The accessories that earn their place in a Jeep fix a physical problem: a sill too high to climb gracefully, nothing secure to grip, a phone placed where you cannot glance at it safely, small gear with nowhere to live, or no flat surface when you stop. This guide compares six Wrangler and Gladiator accessories chosen on those jobs — reach, grip, storage, work surface — each with a verified listing and stated fitment. Colour and novelty played no part. When the next upgrade is capability, our Jeep winch guide is the place to start.
How we researched this guide
Six accessories compared across five jobs — stepping in, gripping, phone placement, storage and a work surface — with similar listings set aside where fitment or evidence was thin, including a drop-step board variant whose figures belong to a different product. Four picks reuse verified evidence from our budget accessories research; the step and table were researched fresh.
Every specification comes from the maker, manual or listing for the exact part named. Owner material is paraphrased and linked; we do not test accessories. Where coverage was thin, the block says so. Where sources conflict — tailgate table fitment years included — the conflict is printed.
The 30-second answer
Fix entry first: the AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards lower the climb into a JL, and the E-cowlboy paracord grab handles give everyone something secure to pull on. Place the phone with the Bulletpoint Dash Mount. Store small gear within reach with the Savadicar GrabTray and the EDBETOS Console Organizer. For stops, the Rough Country Tailgate Table folds down into a work surface at a comfortable height.
Best step for easier entry
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards
Best if the climb into a JL is the daily strain: a wide textured aluminium step both sides, bolted on with no drilling, that also shields the rocker panels.
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Best grab handles
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles (4-pack)
Best if you want a secure grip without tools: four paracord handles on hook-and-loop straps fitting Wrangler and Gladiator roll bars across generations.
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Best phone mount
Bulletpoint Dash Mount (spring-loaded)
Best if navigation must sit steady within a short reach: a metal dash base, carbon fibre and Kevlar arm, and spring-loaded holder on the factory dash screw.
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Best passenger storage
Savadicar GrabTray storage tray
Best if small items need a home a belted passenger can reach: an ABS tray turning the grab bar area into a shelf, no tools, no airbag interference per the listing.
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Best console organizer
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray
Best if your armrest box swallows everything: six compartments, rubber liners, and a pass-through for the console light and cables, dropped in with no tools.
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Best tailgate work surface
Rough Country Tailgate Table 10625
Best if trail stops or camp cooking need a flat surface at standing height: a steel-frame, aluminium-top table that folds flush against the tailgate.
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Quick compare: the six accessories at a glance
| Product | Job | Fitment | Install | Material | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTOSAVER88 Running Boards | Step / easier entry | Wrangler JL 4-door, 2018-2024 (not JK, not 2-door) | Bolt-on, no drilling per manual | Aluminium alloy with ABS | Check Price |
| E-cowlboy Grab Handles | Grip / entry support | Wrangler JK, JL, TJ, YJ and Gladiator JT (listing range) | Hook-and-loop straps | 550 paracord | Check Price |
| Bulletpoint Dash Mount | Phone placement | Wrangler JL 2018-2023, Gladiator 2020-2023 (not 4xe) | Factory dash screw plus tape | Metal base, carbon fibre and Kevlar arm | Check Price |
| Savadicar GrabTray | Passenger storage | Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT, 2018-2023 | Plug and play | ABS plastic | Check Price |
| EDBETOS Console Organizer | Console storage | Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT | Drop-in, no tools | ABS plastic with rubber liners | Check Price |
| Rough Country Tailgate Table | Work surface | Wrangler JL/JLU, 2018-2024 per listing title (see conflict) | Trim clearance holes, factory mounts | Steel frame, aluminium top | Check Price |
Read the fitment column before the award column: a JL part rarely fits a JK, the step pick is 4-door JL only, and the tailgate table listing carries more than one year range — printed in full in its block.
Jeep accessory finder: which fix do you need first?
Choose the problem you meet most often. Every answer recommends one accessory from this guide with its own button.
