BUILD FILE / CHEROKEE-2001

BUILT FOR THE LONG WAY OUT.

2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ / Classic

Marcus’s black 2001 Jeep Cherokee: finished exterior and roof lighting

Sold

Jeep Cherokee XJ

This was Marcus’s black XJ, built around 2020–2021. It started rough and got a 4.5-inch lift, JCR bumpers and armor, lights, and a custom-tucked rear winch along the way. It’s since been sold, but the before-and-after photos are worth keeping. The silver Freedom XJ is a separate build.

Owner: Marcus Wilson

Year: 2001
Make / Model: Jeep Cherokee XJ
Trim: Classic
Engine: 4.0L High Output inline-six
Transmission: AW4 4-speed automatic (stock)
Drivetrain: 4WD
Horsepower: 190 hp @ 4,600 rpm · factory rating
Status: Sold

BUILD SPECIFICATION

THE HARDWARE.

JCR front bumper — installed by Marcus; no front bumper at purchase
JCR rear bumper
Custom-tucked 3,500 lb winch in the rear bumper
Rough Country 4.5-inch short-arm lift kit
Rough Country light control panel
Pod lights and light bar
JCR rear quarter-panel armor
JCR taillight armor

PAST PERSONAL BUILD

THE ARCHIVE.

Sold — archived personal build
Explore the Before, Progress, and Completed photo journals

What’s on the car and what’s next are two different lists. We’ll update them as the work gets done.

BUILD LOG

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Around 2020 / Starting point

A rough canvas

Here’s what we started with. It had no front bumper when Marcus bought it; he fitted the bumper you can see in the Before photos.

2020–2021 / Build phase

Lift, armor, and recovery

The 4.5-inch Rough Country lift and JCR bumpers and armor changed the Jeep. The custom-tucked 3,500 lb rear winch was one of the more interesting parts of the build.

2021 / Finished archive

Lighting and the final look

Pods, a light bar, and the Rough Country control panel finished out the lighting. These photos show how it ended up before Marcus sold it.

2020–2021 / PERSONAL BUILD

FROM STARTING POINT TO TRAIL BUILD.

BEFORE / Front bumper already installed by Marcus

PHOTO JOURNAL

BEFORE. DURING. AFTER.

The early photos. Marcus had already fitted the front bumper by this point—the Jeep had no front bumper when he bought it. The Progress and Completed tabs show where it went from there.