96 Cherokee Instrument Cluster Swap Questions
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Joined: Feb 2018
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Model: Cherokee(SJ)
96 Cherokee Instrument Cluster Swap Questions
My 96 Cherokee (One owner, 70K Miles,. 4.0L, Automatic, 4x4) has the basic instrument cluster. Looking to swap it out with one that has the tachometer and other gauges. Couple of questions before I jump into this. First, how do I know which one I have. I've read some threads about blue & white colored instrument clusters and making sure you get the right one, need to know how to tell which one I have. I would also like to know if the speedometer units can be swapped out, one cluster to the other? Thanks for any help provided.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 27
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From: SE Oklahoma
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I just did this swap in my '91 Commanche and it works very well. Make sure the new cluster has an electronic speedometer (no cable) and get the water temp and oil pressure senders for the gauges. Both of my clusters (my new one came from a '93 XJ) had the blue backed gauges. I did not swap the speedometer because I did not want to risk any DMV issues, but is not supposed to be hard to do. I got both of my senders from NAPA. It takes longer to swap the senders than to swap out the gauges. You will love it!!
Last edited by Wabrown; Feb 17, 2018 at 06:12 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 23
From: Herndon, VA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You can find these on eBay for a decent price. eBay vendors are usually pretty good about letting you know what years their part will work on. As previously stated, it's an electronic speedometer. Regarding the sensors, I've had better luck with OEM Mopar than with Napa. Yes, you can swap the speedometer from your existing cluster to the new one, but the style is different and you'll lose the trip odometer (which is a good enough reason for the upgrade IMHO). You can also have the new speedometer adjusted for the correct mileage, but to me I don't see how it's worth it on a 20+ year old Jeep.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
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From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
The BWD brand sensors (Advance, Pep Boys) have worked well for me if you don't want to spring for the Mopar ones. Obviously the Mopar is the preferred brand.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
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From: London
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I know this is an old thread, but I'm picking up my new (to me) '95 XJ on Monday and it has the idiot lights. I live in Germany and also want to keep the current speedometer/odometer. Was it straightforward to retain the existing speedometer? All of the tutorials I have seen just swap in the entire gauge cluster.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,560
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From: MO
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I know this is an old thread, but I'm picking up my new (to me) '95 XJ on Monday and it has the idiot lights. I live in Germany and also want to keep the current speedometer/odometer. Was it straightforward to retain the existing speedometer? All of the tutorials I have seen just swap in the entire gauge cluster.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/swa...254854/index2/
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