How to choose Jeep accessories that actually help
Step height and reach come first
Entry is the problem every other accessory assumes away. A stock JL sill sits high; a lift raises it further, and work clothes or a recovering knee shorten your step. A wide board plus a loadable handle changes entry from a climb to a step and a pull.
Grip you can trust, not just touch
A useful handle is one you can pull your weight on without thinking. Check the attachment before the material: bolted bases and full-wrap straps behave predictably; adhesive-only handles are trim, not support.
Storage within seated reach
Storage only helps if you can reach it belted in. The two storage picks sit where your hands already go: the passenger grab bar and the armrest box top. Items you touch daily — phone, cable, cards, medication — belong in front-row compartments.
A phone position you can glance at
Navigation and trail maps compete for the same screen. A rigid dash mount puts it steady, high and within a short reach, instead of a cup holder you look down at. Measure your phone and case against the holder limits, and keep it clear of the airbag zone.
Surfaces at a comfortable working height
Solo drivers feel the missing work surface most: nowhere flat for a stove or laptop but the ground or the bonnet. A tailgate table works at standing height, keeps food off the dirt, and folds away to nothing. Respect its stated capacity.
Fitment by generation and door count
Jeep generations share names and almost nothing else. JL and JK cabs differ, 2-door and 4-door sills differ, and the Gladiator follows its Wrangler generation. Every pick names its years and doors in the compare table; the strap-on handles are the one broad-range pick, because straps tolerate variation.
Which accessories fit which Jeep: generation guide
| Jeep | Years | Picks in this guide that fit | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler JL / JLU 4-door | 2018-2024 (varies by pick) | All six picks list a JL fitment | Widest support; step pick is 4-door only | Notes 1-6 |
| Gladiator JT | 2019-2023 (varies by pick) | Grab handles, phone mount, both storage picks | Shares the JL cab; no step or tailgate pick fits here | Notes 2-5 |
| Wrangler JL 2-door | 2018-2023 (varies by pick) | Grab handles, phone mount, storage picks per listing | Boards here are 4-door only — manual excludes the 2-door | Notes 1-5 |
| Wrangler JK / TJ / YJ | 1997-2018 (varies) | E-cowlboy grab handles only | Interiors and sills differ from JL; straps adapt | Note 2 |
JK owners should start with our JK winch guide or the TJ winch guide; JL winch fitment is covered in the JL winch guide, the off-road bumpers guide and our budget Jeep accessories guide.
Jeep accessories by priority tier
| Tier | What you get | Example pick from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and safety first | The step and grip that make the Jeep usable every day | AUTOSAVER88 Running Boards; E-cowlboy Grab Handles |
| Daily organisation | Front-row storage and a steady phone position | EDBETOS Console Organizer; Bulletpoint Dash Mount |
| Stops and camp | A work surface and passenger comfort at the tailgate | Rough Country Tailgate Table; Savadicar GrabTray |
Buy in that order. A Jeep you can climb into confidently, with gear reachable, is the foundation; camp comfort is the reward on top.
Types of Jeep accessories in this guide
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steps and running boards | Shorten every climb; protect rocker panels | Generation and door-count specific; check clearance on hard trails | Lifted or stock JL daily drivers |
| Grab handles (strap or paracord) | Cheap, secure support for entry and trail; fits many years | Strap stretch over time; never a rated recovery point | Passengers, families, lifted Jeeps |
| Phone mounts (dash systems) | Steady navigation within a short reach; trail-stable | Dash-specific; check trim exclusions such as 4xe | Navigation and trail apps |
| Storage trays and organizers | Reachable storage the factory skipped; no tools | Shallow capacity; small items only | Solo drivers, commuters, tourers |
| Tailgate tables | Flat surface at standing height; folds flush | One trim-modifying install; modest stated capacity | Camp cooking, trail stops |
Detailed reviews: the six accessories in full
Each review states the exact fitment researched; years and door counts differ between picks, and one fitment conflict is printed in full.
