When I bought my Wrangler JL, I didn’t go wild with mods right away. These were my first practical purchases — things that helped me take off the top, protect the panels, and clean up the look. Nothing crazy, just small upgrades that helped me feel more capable as a new Jeep owner.
Top Off? Doors Off? Easy, With The Right Tools
When I knew I was buying my first Wrangler, one of the things that came up was how often people take off the doors and hard top — especially once the weather turns nice. I knew I wanted to try it, but I also wanted to do it safely and without stripping anything. So, the first accessory I picked up was the Mopar Top and Door Removal Tool Kit.
This kit works great on my JL, and it comes with everything you need: a stubby ratchet, the proper Torx bits, and a compact case to keep it all organized. It’s nothing fancy — but it’s handy, compact, and made the process of pulling off the doors and roof straightforward. The tools feel decent in the hand, and it’s way better than fumbling with a big tool set or borrowing sockets from different places.
If you’re new to Jeep ownership like me, this is one of those basic purchases that helps you feel more confident doing your own maintenance. It gave me the push to take the top off for the first time — and that alone made it worth the ~$40 I spent. Simple kit, but essential in my book.
No Bags Included? Here’s the Freedom Panel Storage I Bought Instead
When I bought my Wrangler JL used, it didn’t come with the factory storage bags for the Freedom Top panels. At first, I didn’t think much of it—until the first time I took the panels off and realized I had nowhere to put them that didn’t feel risky. Laying them in the back with a towel felt sketchy. That’s when I grabbed this aftermarket Freedom Top Storage Bag on Amazon.
It’s a simple setup: two compartments separated by a soft liner so the panels don’t scratch each other. The outside is made of heavy-duty vinyl-coated fabric, and it includes a sturdy grab handle that makes it easy to carry or stand upright in the cargo area. The fit was great — snug enough to keep the panels from shifting, but not tight enough to make it frustrating to load. For under $30, it does exactly what I needed: protects the panels and keeps them from bouncing around or getting scratched.
If your Jeep didn’t come with the OEM bag (or you just want a second one), this is a solid, budget-friendly solution. It’s not flashy, but it gave me peace of mind — and it’s now one of those “why didn’t I buy this sooner” accessories I’m glad to have onboard.
Swapped Out the Factory Antenna – Looks Better, Works… Eh
Like a lot of new Jeep owners, one of the first things I wanted to get rid of was the long factory antenna. It just looks out of place once you start doing any mods — especially with the doors off or a stubby bumper setup. I ended up ordering the BASIKER 7-inch Antenna from Amazon. It had good reviews, looked clean and low-profile, and fit my 2021 JL without any issues.
Visually, I really like it. It gives the Jeep a sleeker look, and installation was as simple as unscrewing the old one and threading this on. But here’s the honest part: the reception definitely dropped off, especially when I’m driving on back roads or anywhere with a weaker signal. Around town it’s fine, and since I mostly use Apple CarPlay and stream music or podcasts, it’s not a huge deal — but if you still rely on AM/FM a lot, you might want something longer.
If you’re going for looks and use Bluetooth or CarPlay most of the time, it’s a solid upgrade. Just know what you’re getting: better aesthetics, weak radio performance.
Disclosure
Some of the links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click through and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I’ve personally bought or seriously considered, and nothing here is sponsored or paid content — just my real experience as a Jeep owner.