Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee Grille & Fascia Removal

By Jeep Experts

Welcome to the jeepExperts.com in-depth web page on WJ Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee grilles & fascia removing. We have organized as a lot info as we may discover right into a useful article under. Is one thing incorrect or lacking? Please get in contact with us and we’ll repair it!

Front and again views of the 2002 Limited fascia with detachable outer grille

WJ grille and fascia meeting varieties

 

Model / Year 1999-2000 2001-2003 2004
Laredo / Sport / SE Type A Type A Type C
Limited / Overland Type B Type A Type C

 

Type A: The fascia and grille are a two-piece meeting and may be simply separatedType B: The fascia and body-color grille are a one-piece meeting and can’t be taken aside and separated with out completely chopping it.

Type C: The fascia and grille are a two-piece meeting and may be separated, the grille will come off with out eradicating the fascia.

 

 

1999-2003 Laredo chrome grilles (Type A) – The chrome grilles are separate from the fascia and may be eliminated and changed with any of the 2001-2003 Limited grilles that function the chrome throat rings. The out there colours are listed within the chart under. The 1999-2003 Laredo chrome grilles may also be put in on 1999-2003 Limited fashions.

1999 and 2000 Limited grilles (Type B) – The body-colored Limited grilles utilized in 1999 and 2000 are manufactured solely as a whole one-piece meeting connected to the fascia. To change these grilles with both a Laredo chrome grille or a 2001-2003 chromed-ring grille requires that the present grille be lower away from the fascia. Further particulars are supplied within the Grille removing part.

2001-2003 Limited grilles (Type A) – These grilles can be found separate from the fascia, and within the physique colours listed within the chart under. The chrome trim throat rings, nonetheless, usually are not out there individually. The 2001-2003 Limited grilles with the rings may be put in on all 1999-2003 Laredo fashions. Alternatively, Laredo chrome grilles may be put in on 1999-2003 Limited fashions.

2004 grilles (Type C) – Jeep redesigned the entrance grille and fascia for 2004. The new design allowed for all kinds totally different grille variations that Jeep used within the mannequin lineup. The outer a part of the grille face featured both the physique coloration or chrome end whereas the inside portion was both a brushed silver end or chrome. Some house owners have efficiently put in 2004 grilles onto 1999-2003 WJ’s utilizing their current fascias and headlamp mounting modules, however that technique requires a slight quantity of match changes to be able to get the grille to seat correctly. See Grilles Part 4.

Type A: (1999-2003 Laredo and 2001-2003 Limited)

Type A – Grille and/or fascia removing:

Method 1 – Removing the grille with out eradicating the fascia:

1. Remove the three exterior screws with a 7mm socket. The screws are positioned contained in the decrease entrance a part of the grille, throughout the entrance. (See photograph # 5 under).

2. From contained in the hood, take away the 4 7mm screws positioned alongside the highest of the grille. (See photograph # 3 under).

3. Pulling the grille in direction of you, attain inside with a pair of pliers or a flat blade screwdriver and pry off the 2 metallic washers which are positioned on the high of the again of the grille. These washers are connected to plastic studs, attaching the grille to the black backing body.

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4. With a pair of pliers, attain to the underside of the within grille and seize every of the 2 plastic posts, bending them forwards and backwards till they break off. (See photograph # 6 under).

5. The grille can now be faraway from the car.

On 1999-2003 grilles, the black grille backing is completely connected to the fascia.

Method 2 – Removing the fascia and grille:

1. Remove the three plastic rivets that connect the fascia to every wheelwell liner. These may be rigorously drilled out utilizing a 1/4″ or so bit. Drilling into the middle of the rivet about 1/16″ is sufficient to permit the rivet head to separate and are available off. You also can pry them out with a flat blade screwdriver sufficient to insert a pair of side-cutters and lower the rivet heads off. Use a rag or different safety beneath the screwdriver to stop scratching the sting of the fender.

