Conquer Southern California Trails: Essential Off-Road Upgrades for Your Jeep

Southern California has some of the best off-roading around, and you don’t have to drive far from Claremont to find it. Before you head out, though, it pays to set your Jeep up the right way. Here’s what we’d upgrade first, what to skip and how to keep your build street legal in California.

Start with tires

If you only do one thing, do tires. A good all terrain tire gives you more grip on dirt, rocks and sand without making your daily drive miserable. Mud terrains are great if you hit the trails a lot, but they’re louder on the freeway and wear faster on pavement.

Whatever you pick, keep an eye on tread and pressure. Our tire service team can help you find the right size for your Wrangler or Gladiator.

Lift kits: get the clearance you need

A lift gives you more ground clearance and room for bigger tires. Jeep Performance Parts offers lift kits for the Wrangler and Gladiator, including a 2 inch lift with FOX shocks. A modest lift like that is plenty for most SoCal trails and keeps the Jeep easy to live with during the week.

A couple of things to know before you lift:

• Get an alignment after. Changing ride height changes your geometry. A wheel alignment keeps the Jeep tracking straight and saves your new tires.
• Know California’s rules. California limits how high a vehicle’s frame can sit based on its weight rating, so keep your build within the law. Ask us before you go big.
• Bigger tires change things. Speedometer accuracy, gearing and braking can all be affected, so plan the whole setup, not just the lift.

Protect the underside

Rocks don’t care how nice your Jeep is. Rock rails help protect the rocker panels when you slide over an obstacle, and skid plates cover the parts underneath that you really don’t want to hit. If you’re running rocky trails, this is money well spent.

Recovery gear comes before cool gear

Every off road trip should include a way to get unstuck. At minimum, carry a recovery strap or kinetic rope, rated recovery points, a tire deflator and a way to air back up. A winch is a great add if you go out solo or tackle harder trails. Traction boards are cheap insurance in sand.

Lighting and storage

Trail days have a way of running long. Good auxiliary lighting helps when you’re heading back down after sunset. Inside, a cargo organizer keeps gear from bouncing around, and a roof rack frees up cabin space for longer trips.

Where to go near Claremont

You’ve got a lot of options within a few hours. The forest roads around Big Bear are a classic summer trip, and Johnson Valley out in the high desert has a huge open off highway vehicle area. Before you go, check conditions with the Forest Service or BLM, stay on designated routes and pack out what you bring in.

Why go with genuine Mopar parts

Parts that are made for your Jeep fit right and work with its systems. When an authorized dealer installs Mopar parts, they’re covered by Mopar’s limited warranty for 24 months with unlimited miles, including parts and labor. If you buy parts over the counter and install them yourself, coverage is for the parts only.

You can shop from our Mopar parts and accessories department or order parts online. Want a full custom build? Check out Knight Customs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a lift kit void my Jeep warranty?
Adding performance parts doesn’t by itself void your vehicle warranty. The added parts aren’t covered by the vehicle warranty, though, and neither is any failure they cause. Mopar parts installed by a dealer carry their own Mopar limited warranty.

What size lift do I need for SoCal trails?
For most people, a modest lift and good all terrain tires are plenty. Go bigger only if you’re running harder trails, and keep California’s height rules in mind.

Do I need an alignment after a lift?
Yes. Any change in ride height can throw off your alignment, so get it checked after the install.

Can you install the parts for me?
Yes. Our service team can install Mopar parts and accessories. Schedule service online to book a time.

Build your Jeep in Claremont

Shopping for a trail rig? Browse our new Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator inventory, or see the full new Jeep lineup. Stop by Knight Claremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 620 Auto Center Drive and we’ll help you plan the build.