Pretty simple question i think..I have a 99 XJ, bare bones model with the idiot lights dash cluster. I recently picked up a full gauge cluster from a 2000 XJ and was hoping to swap them. With 99 being the last year with a distributor, (i think) will the 00 cluster still work for me? Or is that irrelevant? Do I need to swap anything out for it to work? Thanks!

Should swap right in no problem

Yup it ll swap right over. 97-01 are the same

Thanks guys, it is installed and works great! So much better to finally have gauges. I appreciate it! My only issue now is i think my oil pressure sending unit may be bad. Traveling down the highway i'm at a pretty consistant 80 psi oil pressure. It does drop to about 50ish when sitting, warmed up. I find it hard to believe that is correct.

MIGHT MAYBE be your oil pressure sending unit. I would swap it out with a new one anyways seeing as those units only seem to last about 100k miles. Costs $40 and super easy to install if you have a big enough socket.

Did you luck out and get a gauge cluster with similar miles on it?? I have a 99 SE as well and did the swap about 3 years ago. Problem was my XJ gained about 25,000 miles overnight.

I appreciate the input BigC. I'll replace the sending unit soon and see what happens.

I kept the old cluster, just in case I ever need it. It has 182k, which would be my true miles. This new cluster only shows 117k, I was shocked!

Sounds good! Be very careful, your Carfax will now be red flagged as soon as you re-register your car. Also your car registration at the DMV might be rejected. You can probably explain to them and they will let it slide. However I would document this operation and keep your old cluster for proof. Just in case you ever end up selling your XJ.

Enjoy your new gauges! I can't believe I went so long without an actual temperature gauge haha

Just register it with the original vin.
Cut out the vin plate from the old dash,and keep it in the glove box for any 5-0 issues that may come up.

This is a big no, no. That technically is VIN fraud. I am guessing the 2000 he got the cluster from is/was in a junkyard which means it now has a salvage or parts only title, and is owned by what ever junkyard/dismantler. if a vin gets registered on a vehicle that is owned by one person and is registered under another that throws a red flag to any DMV. I had a friend(no longer a friend) get mixed up in to re vinning cars that were stolen, which is a federal offense, he was in jail for 8yrs and now has to wear a tether, cant own a vehicle etc..

Isn't the original VIN everywhere else,I.e.,frame?

Do they check your dash every year you register? They don't in MI. Just make sure you either drive more miles than your last carfax entry (which may have been a long time ago if you've owned the Jeep for awhile and do all your own work) or put the original cluster back in if you have to do something where they will look.

I definitely don't want to get myself into trouble with the whole mileage thing, but here in Florida if a vehicle is ten years old or older it normally just says "exempt" for mileage on the title. But I will still keep my old cluster just in case of issues. I actually have the carfax on my jeep, and the last recorded mileage was around 150k. I bought it at around 160k. Around here i've never had the dmv step foot out of their cubicle to ever look at any car, so i should be good there.
With the exception of my potentially bad oil pressure sending unit, I definitely prefer to have full gauges, and actually know whats going on. Fuel and speedometer just wasnt enough, haha

Your old sending unit is probably for the idiot light, now you need one for the gauge.

Never mess with a VIN - it is a felony, as well as is all over a vehicle so the windshield plate means squat - not that you were.

I would not worry one bit about the mileage, just never claim the mileage as being accurate on a title transfer and you will be fine..... Especially in Florida (-:

Yeah that is kind of what i figured. Honestly our XJs are getting so old that the mileage is not really an issue. When buying/selling most people just look at the under/over at 200k miles anyways. And hey... just dont ever sell your XJ