2. With a 10mm socket wrench, take away one higher bolt in every wheelwell that attaches the fascia to the fender.

3. From contained in the hood, take away the 4 screws (7mm socket) positioned alongside the highest of the grille.

4. Remove the three push pin fasteners (P/N 55176248) beneath on the underside of the fascia. These are “push pin” fasteners and are eliminated by prying on the middle rectangular head with a small flat blade screwdriver sufficient to pop it down and pull the pin fully out. The plastic holders should even be eliminated and are simply popped free by pulling the fascia edge down.

5. Remove the three screws within the entrance of the grille with a 7mm socket.

6. Unplug the fog mild bulb harness on all sides, in that case outfitted. Turn the sockets 1/4 flip counter-clockwise to take away. Wrap every harness/bulb up and out of the way in which to guard it whereas engaged on the car.

7. The fascia can now be slid ahead and punctiliously eliminated.

8. To separate the grille, take away the 4 washers attaching the grille from the again. Grab the surface of the washers with a pair of pliers and twist them whereas pulling upwards.

Location of entrance grille screws and close-up of grille assist displaying one of many 4 rear retaining clips

Type A – Reinstalling the grille & fascia

Driver’s facet fascia assist clip

1. Reattach the outer grille to the fascia

2. Hold the fascia as much as the entrance of the car and information each grooved sides which are on the high of every facet of the fascia by the plastic assist clips. Also, don’t neglect to reconnect the fog lamp sockets.

3. Reinstall the three push-pin fasteners beneath the fascia

4. Reinstall the three entrance grille screws

5. Reinstall the 4 high grille screws

6. Reinstall the 10mm fascia-to-fender bolts on all sides

7. Install new plastic wheelwell rivets, 3 on all sides

Type B: (1999-2000 Limited)

Type B – Grille and/or fascia removing:

The solely distinction between the Type A grille and the Type B grille is that the fascia and body-color entrance grille are a one-piece meeting and can’t be taken aside and separated with out completely chopping it. The plastic grille may be lower alongside its backside edge and faraway from the fascia utilizing a chopping device or a sturdy sharp knife. This may be performed with or with out eradicating the fascia, however the latter is probably not the only option.

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Removing the fascia makes chopping out the grille so much simpler as it may be accessed from the again, avoiding the potential of scratching the highest fringe of the fascia whereas chopping it. If you wish to do that with out eradicating the fascia, you would wish to guard the underside edge one way or the other, maybe with a material secured with duct tape, tightly beneath the chopping space.

To take away the Type B fascia and grille, comply with the instructions above for Type A – Grille and/or fascia removal. You can use Method 1 for eradicating the grille with out eradicating the fascia (including the “chopping step”), or Method 2 for eradicating the fascia and grille collectively after which chopping off the grille if desired.

Type C: (All 2004 fashions)

The Grand Cherokee entrance finish was refreshened for the 2004 mannequin 12 months. The foglights had been redesigned and are actually spherical. The grilles are available in body-color or chrome, and have silver or chrome insets. The seven slots are actually extra vertical, and the headlamp mounting module was additionally modified to just accept the brand new grille and fascia mounting factors. The ’04 Limited and Overland fashions additionally function an Anti-Flutter bracket that attaches in entrance of the decrease fascia attachment bracket (to stop the brand new decrease applique shifting up/down in disturbed air).

The 2004 grilles are held in place by 9 retaining tabs and clips, snapping straight onto the brand new headlight mounting module. There aren’t any screws attaching the grille and it may be eliminated with out eradicating the fascia.

1. Using a trim stick C-4755 or equal, separate the highest of the grille by releasing the 5 higher clips.

2. Roll the grille ahead and launch the 4 decrease retaining tabs and take away the grille.

 

Limited grille outer trim close-up Limited grille inset close-up 2004 Overland grille

 

Fascia removing: 2004

3. Remove the three plastic rivets that connect the fascia to every wheelwell liner. These may be rigorously drilled out utilizing a 1/4″ or so bit. Drilling into the middle of the rivet about 1/16″ is sufficient to permit the rivet head to separate and are available off. You also can pry them out with a flat blade screwdriver sufficient to insert a pair of side-cutters and lower the rivet heads off. Use a rag or different safety beneath the screwdriver to stop scratching the sting of the fender.

