Does anyone know if the lower quarter panels are any different from the older XJ's to the new ones? I'm entertaining the idea of cutting a donor panel out of a junker and just wondering what my options are for my '98 (besides cut and fold). I know that the new panels offered on Quadratec and other sites states 84-01 but I'm not sure.

 

area at tail light is different

 

At tailight meaning the back edge of the panel? It's the front part I'm worried about. Here's a glimpse at what I'm replacing...only the spot that I need to patch (not the whole thing)

 

I say just comp cut the 1/4.

 

I'm not sure what you mean--and it's hard to tell from the image you provided.

I want to keep this fix as stock as possible, with consideration of installing Bushwacker flat fender flares.

 

Sorry buddy, just re-read your thread and you don't want to cut and fold the 1/4's.

 

If its just the hole in the pic you are patching I would not spend money on a patch panel just get a piece of flat sheet metal and bend it to match the body line that's what I have always done with holes on relatively flat panels its way cheaper than a patch panel that at least from my experience you only use a small part of. Just my opinion though.

 

I've been considering this as well, I think the next action item for me is to cut out all the bad. That pic above is just what I've been able to poke through with my finger!

 

I just got done welding in one of those lower quarter patches in my 2000 I bought from quadratec they fit exactly the same only difference in years is the 97+ have 3 holes drilled for the bumper bracket which you can do yourself if reusing the stock bumper.

Don't forget to fix the back side lower quarter to and put the rubber plug back in seam seal properly and use some cavity wax rustproofing inside the quarter or you'll be back to square one. If you want pictures of the repair process I can try and put some up