thejeepone

So I have picked up the front end off a 86 Jeep wagoneer XJ (the one with 4 headlights) I have the whole front end minus the fenders/hood/ bumpers.. I want to swap it onto my 98. I know everything is complete bolt on since the 97 to older is a direct swap. now I know most people use the newer fenders with their swap to "clean up" the body lines. but do you really need the fenders? I have seen this swap done on a 95 and you dont need to change the fenders seeing how they are the same as the wagoneers. So basically to put it simple I want to swap a older front clip onto a newer xj, and can it be done without swapping the fenders?

caged

yes, you can do it without swapping the fenders, but, the newer fender has a more rounded top to it and won't match up flush with the older more squared off header panel.

you will also have two front marker lights under the headlights, where as the older panel only has one. no big deal there tho, but the corner signal/marker uses a different bulb socket, so you will have to cut and splice in an older marker bulb socket that will snug into the housing. again, no big deal.

i would swap out the fenders just so it looks clean.

thejeepone

yea I cut the bulb sockets and i am just going do splice everything with the existing wires. So everything will swap directly with out changing the fenders right away? will the older fender match the body lines on my newer xj?