The Best XJ Cherokee Mods for Off-Roading

Sep 12th 2025

The Jeep Cherokee XJ is one of the most popular platforms for off-road builds, and for good reason. It’s light, strong, and simple to work on. Whether you’re planning weekend trail rides or building a hardcore rock crawler, the XJ offers endless potential. But with so many aftermarket options out there, it can be tough to know where to start.

Here’s a breakdown of the most effective upgrades that give you the biggest performance gains off-road.

1. Suspension Lift

A lift kit is often the first mod XJ owners tackle. The Cherokee has solid axles front and rear, which respond really well to suspension upgrades.

Mild Lift (2–3 inches): Perfect for clearing 31-inch tires, improving ground clearance, and keeping road manners. Great for daily drivers that see trail use.
Mid-Range Lift (4–5 inches): Allows 32–33-inch tires, better articulation, and serious trail capability.
Extreme Lift (6+ inches): Best for hardcore crawling, but requires more supporting mods like driveshafts, SYE (slip yoke eliminator), and steering upgrades.

A good suspension lift is the foundation of an off-road XJ build.

2. Tires

Bigger, more aggressive tires are the second must-have upgrade. They increase traction, improve clearance, and make the XJ trail-ready.

31-inch All-Terrains: Great for mild builds and daily drivers.
32–33-inch Mud-Terrains: Excellent balance of on-road manners and off-road bite.
35-inch and larger: Hardcore setups that require stronger axles and gearing.

Tires are where the rubber literally meets the trail, so don’t cheap out here.

3. Lockers and Gearing

The stock XJ drivetrain is capable, but adding locking differentials transforms it into a trail monster. A rear locker alone makes a huge difference, but adding front and rear lockers gives maximum traction in rocks, mud, or snow.

When upgrading to larger tires, re-gearing the axles is a must. Stock gearing struggles to turn 33s or bigger, making the Jeep sluggish. Re-gearing restores lost power and improves crawl ratios off-road.

4. Armor and Protection

The Cherokee’s unibody construction is strong but vulnerable if you bash it into rocks and stumps. Armor keeps it trail-ready for the long haul.

Rock sliders: Protect the rocker panels, one of the XJ’s weak points.
Skid plates: Cover the oil pan, transfer case, and gas tank.
Bumpers: Aftermarket steel bumpers offer better approach/departure angles and protection.

Armor adds weight, but it’s insurance that keeps your Jeep going when the trail gets rough.

5. Recovery Gear

Off-roading means getting stuck sooner or later. Be ready to get out on your own.

Winch: A quality winch mounted to a strong front bumper is one of the best trail tools you can buy.
Recovery points: Front and rear tow hooks or D-ring mounts are essential.
Basic gear: Tow straps, shackles, and a hi-lift jack should always be on board.

An XJ with recovery gear is a rig that can explore with confidence.

6. Steering and Axle Upgrades

Larger tires and lifts put more stress on steering and axles. The factory Dana 35 rear axle, in particular, is a weak point.

Axle swaps: Upgrading to a Chrysler 8.25 or Ford 8.8 rear axle is common.
Steering upgrades: Heavy-duty tie rods and track bars keep handling sharp and reliable.

These upgrades keep your build safe and dependable once you move beyond mild lifts and tires.

7. Interior and Utility Mods

The Cherokee’s boxy interior is roomy and functional, but a few upgrades make it trail-friendly:

Cargo storage systems or drawer setups for tools and gear.
Upgraded seats for long trips.
Onboard air systems for airing down and back up.

Small touches like these make your rig more comfortable and self-sufficient on the trail.

Final Thoughts

Building an XJ Cherokee is all about balance. Start with the basics — suspension, tires, and protection — then work your way up to drivetrain, armor, and utility upgrades as your budget and goals grow.

The beauty of the XJ is that it doesn’t take much to make it trail-ready. With a few key mods, this simple box on wheels can out-wheel many modern rigs, proving why it’s still one of the best off-road platforms out there.