I'm changing my standard 3/4" front bar (ser2 xjc) to a 7/8" xjs bar and I'm not seeing different part numbers for the frame mounts. The bar is considerably larger in diameter and my question is does the larger xjs bar use the same retainer with the two bolt holes and the same rubber or poly bushing as the smaller bar? Sure doesn't seem right, looks like the retainer wouldn't pull all the way up tight against the car? Any help would be appreciated.
Bill

 

I have the 7/8" front bar and used the original u-brackets/clamps/whatever.

There are a couple different styles of bushings being sold; they're shaped and sized differently. I'm having a brain fade as to which works right with the existing brackets. Gah !

Cheers
DD

 

That helps Doug, maybe they're the same outer dimensions with larger holes. Thanks.

 

I installed a 1" aftermarket bar with poly bushings and used the stock retainer. Don't remember having any issues.

Dave

 

I too did this mod, using a thicker bar that I believe came from an XJ-12. I can confirm that the mounting brackets and backing plates are different as are the bushings (I used Poly from Moss Motors).
https://mossmotors.com/37-6011-polyu...fault_products
I sourced both the bar and the brackets from Robert Laughton (a fellow poster) here in Niagara on the Lake, Canada. You may wish to check with him, as he remains my go-too for used parts. He has tons of parts cars and containers of spares.

The bar and poly bush setup, when combined with Poly steering rack bushes provides a noticable (not dramatic) improvement in the crispness of my 1985 XJ-6. Ian

 

While you're at it, consider replacing the two forward subframe mounts (the round "shotgun shell" ones), as I had to drop the front a bit to allow the bar to be exchanged. Seemed like a good opportunity to change them out, and they are easy to swap with everything loose.
Ian

 

Everything is out and apart for powder coating Ian, so will be replacing all perishables. It's really amazing how well the metalastic rubber holds up after 51 years. The lower a arm bushes could have gone more miles. The upper and lower bump stops are fine and I'll bead blast them to clean up an re-use.

Dave, I see you used the prothane poly lower and upper bushes and you should have a few miles on them, are you still satisfied with them? Any feedback?

 

Yes, I am. I have always preferred a firm, tight ride and would use poly bushes again. One side effect is that they squeak on jounce/rebound, but I can hear it only when I kneel on the bumper, not on the road. I've recently added a rear 9/16" sway bar and Bilstein-6 shocks front/rear. Another side effect of the front poly bushes is feeling every imperfection in the road. On old pavement where the asphalt has worn away from the aggregate I can actually feel that roughness. I'm OK with it, but if you want a plush ride the poly might not be a good idea.

Dave

 

Thank you Dave. I'm not so concerned with the pillowy Jag ride anymore and wouldn't mind a tighter more controlled controlled ride. Also, I already have the prothane bits and will prob go ahead and use them as long as they fit properly etc... I don't see them lasting as long as the metalastic though, but that's not a problem.