1: Winch Kit
Much in the same way that I always recommend improving braking before improving engine power on performance cars, having a way to drag your ass out of trouble before you give yourself more ways to get in trouble is always a safe bet. Warn has been the go-to winch brand for ages, offering a wide range of winches and kits to fit the Wrangler. Whether buying a complete kit and bumper through Mopar to the tune of a little over $1000, to picking up bits and pieces to put your own kit together through Quadratec or another reputable seller, a winch is by far one of the most useful pieces of equipment for any off-road enthusiast.

2: Fender Flares
As previously mentioned, throwing on a bigger, more off-road capable set of tires falls into that category of being tackled immediately, but a healthy set of fender flares will both make fitment of those bigger tires easier, and it will also help you keep your new baby from getting caked in mud in all the wrong places. I’m somewhat partial to Bushwacker’s Flat Fender kit, but there are a plethora of aftermarket options available so it should not be hard to find the right look to get the job done.

3: Additional Lighting
So you’ve managed to crawl your way up the backside of a mountain, but there’s some rough terrain ahead and darkness is quickly creeping in. The Wrangler’s stock lights aren’t bad, but adding additional lighting to the Wrangler is a simple and cost-effective way to keep you out of trouble. Lighting is often a good thing to think about at the same time as your winch kit, as both require running wiring into the passenger cabin, and both will often be best to bolt up to your front bumper. Pay close attention on the wiring front, as the last thing you want is to lose lighting function because your sloppy wiring got caught up on a branch halfway through the drive. Most reputable auxiliary lighting brands, such as KC HiLiTES and Rigid Industries, will offer complete wiring harnesses for their kits.

4: Storage Solutions
Carrying things like camping gear and extra fuel is often a point of consideration for guy wanting to go on longer hauls into the woods, and thankfully many manufacturers have come up with clever storage setups for both the 2 and 4-door Wranglers. Roof-mounted storage racks are a great answer for keeping your gear high and dry on treacherous terrain, while rear tailgate-mounted options provide a great storage spot for extra fuel tanks alongside that full-sized spare tire. Smittybilt has a number of storage options worth checking out as does ARB.

5: Snorkels
On the topic of staying high and dry, river crossings can be a dangerous thing when not properly equipped, which is especially important this year with the threat of a strong El Nino weather pattern. Having your cargo strapped to the roof is all well and good, but drop into a river below your air intake point and you’ll have much bigger problems to worry about. Just about all of these kits require a little cutting and drilling to get the job done, including the Rugged Ridge Kit we installed here a few years ago, but they are an excellent way to keep your off-road excursions from turning into an engine-destroying catastrophe.