Misc. What are all the good upgrades for CJ?

[bennylava]

Leaving out suspension and drivetrain, what are some good upgrades for a CJ7 ? You have the standard bluetooth head unit and some quality speakers, but I was also going to see what sound deadening could accomplish. If anything.

I also thought about (one day) making a lighter top. But still a full cover top. Instead of the big fiberglass chunk, maybe make it out of aluminum. Or even wood. LOL

I'll probably also add some more lighting for better visibility at night, in the interior. Any thoughts or opinions on quality of life upgrades?

 

[Belizean]

I like the idea of a really super light hard top, but very tuff and strong, and if it could be figured out how to make it see out, and no see in. I know I’m asking to much.

 

[TSB8C]

Dual batteries, OBA, winch, lighting, LED conversions, digital gauges, sound system with blue tooth and BIG speakers, lockable storage, YJ "family style" sport bar, etc, etc, etc.

For "qualify of life" upgrades, I enjoy the LED lighting inside for WAY better visibility at night. These included new digital gauges with LED lighting, LED courtesy lights under the dash, and swapped the rearview mirror for one with map lights in it since I have no dome light. A locking center console and lockable storage drawer under the rear seat. A fold and tumble rear seat gives more space to haul stuff when needed. The YJ sport bar allows shoulder harnesses in the rear seat. Heated front seats for winter time. And I love my keyless ignition with remote start.

 

[jzak]

For me, the best quality of life upgrades on my CJ5 was installing LEDs, Tuffy Security Console/Drawer, and a Champion 4-Core Aluminum Radiator.

 

[bennylava]

I like the idea of a really super light hard top, but very tuff and strong, and if it could be figured out how to make it see out, and no see in. I know I’m asking to much.

Well the "see out and no see in" can be done pretty easily these days. There's all manner of window tint now, that does all kinds of things. Although that may have been around for quite a while in the form of mirrored, but I'm not sure if it was dark looking, like I would want it to be.

It would be easy enough to make a lightweight full cover hard top out of wood, but harder to keep it from falling to pieces. Maybe a bit of steel reinforcement is in order. Then aluminum sheet on the outside, bodywork, and then paint. Should still weigh less than half of the fiberglass chunk.

I also thought about having some kind of stealth'd hooks made into the top of the factory fiberglass one. That way you just drive it underneath the cables hanging in your shop, and lift it right off, with a pulley. Leave it hanging there until you're ready to use it again. You only need yourself for that instead of 3 or 4 buddies.

Dual batteries, OBA, winch, lighting, LED conversions, digital gauges, sound system with blue tooth and BIG speakers, lockable storage, YJ "family style" sport bar, etc, etc, etc.

For "qualify of life" upgrades, I enjoy the LED lighting inside for WAY better visibility at night. These included new digital gauges with LED lighting, LED courtesy lights under the dash, and swapped the rearview mirror for one with map lights in it since I have no dome light. A locking center console and lockable storage drawer under the rear seat. A fold and tumble rear seat gives more space to haul stuff when needed. The YJ sport bar allows shoulder harnesses in the rear seat. Heated front seats for winter time. And I love my keyless ignition with remote start.

That all sounds like great stuff. But uh, what does OBA stand for? On board... something?

 

[TSB8C]

OBA = onboard air. I have an air compressor and 3-gallon tank so I can air up beach toys, air mattress when camping, or just blow beach sand out of the floor and off the seats.

OBA Install Thread

 

[CJ]

A large inverter to run 120/240 a/c equipment. That includes a welder for trail use.

 

[KRUPP]

Quality of life upgrades for a CJ? Sound deadening for a CJ? Are you kidding me?
Honestly, a lot of us (me included) have/tolerate/keep buying these vehicles because they are different, they are non-conventional, they are nostalgic, they are not comfortable.
Yes, by all means do the realistic safety upgrade (lights, brakes, roll cage, etc.).
You're never gonna get the ride of a JL from a CJ, but that's kinda the point of owning a CJ.
Just have fun with it.

 

[jzak]

Quality of life upgrades for a CJ? Sound deadening for a CJ? Are you kidding me?
Honestly, a lot of us (me included) have/tolerate/keep buying these vehicles because they are different, they are non-conventional, they are nostalgic, they are not comfortable.
Yes, by all means do the realistic safety upgrade (lights, brakes, roll cage, etc.).
You're never gonna get the ride of a JL from a CJ, but that's kinda the point of owning a CJ.
Just have fun with it.

I agree that putting AC and modern suspension on a CJ is about as pointless as putting spinners on a farm tractor. At the same time, if installing an aluminum radiator can stop my CJ5 from overheating, or LEDs can stop a civic from plowing into me, then I'm alright with that. I don't think those upgrades kills the soul of my CJ5 .

 

[Black Hills CJ7]

For me, quality of life upgraded with a few improved reliability changes under the hood, sidepipes with long/good packs, and no top. Forget the radio, I have music coming out the sides. I have hard doors and a hard top I put on in the winter for storage but the top hangs by one of those garage canoe hoists all summer so weight doesn't matter for me. I just rode around in a nearly new Jeep this week and it seems to have the qualities you are looking for - quiet, good ride, nice stereo, comfy seats, gauges that work all the time and can be seen at any time of day, etc.
The great thing about any car hobby is you can make any vehicle into anything you want it to be. For me, I enjoy everything a CJ is and isn't and just tell my wife, "It's all part of the experience."