To protect the consumer from theft and possible fraud the manufacturer is required to include a Check Digit at the ninth position of the Vehicle Identification Number. The check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation. The formula to use the check digit is not released to the general public.

O
R

M
F
R

1999-2004 Grand Cherokee

Vehicle Identification Number decoding chart

Vehicle Line (Export)

W= Grand Cherokee (LHD, 1999-2002)
2 = Grand Cherokee (LHD, 2003-2004)
8 = Grand Cherokee (RHD, 1999-2004)

2000-2004
3 = Sport
4= Laredo
5 = Limited
6 = Overland

WG Family (With Euro Group)
B = 4spd Auto Transmission
E = 5spd Auto Transmission

After the design is complete, there are three main builds in the process called S0, S1 and S2. As the first attempt, the SO is used to identify potential issues. This is where the Error Mistake Proofing (EMP) process kicks in.

S0 VEHICLES: S0 VEHICLES: Prototype vehicles built to provide verification that the production design and the intended production process for components, systems and vehicles meet objectives. “Production” means that the product and process design release is complete for the Product and Process Design Complete (PPDC) milestone. These components may be built using hard or soft tools, as determined to be appropriate based on part or process knowledge required. Design verification testing should be successfully completed before parts are submitted for S0 Build. PPSR’s are required for all non-PPAP approved parts.

S1 VEHICLES: S1 VEHICLES: are vehicles built to confirm production design intent, validate parts, and prove out vehicle and assembly processes (at the assembly plants when feasible). All parts used are required to have full PSO and PPAP Approval. S1 vehicles provide early detection, identification and resolution of production process issues prior to S2 vehicle build. Production Control Systems are used to order, track and supply parts. Production intent containers/racks should be tested using S1 level parts. Grained and new color mastered materials are required and should be accompanied by a part inspection report for each Supplier shipment.

S2 VEHICLES: sellable vehicles built by manufacturing at the assembly plants to verify Corporate and Supplier production tooling, equipment and processes, and to confirm successful resolution of any CN's written to correct problems found in the S0/S1 Build or testing. All parts, including powertrains, supplied by the Production Suppliers must be manufactured using production tools (on their home lines) and processes.

For the 1999 Grand Cherokee there were 32 employees assigned to the Pilot team. The team works on the prototype builds of the vehicle, evaluates the assembly process and suggests how the parts could be improved. They also stay with the vehicle all the way from the first "SO" build through the launch. Some members of the team will continue to work on training and making improvements throughout the rest of the model year.

Once the vehicle is set for launch there is a ramp-up process that occurs. All of the components are brought to the line in time to build the vehicles as they start to come down the assembly line. Production starts out slowly and is accelerated in the days or weeks following.

A metal Body Code plate is located in the engine compartment and attached to the top of the right frame rail. The information listed on the plate is used for manufacturing and service purposes. Information on the plate includes whether the vehicle is Domestic or export, the Primary and Secondary paint codes, frame sequence number and internal manufacturing codes.

Grand Cherokee paint codes for all model years can be found on our Exterior colors page and on our Interior colors page.

A vehicle safety certification label is attached to every DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehicle. The label certifies that the vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The label is located on the driver-side door shutface.

On the example above, "Date of MFR" is listed as "1-96" which is "January 1996". At the bottom left of the plate the Month, Day and Hour of manufacturer is listed as "MDH 010615", this means that the vehicle was built January ("01"), 6th ("06") at 3:00PM ("15").

The label also lists:

• Month and year of vehicle manufacture.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The gross front and rear axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) are based on a minimum rim size and maximum cold tire inflation pressure.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Type of vehicle
• Type of rear wheels
• Bar code
• Month, Day and Hour (MDH) of final assembly
• Paint and Trim codes
• Country of origin

Vehicle build sheets are forms that list all of the colors, features and options of a particular vehicle along with the corresponding sales codes. The top of the form lists the Vehicle Identification Number, model year, model family, build date and trim color. Every single feature and option is noted, if a particular item is not listed then it did not come equipped that way from the factory. Dealer add-on accessories are not included on build sheets.

Build sheets can be obtained from your local dealer by presenting your VIN number and requesting a printout, or also online in the Customer Service section of Jeeps.com. Build sheets can be very handy when trying to determine color or option codes for ordering replacement parts and accessories. In addition, when shopping for a used vehicle, build sheets can provide a complete list of the vehicle options. They will also list if a vehicle was originally sold to a rental company.

Build sheets can also be obtained quickly and for free from force.com. This is the easiest way to quickly download a detailed build sheet of your WJ. Simply enter your VIN with CAPITAL letters to download a PDF document of your build sheet.

Once a special order is placed for a vehicle, a document is generated that details the vehicle and exact options that you want. A VON (Vehicle Order Number) is assigned that will allow tracking of your vehicle until it gets assigned a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

To obtain the current order status of your vehicle:

1. Call 1-800-992-1997

2. The input sequence is 1, 2, 5, 2, 3... and then your phone number, then 1. This brings you to an operator who can give you details on the status of your order. A complete list of Order Status Codes is shown in the table below.

BA - new order that hasn't been checked/approved
BB - fleet order only - review by Bid Department
BD - special equipment processing
BE - edit error - coding error which must be corrected before the order can be considered for scheduling
BG - order has passed edit but cannot be considered for scheduling
BG F - finance hold - automatic cancellation after 15 days
BG B - model or option hold / build out hold
BG L - material restriction hold
BG M - material hold (fleet)
BX - good order, available for scheduling
ZA - cancelled order

Scheduled

C   - tentative schedule
D   - firm schedule: serial number is assigned.
D1 - gateline: plant has sequenced the unit for production, estimated ship date assigned
D2 - gateline: framing and build imminent, usually within 3-6 days

Note: Once a vehicle reaches scheduled (C or D) status, it cannot be cancelled by the dealer. Orders can sit in D-status for up to 60 days.

Build

E - framing
F - paint
G - trim

Built

I - unit is pending final inspection
J - vehicle has passed final inspection, but has not been released to carrier
JB - shipped to body vendor
JE - shipped to emissions
JJ - consigned body vendor
JS - shipped to storage
KZ - released by plant and invoiced

Note: Vehicles must reach KZ-status before an invoice can be generated.

Traffic Codes

KZ L - released but not shipped
KZ M - first rail departure
KZ N - first rail arrival
KZ O - delayed/received
KZ OA - plant hold, quality audit
KZ OB - zone or dealer hold, sales hold, vehicle prep hold, tax hold, finance hold, dealer refusal, diversion hold, vehicle diverted, derailment hold
KZ OC - carrier delay hold, rail car shortage, bad load, insufficient load, inclement weather, need shipping order, manifest error, strike-bound hold, emission or safety hold.
KZ OD - mechanical failure, glass damage, vehicle lacking parts, vehicle in repair, storage hold
KZ OE - misdropped or misshipped vehicle
KZ OF - shipped air freight, stolen vehicle recovered, show vehicle, test info code, vessel sailed
KZ OG - damaged vehicle, stolen vehicle, abandon to carrier, vehicle scrapped, donate vehicle, repair and auction
KZ OH - all other carrier codes that currently post an "O" delay code that are not included above
KZ R - vehicle within a few days of arrival to dealer
KZ T - second rail departure
KZ U - second rail arrival
KZ X - delivered to dealer
KZ Y1 - major damage - must not be sold as new
KZ Y2 - major damage - vehicle sold at auction