I am the proud owner of my first Jeep, and being a novice to Jeeps but savy on other cars, I would like to know who makes good parts that fit and look good, and who makes the cheap crap. I know JC Whitney has aftermarket things for jeeps but the things I bought for my bikes from them was not always the best quality. I am looking to lift it a few inches and get a soft top for it. Then go from there as time goes.
Who makes the best aftermarket parts for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler?
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Lifts on 98′s are more critical than on the older jeeps, in my opinion you need a matched system, one that furnishes ALL the pieces needed to accomplish the lift you want. My advice, stay with a reputable company, manufactured in the US, and if you are not a crack mechanic, get it professionally installed, and make sure there is a corresponding warranty. Stay away from components manufactured in the orient, the price is attractive, but the results can be catastrophic.
Soft tops in my opinion are best purchased from the dealer, or an original top used from a recycler, here is why, they warranty the fit and finish. Yes it in many cases is a marked up top from another manufacturer, but there are so many poorly designed, ill-fitting tops out there in the after-market right now, you will be better off with a used soft top that is ‘factory fitted,’ than a nightmare in a box that is a "one size doesn’t fit anything". Just my opinion, when I looked out my door this am I saw 4 jeeps of varying age and trim, so I guess you can say I am speaking from the basis of experience.
You’re right, of course, quality varies among manufacturers, and even between different parts lines from the same manufacturer. I bought a SmittyBuilt replacement canvas for my Jeep and it worked great, I thought it was even better than the factory one. Later on I got a SmittyBuilt complete top for my son’s jeep, and it was a piece of junk!
Get signed up to a couple of forums, like JeepsUnlimited, there’s plenty of others, and ask about specific parts. When you can, buy local. Even if you spend a few more $ (and after shipping you usually don’t) you have the local guy to go back to. That also usually means that you can hold the thing you want to buy, and decide in advance if you’re confident in the quality.
For tops, Bestop is pretty good, for lifts I like Big Dick’s Suspension (BDS) but a lot of people like Rubicon Express. Old Man Emu is great but expensive.
Always remember that you’ll get what you pay for.
Savvy off road.
go on Quadratec, they specialize in aftermarket and replacement parts for Jeeps. also, go into your local truck shop, we have 4wheelparts and offroad wharehouse here in San Diego. definitely browse the forums for reviews or general questions.
as far as manufacturers, if you want the best and money is not a limiting factor, there are company’s like ARB. personally, i’m on a budget so i go for Smittybilt, couldn’t be more satisfied with their bumpers. you can get away with "cheap" steel parts though, but other things you’ll want to cough up the cash for (i.e. winches, exhuasts, tires, lockers..etc.).
quadratec has everything you’ll need to upgrade your jeep.
link: http://www.quadratec.com/
hope this helped
good luck
-z