by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Protecting your valuables.
It is a mantra many try to meet when owning a Jeep. Not just things that you bring along for the ride, but other stuff as well. Like important modifications. Or the vehicle’s battery. Or, maybe those doors as well. Even fuel these days can be a target for thieves looking to take what isn’t theirs to own.
Finding some way to secure those assets can be a really important modification itself. Especially on those warm, sunny days when you want the top off to enjoy some fresh-air, open-cabin driving.
In reality, there are plenty of things you can do to help lock down all those important things on, or in, your Jeep. Some you may already have on the vehicle and not even realize. Others are inexpensive products designed to protect more valuable components.
So here are several security options that consistently rank well year after year.
Hardtop
There are many reasons people choose a Jeep hardtop right at vehicle purchase, and security is certainly right up there near the top. With its fiberglass construction and glass windows, these tops do provide a modicum of theft insurance that soft top Jeeps simply cannot initially meet.
Sure, soft tops with tinted windows can make it a bit more difficult for a thief to determine what is inside the vehicle, and whether it is worth the effort to cut into and tear apart the material, but having a solid shell and glass windows provides a much larger deterrent.
So if you bought your Jeep with a soft top only, and you have developed some security concerns, it may be worth it to look at purchasing a hardtop.
Of course, this does make things more interesting when you want to take the hardtop off and do some open cabin driving, but these days there are plenty of storage options around to accommodate that need such as hardtop hoists and insulated carts.
Locking Hood Latches
Interior hood protection is something all car owners take for granted. But in a factory Jeep, those side latches are all that hold the hood closed. And when someone wants in for, say, your Jeep’s battery, or that new cold air intake you just installed, well, all they need to do is unlatch to gain entry.
However, you can replace those factory hood latches with lockable versions that help secure whatever you have under that hood. That way the battery is much better protected, as well as your cold air intake and perhaps your aftermarket reusable air filter. You may not think someone would want these things, but there are plenty of stories out there about Jeeps suddenly missing a battery. So think about adding this inexpensive layer of protection to keep all your important engine items safe.
Hood Lock
Just like those locking hood latches, a front hood lock can help shore up your hood interior contents as well. These work slightly differently than the hood catches, mounting instead just inside your Jeep’s grille to lock down that hood — usually with no drilling involved. And for those with JK Wranglers, these locks can even help tamp down that annoying hood flutter. Some versions can even key-alike to your factory Jeep key so you do not have to carry around anything extra when you need to open the hood.
Locking Fuel Door
This product has always been a nice idea as most Jeeps leave the factory with an exposed gas cap — unlike cars or trucks that require a door switch to gain access to the fueling area.
So, without that locking cover, anyone looking to snag some free gas just need to undo the cap to get started.
Most locking fuel doors fit over the existing gas shroud and include either self-tapping screws to secure or require some drilling into the plastic shroud to mount. Once installed, the included key easily unlocks the fuel door when you need to add more gas.
Spare Tire Lock
For anyone who carries a spare tire on their Jeep’s rear end, using a lock to secure that tire to the mount can provide much more peace of mind versus just using three simple lug nuts.
As a spare tire on most Jeeps is usually the one with the best tread, it can often be a target for ne’er-do-well people — especially these days when some tire sizes are very difficult to source.
Spare tire locks are simple to install and replace one of the wheel lugs, so it is important to make sure the lock you purchase will be compatible with the wheel and your year Jeep. Then, either the factory Jeep key or one supplied with the product can be used to secure and remove the lock whenever needed.
Wheel Locks
Just like a spare tire lock secures that extra tire to the back of your vehicle, wheel locks do the same for all four tires. Slightly smaller than standard lugs, these wheel locks slip on one per wheel and require a special adapter to remove from the Jeep.
Once installed though, each tire is secure from prying hands with a lug wrench. Just make sure to keep that adapter handy at all times in the vehicle should you (or a mechanic) need to remove a tire for whatever reason.
Interior Locking Storage
When you own a Jeep for any length of time, you’ll quickly learn cargo space is at a premium inside the vehicle. Double that, though, for security space for times when your soft top is reclined or that hardtop is off the vehicle.
Where are you supposed to put highly valuable items if you simply cannot carry them with you when you leave the vehicle?
Well, you can certainly try and leave them at home, but sometimes that isn’t an option, and you really need to find a spot inside the Jeep to store those items.
Sure the center factory console and glove box have 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?
This is why choosing one (or more) interior locking storage products is definitely a smart notion for those wishing to enjoy open cabin driving during these warm summer months.
These products include solid 16-gauge steel lockable consoles either between the front seats, under those seats, overhead, as a glove box replacement or even to transform the rear cargo area into a secure location. All are designed with roomy privacy in mind to keep those valuables safe whenever you are not with the Jeep.
Door Security
It may not seem like a Jeep’s doors would be a high-security issue. After all, they are heavy, right? And it takes a bit of time to undo the door bolts and remove the things.
Well these days, as more and more people choose the latest generation JL Wrangler, those doors have become quite a bit lighter because Jeep swapped from steel construction to aluminum. Meaning those doors can be unbolted and removed fairly quickly if not secured.
So choosing a good security device will provide a nice blanket over those looking to take some doors for themselves.
For those with JL Wranglers, door hinge locks or a security door locker are both good devices to use to lock down those Jeep doors. Older JK, TJ and JK Wranglers have those options as well, but also can use anti-theft hinge pin nuts to secure the doors.
All of these devices are fairly quick to install and, once mounted, can only be removed by a provided lock key.
