Summary
- Protect your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK from collisions and obstacles with tough bumpers, rock sliders, and skid plates.
- Lifting kits, locking differentials, off-road tires, and shock absorbers make driving safer and more pleasant.
- Off-road lights and LED light bars are recommended if you drive at night and in bad weather conditions.
- If your Grand Cherokee WK or another vehicle gets stuck, a winch and recovery gear kit can help you free it.
- The roof rack lets you carry additional or large cargo, while the snorkel improves engine performance.
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK is one of the world’s finest off-road vehicles when it rolls out of its factory. But you can always enhance its exemplary performance with off-road parts and accessories.
Recommended Jeep WK Off-Road Parts
These off-road parts can help ensure your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK can take on anything the wilderness throws at it.
Bumpers
The front and rear bumpers protect the Jeep during collisions. They also provide mounting points for accessories and parts.
The bumpers that come stock with your Jeep are usually made of steel. However, there are aftermarket titanium bumpers that are stronger and lighter.
Furthermore, the new front bumper might offer additional mounting points for other parts and accessories.
Lift Kits
A lift kit raises the Jeep’s suspension. It replaces suspension parts like shock absorbers and springs, installing longer equivalents with superior performance. The lift kit might also include replacement control arms.
Lifting your Jeep offers several benefits. It increases the ground clearance, enabling your vehicle to safely clear obstacles like rocks, ruts, and rough terrain without scraping its bottom.
Installing a lift kit also creates room to fit larger tires on your Jeep. You can also install off-road tires designed for slippery surfaces, including mud, sand, and snow. The new tires enhance traction and help keep your Jeep from rolling over.
Locking Differentials
Locking differentials mechanically lock the axles together, ensuring the wheels spin at the same speed. Making the wheels rotate together maximizes the torque sent to the wheel with traction.
Locking differentials are especially helpful in off-roading situations when one wheel is off the ground or on an otherwise very low traction surface.
When locked, the slipping wheel doesn’t receive any torque to counteract its lack of traction. Meanwhile, the wheel on the ground receives all the torque, helping the Jeep get through mud, snow, or uneven ground.
Off-Road Tires
You might also want to change your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK’s factory-issue tires with off-road ones.
Off-road tires are bigger, increasing the road clearance further when combined with a lift kit. They’re also made of tougher materials, allowing them to last longer and resist damage caused by sharp objects.
Furthermore, off-road tires have a deeper tread that provides a better grip on dirt, mud, and rocky trails. Last but not least, off-road tires smoothen the ride on uneven ground surfaces.
Off-Road Lights
When the illumination provided by the standard headlights isn’t enough for the conditions, it’s always a good idea to install off-road lights.
Mounted on the bumper, roof, or both, off-road lights make it easier to see trails at night or in bad weather. They help keep you safe by giving you the best visibility.
LED Light Bars and Pods
You can also install light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that shine brighter than standard light bulbs while consuming less power. While not all LED lights are street-legal in every state, you’re going somewhere police cruisers don’t patrol. You’ll need every bit of light to see during the extreme weather conditions you might encounter when you go off-roading.
Recovery Gear Kit
The winch isn’t the only thing you need to recover your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK if it gets stuck. Always keep a recovery gear kit in the back of your vehicle. It contains tools to help free your Jeep, such as D-rings, tow straps, and a shovel.
Rock Sliders
Rock sliders are protective metal bars mounted along the sides of your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. They shield the undercarriage when driving over rocks or rough surfaces. You can also use them as steps to board and leave your Jeep more easily.
Skid Plates
Skid plates are metal shields that fit under your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. They protect critical parts like the fuel tank, oil pan, transmission, and fuel tank when you drive over rocks or rough terrain.
Snorkel
The snorkel doesn’t enable your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK to drive underwater like a submarine. Instead, it mainly works like a cold air intake, elevating the intake level to where it can draw cooler air with fewer contaminants and more oxygen.
Its top also contains a vortex filter that captures particular matter and drains rainwater before either type of contamination reaches the engine.
Winch and Winch Rope
A winch is a pulling device that mounts on your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK’s front. Driven by an electric or hydraulic motor, the winch winds or unwinds a cable wound over its winch spool. It’s mainly used to free a vehicle like your Jeep from where it’s stuck.
Roof Racks
A roof rack provides additional storage space for gear, including items that won’t fit in the back of your Jeep Grand Cherokee. It lets you carry equipment like a tent or bike for long off-road trips.
Upgraded Shock Absorbers
Enhanced shocks and suspension systems improve your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK’s ability to absorb impacts from rough terrain. They provide a smoother ride and better control during off-road adventures.
Keep in mind that lift kits usually include new shock absorbers. If you install a lift kit, you’ll usually replace your Jeep’s current shocks.
Each off-road part improves an aspect of your Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. Together, they enhance your Jeep’s off-road capabilities, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable adventure.
Where to Get Quality Off-Road Parts to Upgrade Your Jeep
Got your list of off-road parts to upgrade your car? It’s time to shop at the JC Whitney Hub!
The JC Whitney Hub is your one-stop shop for all things performance parts and accessories. You’ll find all the top brands you know and love in one place. Visit the JC Whitney Performance Hub now to find all the best names in performance and restoration.
You’ll also need dependable tools to install your off-road parts on your Jeep. JC Whitney’s premium tools are designed for your garage. JC Whitney has everything you need to upgrade, repair, and fine-tune your ride. Get JC Whitney tools today.
About JC Whitney Editorial Team
