This may seem like something minor to many of you hard-core wheelers in here, but my Jeep is my pride and joy and I am always looking for little ways to improve it. So I decided to change out the ignition key cylinder on my 1998 Jeep Wrangler with one from a 1997 model. Why? Because I prefer the old-school "grips" on the 1997 cylinder better.
1997 ignition key cylinder part number:
4746667
If your key is gray with a round head, you have a SENTRY key with a chip embedded in it. The 1997 ignition cylinder will not work.
If your key is black with square head, you may use the 1997 ignition key cylinder. In fact, this style of key was actually made for it. When the key is in the cylinder, it makes a solid square shape that enables you to twist the entire unit to start the Jeep instead of using only the key itself.
There is a separate black bezel used with the 1998 - 2006 style ignition key cylinder that needs to be removed for the 1997 style cylinder to fit all the way inside the ignition switch. Here is a video that shows you how to remove the plastic steering wheel shrouds in order to access the entire ignition key cylinder. It is very simple to do, and you can see the black bezel in question at the 2:34 mark:
The bezel has two tabs that hold it in place. Simply pull up the tabs and remove it - it serves no purpose unless you have a SENTRY key. With that out of the way, the one-piece 1997 ignition key cylinder will now slide all the way down into the ignition switch and lock into place. Replace the plastic steering wheel shrouds and you are done.
I have had the 1997 style ignition key cylinder in my Jeep now for about a week, and I like it much better. It gives a more positive feel when you turn the key, as it becomes one with the ignition cylinder and you can twist the entire unit by the old-school "grips". And best of all, it belongs there because it is an OEM Mopar part!
1997 ignition key cylinder part number:
4746667
If your key is gray with a round head, you have a SENTRY key with a chip embedded in it. The 1997 ignition cylinder will not work.
If your key is black with square head, you may use the 1997 ignition key cylinder. In fact, this style of key was actually made for it. When the key is in the cylinder, it makes a solid square shape that enables you to twist the entire unit to start the Jeep instead of using only the key itself.
There is a separate black bezel used with the 1998 - 2006 style ignition key cylinder that needs to be removed for the 1997 style cylinder to fit all the way inside the ignition switch. Here is a video that shows you how to remove the plastic steering wheel shrouds in order to access the entire ignition key cylinder. It is very simple to do, and you can see the black bezel in question at the 2:34 mark:
The bezel has two tabs that hold it in place. Simply pull up the tabs and remove it - it serves no purpose unless you have a SENTRY key. With that out of the way, the one-piece 1997 ignition key cylinder will now slide all the way down into the ignition switch and lock into place. Replace the plastic steering wheel shrouds and you are done.
I have had the 1997 style ignition key cylinder in my Jeep now for about a week, and I like it much better. It gives a more positive feel when you turn the key, as it becomes one with the ignition cylinder and you can twist the entire unit by the old-school "grips". And best of all, it belongs there because it is an OEM Mopar part!
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