When Life Throws You Dirt, Accessorize Your 4×4

The Jeep Wrangler is available in 10 trim levels, from basic Sport to fully-loaded Rubicon Hard Rock, and the standard equipment and optional gear is fairly typical for a mass-produced 4×4 that may never see a dirt road in its life. This holds true for many of the truck models offered in recent years as well. But what about the rest of the adventurers who buy these vehicles with the intention of keeping the tires dirty, the mud flaps well used, and the Dana 44 working overtime? Well, they’ve just got to accessorize then.

Not only does accessorizing your 4×4 give it a personal touch, it allows you the opportunity to outfit your rig with the kind of gear you’ll need when in backcountry. Below is a list of XX items that will add functionality, practicality and style to your adventures.

Vapur Anti-Bottles

Designed to stand when full and rolled and flattened when empty, Vapur’s line of environmentally friendly “anti-bottles” can be tucked away in pockets, packs, and glove boxes. They’re over 80-percent lighter than rigid plastic bottles and come in a variety of styles and uses. Most importantly, they can be reused over and over again. Available in three styles, the 0.75 liter wine carrier can hold one bottle of wine, has a window to view the level, and stays secure with an easy screw-on cap (no bottle opener needed). The Mossy Oak anti-bottle can hold 0.7 liters (23 ounces) of liquid, and there are six different styles. Able to purify hundreds of gallons of water, the MicroFilter is a lightweight, chemical-free water filtration system that utilizes the most advanced hollow fiber membrane technology. The Vapur MicroFilter safely removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (such as Salmonella, Cholera and E. coli) and 99.9% of protozoa (including Cryptosporidium and Giardia).

MSRP: Anti-bottle and wine flask, $11.99; MicroFilter, $34.99

Trasharoo

Made from 900 denier canvas with double-stitched buckles and straps, the Trasharoo is a stylish trash bag that fits snugly (via X straps) to your rig’s spare tire (up to 40 inches). A 30-gallon trash bag fits perfectly for easy dumping, and the drawstrings keep the trash secure. Available in black, desert tan and OD green, it has a water resistant interior, drain holes for inside spills, a built-in flap zipper to store extra trash bags and can carry up to 50 pounds of weight.

 MSRP: $44.99

Patriot Jack

With a portion of sales of this jack going to Hope for the Warriors charity, the Patriot edition jack is offered in sizes 48, and 60 inches. It offers a rated capacity of 4,660 lbs. and a tested capacity of 7,000 lbs. Built to be rugged, lightweight and easy to maneuver, Hi-Lift jacks come with zinc-coated hardware. The body is powder-coated blue.

MSRP: $108.11 (48-inch) and $121.31 (60-inch)

Off-Road Base

Increase the support surface area and make more use of your Hi-Lift jack with the off-road base. It alleviates jack sinkage in sand and soft ground. It can be used with any model of Hi-Lift jack (except the First Responder jack).

MSRP: $56.00

LOC-RAC

If mounting options for your Hi-Lift jack are limited on your 4×4, Hi-Lift offers a mounting system that fits to the bedrail of a truck, and since most trucks have open beds, the kit includes a lock to keep the jack secure. As well, each kit contains two mounting brackets, a padlock, and all necessary mounting hardware.

MSRP: $36.00

QuickShot Compressor Kit

Used primarily in conjunction with an air suspension kit, the QuickShot single path compressor kit can act as a stand-alone compressor system for your off-road vehicle (0.81 CFM, 33% duty cycle compressor (at 100 PSI). With a two-gallon reserve tank and an auxiliary hose, you can quickly and efficiently top off tires and power air tools on the trail. All mounting hardware, hoses, fittings, plumbing and full-color instructions are included.

MSRP: $710.64

Bolt One-Key Lock

Strattec is the main OE lock supplier to Ford, GM, and Chrysler, so they know locks. The Bolt one-key lock uses the ignition key of your truck as its key. Simply take the lock out of the package and insert your ignition key. The lock learns your key, so then you’ll have a lock that works on your vehicle’s key. No more fumbling with secondary keys (or losing them). BOLT Series of locks lets you set all your truck, trailer and equipment locks to work with one key. Strattec offers padlocks, cable locks, trailer receiver locks (5/8 and 1/2 inch), coupler pin locks, Jeep locks, toolbox latch locks, and GM tailgate handle locks.

MSRP: starting from $21.99

Tail Light Guards

Installed with auto-grade double-sided tape, these smoked acrylic tail light guards offer a refined look to your Jeep. They fit 1976-1986 Jeep CJ models, 1987-1995 Wrangler (YJ), 1997-2006 TJ, and 2004-2006 LJ Wranglers.

MSRP: $20.99

Stone Guard Set

Made from durable stainless steel, this six-piece stone guard set will keep Jeep headlights, taillights and turn indicator lights safe and stylish. They match nicely with Rugged Ridge’s grille inserts and headlight bezels. Fits 1976-1983 CJ-5, 1976-1986 CJ-7, and 1981-1986 CJ-8.

MSRP: $84.99

XHD Low-Mount Snorkel

Anyone who goes off-road is likely to eventually encounter deep water. The Modular XHD Snorkel System from Rugged Ridge relocates the vulnerable stock air intake location to help reduce dust clogged filters and the risk of hydro-locking your engine. This snorkel is the first snorkel designed with the modular functionality of a Pre-filter Low Mount and Ram High Mount air intake design. With this kit, the windshield can still fold and the doors can be removed. Fits 2012-2016 Wranglers (JK) with the 3.6L engine.

MSRP: $533.99

Spartacus Off-Road Winch

The Spartacus heavy-duty winch features a durable 5.5 horsepower three-stage planetary gearbox with a 172.8:1 gear ratio. The kit includes 100 feet of 11/32-inch synthetic rope, a latched hook, and an aluminum hawse fairlead. It features an automatic load holding brake system (in the drum brake system) and a remote control (wired).

MSRP: $734.99

Recovery Gear Kit

Never get stuck or stranded again. This recovery gear kit comes with a heavy-duty 9-inch 30,000 lbs. snatch block pullet, a premium 2-inch-by-30-foot, 20,000 lbs. recovery strap, a 3-inch-by-6-inch, 30,000 lbs. tree protector strap, a pair of heavy-duty, 9,500 lbs., zinc-coated D-rings, a winch line dampener, and a pair of leather recover gloves. It all comes in a heavy-duty canvas storage bag.

MSRP: $215.99

D-Shackles

Forget about drilling into your frame or welding attachment points. Instead, get easy and immediate anchor points on your 4×4. The universal D-shackles each have a 7/8-inch pin and a 13,500 lbs. load limit. They are made of durable and tough zinc-coated cast steel and feature a powder coated black finish and fit 1987-2016 Wranglers (YJ, TJ, and JK).

MSRP: $46.99

Roller Fairlead with Offroad Light Mounts

Turn your roller fairlead into an off road light mount. This winch roller fairlead from Rugged Ridge has two holes above the side rollers to allow the mounting a pair of off road lights. Works with 8,500 lbs. or larger winches. The mounting points won’t let the lights to interfere with the winch operation.

MSRP: $102.99

Front Headrest Grab Handles

To help give your passengers a sense of security and safety while you’re traversing the rough parts are these front headrest grab handles made for 2007-2016 Wranglers. They easily attached to the A-pillar with the included hardware. There are two other styles to choose from: rear side grab handles and rear seat head rest-mounted grab handles. All are made with neoprene to be waterproof and comfortable. They come in black and red.

MSRP: $27.99

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Spring 2016 print issue of Tread Magazine.