My 1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ

I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ that I left stock for nearly 20 years. Since then, I’ve been building it into an overland Jeep for trips on Backcountry Discovery Routes, with a 3.5-inch OME lift from DPG Offroad.

This is the home for that Jeep: the repairs, the modifications, and what I’ve learned after living with them. The articles document work on one vehicle, often with photos of the awkward parts of the job. Where a part or an approach hasn’t worked out, I’ve added what changed and why.

The build, so far

The projects below cover a hidden winch behind the stock bumper, steering and brake work, transmission cooler lines, and smaller improvements to the wiring and cabin. Some articles describe parts I’ve since replaced, so check their updates before treating an older installation as a current recommendation.

A full list of the Jeep’s current modifications is still to come. For now, the individual project notes are the record of what I installed, how it fit, and how it held up.