Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993-1998: Exterior Modifications

Give your Jeep the look of an off-road vehicle and the ultimate camper mobile.

By Piyush Kayastha - September 23, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ (1993-1998).

Jeep and truck enthusiasts often will modify the exterior panels of the vehicle to accommodate larger wheels, taller suspension, etc. Some common things include flaring the fenders, adding fender flares or modifying the fenders to be wider and more open. Often the front bumper will get modified to clear larger tires, as well. There are also several plastic pieces on the exterior of the jeep that suffer from sun fade and weather debris. They can be refreshed to look newer and be more durable again.

When it comes to the suspension of the Jeep, enthusiasts will opt for "taller" shocks or a "lift kit." This comprises of a spring and shock combination, which will essentially raise or "lift" the vehicle higher off the ground. This provides clearance for larger wheels and tires. It's especially useful for trips that involve off-road drives on uneven terrain. In light of this, enthusiasts will also upgrade the tires on their existing wheels to larger diameters between 31" and 33". Pairing this combination with the lift kit gives the Jeep a look and practicality to off-road use when camping or visiting sites with unfamiliar terrain. Another modification involves tents. Jeep's have kits sold on the market that allow the user to affix a tent to the rooftop of their vehicles that can be used during camping.

ZJ Exterior Mods

This section will cover the three main things ZJ owners upgrade on their vehicles. The modifications includes larger diameter tires, modified fenders and bumpers, as well as a roof top tent.

Figure 1. A custom ZJ.

Larger Tires

DIY Cost – 31" tires $944 (for 4)

Professional Cost – $1,000-11,00, including tire mounting and balancing.

Skill Level – Easy; your Jeep comes from the factory with the tools required to change a tire.

If you're planning on hitting the trails, mountain climbing, or maybe an oval dirt track, some good "all-terrain" tires are a must. Not only does the car get an aggressive look, but taller tires offer superior performance when the going gets rough. Recommended for its aggressive look.

NOTE: Suspension will need to be raised, and the bumpers as well as fenders need to be modified to clear the larger tires.

Fender and Bumper Modifications

DIY Cost – Cost of renting a grinder at Home Depot/Lowes, or can be purchased for $60-100

Professional Cost – $300-400

Skill Level – Easy; a grinder or Dremel tool is easily usable by the novice mechanic, and the soft plastic bumper is easy to cut through.

Before you can fit bigger tires on your Jeep, the fenders and bumpers should be modified to clear the extra rubber. Easily done with an afternoon and a grinder. People often cut the bumper for both tire clearance (near the fender) or on the lower portion of the bumper for skid plate installation or additional clearance. Recommended before installing larger tires.

Roof Top Tent

DIY Cost – $1,425

Professional Cost – $1,500-$1,800

Skill Level – Moderate; requires some amount of modification and fabrication to successfully install. Even plug-and-play "bolt on" kits often require some amount of work to install.

Planning on camping? This is the ideal addition to your Jeep when it comes to those longer off the beaten path excursions. Being higher up in a camper ensures you sleep comfortably, and free of any creepy-crawlies lingering on the Earth's surface. Recommended for those who like to go camping.

Pro Tip

There are cheaper alternatives to roof top tents that get installed to the top of a roof rack on your jeep if you have one. Alternatively, you could just have one tent for mounting on the ground when you reach your camp site.

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