So I'm new to this whole jeep forum thing, and wanted some input so bare with me lol, I have a 99 automatic gold Jeep Cherokee that I bought a while back and I'm really starting to try and fix it up. There are a few mechanical things I need to do to it but as I accomplish those, I'll do a cosmetic upgrade. (Sort of like a rewards system) that being said what are some good and cheap-ish cosmetic upgrades I can do. (Restoration, mods, etc)

 

Identify 'Cosmetics'. Most modifications to a Cherokee are for improved function with appearance improvements as an added side benefit. Such as bumpers, rock rails, lifts, tires, auxiliary lighting, and so on. The bumpers add armor to the front and back of the vehicle, recovery points, and mounting point for a winch. Rock rails provide protection from obstacles when the vehicle high centers. Lifts, well, lift the vehicle adding ground clearance. Taller tires, same. Lighting, so you can see at night. All of these improve the look of the vehicle, if done right. But if you only drive the vehicle to work and the grocery store, you look like an idiot with all this stuff tacked on the vehicle. They will also reduce the vehicle's ability to operate how you use it. Lift and tires drop MPGs. Armor adds weight, dropping MPGs. Lights add wind resistance, dropping MPGs.

 

Really it's just a good hobby I want to start, It's not four wheel drive so I don't plan on off roading, it's my daily driver to work and cruise around. I just want to do little upgrades to it here and there as my financial situation allows it. As I've stated there are a few mechanical issues I'm in the process of doing, so I implemented trying to do a cosmetic upgrade after fixing a mechanical issue when needed (mod, restore, etc) to keep me driven (no pun intended) as I continue on this project. Wasn't planning on armor, bumpers, lifts and the more expensive things ATM, just little things like lights, flares, trim restoration, headliner, things of that sort

 

If it is a 2WD I suggest you take a different route than jacking it up and putting bumpers on it. Dolling up a 2WD to look like a 4WD makes you look like a poser. Sorry, but I'm blunt. I suggest you drop it a bit, throw some 17s on it, hop up the engine, and autocross it. Get crazy with the Cheese Whiz. I have seen a couple 2WDs done up for Autocross and they are sharp.

 

interesting...i would never consider lowering an xj... even if 2wd i could still have some offroad fun... put a bumper and winch and you have a safety net. Of course you can't get too crazy but there are lots of places for a 2wd to go. I could get to alot of beautiful camping areas in the mountains around me no problem. Of course 4wd drive is nice, but i definitely wouldnt mind a spare 2wd.

but very interesting idea you had. Just looked them up. Cool looking, but still would rather not haha

 

Bad_idea, haha be blunt I understand completely, off roading isn't really my thing anyway. Just want to do some **** here and there and fix it up to an optimal level, and learn a bit about cool mods, best upgrades, and what everyone else has done