James
Age is not always a reason to replace a Jeep. While some parts may be old enough to be considered for replacements, the engine and drivetrain may still be strong enough and other elements like suspension, lighting, interior design or worn-out exterior elements can make a vehicle look older than it actually is.
There are upgrades that will help you solve the problem. Instead of making an extensive overhaul, focus on the elements that influence the way your vehicle drives and looks.
1. Replace the Suspension
Driving can significantly change the way a vehicle performs on the road. Suspension bushings, shocks, springs and other elements become worn out over years of use and it may be hard to estimate the extent of changes.
Suspension refreshing can influence much more than comfort level. Depending on the state of parts, the process will allow restoring more predictable driving behavior and removing unwanted vibrations and noises.
This also is a perfect chance to adjust the setup according to the way the vehicle is used. Commuting vehicles can have a totally different suspension setting compared to off-road jeeps. Do not always choose the highest lift or the toughest parts – try to match them with the actual driving style of the vehicle.
2. Install New Front and Rear Bumpers
One of the parts that can change the look of an older Jeep very quickly is its bumpers. They get old, scratched, damaged or look outdated.
Replacement of bumpers will allow upgrading not only the look but also the functionality of the vehicle. People building their Wrangler JK jeeps will have the chance to install jeep bumpers jk designed specifically for this platform. The choice of configurations will allow creating a more functional and purpose-built Jeep.
Before installing new bumpers, try to think of the whole picture of future modification. Weight, ground clearance, recovery points, winch compatibility, tire size, suspension and intended use may become factors in choosing appropriate configuration.
With appropriate choices of bumpers, an older jeep will not lose its look and character but will become more purposeful and stylish.
3. Upgrade Your Jeep Lighting
Outdated lighting can make any vehicle reveal its age very quickly. Cloudy housings, weak lightbulbs, damaged lighting elements or just outdated lighting setup can influence the appearance of the vehicle and its driving performance. Therefore, repair or replacement of worn-out parts will be a quick way to give your car a second youth.
Start with checking the condition of existing parts. Light lenses can be restored, while damaged or not working well elements should be replaced. Do not forget to inspect tail lights, fog lights, license plate lights and even the interior lighting elements.
Try not to think about increasing the brightness as the main target. Beam patterns, proper installation and aiming and road legal compliance are important as well. Lighting system should provide good vision without causing unnecessary glare to other drivers.
4. Refurbish the Interior Elements You Constantly Touch
Even if a Jeep looks great from the outside, the feeling of old age can appear immediately when the driver sits inside the cabin.
The steering wheel, seats, floor mats, buttons and switches, door handles, center console and shift lever are elements that are constantly touched. Their deterioration causes old-age feeling in the interior of the vehicle.
The first thing to do is to fix the elements and clean the interior thoroughly. Often times, years of accumulated dirt in the textured elements make the interior look old while it is not. Trim elements that are damaged can be replaced separately, while seat upholstery can be repaired without full renovation of the interior.
Technology can also help here. Modern head unit with smartphone connectivity will make the interior look much younger and convenient despite the rest of original interior elements.
5. Install New Tires and Wheels
Tires and wheels take a lot of space in the design of the vehicle and are extremely important elements besides appearance.
Worn-out or inappropriate tires can affect steering feel, noise on the road, performance in wet conditions and overall comfort. If the replacement is needed anyway, installing the tires according to the usage of the vehicle can significantly change the driving experience.
Aggressive off-road tires are suitable for jeeps used on the trails often while regular use of the same Jeep on the streets requires a little bit of compromise. Big tires are not always the best choice as they influence many parameters of the vehicle including ground clearance, gearing and suspension setup.
Sometimes it is enough to clean the wheels properly to make them look like new.
Check the Vehicle Condition Before Modifying It
The most satisfying upgrade may become maintenance.
Before putting money into cosmetic or off-road modifications, it is a good idea to check the basic condition of the vehicle. Such parts as steering components, brakes, fluids, cooling system parts, belts, hoses, wheel bearings and others can be checked depending on the age and miles of the vehicle.
Removing looseness, vibrations, leaks, warning lights and noise sources will significantly increase the driving quality of your Jeep without any visible modifications yet.
It will also create the better basis for further upgrading. Adding new parts to the vehicle with unresolved problems will make the troubleshooting harder and waste the money on other repair elements.
An old Jeep does not need to look new in order to look refreshed. The better option would be to keep the parts that work and change those that were influenced by years of driving.
Freshened-up suspension, upgraded bumpers, better lighting, refurbished interior and proper tires and wheels will change the driving experience without losing the character of the Jeep.
