Project Hatsuwr
 

Air Force said go, so I went. Family car was staying with the wife and kid, so I decided to pick up a project. I didn't have anything specific in mind, although I had an bias toward Jeep. My family had an old Wrangler I had fun with when learning how to drive, and I hadn't yet been lucky enough to own a Jeep of my own. In the end, Craigslist supply determined my choice, and I picked up a '96 ZJ 4.0 Laredo for ~$1,000 somewhere near Baltimore. Didn't realize at the time what an awesome purchase I'd just made.

No history available, but the rust seemed to indicate it had spent most of its twenty years in the Mid-Atlantic region. Looked to be mostly stock, with little or no off-road time. Came with a flat spare, set of shocks, dead sound system, non-matching driver's seat, and 185,000-ish miles.

Build Sheet:

1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
VIN # : 1J4GZ58S7 TC268158

*EL Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFFP Luxury Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARNS Laredo Decor Group (97-02-26)
AWL Off Road Group
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRGS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel-Disc Brakes
CACS Low Back Bucket Seats
CFNS Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
CGWS Driver & Front Passengern Air Bags
CKDS Floor Carpet
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKRS Cargo Net
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAS Spare Tire Cover
CSCS Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CUNP Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGKS 4-Spd. Automatic 42RE Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHPS Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRJS 175MM Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGP Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GNKP Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
GRMP Left Power Heated Mirror
GSMP Right Power Heated Mirror
GTMS Power Heated Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMS Keyless Entry with Panic Alarm
HAAS Air Conditioning
HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYS DO NOT USE - See JP, KA classes
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JKAS Locking Glove Box
JPAS Power Windows
JPBS Power Locks
LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime
LAZP Vehicle Information Center
LBBS Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LBDS Ash Tray Lamp
LDAS Underhood Lamp
LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer
LMGP Automatic Headlamps
LNJP Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
LSAP Security Alarm
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFZS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MWGS Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NHMS Speed Control
PEG Dark Rosewood Pearl Coat
QEGS Dark Rosewood Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RBNP AM/FM Cass Radio w/Changer Control
RCGP 6 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCVS Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRTP P225/75R15 OWL All Season Tires
TZAS Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ6S 15X7.0 Sport Aluminum Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications


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My first goal is just to give the thing a basic (but thorough) run-through, repairing all of the broken and making small improvements here and there. Hopefully by the time I'm done I'll have some more interesting modifications in mind...

Interior Teardown
 

First thing I tackled was the interior.

I took out the seats, carpet, console, panels... Just about everything.

Cleaned it all up (pretty sure that carpet had about 20 years of dirt in it), JB Welded some broken brackets, cleaned up all the fasteners and put anti-seize on just about everything that wasn't already too rusted away.

Also made some low-budget noise/thermal insulation. One layer of peel and seal topped with a layer of aluminum-backed foam duct insulation under the carpets, behind the door panels, and anywhere else I could hide. I've heard bad things about using peel and seal, but I am quite happy with it. No smell, no issues with it falling off. I did clean the surfaces very well before applying, and was sure to apply good pressure on the entire surface.

I took off the stock noise deadening/waterproofing plastic that was behind all of the panels, sandwiched it between some 6 mil plastic sheeting to 'repair' it, then put it back on with some spray adhesive. Got some new trim tabs as well.

Driver's door lock wasn't working with the electronic controls so I took it off, fixed it, put it on... Any the door wouldn't open from the inside or out. A spring inside had gotten moved a bit, so I had to pry it open to get the door off. Thankfully there was no major damage.

3 of the 4 bolts holding down the rear of the front seats just snapped as I tried to get them off. Replaced them all, plus the front ones, just to be safe.


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Stock interior lights had to go. LEDs all around. I kept the red instrument panel lights as the stock incandescent. LED's made them look too pink for me.

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Old vs New

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HVAC needed some cleaning out.... The thing was barely working, and when it did it overflowed and flooded the passenger side.

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New sound system! Still fine-tuning everything after getting some noise filters in behind the deck. Sounds amazing so far though.

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Curious what happened with the original driver's seat.

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