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Chrysler Vin Check - Jy Find - Is Everything I Know A Lie!?


Automan2164
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Was wondering if one of our resident Chryco employees could run a VIN for me. I ran across an XJ in the yard that had the Up Country Suspension Group decals in the back window and was curious whether or not the rear end would be a limited slip worth grabbing (Or having them grab). Kinda curious if if would be as serious as gear also, although I highly doubt it.

 

1J4FJ78S2VL589798

 

Also, this one is stuck in the mud, so I can't see much. Up Country also includes what else? Skids? Hooks?

 

Rob

 

 

 

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Ok... So I did stop by the dealer before going out there, and I didn't get any information. He didn't even pull up the build sheet, and just gave me a "Doesn't tell me". Usually they are pretty helpful. Today, not so much... But what is really hard to figure out is the back story here. I went back to grab what I was going to assume would be the skids, limited slip, tow hooks... And found none of that. I also took a closer look into the "Limited" aspect of it. This is where I get lost. As far as I knew, '97 did not have a limited offering. As I understood it, the "Country" was still burrito supreme until '98 when the Limited made a comeback. The interior was the mist gray, but was cloth. Interesting enough though was that the door panels had a cloth insert that matched the seat, and woodgrain like a limited. So there is that. I also was confused by the "Upcountry Package" as I thought it was a full boat of skids, hooks, and suspension... But the skids and hooks were MIA, and didn't look to ever have been on. No marks or anything.

 

It looks like whomever had this had it pretty set up at some point, as it had a car phone (Remnants under the rear seat), the nicer sound system (Tweeters behind the mirror were already gone, but the wires to them were lopped off), rear spoiler (Assuming so from the rubber nuts in the hatch), vent visor impressions remaining, and an XJ Mopar storage box in the back. I know the storage couldn't have been for this, as it was originally a tan box that was painted to match.

 

The interesting thing about the box was the back was cut out of it, and the back of the panel in the XJ was cut out. I tried my best to guess what they might have been doing with the cut out, but nothing really stuck out other than 3 butt connectored wires behind the panel. Anyone have any guesses?

 

Pics of the Jeep:

 

1506694_641909602513197_955882574_n.jpg

 

1922173_641909585846532_1371108975_n.jpg

 

1939441_641909652513192_1431627176_n.jpg

 

1912086_641909709179853_861301538_n.jpg

 

1925304_641909752513182_851008058_n.jpg

 

1972532_641909819179842_1901029553_n.jpg

 

1924744_641910849179739_1275186875_n.jpg

 

1964968_641910762513081_1735677017_n.jpg

 

1891230_641909842513173_1781459972_n.jpg

 

1098472_641909879179836_591248694_n.jpg

 

1506584_641909905846500_225285647_n.jpg

 

1530299_641909925846498_1496658762_n.jpg

 

1798829_641909952513162_1074782241_n.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

So did '97 have Limiteds? Any guesses on the rest of this conundrum?

 

Rob :dunno:

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Standard Equipment

 

Code

 

Description

 

Code

 

Description

 

Code

 

Description

 

APAS

 

Monotone Paint

 

BAUS

 

117 Amp Alternator

 

BCDS

 

500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery

 

BGAS

 

Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes

 

CDBS

 

Reclining Front Seats

 

CFMS

 

Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat

 

CGGS

 

Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle

 

CGWS

 

Next Generation Front Air Bags**

 

CKAS

 

Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area

 

CKNS

 

Cargo Compartment Carpet

 

CKTS

 

Cargo Tie Down Loops

 

CKXS

 

Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel

 

CSRS

 

Passenger Assist Handles

 

CSSS

 

Lift Gate Assist Handle

 

CUFS

 

Full Length Floor Console

 

DGSS

 

4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission

 

DHNS

 

Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System

 

DJHS

 

Dana M30/181MM Front Axle

 

DRAS

 

Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle

 

GBBS

 

Tinted Windshield Glass

 

GCBS

 

Front Door Tinted Glass

 

GNAS

 

Rear View Day/Night Mirror

 

HGDS

 

Deluxe Insulation Group

 

JCDS

 

100 MPH Primary Speedometer

 

JHAS

 

Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers

 

JJAS

 

Cigar Lighter

 

JJBS

 

Dual Note Electric Horns

 

JJJS

 

12V Auxiliary Power Outlet

 

KGPS

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

KRPS

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

KTPS

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

K3CS

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

LAJS

 

