Jeep 2500 interior parts compatibility in a '97-up XJ

[casm]

Just a couple of quick questions for anyone who may have ordered Jeep 2500 interior parts for their '97-up XJ. Please take a look at the 2500 centre dash bezel photo below:

Here's what I'm wondering:

- Is this a direct drop-in replacement for the standard '97-up centre dash bezel?

- If not, what hackery is required to make it fit?

- Is stock functionality of the air vents retained? This is a big 'must work as intended' criterion.

- Will the OEM 4-switch bezel (used for the Extended Idle switch mod) fit in the location where the 3-switch bezel is in that picture?

- Do they come in the lovely fake woodgrain I've become accustomed to? And yes, that is a serious question

Any help much appreciated. I'm figuring out what my options are on running some extra switches and this looks like it kinda-sorta might be a possibility.

 

[Rbmxj24]

by looking at it im prety sure the vents match but i dont have it so i wouldnt know about the other varifications, i highly doubt the wood grain tho but you never know

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

dude it'd be cheaper to take a stock 97 one and paint it.

 

[hubs97xj]

Way to miss the point (and the obvious differences between this and a 97+ bezel).

 

[urban yan]

dude it'd be cheaper to take a stock 97 one and paint it.

Did you not notice the 1DIN stereo opening and the cubby hole on the bottom?
It's actually a better layout for anyone replacing their stock stereo with single din deck.

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

Interesting how it uses the 96-down HVAC controls

 

[casm]

Interesting how it uses the 96-down HVAC controls

Yeah, I noticed that as well. Can't think of a good way to get the '97-up ones in there without making a custom backing panel and transplanting everything into it. My recollection is that a good chunk of that stuff is vacuum-controlled, fits into moulded receptacles on the back of the stock heater control faceplate, and would generally be a PITA to deal with.

The other concern I have is what the cavity behind the bezel looks like on a 2500. My guess is that apart from bolt hole locations for the HVAC, radio, etc. it's probably fairly similar to a US-model XJ, but given some of the tweaks the Beijing models have received it could be completely different and bugger the chances of an easy swap.