just to clarify/summarize, for your 92 any 91-96 hatch will swap, but are fiberglass. 97+ hatches are metal, but will not swap due to attachment and body shape changes

 

Fiberglass may not hold speakers as well, but it doesn't rust.

I wish I had a fiberglass hatch, I noticed a little bubbling paint on the bottom edge this morning where it's starting to rust.

 

Kopecki, I have a 96 and its fiberglass as well...the chip on the corner re-assures me everytime I look at it! Guess its better than rust though huh?

 

Fiberglass is pretty easy to fix. I'd rather fix that than rust any day. Funny though, until I read this thread this moring, I had no idea earlier XJ's had fiberglass hatches! You learn something every day...

As to the original problem of speakers coming out, just fiberglass some nuts into/onto the hatch and screw into those. If you want to get fancy, use lock nuts.

 

I've tried many thing to keep the speakers in there but they've all failed. The problem is that the magnets weigh so much and are so deep. I will eventually get a donar hatch out of the junkyard and fix it all up with tons of reinforcements. It'll be solid as a rock. I really want a removable hatch window... maybe I would work on that... (doubtful)

I just really wanted a metal hatch, but apparently it can't be done. I thought some earlier model xjs had metal hatches, but I guess I was wrong. Thanks for the info guys.

 

**unrelated to my previous post**

I'm going to be pulling a LPD30 out of my '94 xj and will be putting a HPD30 from a '97 xj into my '94 xj and would like to keep all of the good parts off of the LPD30 to keep as spare parts. The axle shafts and bearing/hug asseblies in the LPD30 are brand new. Will they swap onto a HPD30 or be good to keep as emergency parts? Even if the axle shafts only get me home.... atleast it something.

 

"1. Ford 8.8 inch ('97+) = need spring & shock mounts (3.55, 3.73, or 4.10, maybe LSD, Disc Brakes"

Im currently looking for a (8.8, 4.10, posi. explorer) rearend, I heard somewhere that the Eddie Bower ed. was the one to get. Anyone know why ????

 

On the sticker on the driver door look for axle code D2. That is the 4.10 gears with limit slip

 

Thank's Hakeeb, I'll keep that in mind while on the hunt !!

 

they are both HPs so save all you can off your old axle

 

Ok, thanks. I wasn't sure if the shafts or hub assemblies were different or not between the years. I know the u joint size changed though. Did the spline count for the D30 change throughout the years at all?

 

Pics of said 6x9s in hatch???

 

What all do you nee for the Bronco/F-150 spring lift?? Drop brackets etc.???

 

Here's a couple pics from right after the install about two summers ago. They are Pioneers from the early 80's I found brand new in my dads attic. We were cleaning out the attic before we moved and he said he was going to throw them out so I asked if I could have them. Both of these weigh the same, if not more than my 12" Alpine Type R sub. Thank god they've made speaker magnets stronger and lighter over the years.




Funny story about this whole speaker install deal... The reciprocating saw I was using ran out of juice half way through so I had to take the blade out and use pliers and cut away the fiberglass by hand.

 

They have these super awesome products on the market now. They're called battery chargers! LOL, you must have been REALLY eager to get those in!