WHAT WE'RE DRIVING

The aftermarket driven by Jeep Wrangler is reportedly north of $1 billion and I like to think that my dad had something to do with kickstarting that phenomena. After purchasing a new 1947 Willys CJ2A ($1,067!), he began adding accessories that, at the time, were practical rather than fashionable - a front-mounted Koenig PTO winch, a Warn overdrive, extra driving lights and an hydraulic snowplow.

Today's Wrangler buyers need only check the boxes - dozens of them - to customize their new steeds “from the factory.” On the heels of last year's launch of the Gladiator pickup body-style, Jeep has added the Mojave moneymaker to the Gladiator lineup for 2020. Although aimed at the “desert runner” vehicle trend, many “Glad Mojaves” will never see a speck of sand. Their owners will nonetheless point to their Jeeps' truly desert-capable hardware - Fox 2.5 Performance suspension dampers, Dana-44 axles with rear locker, 33-inch tires and more skid plates than a Stryker combat vehicle.