@Chris for your approval to be added in the TJ How-to Guides sub.
I regularly drive in very dusty conditions, and got tired of the lack of cabin air filtration. I tried recirculate mode, but as soon as I'd change it back to fresh I'd get a blast of the dust that had built up. I wanted to use an actual cabin filter and not modify the stock equipment. This is what I came up with and it works great.
Note that these instructions are for the later style intake configuration (I think 2000-2006?). I'm not sure I'd do it on the earlier version because it's more exposed to water, etc. but it might work.
I picked up this filter from Wally World for $20. You can cut 2 filters out of it, so $10/filter.
Remove the wipers by sliding the catch by the shaft and pulling straight out. Raise the hood, and remove the rubber seal between the hood and the cowl. Remove the cowl (2 screws behind the seal, 1 in the center near the intake, and 4 up by the windshield). Remove the cabin air intake cover (3 screws).
Cut out a piece of cardboard slightly larger than the intake opening. Place it over the opening, and press down firmly where it touches to create an impression.
Cut out your template, ignoring the 3 indentations for the screws and cutting straight across them.
Lay your template on the filter, and trace out both at the same time because once you begin cutting, it will accordion out. To make sure the filter will fit tightly and securely, make your tracing slightly larger than the template. Use good, sharp scissors to cut both filters out.
Insert the filter so it's just under the cover. Arrange the pleats so they are equal distance from each other (better than this photo shows ).
Reassemble the cover, cowl and seal. Mark your date/mileage in your maintenance log. For passenger cars, replacement is typically at 30K. I plan to change mine every other oil change.
I regularly drive in very dusty conditions, and got tired of the lack of cabin air filtration. I tried recirculate mode, but as soon as I'd change it back to fresh I'd get a blast of the dust that had built up. I wanted to use an actual cabin filter and not modify the stock equipment. This is what I came up with and it works great.
Note that these instructions are for the later style intake configuration (I think 2000-2006?). I'm not sure I'd do it on the earlier version because it's more exposed to water, etc. but it might work.
I picked up this filter from Wally World for $20. You can cut 2 filters out of it, so $10/filter.
Remove the wipers by sliding the catch by the shaft and pulling straight out. Raise the hood, and remove the rubber seal between the hood and the cowl. Remove the cowl (2 screws behind the seal, 1 in the center near the intake, and 4 up by the windshield). Remove the cabin air intake cover (3 screws).
Cut out a piece of cardboard slightly larger than the intake opening. Place it over the opening, and press down firmly where it touches to create an impression.
Cut out your template, ignoring the 3 indentations for the screws and cutting straight across them.
Lay your template on the filter, and trace out both at the same time because once you begin cutting, it will accordion out. To make sure the filter will fit tightly and securely, make your tracing slightly larger than the template. Use good, sharp scissors to cut both filters out.
Insert the filter so it's just under the cover. Arrange the pleats so they are equal distance from each other (better than this photo shows ).
Reassemble the cover, cowl and seal. Mark your date/mileage in your maintenance log. For passenger cars, replacement is typically at 30K. I plan to change mine every other oil change.