Headlamps On Warning Chimes

 

LBCS

 

Glove Box Lamp

 

LMAS

 

Halogen Headlamps

 

LPSS

 

CHMSL Lamp

 

MCAS

 

Front Bumper Guards

 

MHAS

 

Black Windshield Moldings

 

MMCS

 

Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert

 

MMGS

 

Belt Moldings

 

MMKS

 

Body Color Drip Trough Molding

 

MNAS

 

Black Door Handles

 

NBKS

 

EVAP Control System

 

NFAS

 

20 Gallon Fuel Tank

 

QCJS

 

Dark Blue Pearl Coat

 

SBAS

 

Power Steering

 

SDAS

 

Normal Duty Suspension

 

SHAS

 

Front Stabilizer Bar

 

SHCS

 

Rear Stabilizer Bar

 

TBLS

 

Inside Mounted Spare Tire

 

XCYS

 

Delete Remote Start System

 

XJFS

 

Tethered Fuel Filler Cap

 

YAAS

 

Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

 

Z5BS

 

Payload Rating - 1800#

 

1AAS

 

U.S. Dealer Retail

 

155S

 

Zone 55-Milwaukee

 

5ITS

 

XK-Vehicle Family

 

5IWS

 

JS-Vehicle Family

 

650S

 

Wisconsin State Code

 

950S

 

Wisconsin State Code

 

Optional Equipment

 

Code

 

Description

 

Code

 

Description

 

Code

 

Description

 

*XJ

 

Cloth Low-back Bucket Seats

 

-C3

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

ADAP

 

Light Group

 

AHT

 

Trailer Tow Group

 

ARXP

 

Country Decor Group

 

AWHP

 

Power Equipment Group

 

A20P

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

CACP

 

Low Back Bucket Seats

 

CBVP

 

Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket

 

CLEP

 

Front Rear Floor Mats

 

CSAP

 

Spare Tire Cover

 

DGB

 

All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions

 

DHAP

 

Lock-Up Torque Converter

 

DHSP

 

Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever

 

DMDP

 

3.55 Rear Axle Ratio

 

EAAC

 

All Engines

 

ERH

 

4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine

 

GAL

 

Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass

 

GEEP

 

Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass

 

GFA

 

Rear Window Defroster

 

GNCP

 

Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors

 

GTZP

 

Power Mirrors, Fold-Away

 

GVBC

 

All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors

 

GXMP

 

Remote Keyless Entry

 

HAAP

 

Air Conditioning

 

JAYP

 

Instrument Cluster w/Tach

 

JBGP

 

Instrument Panel Woodgrain Bezel

 

JHBP

 

Rear Window Wiper/Washer

 

JPAP

 

Power Windows

 

JPBP

 

Power Locks

 

JPS

 

Power 6-Way Driver Seat

 

KBSP

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

KCPP

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

KYPP

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

K2CP

 

DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE

 

LBBP

 

Courtesy Lamps

 

LCDP

 

Map/Dome Reading Lamps

 

LDAP

 

Underhood Lamp

 

LDBP

 

Cargo Compartment Lamp

 

LHDP

 

Headlamp Off Time Delay

 

LNJ

 

Fog Lamps

 

MBPP

 

Body Color Front Bumper

 

MBQP

 

Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads

 

MDAP

 

Front License Plate Bracket

 

MFKP

 

Body Color Grille

 

MWGP

 

Roof Rack

 

NAA

 

Federal Emissions

 

NHBP

 

Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler

 

NHMP

 

Speed Control

 

NMCP

 

Heavy Duty Engine Cooling

 

PCJ

 

Dark Blue

 

RAAC

 

All Radio Equipped Vehicles

 

RAZ

 

AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio

 

RCDP

 

4 Speakers

 

RDDP

 

Fixed Long Mast Antenna

 

SCGP

 

Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

 

SUAP

 

Tilt Steering Column

 

TBB

 

Full Size Spare Tire

 

TRVP

 

P225/70R15 Eagle GA OWL AS Tires

 

TZAP

 

Goodyear Brand Tires

 

WJ7P

 

15X7.0 Luxury Aluminum Wheels

 

WKBP

 

Matching Spare Wheel

 

WLZC

 

All Aluminum Wheels

 

YGFA

 

8 Additional Gallons of Gas

 

ZFJP

 

Spring - Left Front

 

ZFUP

 

Spring - Left Rear

 

ZUJP

 

Spring - Right Front

 

ZUUP

 

Spring - Right Rear

 

2THA

 

Customer Preferred Package 2TH

 

26H

 

Customer Preferred Package 26H

 

3J3A

 

No Charge Air Conditioning

 

3VUA

 

Customer Preferred Discount

 

4X6A

 

Wisconsin Act-13 Recovery

 

 

 

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Talk about a jumbled mess. Doesn't appear very helpful either from scanning through it, all I really noticed was tow group and country decor group. It also says something about each of the springs at the end there, but nothing about skids, hooks, or most other options the limited/UC packages had.

