Jeep Wrangler Gets Complete Transformation with Run-of-the-mill Mods

Vibrant Performance’s JL Wrangler Unlimited is a complete sweetheart in part for the ease of customization and the huge aftermarket.

The Jeep Wrangler has won Hottest SUV at SEMA every year that the award has existed. The Wrangler is not only the most capable SUV on the market, but it also has extensive aftermarket support. With enough money, you can transform a daily driver JL Unlimited into an unstoppable rock crawler or mud machine. At the same time, the sprawling Wrangler aftermarket allows owners to introduce a unique look and improved performance without extensive modifications.

One fine example is this Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited from the Vibrant Performance booth at the 2019 SEMA Show. In passing, this JLU may look heavily-modified to some, but the overall upgrade list is relatively short.

Off-road Ready JL Wrangler

On the outside, the upgrades to this Jeep Wrangler Unlimited starts with front and rear tube fenders. These allow plenty of room for the huge Pro Comp mud tires to move on the trails and they look sportier than the big, stock fenders. The side-view also features front and rear half-doors and a side step that likely provides some body protection from rocks as well.

The front and rear bumpers are both angular aftermarket units, with a Warn winch mounted up front and short ends. Like the fenders, these bumpers allow for lots of wheel travel.

Finally, this Wrangler has an aftermarket canvas soft top from BesTop. As you can see, if only covers the area directly over the seats, exposing a set of rear-facing JL Audio speakers. These speakers are great during the cruise, and when you get to your destination.

Performance Upgrades

This new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The vehicle was displayed in the Vibrant Performance booth, so it comes as no surprise that a Vibrant cold air intake is employed under the hood.

In addition to the intake, this Jeep has what appears to be an elaborate suspension system. This Wrangler rides higher than a stock vehicle, but this setup likely offers loads of travel over uneven ground. With the help of an off-road steering stabilizer system, this JLU has been modified underneath to handle treacherous surfaces. Whether you are in mud, snow or rocks, this Jeep would handle just about anything that you could throw at it.

This Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited has a list of upgrades that are popular in the off-road world and it looks like a wicked mud machine, but the mod list is far shorter than many of the vehicles at the SEMA Show.

Photos for JK-Forum by Derin Richardson

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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