K & N Air Filter Installation - WJ

Tech Breakdown

• Tools required:
  none
  
  
• Total Cost Analysis:
  $43.99
  
  
• Installation Time:
  <>

We have all heard the saying before...more air flow makes the engine breathe better. Not only this, it also enriches the air/fuel ratio, thus providing more horsepower to the vehicle.

I decided to purchase the K&N air filter for my 4.7 V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee, for one reason...a lifetime warranty for the life of the Jeep. The Jeep runs great, but for less then 45 bucks, you cant go wrong with one of these.

The installation was so quick and simple and took less then 15 minutes to complete. In fact, it took longer taking the pictures and writing this article then it did to install the new filter.

On the 4.7 V8, the air filter housing is located on the driver side. There are four clips holding into place that all have to be undone, in order for access to be gained to the air filter itself. Un-clip these clips and you are in business. Word of advice though...make sure the engine has had time to cool down before proceeding with this step!!

Unfasten the clips that are show in the images
below.

















And here it is...the nasty stock filter. This is a factory air filter or off-market brand and was in the vehicle when I purchased it.

Notice the wire mesh over the top of the filter. This acts as a barrier for air and causes air restriction. We want to 86 this and never look back...

The stock filter is made of a paper material that is very dense and restrictive, while the K & N filter is oiled and made of a different fiber... The K & N filter consists of four to six sheets of cotton gauze layered between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh. This media is then pleated and oiled to enhance its filtering capabilities and overall performance.


After taking the K & N out of the box, we brought it over to the Grand Cherokee to meet its new companion. We simply lifted the air filter housing and then placed the filter into the same position that the stock filter resided in.

The remaining steps are just in reverse of what you did before. Just line up the filter housing to the clips and snap them back into place. IT'S THAT EASY!

Make sure and put on your reminder decal provided by the manufacturer. This is to let mechanics or others know what you have under the hood and when you should service the filter. Speaking of which, make sure and pick up a recharging kit also made by K & N. It ran about 10 dollars with tax and will last forever, since you are only supposed to service the filter ever 50,000 to 100,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

We want to tell the guys at K & N "thanks" for the fresh air!...The filters are cheap, easy to install and allow the vehicle to run more smooth/cleaner. Make sure and pick one up if you already haven't ... trust us....your Jeep® will thank you for personally!