The Jeep build sheet contains vital information about your vehicle that can help you determine its original specifications. Some used car buyers and collectors require it to determine if it underwent any modifications, especially since most owners love to upgrade their Jeep.
Although some of these modifications are quite obvious, others aren’t, so it’s best to know how you can get your Jeep’s build sheet.
So, how to get your Jeep build sheet? Getting your Jeep’s factory build sheet will depend on the unit’s year model, before or after 1998. One is through a simple internet search with the help of the vehicle’s VIN, while the other is by contacting Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the manufacturer.
Let’s learn more about the different ways of getting your Jeep’s build sheet, what it is exactly, and more. This way, you won’t only better understand your car’s ins and outs but will ensure you have everything ready in case you plan on selling your vehicle.
Of course, if you plan to buy your first Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, or any model, this information would also be beneficial.
What’s a Build Sheet?
Known as the vehicle’s Holy Grail, the build sheet verifies everything installed in your Jeep unit when it came out of the factory. It will also report how many of that particular model was released in the market.
Specifically, this is a piece of paper that vehicle builders have on hand while assembling a particular Jeep model. It details the specific components, through codes or numbers, that they need to put in the unit and where to put them.
With this sheet, the workers have detailed instructions to follow, preventing or minimizing mistakes while assembling the car or installing each component.
How Do I Get My Jeep Build Sheet?
Whether you need to look for your Jeep Rubicon, Jeep Renegade, Jeep Cherokee, or Jeep Wrangler build sheet, the steps below can help you find the accurate piece of information.
Step #1: Find Your Jeep’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The VIN, or redundantly called VIN number, is a combination of numbers and letters, totaling 17 characters, unique for each car manufacturer, model, make, and production year. Thus, it will help reveal a lot of things about your specific car.
What Does My Jeep VIN Number Mean?
To understand what your Jeep VIN means, you must have an idea of what the 17 characters represent, which are as follows:
- First: Country of Origin (1, 3, or 4 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, and the rest of the countries, the first letter of the country)
- Second: Manufacturer (C = Chrysler)
- Third: Vehicle Type
- Fourth to Eight: Jeep’s Description (4DR, 4WD, SUV, etc.)
- Ninth: Check Digit; not standardized as it requires a mathematical formula developed by the US DOT
- Tenth: Model Year (B to Y (except I, O, U, and Q): 1981 to 2000; 1 to 9: 2001 to 2009; A to Z: 2010 to 2030
- Eleventh: Jeep’s Specific Manufacturing Plant
- Twelfth to Seventeenth: Production Sequence Number
For you to get the gist, here’s an example:
- VIN: 1C4NJCBA9GD681479
- Meaning: 1C: Made in the USA by Chrysler Jeep; 4: Compass; NJCBA: SUV, diesel engine; 9: Check; G: 2016; D: Belvidere; 681479: Unit’s serial number
As complicated as this sounds, the great thing about the internet is that you can already decode your Jeep’s VIN with the help of free or paid Jeep VIN Lookup providers or decoders. Just enter the VIN and click search.
How Do I Find My Jeep’s VIN?
Now, your next problem is to find the VIN. Finding your Jeep’s VIN isn’t as complicated as you think, and you have several options to do so, including:
- Jeep Documents: Your car title, registration, or dealer maintenance record can contain your unit’s VIN.
- Specific Areas of the Unit: You can also locate your Jeep’s VIN through a sticker found on your car. That can be on the side door jam or under the driver’s side’s windshield, steering wheel column, under the hood, or near the firewall.
- With the Help of a Mechanic: You can also opt to drive your car to a mechanic with experience working with Jeep units.
Step #2: Get Your Jeep’s Factory Build Sheet
With your Jeep’s VIN, especially the year it was manufactured, you can now get your specific unit’s build sheet.
Units Made in 1998 and Onwards
To get your Jeep build sheet by VIN for year models 1998 and above, here are the simple steps you need to take:
- With your laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone, open your internet browser.
- Visit the FCA Community page’s equipment listing.
- Type or paste your Jeep’s VIN in the box and then click the “Search” tab.
- The site will then provide the unit’s build sheet that lists the standard and optional pieces of equipment used.
- You can either print or download the sheet.
