My spring broke on my Leaper. When I bought my new xj in 2017, I had it added to the hood. It costed me $700. I have found new and used ones online ranging from $220-$300. Is this a part that can be easily replaced by a mechanic or I will have to have Jag dealer install?

 

It's just a large nut securing the base to the hood, but you will need a deep socket as it is up under another hood panel.

Difficult part is sometimes getting the old base free of the hood as there is most times a sticky gasket between the base and the Hood surface.
You can use dental floss to slide under the base and saw back and forth to break it free,

 

Thank you for your response. I have looked at a few YouTube videos, and your assessment seems on target.👍

 

I've had really bad luck finding a replacement. I got one on eBay that was supposedly an original item for $43.00. The back of the ornament's base floats over the hood. Then I tried getting an aftermarket part from a Jaguar dealer the same problem occurred. This leaper that fell off was the car's second leaper. I had found it on eBay a few years ago but now the only option seems to be buy the original Jaguar one for about $400.00 or buy a used one....

Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

I purchased my Leaper for my 2017 XJ jaguar. It was an authentic factory Leaper for the Jag 2017 XJ. I did some research and made sure it was authentic. If you go on YouTube, they will display various leapers to show you the difference for which ones are authentic. Fortunately, I had the original Leaper that fell off at the car wash that Jag put on the car when I purchased it. I was able to find a foreign auto repair shop to install my leaper for $200. It took 2 hours to reattach it. Jag wanted almost $500!

Authentic Jag Leaper

Leaper Install

 

off topic has anyone ever considered installing this illuminated badge to the grill? Its cheap enough to want to at least fit to see how it looks, just trying to figure out how straightforward the wiring would be to connect

 

I ordered one to try out for fun, TBD if I can actually get it wired correctly, here's the instruction seller gave:



I'd assume it should connect to one of the front LED headlight 15A fuses in the engine fuse box, anyone done this before can you just pull it out, wrap wire around prong, and stick back in? kinda skeptical it'll work

 

Check your local laws. AFAIK, every state in the USA prohibits any red or blue lights on the front of any vehicle except for authorized police, fire, or other emergency vehicles.

No problem if you put I on the rear.