2019 Jeep Cherokee Build - Exciting Times Ahead

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Quacken

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This is my first venture into Overlanding, or vehicle modifying/outfitting. The goal is to have something i can still comfortably use as a daily driver, but also be able to take to national parks, forests, and wherever else i can think of.

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First up will be a RRO roof rails and cross bars. That will hopefully be installed within the month. Once i have that i will start looking at moving a full size spare onto the roof.

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The goal here is a platform sitting just above the attachment points on the sides. Giving me a split storage space that will extend over the folded seat.

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For the front passenger area i'm contemplating removing the seat entirely and installing a articulating "desk"/platform that i can use for a laptop or reading table. I'd like it to be able to adjust to be accessible both from the driver's seat and also be moveable so i can sit in the remaining rear passenger seat and use it.

The majority of the storage/desk construction will be wood and i think i can knock it out myself without to much cost incurred. After that ill start looking at adding "toys" and other accessories.
 
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PicNick

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Looking good! Before you plan too much on putting the tire up on the roof, you should probably try to lift it up over your head first. I was planning on doing that myself, but it was 100% a 2 person job to do it. Then again I'm 6' and 150lbs, so it wouldn't take much to be able to out lift me! lol

Sounds like it's going to be a very interesting build, definitely going to be following this one.
 
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Quacken

Quacken

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PicNick said:
Looking good! Before you plan too much on putting the tire up on the roof, you should probably try to lift it up over your head first. I was planning on doing that myself, but it was 100% a 2 person job to do it. Then again I'm 6' and 150lbs, so it wouldn't take much to be able to out lift me! lol

Sounds like it's going to be a very interesting build, definitely going to be following this one.
Click to expand...
As a 5'4" 130 Pound person... i will perhaps rethink the tire...
 
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PicNick

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Sentinel said:
As a 5'4" 130 Pound person... i will perhaps rethink the tire...
Click to expand...
You could give a hitch mounted tire swingout a try, or if you really wanted to spend some coing you could get a full rear bumper. Not sure if they sell them for the Cherokees, though. I know the Grand Cherokee market is pretty dry for bumpers, and the ones that exist are both expensive and not that pretty imo
 
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Quacken

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PicNick said:
You could give a hitch mounted tire swingout a try, or if you really wanted to spend some coing you could get a full rear bumper. Not sure if they sell them for the Cherokees, though. I know the Grand Cherokee market is pretty dry for bumpers, and the ones that exist are both expensive and not that pretty imo
Click to expand...
I have only a standard Latitude package, so no tow hitch. I have thought about it but right now i dont think its worth it for me.
 
Quacken

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I installed my storage platform today, hardood plywood, some threaded rod and a bit of steel.
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PicNick said:
Looking good! Before you plan too much on putting the tire up on the roof, you should probably try to lift it up over your head first. I was planning on doing that myself, but it was 100% a 2 person job to do it. Then again I'm 6' and 150lbs, so it wouldn't take much to be able to out lift me! lol

Sounds like it's going to be a very interesting build, definitely going to be following this one.
Click to expand...
Good advice about trying to lift the tire up first! Something like a RIGd UltraSwing™ Hitch Carrier Multi-Fit would be much easier to access and you could probably even take it off easy enough for around town and throw it on pretty quick for trips if you wanted. Probably not that hard to mount a hitch receiver but I've never done it so maybe it's more cost and work than it's worth to you. I love following rig builds though so I'm excited to see what direction you go with your build.
 
Quacken

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Some more updates, i have a Roof Rack now, as well as a bike rack. I installed L frame rails for attachment points on the driver side plywood. And put in a rubber matting. Right now its a simply tool box liner but it seems like it will be grippy enough to help prevent sliding and rattling.

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Pathkiller

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PicNick said:
You could give a hitch mounted tire swingout a try, or if you really wanted to spend some coing you could get a full rear bumper. Not sure if they sell them for the Cherokees, though. I know the Grand Cherokee market is pretty dry for bumpers, and the ones that exist are both expensive and not that pretty imo
Click to expand...
The Cherokee (KL) market has really slim pickin's. I've looked at hitch mounts/swing gates and like them enough. But, I'm thinking about starting my own fabrication company for KL' s and Trailhawk models so we can have better choices for bumpers. sliders, etc. (As soon as the country gets back up & running, I'll be talking to a friends that has a commercial fabrication & welding shop.)

Sentinel said:
As a 5'4" 130 Pound person... i will perhaps rethink the tire...
Click to expand...
I'm 6' & 250lb. I just took the tire mount off my roof because it was hard enough to take it off in my own yard, I wouldn't want to have to do it hanging off the side of a mountain trail.
 

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Autism Family Travels

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Watch that bike rack, it will dent your tailgate after a while. Don't ask me how I know. Mine was a different brand but similar results. Overall, a deadly rig. Also, check out the hitchgate. You can still install a hitch on your jeep even if it never came with one from jeep directly. We have one incoming for the patriot.
 
Quacken

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Jordan
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Watson
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Autism Family Travels said:
Watch that bike rack, it will dent your tailgate after a while. Don't ask me how I know. Mine was a different brand but similar results. Overall, a deadly rig. Also, check out the hitchgate. You can still install a hitch on your jeep even if it never came with one from jeep directly. We have one incoming for the patriot.
Click to expand...
I dont keep the rack on all the time, i've looked into a tow hitch as well, but if i add it i will do the work paired with a lift of somesort. From the ones i've seen you lose a bit of ground clearance.
 
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