I have a 1996 XJ Classic

I bought it new, I use it strictly as a daily driver, and I absolutely love it.

It's gotten long in the tooth, and things are starting to go wrong. Tires are about shot, rearend needs a rebuild, interior is really beat up, etc. It also got sideswiped awhile back, and while the doors on that side still work, it'd take a good bit of bodywork to fix it.

I've been thinking of just picking up a low-mileage creampuff and starting fresh. As I look, a couple of questions have come up:

1. Full-time 4WD: One of the things I love about my XJ is how good it is in bad weather. The key to that is the "Full Time 4WD" feature. I didn't realize how rare it is. I'm looking at a 2001 XJ that I kinda like. It doesn't have the Full Time 4WD, though. Could I swap my transfer case over? If so, what is involved? I'd want the Full Time 4WD light in the dash to work, too.

2. Roof Console: I also really like my overhead console. Do non-overhead console XJs have the mounting points and wiring to mount a console?

3. Body moldings and Bumper Ends: Looking at later models, I see some have body-colored side moldings and bumper ends, and some don't. I really prefer the body-colored moldings and bumper ends. Is this simply a matter of painting them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

1. It should bolt right up, but the "full time" light won't work because the wiring won't be there. However, I would caution you against a 2001 because of the low pinion D30 and the heads that like to crack.

2. No. You would need to grab the console, wiring harness, bracket (you must drill the rivets), and temperature sensor from a 97+. I grabbed everything but the bracket when I got my console, so it's been sitting in my garage for months waiting on me either going back to the yard and grabbing one or designing a conversion bracket of some sort.

3. Yes. Prep work is essential.

 

On the bumper corners and mouldings. The black ones are textured, so you will have to sand them smooth and then paint them (lots of work) otherwise you will have colored texture (ugly IMO). An alternative is to find body colored bumper corners from the JY or buy them from someone who took them off to put on off road bumpers. You would then just sand those lightly to accept new paint. BTW, this paint would have to be real automotive paint that is flexible. I painted mines and I used Dupont Nason.