Jeep Cherokee Accessories: Maximizing Utility and Off-Road Adventures
An off-roader would be remiss to call themselves a true 4×4 aficionado without acknowledging the rugged, off-road intuition of a Jeep Cherokee. From the classic SJ to the refined KJ, Cherokees and Grand Cherokees are the torchbearers for family-sized vehicles that are perfectly suited for on- and off-road duty. And it’s because they’re so capable that when it comes to aftermarket accessories, Cherokee owners only need to think about a kit that’s going to make them more accommodating for family-sized adventures.
Looking For Jeep Cherokee Accessories For the Road and Track

Let’s be honest: if you’re a first, second, or third-generation Cherokee owner and you’re weighing your accessory options, the reality is, that you can expect less to mean more. Whether it’s the interior or the exterior, Jeep’s legendary platform doesn’t require any major tweaks or additions, which is why you only need Jeep Cherokee and aftermarket Jeep Grand Cherokee accessories that are going to help them do more of what they already do.
So what kind of accessories does a Cherokee need? Whether it’s a 6-month tour doing the big lap, or just a few hours on the track on the weekend, Cherokees are already built to take on Australia’s toughest conditions; but like any 4×4 owner, you also want the ability to go just a little further, carrying just a little more cargo. Fortunately, though, some of the best Jeep Cherokee accessories on the market are made right here in Australia, and they’re made by people who know precisely what Cherokees need for both the road and the track.
Snorkel Kits Help Keep Your Cherokee Breathing Clean Air
If you purchased your SJ, XJ, or KJ with plans to take it places that lesser 4x4s wouldn’t dare get caught in, then you probably don’t intend to let dusty roads or rushing water get in your way. As capable as these Jeep-bred mid-sizers are when it comes to pushing across rough Aussie terrain though, you don’t want to find yourself in an environment where dust or water can be drawn directly into your intake. You need to keep your head (and your intake) above the problem, and a snorkel kit is one of the Jeep Cherokee off-road accessories that’s going to help you do it.
A sealed induction snorkel lets you raise your Cherokee’s stock intake to a position where it can draw in cool, clean air when you’re driving on sealed or unseal surfaces, and also won’t take in water when crossing rivers or streams. They have to be just as tough as your Jeep though, so you only want ram-air-type snorkels with construction attributes that include:
- High quality, UV resistant LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) molding;
- Corrosion-resistant brackets, braces, and fastening hardware; and,
- A rotating ram-air intake box that can be turned away from the prevailing wind for added protection.
And while the cool, pressurized air that moves through a snorkel is a solid performance booster, it’s not the only way to force cool air under your Cherokee’s bonnet. A standard aftermarket bonnet scoop performs the same cool-air function without having to drill your Jeep’s fender or A-pillar; and if you spend more time on the road than off, it’s the easiest way to help your Cherokee beat the heat.
Taking In the Cooling Benefits of Bonnet Scoop
With their low profiles and discrete openings, bonnet scoops are among the most advantageous Jeep Cherokee parts and accessories you can have installed. They don’t provide the pressurized cooling effect that you’d get with a snorkel kit, but they serve an equally important cooling function: forcing hot air out of the engine compartment.
There are thousands of bonnet scoops on the market though, which is why practicality is the key to choosing the right one. They aren’t substitutes for multi-core cooling radiators or high-flow electric fans, nor they can’t be so large that they obstruct your field of vision, but the air that they’re able to channel when driving at speed can be an irreplaceable source of added cooling, especially when traveling long distance. They still have to be Jeep too, so you only want scoops that are:
- Constructed from durable, flexible ABS plastic;
- Are heat and UV resistant; and,
- Easily secured with rivets or an automotive-grade adhesive.
Ideally, the benefits of a bonnet scoop can easily be doubled if you’re willing to pressurize it for the full ram-air effect. If, however, you don’t feel like investing in a fully functional ram-air setup, the scoop’s added cooling alone more than justifies the installation.
Roof Racks Let You Grow Your Jeep’s Cargo Capacity

With some of the all-time roomiest interiors of any family of 4x4s, Cherokees have never been stingy with head, leg, or cargo space. That same space can command a premium, however, if you’re transporting a full load of tools and installation materials during the week, or you’ve packed up the entire family and all their gear for a long weekend. These are the reasons why a roof rack is one of the most practical Jeep Cherokee accessories you could consider investing in.
With a wide range of 3/4 flat-, 3/4 tradesman-, and tent-type roof racks to choose from, there’s no shortage of rain gutter mounted options to safely utilize your Cherokee’s rooftop carrying capacity. Heavy duty, AS (Australian Standard) compliant racks are available in lengths up to 2.4m, and are built around an array of durable features that include:
- Sturdy, lightweight aluminium alloy construction with internal cross-member supports;
- Dual crossbar mounting plates with corrosion-resistant, stainless steel mounting hardware; and,
- Aluminium mesh flooring with cross-member supports.
Ideally, no matter if you use your Cherokee for work, recreation, or a combination of both, roof racks are perfectly practical accessories for all your activities. And aside from using a rack strictly on an as-needed basis, it can also provide a stable mounting base for a host of semi-permanent, and fixed accessories that can be used either on the job or at play, including:
- Constructed from durable, flexible ABS plastic;
- Rooftop tents and ladders, or tent awnings; and,
- Light bars, spotlights, or antenna masts.
A roof rack’s low profile and smooth powder-coated finish also adds a nice trim touch to a first-, second-, or third-generation Cherokee – especially if you’ve already installed a snorkel kit or a bonnet scoop. It says your Cherokee’s very much up to the jobs it was designed to perform.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, if you own an SJ, XJ, or KJ, there’s no shortage of parts and accessories available for you to choose from, there really isn’t too much that a Cherokee needs. Less really is more, which is why it’s so easy to give these Jeeps the tools they need to do even better.
With only a few simple Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee accessories, you can easily increase your vehicle’s utility and functionality. They’re everything you need to take your Jeep further, as well as to maximize your cargo capacity getting there.