i think they are called fender flare brackets? but i cant find them on the internet. i have fender flares to put on but not the hardware for them. what and where do i get them cheap?

Depends on what flares you have, what year your XJ is, and whether or not you're trimmed.

However, here's a standard set. Not cheap, but it's a starting point.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/99...gsc=QSHOPGBASE

mines a 97 im not sure if the older ones are the same , but if your using stock flares the brackets go into the drilled holes on the fenders and the flare has a lip on the inside and the brackets act as a clamp as you tighten the bolts

its a 99 without cut flares and stock fenders