Best step for easier entry: AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards
Best for JL 4-door drivers who want the climb in to stop being the hard part of the drive
Why the AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards is our pick
Every Jeep day starts with the same move: a high step up, often loaded, in footwear not chosen for climbing. These boards fix the geometry: a wide aluminium step each side at a workable height, with a textured surface your shoe can trust when wet.
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards key specs
- ASIN: B07VRKQXTP
- Fitment: Jeep Wrangler JL 4-door, 2018-2024 (manual)
- Exclusions: Does NOT fit Wrangler JK or 2-door JL (manual)
- Style: 6-inch OE style running boards, pair
- Construction: Textured black aluminium alloy with ABS plastic (manual)
- Surface: Slip-resistant textured surface (manual)
- Capacity: The manual states each board is engineered to support up to 450 lb
- Install: Bolt-on to pre-drilled holes; manual states typically no drilling or cutting
- In the box: 2 boards, 6 vehicle-specific brackets, M8 bolts, washers, clip nuts (manual)
- Added protection: Boards also protect the rocker panels (manual)
- Warranty: Not published in the manual reviewed
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards: fits and best for
Four-door JL drivers of any height who use the Jeep daily, and anyone carrying children or parents as passengers. On a lifted JL the case is stronger still. Drivers weighing clearance should read the watch-outs and our off-road bumpers guide alongside.
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards pros and watch-outs
Pros
- A wide full-length step, not a narrow drop rung
- Textured surface stays grippy with wet shoes
- Bolt-on install with vehicle-specific brackets
- Also shields the rocker panels from debris
Watch-outs
- 4-door JL only — JK and 2-door owners must look elsewhere
- Any board reduces breakover clearance
- Bracket bolts need periodic re-checking (manual maintenance note)
- Capacity is the manual figure for this OE-style version only — a different variant carries different figures
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards: what owners report
What owners report: Owner coverage was thin, so we make no owner claims for these boards here; specifications come from the maker manual for this exact version (AUTOSAVER88 OE Style manual (manuals.plus))
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards: who should not buy
Skip it if you own a JK or 2-door JL — the manual excludes both — or run hard rock trails where a board is a liability; the slider conversation belongs with our Wrangler winch guide build path instead.
AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards: pair it with
Pair it with the grab handles below: board for the foot, handle for the hand — entry becomes a controlled step-and-pull for every seat.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JL 4-door 2018-2024 (AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards) — select your vehicle on the listing.
Tip: Practise the entry you will actually use — full foot on the board, pull on the handle as you rise. It becomes automatic within a week.
Best grab handles: E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles
Best for a secure grip on entry and on the trail, across Wrangler generations
Why the E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles is our pick
A handle is the cheapest confidence in a Jeep. Getting in, you pull against it instead of hauling on the wheel; on a tilted trail, passengers brace against it instead of the dash. Four paracord handles strap around the roll bar, serving front and rear seats across several generations.
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles key specs
- ASIN: B09377N8PC
- Count: 4 handles
- Fitment (listing): Wrangler JK/JKU, JL/JLU, TJ, YJ and Gladiator JT in the listing year range; also listed for UTV/ATV roll bars
- Material: Premium 550 paracord grip
- Attachment: Hook-and-loop straps around the roll bar
- Install: No tools, no drilling; repositionable
- Handle type: Weight-bearing pull handle (listing)
- Orientation: Ambidextrous
- Use: Entry support and passenger bracing
- Maker: E-cowlboy
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles: fits and best for
Anyone who carries passengers regularly, drives a lifted Jeep, or wants entry to feel secure rather than athletic — the only pick serving JK and TJ owners too. Winch support for those Jeeps is in our cheap Jeep winch guide.
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Four handles cover front and rear seats
- Straps fit many roll bars and years
- Paracord grip works wet and with gloves
- Fully removable with no trace
Watch-outs
- Straps can stretch and need periodic re-tightening
- Softer feel than bolted handles
- Never a recovery or towing point
- Check strap condition before loading a handle fully
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles: what owners report
What owners report: Owner coverage was thin, so we make no owner claims here; specifications come from this listing only, and a forum thread about a different metal handle was deliberately not transferred.
