While looking at some tech stuff I could put in my Cherokee I found that I need a OBDII and read that I need a New wire harness and a few new sensors on the heating. Would that be it Or would it be a simple swap out a 97-01 computer/wireharness from the JY and get to sensors after? I found this site here: http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...D2-ECU-Upgrade I also have a 97-01 dash with cluster, just needed the core to screw the dash to tho.

 

Got some updates to the Cherokee today. Went to the JY and got some parts. Got a factory front bumper plate, a rare woodgrain 84-96 Cherokee dash bezel, metal hood arm rest, 97-01 E-brake arm and 96 computer with half a wire harness. I'll take more pictures tomorrow of the items I got.

The computer:









Didnt have time to get the entire wireharness out andwas almost done, couldnt figureout how to disconnect the 2 wire plugs that go into the firewall under the driver side dash. So I just got the plugs that plug into the computer. I got the computer out of a 2000 Cherokee sport and later came across a 1996 Cherokee Country with the same red and gray trim as my Cherokee Laredo was once. And know that 1996 was the first year to have OBDII and so I decided to stayed within the same tech as my Cherokee and put the 2000 computer back. While I was working with the 2000 Cherokee I was trying to get the built into the fender windsheild wiper fluid compartment but the fender bolts were rusted and tryed to cut the fender but didnt finish because I didnt have time. The weekends suck for JY.




I also found the woodgrain dash bezel in that Cherokee Country. When in the 2000 I was trying to hurry and get the core for the 97-01 dash, once I got the outer parts off "already have those parts" their was so many screws and bolts and wires. I figured i'd stop since it was probably going to take all day for me to fully take the parts out. I did manage to keep all the outer dash screws for my parts I already have.



But one good thing is I can now install the center console since I finally got the e-brake arm. As for the rocker panels I decided that Im going to repair it my self, including the floor boards. My goal is to have this Cherokee looking like it came out the factory line / showroom clean.

 

More pictures

 

Hey, what Radio is that? Is that a OEM Cherokee radio?

My interior looks exactly the same, (minus the steering wheel) and I've still got the OEM radio that came with it when it was new..

 

No, its a Dual brand radio, My stock is probably like yours, casset tape with the Jeep logo on the flap door. And I got the steering wheel cover before I put in the woodgrain dash bezel. Its matches nicely.

 

After doing some reading on the 97-01 dash swap, Having to remove steering wheel, drilling new holes for core of dash and other, I came up with a idea project that maybe easier and that is to buy another 84-96 donor dash and customize it and mask the new parts onto the older one. I have a question on the guage cluster. Will the 96 computer work with the 97+ cluster if I get the plugs off a 97+ and wire it to the older cluster wires since it is diffrent from the 84-96 cluster plug? I know it would of been 100% easier to just buy a 97-01 Cherokee after reading this thread, But I like my Cherokee and put alot of work into it and know what I put into it. Id hate to have to start over plus this was my very first vehicle and wouldnt want to get rid of it.

 

I made a stop at the JY today and got the donor dash out of a 96 along with the wire harness. Also picked up a 99 defrost passager side mirror since my driver side was a defrost.



Heres the donor dash with the 97+ guage cluster layed inside. The bottom screw holes line up where the both side switch panels would go, and the cluster fits snug inside the hole area.



Heres the 96 guage cluster plugs next to the 97+ cluster plugs.



I also got both side back quarter panel factory tinted windows.

 

I thought I had stuck this pic up, but I guess it never made it. This is how my dash turned out.

That's a 13" steering wheel, but I swapped it out for a 14" mahogany wheel that looks even better.

Lots of folks think the wood look is chintzy, but I like it.

 

I like the red wood grain, The grand Cherokees had that color.

I finished removing the foam skin off the dash today and layed the new dash on it to get ready for measure and cutting.



I think this is a better way to go then installing other dash core, All you do is custom the same year dash as your Cherokee with the new one and you know the old dash is going to screw into place already. So this is probably the easy cheap way of doing it without drilling, cutting up the original inside of the vehicle. I also plan to keep the same steering wheel colum in, dont feel like messing with that.

 

The glovebox side fits perfect onto the older dash.






You can see the light switch **** is going to move over to where the defrost, fog light switches would of been.

 

Installed the tinted windows today.

 

How easy is it to remove the axles so I can repair them, sand them down, prime and paint.

 

I ordered a new catalytic converter since mine is looking worn out and rusting and already got the new muffler on it. And also found out I need new axle control arm brakets, and will need to weld new ones onto the axle.

 

What is the part called that the shock bolts onto at the bottom. The Coil spring is also is part of the piece. It is like welded to the axle.

http://www.myjeepxj.com/uploads/imag...20(Custom).jpg

 

Coil bucket