4. With a 10mm socket wrench, take away one higher bolt in every wheelwell that attaches the fascia to the fender.

5. Remove the three push pin fasteners (P/N 55176248) beneath on the underside of the fascia. These are “push pin” fasteners and are eliminated by prying on the middle rectangular head with a small flat blade screwdriver sufficient to pop it down and pull the pin fully out. The plastic holders should even be eliminated and are simply popped free by pulling the fascia edge down.

6. Remove the 5 push pin fasteners from the entrance heart of the fascia.

7. Unplug the fog mild bulb harness on all sides, in that case outfitted. Turn the sockets 1/4 flip counter-clockwise to take away. Wrap every harness/bulb up and out of the way in which to guard it whereas engaged on the car.

8. The fascia can now be slid ahead and punctiliously eliminated.

Reinstalling the grille & fascia 2004:

Driver’s facet fascia assist clip

1. Hold the fascia as much as the entrance of the car and information each grooved sides which are on the high of every facet of the fascia by the plastic assist clips. Also, don’t neglect to reconnect the fog lamp sockets.

2. Reinstall the three push-pin fasteners beneath the fascia

3. Reinstall the 5 Push Pin fasteners on the entrance heart of the fascia

4. Reinstall the 10mm fascia-to-fender bolts on all sides

5. Reinstall the grille by positioning it on the fascia and interesting the decrease retaining tabs. Rotate the grille up and have interaction the higher retaining clips starting on the heart and shifting outward.

6. Install new plastic wheelwell rivets, 3 on all sides.

Installing 2004 entrance ends on 1999-2003 mannequin WJ’s

See 2004 grille upgrade

Plastic wheelwell rivets

MA48150 plastic rivets and MA48000 Rivet Setter

The manufacturing unit plastic rivets used to connect the fascia to the wheelwell liners have a MSRP of $6.45 every (P/N 34201631). You can get an identical rivets for a lot much less at auto physique provide retailers and likewise on-line. The rivets are made by the Marson Corp. (Alcoa) and are referred to as Klik-Loktm Plastic Rivets, P/N MA48150 (or 58150 in bulk packs). Marson additionally makes a device for putting in the rivets, Plastic Rivet Setter P/N MA48000. The rivets nonetheless may be put in with out the device, by merely pulling on the top with a pair of pliers whereas holding the rivet base in place, though they won’t be fairly as tight as with utilizing a rivet gun.

Note: The Marson mannequin 48000 rivet gun is offered from Amazon.com. The plastic rivets can be found on-line from a number of suppliers (search: Marson 48150 Plastic Rivets). The dimension is 6.3mm, .158″ – .394″ Grip Range. Aside from fenderwells, you’ll find yourself discovering quite a lot of different makes use of for a rivet gun, each automotive associated in addition to family initiatives.

 

NAPA additionally sells plastic rivets which are similar to the manufacturing unit rivets. The half quantity for his or her field of 20 rivets is #770-2871.
These rivets are suitable with the Marson rivet setter gun proven above.

Setting plastic rivets with no rivet gun

Initially it’s finest to “pre-set” the rivets forward of putting in them. This is finished by barely however firmly pulling on the middle pin with a pair of pliers whereas holding onto the rivet together with your hand, sufficient to drag the pin out just a bit, about 1/4″. The pin can then be pushed again in to its authentic location for set up, making the rivet a bit simpler to set because the plastic has been “began”.

Tightly maintain the rivet in place in its mounting gap, utilizing a field wrench or related device positioned over the rivet stem. Make certain the wheelwell liner is lined up with and in opposition to the fenderwell. With a pair of pliers, seize the stem as shut as doable to the wrench. While gripping the stem tightly, convey the pliers downward over the wrench, pulling the middle pin a bit to “begin” the rivet engagement. Then re-grab the middle rivet once more, near the wrench, and drive the pin out some extra. This could take two or three sequences to convey the middle pin all the way in which out far sufficient to set the rivet. Cut the protruding portion of the pin off with a knife or facet cutters and also you’re performed. Once you put in one rivet this manner and get the cling of it, the remainder will take only a few seconds.

 

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