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles: who should not buy
Skip it if you want a rigid bolted handle for one JL — a metal route suits that brief better — or if anyone will treat a handle as a tie-down or recovery point, which it must never be.
E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles: pair it with
Pair it with the running boards above: together they are the complete entry fix, for less workshop time than almost any other upgrade here.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, TJ, YJ and Gladiator JT within the listing year range (E-cowlboy 4-pack) — select your vehicle on the listing.
Tip: Wrap straps as tight as they will go, load-test each handle before a passenger trusts it, and re-check tension after the first trail day.
Best phone mount: Bulletpoint Dash Mount
Best for JL and Gladiator drivers who navigate by phone and need it steady and close
Why the Bulletpoint Dash Mount is our pick
Where the phone sits decides how often your eyes leave the road. In a cup holder it demands a long look down; on this mount it sits high, steady and within a short reach — a metal base bolted through the factory dash screw, a carbon fibre and Kevlar arm, and a spring-loaded holder.
Bulletpoint Dash Mount key specs
- ASIN: B0CYQHDWX3
- Model: 5061008042282
- Fitment: 2018-2023 Wrangler JL/JLU and 2020-2023 Gladiator
- Exclusion: Does NOT fit Wrangler 4xe models (maker fitment note)
- Base: All-metal dash mount with integrated 20 mm ball
- Arm: 6-inch carbon fibre and Kevlar arm with thumbscrews
- Holder: Spring-loaded holder, opens to about 3.4 in wide and 0.5 in thick
- Install: Reuses the existing centre-dash screw plus adhesive tape; no drilling
- Position: Centre dash, driver side (this variant)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime against manufacturer defects (maker)
Bulletpoint Dash Mount: fits and best for
JL and Gladiator drivers who run navigation daily — solo tourers especially, where the phone is also the map and emergency link. Measure your phone and case against the holder limits first. Route planning sits in our off-road winch guide trail-prep reading.
Bulletpoint Dash Mount pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Metal base bolted through a factory screw
- Arm adjusts with thumbscrews and stays set
- Holder dimensions are published, so fit is checkable
- Lifetime defect warranty from the maker
Watch-outs
- Explicitly excludes Wrangler 4xe — check your trim
- Thick rugged phone cases can exceed the holder limit
- Centre-dash position may crowd a second device
- Costs more of a budget than clip-on mounts
Bulletpoint Dash Mount: what owners report
What owners report: Owner coverage was thin, so we make no owner claims for this mount here; fitment and holder limits come from the listing itself, and Jeep context sits in our Wrangler guide coverage. (Wrangler winch guide)
Bulletpoint Dash Mount: who should not buy
Skip it if you drive a Wrangler 4xe (the maker excludes it) or carry a phone and case thicker than the holder limit. If you want the phone lower, compare vent positions before ordering any dash system.
Bulletpoint Dash Mount: pair it with
Pair it with the console organizer below: phone mounted and visible, its cable routed through the organizer pass-through instead of across the shifter.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JL 2018-2023 and Gladiator 2020-2023, not 4xe (Bulletpoint single-ball dash mount) — select your vehicle on the listing.
Tip: Set the arm angle once, from your real driving position, then snug the thumbscrews — the glance-length you set in the driveway keeps your eyes up on the trail.
Best passenger storage: Savadicar GrabTray
Best for passengers who need small items within reach, and drivers who share the Jeep
Why the Savadicar GrabTray is our pick
The passenger grab bar is the most underused surface in a JL: a structural handle with dead space above it, where a belted passenger can reach. The GrabTray turns it into a shallow tray for a phone, sunglasses and trail permits — items that otherwise vanish down the seat crack.