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Thanks fellas!

 

I see the 'ARXP Country Decor Group' which somewhat confirms my original thought that maybe someone swapped the country decals out for the limited ones... I see mention of the 8.25 and 3.55 gears, but nothing as far as a limited slip. I do see all 4 aluminum rims and a matching spare listed though... It only had a convenience spare in it at the yard, and looked like it had only had that for awhile judging by the carpet impression on the rear wheel well.

 

Only real way to know about the limited slip will probably be to have them pick it up so I can get to the diff cover... Or bring a jack and do it myself.

 

Rob :hmm:

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Its 75 degrees down here Rob.  Just write that one off so you don't have to lay in the ice sludge......send me a requisition and I'll get you what you want all the while wearing my shorts and Birkenstocks. 

 

Just kidding, I really don't wear no damn hippie birkenstocks.  But since its spring now I'm in sandals and shorts instead of my winter cowboy ariats and carhartts.

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Thanks fellas!

 

I see the 'ARXP Country Decor Group' which somewhat confirms my original thought that maybe someone swapped the country decals out for the limited ones... I see mention of the 8.25 and 3.55 gears, but nothing as far as a limited slip. I do see all 4 aluminum rims and a matching spare listed though... It only had a convenience spare in it at the yard, and looked like it had only had that for awhile judging by the carpet impression on the rear wheel well.

 

Only real way to know about the limited slip will probably be to have them pick it up so I can get to the diff cover... Or bring a jack and do it myself.

 

Rob :hmm:

Did the sticker on the firewall match the dash VIN Rob?

 

If it didn't, that would explain a lot.

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I used to own a '95 grand Cherokee Orvis.  I thought upcountry meant LSD, 1 3/4' lift and special shocks.  Orvis came with skids and tow hooks but up country didn't guarantee it.   Dang it Rob.  I wish you didn't ask that question.  I sure wish I didn't trade that thing.  :(

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Did the sticker on the firewall match the dash VIN Rob?

 

If it didn't, that would explain a lot.

 

 

When I was in the back panel, there was an assembly VIN tag sticker on the body that matches everything else.

 

I used to own a '95 grand Cherokee Orvis.  I thought upcountry meant LSD, 1 3/4' lift and special shocks.  Orvis came with skids and tow hooks but up country didn't guarantee it.   Dang it Rob.  I wish you didn't ask that question.  I sure wish I didn't trade that thing.  :(

 

I'm confused by the whole thing. On another note... I too wish I'd have kept my ZJ... I underestimated how nice the ride and comfort of it was until I got back into an XJ... Boy do I miss that ZJ.

 

Rob

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Did the sticker on the firewall match the dash VIN Rob?

 

If it didn't, that would explain a lot.

 

 

When I was in the back panel, there was an assembly VIN tag sticker on the body that matches everything else.

 

I used to own a '95 grand Cherokee Orvis.  I thought upcountry meant LSD, 1 3/4' lift and special shocks.  Orvis came with skids and tow hooks but up country didn't guarantee it.   Dang it Rob.  I wish you didn't ask that question.  I sure wish I didn't trade that thing.  :(

 

I'm confused by the whole thing. On another note... I too wish I'd have kept my ZJ... I underestimated how nice the ride and comfort of it was until I got back into an XJ... Boy do I miss that ZJ.

 

Rob

 

VIN matches? ok then :)

Any chance it was an early production model?

 

I haven't dug out the 97' book yet, but being a transition year, who knows

 

 

And as far as ZJs go....

 I never really liked ours (Black 96' 4.0L),

 but it was the most rust free vehicle I ever owned.

I have no idea why it was so immune to rust.

 

 When the trans went @90k miles, I gave it to a neighbor for his son (with a used, working trans in the back waiting to go in).

He drove it for 6 months, then junked it when the 2nd trans went.

