The big problem between '95 and '96 is the fuel pressure. It is 30psi for the '95, 49 psi for the '96. The computer depends on those numbers for the fuel trim.
You would need to figure out if you could get away with installing an adjustable fuel pressure regulator on the '95 fuel rail. I think the factory design incorporates a vacuum connection on the '95 and down, whereas the '96 has no such input/feedback loop. You would need to figure out how to make the adjustable FPR behave like the '96 FPR.
Or you would need to convert to the '95 computer. Or re-program the '96 computer to run the '95 fuel trim.
The deletion of the airbag would probably be a steering column swap. There is no wiring associated with the '95-'96 airbag. It is entirely mechanical. I think the biggest issue would be your insurance company.
All that said, as an owner of a '96, I have no issues with the single year, bastard status. I would happily buy another '96 if the right one came along. Having OBDII is an advantage in a number of ways. I have yet to come across any issue that makes me regret having a '96.
Thank you, that info is very helpful. FI vehicles (at least ones I care about) are new to me, so I'm trying to understand why a fuel pump would be so specific to a single year out of a 17 +/- year run.
I'd like to install the older (metal) three spoke style steering wheel because I like the look. I'm not too worried about insurance because I know they will never be able to match the value to me personally. In other words this 96 XJ is my baby, I love it; the value to me goes well beyond the blue book or sum of parts "value". Besides that, just being able to find a replacement in similar condition and without needing to purchase remotely and/or possible long distance shipping is very slim imo. They are out there but snipers have been buying these things up, slapping some wax and a roof rack on it and looking to make a $10-15K profit on an XJ with 150K miles on it (cough..cough..davis autosports). I get everybody is trying to make a living, but this practice is dirty in my opinion, it takes reasonably priced vehicles off the market effectively and inflates the "value" of all XJ's out of reach of many who truly love them. Not that XJ's are any less of a vehicle, but they are not as popular, in demand or scarce as something like a 57' Chevy Bel Air coupe or 68' Camaro etc. Beware of anyone who advertises a vehicle, part or anything else as "rare", they are looking to juice you.
That is good to hear, and I love (and I mean reeeaaalllyy love) my 96 so far. "Bastard" may have been too harsh. Again, I love my 96 and plan to keep it and keep it running forever; it will get a full restoration (resto mod) inside and out, top to bottom, down to every single fastener, clip, wire etc. Blasted to bare metal (inside, outside, in pillars and rockers etc.), all metal body work (body solder/lead work, no bondo at all) and preserved with the best paints/coatings availible. The frustrating part is single year specifics; I would hate for a vehicle to be sidelined because a single year exclusive part couldn't be sourced and that is the source of frustration. I've done it before with a vehicle that only had three years to source body/glass parts from and it was very, very frustrating to think that you could end up with a vehicle that could never be truly complete because the parts aren't able to be found and nobody reproduces them.
Thank you again, this information is very helpful.