Savadicar GrabTray key specs
- ASIN: B07VLL84F3
- Model / part number: SA03704
- Fitment: 2018-2023 Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT (Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, Unlimited, Willys named in listing)
- Material: Heavy-duty ABS plastic, black
- Size: About 14.17 x 1.85 x 1.18 in (listing table)
- Weight: About 3.87 oz (listing table)
- Install: Close fit, plug and play; no tools
- Safety note: Listing states it does not hinder passenger airbag deployment
- Capacity: Shallow tray, small items only
- Maker: Savadicar
Savadicar GrabTray: fits and best for
Front passengers on touring and trail days, and drivers who share the Jeep and want it organised for the passenger too. It complements the driver-side storage in our essential accessories guide packing lists.
Savadicar GrabTray pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Uses space nothing else claims
- Reachable by a belted passenger
- No tools, no adhesive, fully removable
- Listing addresses airbag clearance
Watch-outs
- Shallow — bottles and tall items will not stay
- Passenger side only
- Hard ABS can rattle with metal items inside
- Not a JK part, despite similar grab bars
Savadicar GrabTray: what owners report
What owners report: Owner coverage was thin, so we make no owner claims for the GrabTray here; dimensions and the airbag note come from the listing for this ASIN.
Savadicar GrabTray: who should not buy
Skip it if your passengers need enclosed or lockable storage, or carry tall, heavy items — choose the console organizer below instead.
Savadicar GrabTray: pair it with
Pair it with the EDBETOS console tray below: GrabTray for passenger quick-grab items, console for the driver-side layer.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT 2018-2023 (Savadicar GrabTray SA03704) — select your vehicle on the listing.
Tip: Give the tray a fixed manifest — phone, sunglasses, permits — and keep heavy metal items out; they rattle and they fly on a sudden stop.
Best console organizer: EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray
Best for JL and Gladiator drivers whose armrest box swallows everything
Why the EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray is our pick
The JL armrest box is deep, dark and undivided, so everything in it becomes one layer you dig through at the worst moment. This tray fixes the geometry: six compartments on top for daily items, deep space below for bulky ones, and rubber liners so nothing buzzes.
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray key specs
- ASIN: B07RXRZKJG
- Model / part number: EDB-WRANGLERJL03
- UPC: 714367706511 (listing tables)
- Fitment: Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT armrest box per the listing
- Material: ABS plastic with non-slip rubber liners included
- Compartments: 6
- Pass-through: Hole for the console interior light and charging cables
- Install: Drop-in insert; no tools
- Weight: About 0.25 kg (listing tables)
- Finish: Matte black, factory-style
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray: fits and best for
Daily drivers and solo tourers who live out of the console — cables, cards, a multi-tool, personal items needing a fixed, reachable home — and Gladiator owners in particular, since the model line is short on cabin storage. For trail-day kit, see our recovery kit guide.
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Six compartments end the dig-through console
- Cable pass-through keeps charging practical
- Rubber liners stop the buzz on rough roads
- Drops in and lifts out in seconds
Watch-outs
- Top tray reduces the depth available below it
- Small compartments suit small items only
- Check the box shape on special editions before ordering
- Liners need occasional washing to stay grippy
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray: what owners report
What owners report: Owner coverage was thin for formal reports; listing review summaries in our research notes describe Gladiator owners valuing the added shelves and glove-like fit — listing-level colour only, with context in our Gladiator coverage. (budget Gladiator winch guide)
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray: who should not buy
Skip it if you use the full console depth for one large item, or if your Jeep is a JK — the box shape differs and this tray will not fit.
EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray: pair it with
Pair it with the Bulletpoint mount above: phone visible, cable routed through this tray pass-through, personal items in compartments rather than the cup holder.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU and Gladiator JT (EDBETOS EDB-WRANGLERJL03) — select your vehicle on the listing.
Tip: Assign each compartment a fixed job on day one — cables, cards, tool, personal items — and the tray stays a system your hand learns, not six smaller junk drawers.
