I have a 96 xj and was wondering could you put like a 97 or up grill on to make it look newer i know the corner lights are different but is anything else different. could i just pull a grill off a newer model at the JY. are the lights the same size other then the corner lights. if anyone has done this please let me know. Thanks Kenny.

 

You probably need to get the whole grille/header panel, but I'm not sure about that.

 

Acording to my body panel book here. The hood is the same but you need the fenders, header, grill and headlight bezels, and possibly the bumper but i think you can use the 96.

 

The '97 and newer fender/bumper arrangement is different from the '96 and earlier.

If you want to convert, get the whole front cap.

 

just see if you can get a clip from a junk yard. fenders grill bumper rad support and so on this way you can get every thing you need in one shot

 

Thanks guys thats exsactly what i wanted to know but i dont think i want to get all new fenders but hey i guess if i go to cut the ones i have now and mess up maybe i can go get a pair of newer fenders and the JY

 

you can just get the header panel and bolt that on. minor modification is needed. but its so simple you should be able to figure it out.

it lines up with the hood but not the older fenders, but you can only notice it if you look real good

 

pics?

 

the real issue to deal with is the wiring. the harness is different and there's more lights in the newer panel, so some figuring out the wires is probably the most difficult part.

i have a newer panel and fenders to go on my 90, but haven't had time to figure out the wiring yet, so it sits on the shelf for now.

 

Is the wiring really different caged? They have all the same lights I thought, just the housings are different on the newer models. The turn signals, lights, and park lights are all in the same location, but I would understand if you needed to put a new harness on it.
Are the newer ones just held on by two bolts on each side like the older ones?
This would be a cool mod to the xj.

 

yup, wiring is different, front signals have two bulbs each. so double the wires and different harness plug.

and yes, two bolts on each side, but they are located in different locations.
i think the lower ones are the same, but the upper studs are in towards the center a little bit.
easy to retro fit, but even easier if you grab the fenders to go with it.
i haven't tried mine yet, but i set it up against my parts jeep that has the header removed but fenders still in place. it requires a tiny bit of work on the upper stud if using the original pre 97 fenders.

 

This might be helpful... someone's done it...

http://go.jeep-xj.info/BensXJ.htm

 

You should do a write up with lots and lots of pics!

 

just the grill will 'bolt in' to older style front ends

 

i will, when i decide to take on that task. lol

next i'm hoping is an axle swap with 44hp and 9". it's kinda more important right now. haha.