 

Last time I ever saw it, he had shinned up the dulled black paint, cleaned up the 31" BFG AT's, and it looked better than it ever did the whole time I owned it :(

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1997 Sales Consultant Product Guide lists 

 

New for 1997;

Carryover from 1996

1996 Cherokee Classic model added

1997 Jeep Cherokee to be introduced mid-model year

 

but even for the 1996's it doesn't list a limited,

just the SE, Sport, Classic & Country

 

There is a 1997 Cherokee section,

but it just says "A revised edition of the famous Jeep Cherokee is due to arrive at dealerships in early 1997,

bla bla bla watch for new releases in the first quarter of 1997.

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The Jeep and Eagle Product Information book  (November 1996) does break down the 97' Cherokee

Under What's new for 1997

it says New Country models feature body color bla bla bla

It only lists SE, Sport and Country as being available

 

weird

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For the Up Country Suspension Group,

it lists the 3 skids, full size spare 225/75's tow hooks trans cooler shocks, rear sway delete and the LSD

 

since that one had none of.that stuff,

I wonder if it had the sway delete?!?

 

Guy probably had a body shop buddy redecal the whole thing as an UpCountry Limited I guess?! 

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Hey Rob,

Going off of the 4.0 Litre badge on the liftgate, it looks to be a 2000 or a 2001 XJ, not a 97, unless someone swapped liftgates. Thought it may be helpful.

Seth

But it has the full roof rack,

 IIRC that means 1997 or 1998 (I think)

I used to remember all this stuff, but it's fading fast.

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Hey Rob,

Going off of the 4.0 Litre badge on the liftgate, it looks to be a 2000 or a 2001 XJ, not a 97, unless someone swapped liftgates. Thought it may be helpful.

Seth

But it has the full roof rack,

 IIRC that means 1997 or 1998 (I think)

I used to remember all this stuff, but it's fading fast.

 

 

The 2001 my Dad owned for awhile had a roof rack just like that one. It was just a Classic. EDIT: Found some pics, it did stop before getting to the front doors. Must have been thinking of one of the million other SUVs he went through there for awhile.

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When I was looking for my last XJ (13 years ago now, wow time flies...),

 the short rack was one way to tell the difference between an 97/98, and a 99+ (again, IIRC on the years).

 

I don't believe 01's have their roof racks all the way over the drivers seat, but I'm open to the possibility of being wrong.

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My 00 XJ didn't have the full rack up top. It stopped above the rear doors.

 

EDIT: I found this by Googling the VIN

 

1997 Jeep Cherokee - VIN 1J4FJ78S2VL589798

 

There are 1 records stating that this vehicle is for sale at auto auctions. To get more information order the Full Report.
 

Auction sales: Sale Date: Jan 6, 2014

VIN: 1J4FJ78S2VL589798

Year: 1997

Make: Jeep

Model: Cherokee

Style/Body: SPORT UTILITY 4-DR

Engine: 4.0L L6 OHV 12V

Country of Assembly: UNITED STATES

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  • 3 months later...

I bring thee back from the dead!

 

Well curiosity killed the cat. I've been watching this thing move around the yard and get picked over, but it is still there. The other day I noticed that it no longer had any drums on it, so I could give the axles a spin (still on the ground in the mud, but now it was resting on the plates).

 

I bent down and gave the axle a spin, and to my surprise, the driveshaft started banging around... Hmm... That's a good sign. Went back up and asked if they could raise it and let me pull the cover to check. He told me they only really do that when they are selling the part. I went back out there to see if I could drag up an axle tag or something. When I went back I noticed how much lower the back was, and then realized that the leafs were gone. Now this is easy picking... Only thing left holding it in were the parking cables, shocks, and the brake line. I scrounged around for a jack out of another car, found an HD scissor jack out of a truck. Got it up a foot, pulled the shocks, and cut the brake hose. I didn't have anything to cut the cables. It was enough to slide it partially out and pull the cover... Jackpot! A short trip back down the road to work for some cable cutters and it was mine.

 

10468094_689774361060054_583186934325213

 

10402021_689774374393386_376656782037567

 

10411431_689774401060050_315561096085977

 

$133 and it was in the back of my XJ. I already bought all new brakes, drums, shoes, and hardware for the current 8.25 but after installing the sway bar I noticed both axle seals were leaking, and the pinion seal was shot. I think the game plan switched, and this axle will be getting the new brakes and some seals for an upgrade instead of a plain repair.

 

Rob :rock on:

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