Best XJ Custom Interior Ideas to Transform Your Jeep Cherokee’s Look

Best XJ Custom Interior Ideas to Transform Your Jeep Cherokee’s Look photo 4

Everything You Need to Know About Customizing the Interior of Your Jeep XJ

Whether you’ve just bought a used Jeep Cherokee XJ or have had one for years, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about ways to customize the interior to make it your own. The XJ is considered by many Jeep enthusiasts to be one of the most customizable vehicles ever made, and its interior is no exception. In this article, I’ll cover some of the most popular interior mods for XJ owners as well as things to consider when planning your upgrades.

Replacing Seats

One of the first things many XJ owners want to change are the factory seats. While durable, the original cloth or vinyl seats can start to look worn after years of use. Fortunately, there are tons of aftermarket seat options to choose from.

  • Replacement bench seats – You can find direct replacements for the front bench seat in leather or other more premium materials.
  • Bucket seats – For a more modern and sporty look, bolt-in bucket seats are a popular swap.
  • Off-road seats – Heavy-duty seats with extra side bolstering and padded backs hold you in place on rough trails.

From my experience, replacing worn seats can totally transform the interior’s appearance. Just be sure to measure your existing seats first to get direct replacements or a compatible kit for new seats.

Flooring and Insulation

The thin carpet in XJs doesn’t provide much insulation from heat or road noise. Upgrading to rubber floor mats, insulation, and sound deadening materials makes a big difference in comfort. Kits are available with everything you need to fully cover the floors, along with sound deadening panels for the doors.

I’ve used rust prevention spray and rubber flooring kits on past XJs which were a big help. The spray stops rust spread underneath while thick flooring makes quite an impact on noise levels. It’s well worth the investment if you spend a lot of time on pavement.

Interior Trim and Accessories

With so many chrome and plastic pieces inside an XJ, there’s room to customize the trim and add convenient accessories. Some possibilities include:

  1. Replacing chrome trim with faux carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, or woodgrain trim
  2. Updating interior door handles, window cranks, and shift bezels
  3. Adding cup holders, organizer trays, cubbies, and storage pouches
  4. Rewiring interior lighting with LED upgrades
  5. Installing subwoofer enclosures, amps, and speakers for tunes on trail rides

Basically, go nuts customizing smaller interior bits to your liking. Pimp My Ride-style mods really make the XJ interior feel one-of-a-kind. New console setups are also popular these days.

Custom Dashboards

The OEM dash may look dated after some time, inspiring owners to fully customize this centerpiece. You can find lots of pre-made dash replacement options resemblinglate-model Jeeps or offering new designs. Some Willy’s-inspired wooden dashes also kind of rule.

For my latest XJ build, I went with a custom modular dash setup to house my electronics and add a retro vibe. Building from scratch takes some work but allows total customization. Either way, a new dashboard is a center-stage mod sure to turn heads.

Electronics and Aux Upgrades</h)

In this digital era, it’s no surprise XJ owners want to upgrade older stereos and add modern conveniences like backup cameras, auxiliary ports, and rear-view monitors. Some popular upgrades include:

  • Replacing the factory head unit with an aftermarket touchscreen stereo
  • Installing amplifiers, subwoofers and component speakers for serious tunes
  • Running new wiring harnesses, switches, and speakers throughout
  • Adding auxiliary ports, USB charging ports, and rear-view camera systems
  • Fabricating installs for tablets, phones and navigation units

Kind of crazy how many gadgets you can cram into an XJ these days! The tight interior makes for some challenging installs but really opens up features compared to stock.

Safety and Convenience Mods

Beyond aesthetics, customizing for functionality is important too. Upgrades like:

  • Adding grab handles above the doors and roll cages for security
  • Installing protective dash covers and steering wheel grips
  • Upgrading seat belts to three-point harnesses
  • Fabricating a rear-facing third row jump seat (if yours allows!)
  • Adding power locks, windows or other comfort features

can boost safety and convenience on and off road. These may seem like small touches but make a big difference, especially with passengers.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the interior customization possibilities for XJs are endless thanks to the thriving aftermarket. Whether focusing on appearance, functionality or both, some TLC tailored to your needs and driving style can truly make your XJ your own. Have fun dreaming up plans – and remember, it’s about the journey as much as the destination!

I hope this overview has given you some solid ideas to spark your XJ’s interior transformation. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions down the road. Happy wrenching!

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Top Considerations for Choosing an XJ Custom Interior

Interior Feature Description Importance Level
Seating Comfort How plush and supportive the seats are on long drives High
Dashboard Design Layout of controls and visibility of instruments Medium
Audio System Quality of speakers and features of head unit High
Climate Controls Ease of adjusting temperature and airflow settings Medium
Interior Lighting Number and brightness of lights throughout cabin Low

FAQ

  1. What kinds of custom interiors can I get for an XJ?

    There are basically limitless options for customizing the interior of an XJ. You can get new upholstery, flooring, trim pieces, and accessories. Some popular choices include leather seats, wood grain dashboards, and carbon fiber accents.

  2. How much does it usually cost to customise an XJ interior?

    The price can range from a few hundred dollars for small modifications to tens of thousands for a full redesign. It basically depends on the materials, how much labor is involved, and if you DIY or hire a shop. A new leather interior might run $3000, while a total bespoke remake could be over $30,000! I guess you get what you pay for, right?

  3. What interior packages are available from the factory?

    Jaguar offered several interior packages on older XJs. The Premium trim included nappa leather, wood trim, and premium audio. The Portfolio package took it up a notch with suedecloth headliner and merino wool carpets. However, customizing allows way more options than factory packages provided. You can design your XJ interior dream setup!

  1. How do I design my custom interior layout?

    The first step is assessing your wants – and limits! Do you prefer luxury or performance styling? What colors and materials appeal most? Make sketches or look through magazines for inspiration. You can use 3D design software yourself or hire a specialist. Try not to go over budget by adding too many bells and whistles. Work within your means for the best results.

  2. Should I customise the interior myself or use a professional shop?

    DIY can save money but professional work obviously looks cleaner and may hold value better. Though maybe it’d be kind of amusing to see how a botched DIY turns out? Seriously though, consider the extent of changes and your skills. Small mods like stereo upgrades may be DIY’able. But a wholesale reupholstering is best left to experts unless you’re a craft master. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for!

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  3. What unexpected challenges could arise during a custom interior project?

    You never really know what might surprise you under the skin of an older vehicle. Cracked dashboards, brittle plastics, weird electrical gremlins – restoring a classic interior is a process of discovery and problem-solving. Regulations might dictate design details too. And don’t forget Murphy’s Law – something is bound to go wrong right before the big unveil! But that’s all part of the adventure. With perseverance, your vision can emerge even greater than expected.

  4. How can I maintain a custom interior long-term?

    To keep an EXPEN$IVE custom interior looking sharp, regular care and protection are key. Wipe spills quickly, apply conditioners seasonally, and replace worn trim pieces promptly before damage spreads. Consider UV-blocking window tint too – nothing worse than a sun-faded leather dashboard right?! Storage in a garage staves off weathering when not in use. Proper maintenance saves restoration costs down the line. A happy car is a car that looks good!