Have recently got my first xj here in the uk RHD. The car is a 97 regisration with a 96 body and a 97 engine. confused I was. Is this possible. Only started to run into problems when I needed to switch out the power steering pump. Nothing seemed right from the 95xj service manual for belt or pump removal. So looked in a 97 manual which I found to be correct loosening alternator ( sorry generator for you guys) loosening bracket. Is the car a strange hybrid from the 96-97 update? Any thoughts would be greatly recieved.

 

97 is what i call the bastard year. i know how you feel due to i have a 97. it is the year that they changed alot of things. not alot of 96 and older stuff will not fit

 

Bastard is correct. That makes it fun finding parts. 1st xj and 1st time at home mechanics.
Only had it a month. Power steering pump groaning now packed up.
Reversing lights intermittent. Thanks to this forum I'm tackling the NSS next.

 

You're not alone. Very late model XJ's in the 96 production year started getting 97' motors. I know, I have one too. My VIN runs as a 1996, and the motor is the original in my truck, but is a 1997. All my sensors, components, vacuum hoses, etc, I have to order for a 97.

Everything chassis and bodywise however will still be 96-91.