BIGSLVRXJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Des Moines, Iowa
Alright guys my console swap is finally close to done and I have pics! I now have a 1998 XJ's console in my 1990. The swap was fairly straightforward(as far as I went) although as of right now I have no emergency brake and weak rear air. I'll try to explain what I did with each picture.
Here is what the 97+bracket and rear air duct look like.
The 97+ rear air duct falls about 1.5" short of the actual dash duct-hence why I have weak rear air.
This shows the gap at the front of the console-the new one is shorter than the old one because the 97+ dash came out further.
As you can see here I don't have an E-Brake right now because I still need to get one from a 97+. The handle needs to be moved to the left about 1" to fit into the new console slot. For right now its providing a nice home for my sunflower seeds though.Sorry, I'm a jackass.
Other views....
So time to compare/contrast...
The Ups....
1.Bigger cupholders-easily fits a 20oz. pop bottle for example.
2.Cupholders that don't interfere with anything-leg room or console lid closing.
3.Taller all around.
4.CD slots in console storage-for me this was a big one, I hate having the damn visor things for CDs, I don't know why, they just bother me.
5.A lot easier and quicker to take out-no separating insert from main body and remembering which size screw goes where-1 piece console and all the same thread of screw.
6.Flip storage/Ashtray in the middle of the console.(in front of the cupholders)
The Downs...
1. The gap at the front-I'm trying to figure out a way to fill this with something, but at the same time it really doesn't bother me very much.
2. Weak rear air-I will for sure find a way to extend that duct to reach the dash duct. I will probably hack my old one apart and somehow mold the two together.
3. Having to move e-brake-I'm sure this is a fairly easy fix with a sawzall and 3 hours of a Saturday.
4. Loosey goosey ars end of the console-the bracket is only fastened by two screws to the floor and then the center console bucket is fastened with 2 screws to the bracket. I'm sure this would be easily enough fixed with drilling a hole in the bracket's 3rd leg, in the floorboard and then inserting a screw.
5. Gear shifter bracket won't line up-For me this wasn't a problem.I have actually swapped a 97+ gear shifter assembly into mine also. I like the bent assembly better than 96-'s straight ones. If you want the gear shift bracket to line up you will either have to swap a 97+ assembly in or move the bracket on your old assembly.
What you need to grab from the 97+ unit...
1. Console Shell
2. Storage Bucket that fits in console
3. Console Lid AND LATCH-that isn't broken.
4. Gear Shifter and T-Case Bezel
5. Rear Air Duct
6. E-Brake Lever
7. Console Bracket
8. Screws
9. And of course the whole gear shifter assembly-if desired.
I have read through this several times and hope I didn't miss anything.I am very happy with how little work this required and how it turned out. I absolutely love everything about the new console. Sorry I can't be of more help on the emergency brake because I know to you offroad guys it's pretty important, to me it's just not. All I can say is it should be easy as long as you pull the 97+ one and you have a sawzall. I honestly don't think it would require a whole lot of adjusting because you just aren't moving it very far.
Hope this helps anyone and everyone who is thinking about doing this mod. If anyone has questions feel free to ask away. My total came to $35.00 by the way.
Keep it real,
Collin
Here is what the 97+bracket and rear air duct look like.
The 97+ rear air duct falls about 1.5" short of the actual dash duct-hence why I have weak rear air.
This shows the gap at the front of the console-the new one is shorter than the old one because the 97+ dash came out further.
As you can see here I don't have an E-Brake right now because I still need to get one from a 97+. The handle needs to be moved to the left about 1" to fit into the new console slot. For right now its providing a nice home for my sunflower seeds though.Sorry, I'm a jackass.
Other views....
So time to compare/contrast...
The Ups....
1.Bigger cupholders-easily fits a 20oz. pop bottle for example.
2.Cupholders that don't interfere with anything-leg room or console lid closing.
3.Taller all around.
4.CD slots in console storage-for me this was a big one, I hate having the damn visor things for CDs, I don't know why, they just bother me.
5.A lot easier and quicker to take out-no separating insert from main body and remembering which size screw goes where-1 piece console and all the same thread of screw.
6.Flip storage/Ashtray in the middle of the console.(in front of the cupholders)
The Downs...
1. The gap at the front-I'm trying to figure out a way to fill this with something, but at the same time it really doesn't bother me very much.
2. Weak rear air-I will for sure find a way to extend that duct to reach the dash duct. I will probably hack my old one apart and somehow mold the two together.
3. Having to move e-brake-I'm sure this is a fairly easy fix with a sawzall and 3 hours of a Saturday.
4. Loosey goosey ars end of the console-the bracket is only fastened by two screws to the floor and then the center console bucket is fastened with 2 screws to the bracket. I'm sure this would be easily enough fixed with drilling a hole in the bracket's 3rd leg, in the floorboard and then inserting a screw.
5. Gear shifter bracket won't line up-For me this wasn't a problem.I have actually swapped a 97+ gear shifter assembly into mine also. I like the bent assembly better than 96-'s straight ones. If you want the gear shift bracket to line up you will either have to swap a 97+ assembly in or move the bracket on your old assembly.
What you need to grab from the 97+ unit...
1. Console Shell
2. Storage Bucket that fits in console
3. Console Lid AND LATCH-that isn't broken.
4. Gear Shifter and T-Case Bezel
5. Rear Air Duct
6. E-Brake Lever
7. Console Bracket
8. Screws
9. And of course the whole gear shifter assembly-if desired.
I have read through this several times and hope I didn't miss anything.I am very happy with how little work this required and how it turned out. I absolutely love everything about the new console. Sorry I can't be of more help on the emergency brake because I know to you offroad guys it's pretty important, to me it's just not. All I can say is it should be easy as long as you pull the 97+ one and you have a sawzall. I honestly don't think it would require a whole lot of adjusting because you just aren't moving it very far.
Hope this helps anyone and everyone who is thinking about doing this mod. If anyone has questions feel free to ask away. My total came to $35.00 by the way.
Keep it real,
Collin
Last edited: