a nice campsite following a long day on the trail or road.
This means stuff to help create the right sleep environment, or storage solutions to correctly (and safely) pack away necessary gear — even things like chairs, tailgate tables, shovels and knives can be great items for that holiday gift list.
After a long day inside a Jeep — whether it is on- or off-road, there are not many things nicer than hitting the cooler for a cold beverage and relaxing in that camp chair. Sure, some on your holiday gift list may go the grocery store route with one of those Styrofoam coolers filled with ice, and hope for the best.
But others on your holiday list can do better. Right?
And better means electric fridge freezers or super-insulated coolers.
Electric freezers are powered by the vehicle's battery and require no ice — allowing a temperature to be specifically set and maintained. Others are made of thermoplastic and have separate pockets to keep dry items separated from ice and liquids.
No matter which one you choose for your gift recipient, they'll certainly thank you with a frosty toast when their campsite is all set up for the night.
Lifestyle
Owning a Jeep is, well, a lot more than owning a Jeep. When you have one, it quickly becomes part of the family. And that's why phrases like 'It's a Jeep Thing' or 'JEEP - Just Empty Every Pocket', become part of the everyday vocabulary.
So it is almost natural that those Jeep enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list have a great degree of loyalty to the brand, including stuff like decals and reference books — even clothing or Jeep logo items like key chains or license plates are hugely popular. The lifestyle product possibilities are endless, but here are three at the top of the list:
Expressing Jeep-brand love through baseball caps, T-shirts and hoodies is one of the best ways for Jeep owners to express their devotion to 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 with an imprinted slogan. Or the tried-and-true Jeep logo hat. For those in colder weather, a Jeep logo hoodie makes for a nice gift as well.
Whether it is just for the holiday season, or something to use all year, Jeep cups, bottles and glassware are all handy gifts for both home use and on-the-go travel.
These containers can be insulated to keep drinks hot or cold during trail adventures, or decorative glasses to enjoy beverages with friends. Some are shot or wine glasses that are great for parties, and others are more suited for the campsite.
And the nice thing about all of these is none will tax the pocketbook, so you may consider more than one for those on your holiday gift list.
We’ve said it before and we meant it — one can never have too many Jeep logo items to display that brand loyalty. It is why our Jeep Logo Item page is among the most visited on our site.
From Jeep key chains to replacement keys; license plates and frames to towels, these Jeep collectibles are the perfect fit for anyone on your shopping list — especially among those enthusiasts.
Tools
When it comes to any recovery situation, having the right product often is the difference between success and a long afternoon. This carries over into the tool world as well, because having the right tool for the job usually means a successful (and safe) installation that won’t fall apart when it is needed most.
Jeep tools can mean a lot of things to your holiday gift recipient, but anything from Torx socket sets and wrenches, to air compressors and strong jacks, can all help them install pretty much anything on their Jeep, while keeping them ready for whatever situation that may arise — road or trail. Here are three of the top tool solutions:
If you want to show someone on your holiday gift list that you care, then giving them a tire repair kit is ideal. It is really something no one ever thinks about until they are sitting on the side of the road, or trail, with a flat tire.
These handy kits include pliers to pull out whatever caused the tire puncture, a reamer to open up the hole and an insertion needle that holds self-vulcanizing rubber threads to repair the damage. Some kits even have replacement valve stems and caps should the originals become unusable during a repair.
As we said earlier, the proper tools can make any job or issue easier to deal with and those Jeep owners on your holiday shopping list will certainly appreciate a proper set of tools.
That could mean a complete tool kit, diagnostic scanner to determine vehicle issues, replacement Torx bits, or simply a multi-tool for those smaller repair jobs. Additionally, just about everything can be stored safely inside the vehicle so they are always available when needed.
When that bracketed yellow exclamation point shows up on a Jeep's dashboard, it isn't going away on its own. No matter how much a Jeep owner on your gift list says it will. It simply means the air in a particular tire is low (or in multiple tires).
And while it isn’t always a bad thing, or mean impending danger, driving too long on a low-pressure tire is bad for gas mileage and it can cause a flat (or worse) if left unattended.
Sure, a trip to the local gas station can air up a tire, but sometimes there are not any of stations nearby should the need arise — especially out on a trail.
So either a portable or onboard air compressor is a good way to ensure your Jeep gift recipient is getting something more than just a cosmetic modification. Plus, many off-road trails or parks around the country do not have air stations, so these compressors are fantastic to have in the vehicle to air up tires after a long day off-roading.
Protection
We’d venture that just about everyone on your Jeep gift buying list, maybe even you, first took notice of that vehicle because of its go anywhere, do anything capability. However, as you and probably everyone else has learned, just because a Jeep can go anywhere doesn’t mean it should. At least, not without some exterior protection modifications.
Scrapes, scratches, dents, or worse, can certainly happen to any type of vehicle during daily use, but in a Jeep it is almost a certainty. Plus, with more and more people heading out to trails, camping in parks, or doing some sort of overlanding, having that exterior protection is really imperative if you want that Jeep to remain mostly damage-free.
So it is no wonder Jeep protection products are normally top sellers throughout the year. Here are the top three to consider:
It doesn’t matter if it is a weekend on the trails, or just a trip to the local grocery store, the side of a Jeep can easily get scraped up from tree branches, rocks, or even runaway shopping carts.
So rather than just leaving the door area exposed, choosing some bolt-on side rocker guards for someone on your Jeep holiday list will give them an excellent shield against such objects, and some even add a step area so it is easier to get in and out of the vehicle.
Many of these offer a textured black finish which nicely blends with other accessories on the Jeep, and are engineered with thick, durable steel that pretty much ensures protection against most types of objects that want to harm Jeep doors.
Just as side guards and rock sliders do a great job shielding those Jeep doors, upgrading to aftermarket front and rear bumpers — over plastic factory versions — are excellent security for those on your holiday list who have vulnerable front grille or back tailgate areas.
Now, there are all kinds of bumpers to choose from, such as stubby, mid-width and fill size front versions, or rear styles with, or without spare tire carriers, but the constant is to make sure they have a rugged steel construction, or high strength aluminum for durability while allowing for additional modification — such as fog lights, auxiliary lighting, recovery points, or a winch.
Some front bumpers will have a protruding hoop or grille guard that extends above the bumper to give that grille extra protection, while rear versions work around the factory spare tire, offer hitch openings, recovery points, and many help to reinforce the tailgate when using larger aftermarket tires.
One component that always seems overlooked by Jeep owners is the need to upgrade differential covers — especially if future plans include more off-roading. We get it. Swapping out those covers isn’t as rugged or noticeable as, say, new tires or flashier flares.
But for those on your holiday list who do love a good weekend on the trails, all it takes is one rock or incorrectly tackled obstacle to come in contact with an edge on the thin metal factory cover, and it could start to peel.
Once that factory cover’s lip is peeled back the slow leak begins. It may not be noticeable either, so the vehicle is driven longer and faster. Meanwhile, the fluid inside the axle is becoming hotter and when it heats up it drips out faster. Until the differential fails.
Of course, all this can be prevented with a heavy-duty aftermarket differential cover. These can be found for all the common axle sizes like 30, 35 and 44, and most are engineered with high tensile nodular iron which is built to take a hit without blinking. Plus, some even have the fill plug positioned in a better spot than the factory, so refilling the differential is much easier for those on your gift list.
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