Units Made Before 1998
For these specific Jeep models, you have two ways on how to find the build sheet.
Via Internet Search
Although the FCA site says that the functionality isn’t eligible for Jeep units built before 1998 because most records aren’t saved digitally during those years, there’s no harm in trying. Go ahead and take your chances.
By Contacting FCA
Jeep’s manufacturer has a “Historical Services” department to help you find your vintage Jeep Build Sheet by VIN. Just call or visit them to make a request. Make sure you indicate that you’re asking for the unit’s factory build sheet.
A better option, though, is to fill out FCA’s Historical Services Build Record Request Form. Then, email or send the form to the provided email or postal address.
Can I Track My Jeep Being Built?
Customized cars are popular for off-road adventurers because they want a unit with specific features that they need. That said, you must note that “customized” doesn’t mean you can choose whatever you want because they also have to ensure your safety and parts compatibility.
The company will only let you decide on specific features, such as painting, grilles, and interior panels. They would also provide some extra features that you can choose to add.
How to Track
Though customization isn’t a new trend, with innovation and advancement, people wonder if tracking their made-to-order Jeep’s assembly progress has also improved. That is, no longer waiting for the assembler’s call until it’s done. The good news is yes, and there are ways on how to do so.
Contact the Customer Service Department
First, you can contact Jeep’s customer service department to ask for a status update. You can email, call, or chat. On that note, the manufacturer uses codes for building and shipping status that you must be aware of to understand the document they might send you.
The Custom-Made Jeep Process: Things You Need to Do
When you plan on getting a Jeep vehicle custom-made right out of the factory, you must understand that you have to wait a few months before you can start driving it.
To order in the US, the first thing you need to do is visit Jeep’s Build and Price page and then enter your zip code. It will lead you to the available vehicles that can be built for you together with the MSRP or Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and numbers of available items that they can build.
Once you choose the specific model, you get redirected to several features to choose from, such as exterior color, spare tire, and infotainment system (view on Amazon). When done, you will be provided with an estimated cost.
You can then click on “Find a Dealer” to help you see which dealer near your area is available to build your car. The next thing to do is visit the dealer and talk to a salesperson to agree to a term. Place your order and wait for the order confirmation. You would be asked for a downpayment, so make sure you get an official receipt upon paying.
After five working days, make sure you contact them to ask for the VIN and a copy of the POC or Priced Order Confirmation, an important document if problems arise in the future.
What’s Next?
Once the dealer submits the completed order and the factory receives and confirms it, assembly starts.
Apparently, the dealership won’t have any control of the process, so you have to be patient and wait for their update. That said, if you haven’t received any updates on the date they promised, it’s best to track your Jeep, as detailed above.
Once the factory is finished building your Jeep, it undergoes inspection to ensure it meets standards, especially in terms of safety on and/or off-road trails. If it passes everything, then it would be prepared for shipping.
At the very least, you would expect your new Jeep two weeks after it left the factory. However, the company has no control over this, so the estimated delivery time changes from time to time.
While waiting, it would be best to download a copy of the owner’s manual on the Jeep Owner’s website. If it’s not available, you can contact customer support or call your dealer to ask how you can get an electronic copy. Reading ahead will ensure you know how to use everything installed in your car and how long to break it in.
When your vehicle arrives, it’s best to check everything before signing anything. Ensure that standard parts and the optional parts you included are present. You must also take it for a short test drive to check for any noises or possible issues.
How to Get Your Jeep Build Sheet and Track Your Custom-Made Jeep: The Conclusion
Often overlooked, the Jeep build sheet is an essential document that can help buyers and owners identify any possible modifications in their cars before purchasing. It is most especially critical when you own or plan to buy a pre-owned unit.
Fortunately, getting this information isn’t too difficult since the manufacturer has hardcopies or softcopies, digital copies, or both. The only thing you would need is your specific unit’s VIN, which you can also easily find on your car’s documents or imprinted on a sticker inside your car. If not, an auto-mechanic can also help you find the information.
If a custom-built car is what you plan to purchase, the process is straightforward, but you need to have patience since it would take time. Nonetheless, you can track the progress via support and internet search.
Searching for Jeep build sheets by VIN and tracking your Jeep being built has never been easier!
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris