Want to install driver airbag/steering column from a 1993 XJ6 into a 1992 XJ6. I've seen them on Ebay, but just located one 1/2 hour away. Before I go pull it and take it home, can anyone verify it will swap?? I also want to install 94 passenger airbag in place of my 92 glove box. Any tips from anyone who has done this? Purchased this year by mistake thinking it had airbags, but hate to sell it after all the work I've done just to buy a 94.

 

I can't offer anything on your topic except one thing, you need to exercise extreme caution when pulling out that glove compartment air bag system, that much I know.

 

You might want to check w/the Jaguar *********** because I dont think your '92 has the wiring for airbags on the passenger side, so you will need to also get that from the parts place your getting the airbag from. Good luck!

 

I've been told the Jag 93&94 air bags used a "kinetic" sensor (ball bearing in a tube??) instead of an electrical sensor. I hope that is correct. That makes a fairly easy install; I hope anyway.

 

Sounds "like" an easy install.....in a 93 or 94, your trying to put it in a 92, and from memory your 92 isn't wired for a glove box air bag.

 

Is it really worth it...?

 

Sure it is worth it !!! Just think of the precious cargo in the passenger seat...also once started think of what would happen if that passenger (the wife) realizes you're ditching the whole air bag idea......

 

Thanks to all replies. Promised my wife of 30 years our sons first car would have air bags. Saw this car for sale and purchased thinking it had air bags.Removed head, replaced blown head gasket, chain guides, etc. Once it was running, discovered did not have bags like I thought. Son is going to college, patience is running out; loves the car but either we sell and buy later model or retrofit this one.
Probably not the first to do this, but have not found anyone else that can verify swap.
Been told by several people no electronic sensors to activate 92,93 XJ6's. Will let you all know how it works out.

 

I personally think the pre-airbag interiors look much better, that's a lot of dangerous work to do the swap and airbags really hurt when they hit you. That said there are many other advantages to the 93/94 cars so it may be worth selling this one and finding one of those. Also 93s only had the driver side

 

SHELBY 676
I'm surprised no one told you that the airbags are only good for a one time use, so why bother!

 

While I understand your desire to appease the Mrs. I think this is a bad idea to try and retrofit the car on many levels.

While the system looks fairly self contained having the crash sensors in the steering column vs out by the radiator support or bolted under the seats Ect I couldn't verify this as I don't have access to a schematic.

At an absolute minimum you would need the steering column, the knee bolsters, the mounting for the pass airbag and all the assorted wiring. I would think the entire dash would have to be replaced as well to accept the proper mountings of the bag the wiring and the self diagnostics of the system as well.

You may not be able to buy the air bags from a junk yard for liability reasons and may have to go new and god knows how expensive they are.

Will this pass inspection in your area knowing you modified the vehicle safety systems?

Finally would you want to accept the liability issues of a passenger if the bags didn't go off in an accident or if they went off by themselves due to an internal failure due to age and thus causing its own accident.

Personally I didn't have issues with a non Airbag vehicle as I drove a highly modified Volvo for years even taking it to the track to race but that's your decision to need an airbag.

So IMHO if you have to have one sell the car and find one that fits your needs.

Joe

 

#1 This thread is very old.
#2 The 1993 XJ6 ONLY has a steering wheel airbag (NO passenger side).
#3 BOTH airbags in the 1994 XJ sedan are mechanical (NO external electrics).
#4 After 20 years I wonder if the airbags will deploy RELIABLY??

bob gauff

 

I saw that the thread was brought back from the dead only after I gave it thought and typed and posted my reply. Lol

 

Time to close this thread. I want to thank everyone who replied. We never did install airbag(s) in my sons '92. Bob Gauf (Motorcarman)'s recent post confirmed why I was looking at retrofitting in the first place. What most people did not realize was that the early airbag set ups had no wiring or external sensors. Since they were in essence self contained units, the problem to answer was what changes were made between 92-94 to fit the 94 steering wheel ( and column) and replace the glove box with a 94 airbag.

We would have done this (i still believe it not as involved as a head gasket replacement and valve lash set up) but time and money shortfalls intervened. Then later came a 94 VDP as a donor car, but decided it was too good cannibalize, so we did another head gasket, chain guides, head work, valve lash set up etc. Now a sweet runner with a heater fan/blower problem and oxidized paint, but reliable as a daily driver. Two Air bags!

Then along came a nice 95 XJR, and a week later a 97 XJR.
The air bag retrofit project for us is now moot.
Once again, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.
Thanks again to all that replied, time to move on to other challenges.