Best tailgate work surface: Rough Country Tailgate Table
Best for solo stops, camp cooking and trailhead work at a comfortable height
Why the Rough Country Tailgate Table is our pick
Stop anywhere in a Jeep and the missing thing is a table: food prep on a cooler lid, tools on the ground, a laptop on your knees. This table mounts to the JL tailgate and drops into a flat surface at standing height, then folds flush. For a solo driver, it is the difference between a proper stop and making do.
Rough Country Tailgate Table key specs
- ASIN: B094BYCSHR
- Model number: 10625
- UPC: 843030191320 (Amazon details)
- Fitment: Wrangler JL/JLU 2018-2024 per the Amazon listing title — see conflict below
- Fitment conflict: Listing model-name strings state narrower ranges (2018-2021 / 2018-2022); a dealer listing states 2018-2025 — check your year first
- Construction: Steel frame, aluminium top, black powder coat (maker copy)
- Surface: 26.75 in wide x 12 in deep (maker copy)
- Capacity: Maker states up to 75 lb
- Features: Two cup holders; folds flush; maker-stated rattle-free closing design
- Weight: 9.2 lb (Amazon details)
- Install: Trim panel clearance holes only, then bolt to factory tailgate mounts (JL instructions); retailer estimate 1-2 hours
- Warranty: Limited lifetime (Amazon details)
Rough Country Tailgate Table: fits and best for
Campers and anyone who works or eats at the trailhead — especially solo drivers, with no second vehicle surface to borrow. Recovery context sits in our Gladiator winch guide and recovery guides below.
Rough Country Tailgate Table pros and watch-outs
Pros
- A real work surface, always with the Jeep
- Folds flush, so it costs no cargo space
- Cup holders keep drinks separate
- Steel and aluminium wipe clean
Watch-outs
- The one pick whose install touches trim with a drill — clearance holes in the trim panel only
- Fitment years conflict across the listing strings — verify yours
- 75 lb maker-stated capacity is a table load, not a seat or a step
- Tailgate must be level-ish for the surface to work well
Rough Country Tailgate Table: what owners report
What owners report: An owner install report describes fitting this table solo in about 20 minutes, finding it solid and rattle-free afterwards, and using it for food and drinks at stops (Sportster Project: JL tailgate table install) — paraphrased; the maker estimate is longer, and a second pair of hands eases alignment.
Rough Country Tailgate Table: who should not buy
Skip it if you will not drill clearance holes in a trim panel, if your JL falls in the disputed fitment years, or if you need a load surface above the stated capacity — a separate camp table is the honest answer.
Rough Country Tailgate Table: pair it with
Pair it with the console organizer above: small kit organised in front, and a clean surface to work on at the stop.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Jeep Wrangler JL/JLU 2018-2024 per the listing title (Rough Country 10625) — select your vehicle on the listing and confirm your year against it.
Tip: Test the fold and latch on your own driveway before the first trip, and keep a cloth in the tailgate — the table earns its role as your clean surface only if it is wiped down and rattle-checked.
Spec comparison
| Spec | AUTOSAVER88 Boards | E-cowlboy Handles | Bulletpoint Mount | Savadicar GrabTray | EDBETOS Organizer | Rough Country Table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job | Step / entry | Grip / support | Phone placement | Passenger storage | Console storage | Work surface |
| Fitment | JL 4-door, 2018-2024 | JK, JL, TJ, YJ and JT (listing) | JL 2018-2023, JT 2020-2023 | JL/JLU and JT, 2018-2023 | JL/JLU and JT | JL/JLU, 2018-2024 (title; see conflict) |
| Material | Aluminium alloy with ABS | 550 paracord | Metal, carbon fibre, Kevlar | ABS | ABS with rubber liners | Steel frame, aluminium top |
| Install | Bolt-on, no drilling per manual | Hook-and-loop straps | Factory screw plus tape | Plug and play | Drop-in | Trim clearance holes, factory mounts |
| Tools needed | Socket set | None | Basic hand tool for the dash screw | None | None | Trim tool, drill for trim, wrench |
| Stated capacity | Manual: up to 450 lb per board | Weight-bearing pull handle (listing) | Holder to about 3.4 in wide | Shallow tray, small items | 6 compartments | Maker: up to 75 lb |
| Safety note | Not a rock slider | Never a recovery point | Keep clear of airbag zone | Listing states no airbag hindrance | Not published | Table load only — not a seat or step |
| Warranty | Not published | Not published | Limited lifetime (defects) | Not published | Not published | Limited lifetime |
| Reversible | Bolt-off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Removable; trim holes remain |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
No score row is printed: these six parts do different jobs, and a single score would fake a comparison the table above makes honestly. See also the Jeep winch category, the budget accessories companion guide and the off-road vehicle parts archive.
