Missing the some of the buttons and pieces to let the roof rack slide .. Will the sliding bars from an '01 work on the '97?

Thanks

 

Do you mean parts on the crossbars?
What run from left to right.
Not the runners which run from front to back.
If so thinking they should.
Might even be able to go a bit older too.

 

Yes, the crossbars. Looking at a '01 XJ's pics in the junk yard, the crossbars are quite different, they have two separate arms coming down on each side of each crossbar.. the'97 just has the one 'foot' per side. See pic of '01.

01 crossbar

 

Well the part numbers are different for '97 and '98 compared to '99 and up.
So you might be right about them not working but still think they should.

 

These just popped up on Ebay and guessing these are the ones you are looking for.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19430555535...Condition=3000

 

Good deal, thanks! Headed to a salvage yard today for a few different things, see what they want for their rails, and if too much then may give these a shot (if they're still there).