Ralph77

Noticing a rise in certain types of questions.
Where can I find this part?
Will this part off a '96 fit my '00?
What other cars besides Jeeps can I find this part on?
Etc.
Thinking this is resulting in new members who are new to XJ's.
Nothing ground breaking but a couple things I have learned trying
to do my own research.

So first and foremost. Google is your friend.
Next go here:

https://xjjeeps.com/

Download every XJ parts catalog. Not just the one for your Jeep.
These are invaluable for getting part numbers.
Also gives you an idea what Mopar calls the part.
Knowing how Mopar refers to it might help in a Google search.
So why download all the catalogs? Not just your year?
For when in the boneyard. Looking for something for a '96?
No '96's in the boneyard but there is a '98 lets say.
Is it the same part?
Having all the catalogs lets you find out what your options might be.
Here is a shot of a page out of my '00 catalog.

So we are going to use the part number for the Bracket, Front Bumper Right as an example.
55155 096AB
First thing to notice is a space between the first set of 4 digits and the second set.
To do a Google search you will want to get rid of the space so it reads like this.
55155096AB
Don't ask me why cause I don't know.
So sometimes when you Google a part number all it shows you are aftermarket replacements.
And you want a Mopar one from a Mopar Online Retailer.
Sometimes putting the word Mopar in front of the part number helps.
There is one particular site I like for finding out what years that part fits.
Not mention other Mopars that you can find it on. Again for boneyard searches.

https://www.factorychryslerparts.com...5155096AB.html

Click on What This Fits. Click Show More. Quite the list.
Now I would take this with a grain of salt. This is the bracket for a front tow hook.
On a Chrysler Town And Country? Seems a little out there. But who knows.
Also notice that they say only XJ's from '97 to '01. I wonder. No '96 and down?
Point being if you are looking for this part in the boneyard it might give you more
options on what you can source it from.

Another quick thing is the letters at the end of part numbers.
Best I can tell they are more a year designation. Not a different part.
So I go with as long as the number is the same it will work. I ignore the letters.

So not only is that Mopar site good for this but Napa is too.
I am going to use a very generic item to illustrate.
Also so know you can cross a Mopar part number on the Napa site.
It does not always work but most of the time it does.
So the gas cap for my '00 is part number 5278 632AA
The Napa site does not seem to care about the space.
So crossing the part number led me here:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7031716

Go down farther on the page and click on the word Buyer's Guide.
Now this will tell you every car, not just Mopars, that the Napa cap will fit.
Go into it. There are Hyundai's, Kia's, etc in there.
Sidenote: Rather embarrassed that my XJ shares parts with the likes of Hyundai's and Kia's.
Again I would take this with a grain of salt. But it is a jumping off point.
For the most part you won't get this many options. I am using a pretty generic item
as an example. But you get the idea.
And if you can find the part on the Napa site then you don't even need the part number
from the Mopar parts catalog and still access the Buyer's Guide section.

I will be the first to admit that the parts catalogs can get a little confusing.
Trying to find that part in the catalog. But it should be in there.

Something else I would like to touch on.
Somebody posted about the 2 plastic cargo bay interior pieces on their Jeep.
The carpet type padding had fallen off. They wanted to put it back on but did know
how it was positioned.
Ebay is great for this.
People right and left are trying to sell these things on Ebay.
Wonder if anybody actually buys them.
Anyway, they show pictures of what they are selling.
Some listings show more details then others. A quick search yielded
4 different listings each one showing the padding.
Again can you trust that the padding was where it was supposed to be from
the factory in the picture? But it gives you an idea.
Ebay and of course looking at images on Google come in handy.
I might try to put the retractable under the hood light from older Jeeps
in my '00. I have the mounting bracket. Was not quite sure how it was positioned.
Quick Google search, found a picture of one in a Jeep, saved it to my computer,
and when the time comes I have something to reference.

These are just some of the little things that I find help with research.
Help when boneyard hunting. Now you know every part associated with
whatever it is you are trying to get.
Another little tip. When sourcing parts out of the boneyard take everything
even remotely associated with what you are trying to do.
Better to have it and not need it.

Scott91370

Even in all my searching I never came across XJ Jeeps. THANK YOU!!!

Ralph77

So posting on another thread something occurred to me that I probably should have included in this one.
Get the build sheet for your XJ. Says it won't work for '98 and down but try anyway.

https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

It might answer questions you have. Of course what the PO might or might have not done still doesn't mean
that is exactly how your XJ is set up.

PatHenry

I was able to obtain my build sheet (for my model year 95) using one the free online VIN decoders. I can't remember the specific one, but I definitely got the build sheet info and did not pay any money for my 95.

The Autozone website also has some excellent cross referencing for parts. You can look up the part and similar to NAPA look at the vehicle fitment and it will tell you all the makes, models and years that the part fits.

3Dog

Thanks Ralph, that decoder worked for my 2000 XJ. As an alternative, several times with both an XJ and WJ I have simply emailed FCA customer service (through their Contact link on their web page) and they have emailed me the build sheet for free within a day or two. The bonus is that (unlike the decoder) they also include the actual option codes in addition to the option description.

third coast

Ralph - Thanks! Excellent post and very valuable info. I research a lot but had not found some of this info. Great reference material for those who actually put effort into doing their research.

djgrayxj

Note from DJ
This is another way of doing Research
Post by extrashaky
This is the right way to search on CHEROKEEFORUM.com.
Use Google or search site of your choice; but include "site:cherokeeforum.com" at the end of the search terms.
Example: heater core site:cherokeeforum.com

ijeeep

The "What This Fits" tab is not present for disconnected parts at https://www.factorychryslerparts.com...5155096AB.html

Ralph77

They used to show more.
I don't know why.
RockAuto and Napa still work though.
Try something a little more generic.
Ambient Temp Sensor for when you have an overhead console.
This is the part number for the one that is in my '00. 4688204AB.
Now Napa wanted me to take the space out to like I said you didn't have to when crossing a manufacturer's part number.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHTS5012

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/st...re+sensor,7000

ijeeep

I played with factorychryslerparts some more.The "what fits" is now working but only for 97- 01. I did not try anything other then Cherokee XJ

318SixPack

Great work.

papablista

Yea, gets old reading the same post over and over, like going to bed with the same wife every night. Most every ? asked is already answered on this thread . And you are correct G00GLE & YOU TUBE that .... ��

Ralph77

So I am finding that my link to get your build sheet is not appearing to work anymore.
That is the second one that crapped out on me.
So found that if you go here:

https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/...FT47S41L528974

Go to that page (just a random build sheet I pulled using an Ebay sellers ad where they listed the VIN), change the VIN in the link to yours, and hit enter it seems to work.
Guessing anything earlier then '98 is still hit or miss if it will work. But try anyway. Guys have said they have been able to get theirs on older vehicles.

cpttuna

also from going to the JY enough times, you learn what to get if you see it ,even though you did not originally need it. Next time, it probably will not be there.