Installation and fitment basics
Five of the six picks install with no drilling. The tailgate table is the exception — its JL instructions ask for clearance holes in the removable trim panel only, then factory mounts do the work. Read the JL instructions, not the JK version, whose steps differ.
After fitting, run three checks: airbag zones clear; handles and boards load-tested before a passenger trusts them; a short rough-road run to find rattles. Bigger installs live elsewhere — how to mount a winch, our receiver hitch winch mount guide and the Wrangler winch guide cover the bolted end of Jeep ownership.
Safety essentials
Safety rules
- Never use a grab handle, board, tray or table as a recovery or tie-down point.
- Keep every dash-mounted device clear of the passenger airbag deployment zone.
- Load-test steps and handles yourself before a passenger trusts them.
- Recover only with rated gear on rated points, and stand clear of a loaded line.
- Use a tree saver on live trees and a damper on a loaded winch line.
- Respect stated capacities: a tailgate table is a surface, not a seat or step.
Three recovery accessories with verified listings from our accessory guides:
Accessory pick
WARN Epic snatch block
For double-line pulls that halve winch load — never a fix for an undersized winch.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Accessory pick
GearAmerica tree saver strap
A wide anchor strap protecting the tree and your line.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Accessory pick
AMBULL D-ring shackles
Rated shackles for rated recovery points.
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Technique first: read how to use a winch, size the winch itself with what size winch do I need, and kit out with our shackle guide, tree saver guide and snatch block guide before any recovery. Keep the winch itself protected with a winch cover between trips.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Running board flexes or creaks | Bracket bolts loosened by vibration | Re-torque all bracket hardware evenly and re-check after the first weeks, per the manual |
| Grab handle rotates on the bar | Straps under-tensioned or settled after first use | Re-wrap the straps tighter, load-test with a hard pull, and re-check after each trail weekend |
| Phone shakes on corrugations | Arm joint left loose, or holder gripping the case edge only | Snug every thumbscrew and reseat the phone fully in the holder |
| Tray or organizer rattles | Hard items loose in a hard tray | Use the rubber liners and move metal items to the console base |
| Tailgate table rattles when folded | Latch or snubbers not seating | Check the rubber snubbers and hardware, and confirm the table closes fully flush |
| Table surface not level at a stop | Jeep parked on a slope | Reposition the Jeep a few feet — the tailgate surface follows the vehicle, not the horizon |
Who should NOT buy these
JK, TJ and 2-door JL owners shopping the JL picks. Five of the six picks are JL-cab or 4-door JL parts, and the step manual excludes the 2-door and JK by name. Only the strap-on handles cross generations. Check generation and doors before the award line.
Wrangler 4xe owners eyeing the Bulletpoint mount. The maker excludes the 4xe by name. Treat that as final and choose a mount whose listing names your exact trim.
Drivers who need rated recovery points, not comfort parts. Nothing here is recovery equipment. Recovery starts with a correctly sized winch — see the budget Wrangler winch guide or the budget Gladiator winch guide — and the rated accessories in the safety section.
Anyone who needs lockable storage. Trays organise; they do not lock. Valuables in an open Jeep need a lockable solution above this tier — start from our accessories archive instead.
