Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Cherokee 1997-2001: Exterior Modifications

When it comes to exterior modifications, the Jeep Cherokee is highly customizable. Read on to learn how you can make your Jeep Cherokee unique.

By Bassem Girgis - October 14, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee XJ (1997-2001).

The Jeep Cherokee is one of the most customizable vehicles out there. If it's your second car, then you can go absolutely crazy and make it look like a completely different vehicle. A lot of forum enthusiasts have been known to create homemade modifications for their Jeep, and the forum is filled with mind-blowing mods that make the Jeep look like an absolute spaceship. In this guide, we will talk about some of the most popular modification you can do to the exterior of your car. These mods are guaranteed to change the look of your Jeep and reflect on your personality. So whether you're after a rugged look or a fully capable car look, this article will help you make the necessary changes to transition your Jeep's exterior into something extremely unique.

Exterior Mods

The exterior modifications we will cover today are the most popular ones. We will cover the tubular doors, roof racks, and front winches. These modifications may completely change the look of your Jeep, but they are also useful upgrades that can add value to your vehicle. Read on to learn the exterior mods that best suit you.

Figure 1. Modified Jeep Cherokee.

#1 Tubular Doors

DIY Cost – $99-400

Professional Cost – $250-700

Skill Level – Moderate; this mod requires the removal of the old doors.

Tubular doors are the ultimate modification when it comes to freedom. This upgrade requires you to remove the old doors and install tubular ones. These doors come ready to be installed on your specific Jeep, and they are quite easy to install after you've removed the original doors.

These doors are best for drivers that use their Jeep as a fun vehicle. Even though they're not illegal on the streets, they aren't the safest on freeways and such.

This upgrade allows you to get the full off-road experience without falling off of the car. If you want to take your Jeep off the road and feel every bit of wind as well as dirt, this mod screams your name. Recommended for drivers who do a lot of off-roading.

#2 Roof Rack

DIY Cost – $150-700

Professional Cost – $250-1,000

Skill Level – Easy; this is a bolt-on modification.

Roof racks are some of the most popular modifications for the exterior of the Jeep. They don't only make the Jeep look rugged, but they are extremely useful for camping and off-road trips. This is a mod that can have more mods attached to it, such as various types of lights. So you can look at it as the foundation to more mods to come.

Most off-roaders add lights on the front of the rack and tires on the back. This allows them to use the interior of the car to store their personal belongings and avoid getting mud on them, while having the piece of mind knowing they have a few extra spare tires.

If you want your Jeep to look like a tank, this mod would do just that. The installation is rather simple and requires a few minutes. Recommended for its easy installation.

#3 Front Winch

DIY Cost – $290-900

Professional Cost – 400-1,300

Skill Level – Moderate; this job requires the removal of the bumper.

If you want a modification that could be a great look and assist in emergencies, this one is for you. The front winch is designed to add a rugged, unique look to the front of the Jeep, but that's not all, since it is mainly designed to get your car or other cars out of trouble. If you need to pull your Jeep or other cars out of mud or ditches, the rope extends out of the front winch and attaches to the other vehicle, so you can either pull it out or have it pull you out.

Front winches come in different shapes and forms. Some of them come with a large grill guard, which is very useful for extreme off-roading. Most of these come with a whole new bumper; however, you can purchase just the front winch, but it'll require you to drill some holes and make some room. When it comes to safety and looks, nothing can beat this mod for the off-roaders. Recommended for its looks and usefulness.

Related Discussions