Things You'll Need:
- Filter kit, #63-1545 (see link in Resources)
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Wrench
- Pliers
-
Step 1
Raise the hood of the vehicle and disconnect the black, negative cable from the battery after parking the Jeep Cherokee in a well-lit area. To install a cold air intake in a Cherokee takes a few simple tools that can be placed within the engine compartment for easy reach. Grab a utility knife, screwdriver and pliers. Locate the factory air intake tube and air box cover.
-
Step 2
Disconnect the factory intake tube from the throttle body near the top of the engine. Loosen the hose clamp and pull the tube free from the intake neck. Follow the tube to the air inbox and remove the upper air intake box by unfastening the retaining clips. This factory equipment is to be retained or discarded appropriately.
-
Step 3
Tighten the distributor hold-down fastener just enough so that it is snug. The distributor housing will need to be turned so that the vacuum canister is also pointed in the same direction as the old canister before it was removed. Both the distributor rotor and the vacuum canister need to be positioned as the old ones were so that the timing will be close enough to the original to get the engine started. Mixed and matched rotors and vacuum canisters can prevent the engine from starting, thus eliminating the chance to correct the timing.
-
Step 4
Loosen and remove the six retaining fasteners of the front grille. When the screws are out, you will be able to tilt the top of the grille toward the windshield and pull upward to dislodge the grille from the front clips. Pull out the grille so the lower air box and duct can be removed. Check to see if your Cherokee is equipped with a vacuum canister that will prevent the grille from coming out. Remove the canister by removing the bolt that holds it in place.
-
Step 5
Remove the bolts that hold the lower air box in place, using a wrench. Connected to the lower air box is the air channel that funnels air into the factory air box. Pull up on the lower air funnel to separate. Pull up on the lower air box to remove it and the inlet tube of the air funnel that was removed from below.
-
Step 6
Install a cold air intake mounting bracket, using an existing anchor point from the upper half of the old air box. Seat the K&N filter kit heat shield into position with the opening pointed toward the front of the vehicle. Secure the heat shield to the mounting bracket and anchor points pre-existing mounting location of the old factory air box.
-
Step 7
Place two hose clamps around the flexible elbow of the new air intake tube and secure one end around the throttle body of the engine's intake manifold. Using the same location as the factory air tube, the new tube is then inserted into the open end of the elbow and the remaining hose clamp secured around the new tube and the rubber elbow.
-
Step 8
Move the open end of the new intake tube to the opening in the K&N cold air intake heat shield. It will be inserted into the hole and the cone-shaped air filter will be secured to the end using a hose clamp and screwdriver. Secure the front grille back into place. Connect the black, negative cable to the battery .