Hard-rock drivers considering running boards as armour. These boards are steps that also shield rocker panels; they are not rock sliders and will not take slider abuse.
Final verdict
Best step for easier entry: AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards — Check its price
Best grab handles: E-cowlboy Roll Bar Grab Handles — Check its price
Best phone mount: Bulletpoint Dash Mount — Check its price
Best passenger storage: Savadicar GrabTray — Check its price
Best console organizer: EDBETOS Center Console Organizer Tray — Check its price
Best tailgate work surface: Rough Country Tailgate Table — Check its price
Bottom line: shorten the climb, secure the grip, place the phone, store gear within reach.
FAQ
What are the most useful Jeep accessories for a woman who drives solo?
The ones that replace a second person: a step and grab handles so entry never needs a boost, a rigid phone mount so navigation stays visible, front-row storage you can reach belted in, and a tailgate table so a stop has a work surface. That is the order this guide is built in.
Do running boards really make a difference getting into a Jeep?
Yes, because they change the geometry rather than your technique. A wide board gives you an intermediate step at a workable height, so you climb in two controlled moves with a pull on a handle. The difference grows with a lift or a load in your arms.
Are strap-on grab handles strong enough to pull on?
For their stated job — entry support and passenger bracing — a correctly tensioned paracord handle is the long-standing solution, and the listing describes the handles as weight-bearing pull handles. Re-check straps as they settle, load-test each handle yourself first, and never use one as a recovery or tie-down point.
Will a dash phone mount damage my Jeep dash?
The mount here is designed to avoid it: its base reuses the factory dash screw with adhesive support, no prying or drilling. Damage usually comes from tools during removal, so follow the maker removal steps and keep the phone clear of the airbag deployment zone.
Will the passenger tray interfere with the airbag?
It must not, and the GrabTray listing states directly that it does not hinder passenger airbag deployment. Fit the tray exactly as directed, keep the deployment zone clear of stored items, and never mount anything on an airbag cover.
Is the tailgate table hard to install?
It is the one real install in this guide: remove the tailgate trim panel, drill clearance holes in that panel only, refit it, and bolt the table to the factory mounts. The retailer estimates one to two hours; one owner report describes a solo fit in about twenty minutes.
Can I install the rest of these accessories myself?
Yes. Nothing else here needs drilling or cutting: boards bolt to existing holes, handles strap on, trays drop in, and the mount reuses a factory screw. Budget an unhurried afternoon, load-test the step and handles yourself, and re-check fasteners after the first week.
What should I buy next after these accessories?
For most owners, capability: a correctly sized winch and rated recovery basics, stored within reach. Work through our Jeep winch guide and the recovery kit guide, and keep this comfort setup as the daily foundation.
Do these accessories hurt resale value?
Five of the six remove without a trace. The table leaves clearance holes in a removable trim panel, replaceable on its own. Keep removed trim labelled, clean off adhesive, and the Jeep returns to stock.
Sources & changelog
Listing, maker and manual sources: AUTOSAVER88 OE Style Running Boards manual (manuals.plus), Rough Country JL tailgate table instructions (PDF), Rough Country Tailgate Table features (American Fusion Wheels), AUTOSAVER88 Running Boards (Amazon), E-cowlboy Grab Handles (Amazon), Bulletpoint Dash Mount (Amazon), Savadicar GrabTray SA03704 (Amazon), EDBETOS Console Organizer (Amazon), Rough Country Tailgate Table 10625 (Amazon). Owner-side source: Sportster Project: JL tailgate table install. Specifications are paraphrased from these sources; where a maker publishes no figure, the tables say so.
Changelog — October 18, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo runs WinchInsider, where every guide is built from maker documents and owner reports — never invented testing.
Related guides
- Best Jeep accessories under the budget tier
- Best Jeep winch
- Best winch for a Jeep Wrangler
- Best winch for a Jeep Gladiator
- Best off-road bumpers
- Best winch recovery kit