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I am finishing of my restoration on my 1994 XJ40 V12. The first year of the 6.0 V12.
I am having a real hard time figuring what spec for rear shocks. Most shocks for the 1994 XJ12 online say for manufactured after 12/1994-1996 XJ12. For the X300 but not the XJ40.
Do regular XJ6 XJ40 Shocks work on my 1994 XJ40 6.0 V12. Or do the X300 shocks work for the last year of the 1994 XJ40.
Thanks so much.
Last edited by karlward96; Jul 25, 2020 at 08:34 PM.
Reason: Wrong title
I am finishing of my restoration on my 1994 XJ40 V12. The first year of the 6.0 V12.
I am having a real hard time figuring what spec for rear shocks. Most shocks for the 1994 XJ12 online say for manufactured after 12/1994-1996 XJ12. For the X300 but not the XJ40.
Do regular XJ6 XJ40 Shocks work on my 1994 XJ40 6.0 V12. Or do the X300 shocks work for the last year of the 1994 XJ40.
I drive a 94, a six-cylinder, but afaik the rear suspension setup would be the same unless you still have self levelling fitted.
I replaced the rear shocks and springs etc on my car with the X300 type and you may want to have a read through this thread to see what I ran in to.
Since installing those shocks (which are still good BTW), I did find out there was an additional modification used on the X300 to accommodate the new upper bush system more correctly(!) - it does work with the XJ40 parts, but it would probably be a better idea to pick up a pair of X300 top plates if you are going to the trouble of replacing the shocks using the X300 system.
The top mounting plate you have at present, (if it is the same as mine) has a 1/8" ridge at the underside of the aperture, where the some X300 spec cars do not. Confusing, I know!
Although very similar if not the same as the X300 part number, the variation may be due to whether the car was originally fitted with self-levelling suspension. My car is a VDP and may have had self-levelling at one time, removed a long time before my ownership - not sure though, can't see any evidence of it.
Anyway, pore through the part numbers and see which of the plates is best to pick up, or whether you'll bother etc.
One easy thing you can do to help you pick the correct rear shocks is to have a look at your rear lower control arms. If they are cast iron, then shocks for the late '94 XJ40s and X300s should work. If the control arms are stamped steel, you'll need shocks for the earlier XJ40 setup. Larry can probably tell us if there are even more possible variations.
The original shocks on your car were probably made by either Boge or Bilstein. Boge is now owned by ZF, which appears to have merged the Boge designs into the Sachs catalog, and I have had excellent performance from Sachs shocks in our '93 XJ40. If you have the later X300 control arms, your original shocks were probably made by Bilstein and replacements were still available as of a few months ago when I installed some on an X300.
Memory, so dont get upset it mny memory dont match your car.
From VIN 696460 the V12 all had self leveling rear struts. Many of these were replaced waaaaay back, for the earlier car standard units, and associated other components to permit this.
If your car has been converted the rear strut would be:
Black CCC6923 up to Vin 697218
Black/Blue spot MMC3540AA Vin 687219 to 696459
The X300 rears are MNA3540AD and NO self leveling that I remember.
I do know the XJ40 rear shocks had a larger diameter sleeve ID in the lower eye, and fitment of them to the X300 was doable with a 2nd sleeve machined up to reduce that sleeve ID to match the X300 bolt spec. I did that to my X300, as XJ40 rear shocks were all that was available when I needed them. NOT the optimum route, but it worked and the car is still happy.
Going the other way, dunno, anything is possible I suppose.
If your car has the factory self leveling system, you are quite limited in parts. If its converted, most are/were, then the options open up quite a bit.
Ride specs,, HAHAHA, staying right out of that one. Thats worse than "which oil is best for my engine".
I used standard Gabriel, a I have done on all my Jags for way too long, and I am happy.
Rear Shocks Jaguar 1994 xj12 - xj40 style
