Features That Make the Jeep Wrangler Great Off Road

You probably know that the Jeep Wrangler is one of the best off-road vehicles on the market. But, do you know exactly what makes it so great? The off-road prowess isn’t just limited to old generations of the used Jeep Wrangler either. New models offer cutting-edge features that improve off-road performance. Let’s take a look.

Rugged Build

One of the biggest assets of the Jeep Wrangler is its rugged build. No matter which generation you look at, the Wrangler is built tough. Used Jeep Wranglers from older generations like the TJ and YJ were built with steel tubs and bumpers. Newer Jeep Wranglers are still built tough with newer technology. They also feature high air intakes, sealed electrical connections, and body openings that are highly resistant to moisture. Underneath the Wrangler, you’ll find sturdy solid axles and skid plates to protect it from off-road obstacles. When you compare the Wrangler to other rivals, you’ll generally find that most of them are street SUVs in off-road clothing. The Wrangler, on the other hand, is built to go off-road first and pavement second.

Short Wheel Base

Another often-overlooked feature of the Jeep Wrangler is the short wheelbase. Of course, this only applies to the two-door versions, but that version is the ultimate for the Wrangler when it comes to off-road ability. Why is a short wheelbase better? That’s what gives the Wrangler its supreme maneuverability as well as superior approach, departure, and break-over angles. The superior numbers in these categories are what allow the short-wheelbase Wrangler to get in and out of tough spots that other vehicles can’t.

Break-over angle and turning radius are the areas most negatively affected by the longer wheelbase Wrangler. Coming over a large obstacle, the longer wheelbase is more likely to scrape the undercarriage, whereas the short wheelbase will “break over” before the undercarriage can meet the obstacle.

However, one thing in favor of the longer Wrangler is that it can climb up and down inclines better than the shorter Wrangler due to more stability. Aftermarket upgrades can also give the longer Wrangler some advantages over the shorter Wrangler.

Aftermarket Support

The third reason that the Jeep Wrangler is so great off-road is a bit of a sleeper. The new and used Jeep Wrangler has some of the best aftermarket support of any vehicle you can buy. Why is this important? The main reason is that taking your rig off-road on a regular basis will result in damage eventually. It’s not a question of if, but when. Wranglers are easy to work on, especially the old Wranglers, and they have such copious aftermarket support that it’s generally not hard to get parts. The other reason aftermarket support is important is that it allows you to have a wide range of options when it comes to upgrading your rig quickly and even affordably.

Whether you decide to buy a new or used Jeep Wrangler, the fact is you’re getting one of the most capable off-road machines available. It’s impressive enough stock, but add in aftermarket upgrades, and the Wrangler really doesn’t have any rivals.