new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Hey first time owner of a 74 XJ6 and looking to see what I can learn about it. First off it has been converted to aChevy 350/350 and I notice that it seems a bit high geared. From what Ive been able to find I believe it has astock 3.31 gear ratio? Is there anyway to swap it to a lower gear?

Also the interior is a bit rough and I'm wanting to replace at least the seats. From what I can gather the interior from the 70s-80s doesn't look like it changed all that much for the XJ6s. If I was to find an 80ish XJ6parts carwould I be able just swap out the seats and maybe some of the door panels and center console?

I'm sure I have other questions I cant think of atm but the gearing and the interior are my main concerns. Thanks for any help.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Yeah, it probably has a 3.31 diff. The Ser III XJ6s had taller gearing, 3.07 until '82 or so and 2.88 after that. It should be easy to find a decent used one. Look for one out of any XJS....they had the same ratios and you'll get limited slip as part of the bargain

I'mpretty sure the seats will interchange directly.

I think the door trims will interchange but there is something a bit different about they way they fit at the top....can't remember the details but I think its a minor thing that you could work around. Same with the console....should work, might be a couple minor details to straighten out. Note the the early Ser III consoles are pretty much (perhaps actually) the same as the Ser IIs, but later Ser III consoles are different at the front.

Cheers
DD

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Did the 74 XJ6s not have limited slip? If not then I wonder if the current rear end is the original or not. The burnt rubber I've left out in the country side hasled me to believe it does have limited slip as of now lol

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Limited slip was optional on 6 cylinder cars, standard on V12s and XJSs.

Its very rare to see limited slip on an XJ6 in the USA....almost unheard of. I'd be willing to bet that the PO made the change.

Another idea is to go to a 700/R4 trans. Lower first gear for off-the-line ooomph, and an overdrive fourth gear for highway driving.

Cheers
DD

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

I probably would go with a 700 except for the fact I already have another 350/350 I plan on rebuilding and the T350 is cheaper esp since I already have them. I'm not gonna be taking it out on the drap strip, but would like to have a weekend tire smoker. As it is right now it just doesn't have as much oomph as i'd like when stepping on the throttle.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Center console will have to be from an '82 or earlier: otherwise, you'll have to modify it at the climate control faceplate aperature to accomidate for the differences there.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Ok heres another question I thought of. Will the bumpers from a S1 fit on my 74? I don't really like the plastic and rubber look on mine. The ones I saw from pics of a 72 xj6 looked real nice though.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

I don't think so, no. The rear bumper might.

Lots of guys seek out the Series II "Euro" bumpers which don't have the big rubber cushions and look similar to Series I bumpers. You'll probbaly have to have them sent over from the UK, Europe, or Australia. I think some of the front sheet metal has to be changed, at least the lower valance panel.

Hopefully someone with concrete answers will chime in.

Cheers
DD

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Ok heres another question. The brake lights don't work. I've confirmed that both bulbs are good. I'm thinking next place to check would be either a fuse or the part (not sure what it's called exactly) near the brake pedal with the "plunger" that gets pressed as the pedal is pressed. If the fuses are all good, does anyone know what that plunger part is called and where I might be able to get one online? I'd rather have it mailed from a store and possibly new but if I have to find one at a junk yard than I guess that would have to do.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

That's the brake light switch, it has an arm that swivels to close the switch contacts when the brake pedal moves.

Turn the ignition on, jump the two wires at the switch together, and see if your brake lights are on. If so, the switch is bad. You need the correct one, new or used, message me if you can't find one local.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Thanks. I'll give that a try when I get a chance to drive down (the car is currently a couple hours away at my parents house).

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

Just to clarify, the switch with the plunger is for the cruise control. The one with the lever arm, as JTO says, is for the brake lights

Cheers
DD

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

No cruise on a "74, unless it's a Bendix or other aftermarket install. I did a couple many years ago, and don't recall a separate switch for cruise inhibit. I think the control unit just got signal from the stock brake light switch.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

I think lever arm would be a more accurate description than plunger. It's a metal bar that actually makes contact with the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is pressed it moves that lever. I assumed it was to activate the brake lights. As far as I know the car doesn't have criuse control. Next to the switch to swap the gas tanks, however are some other unmarked switches that i'm not too sure of. Next time I have a chance i'll take a picture and maybe you guys might know what they are for lol. I think one or two of them aren't original though.

RE: new Jaguar owner w/ questions
 

You are right, of course. Sometimes my brain gets stuck in "Series III" mode ! Sorry.

Cheers
DD

Well I tested the switch with a volt meter and it is getting power. After messing with the two wires a bit the brakes started working. Then after a day or two stopped working. So I unscrewed the switch and took a wire brush to the posts and the brakes seem to be working fine again. I think i'll buy new connectors and splice them to the wires as well in case they have rust or gunk built up causing problems.


Now my plans are to swap out to lower gears, new paint and wheels/tires. I contacted CWI http://www.cwiinc.com/ to find out what I could do. They said they could swap out the gears with 3.73 for about $1300 (thats with me just mailing them the diff). I think my best move would be to order just the gears and have a local shop do all the work for me. I was quoted $1500 in labor + whatever the gears cost locally. Any idea what 3.73 or maybe 3.90 gears should cost me?

I haven't called back to see how much just the gears alone would be yet but will probably later today after work. But another thing I'm wondering about is what I read somewhere:

found on post #4 here: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jaguar-irs-67267.html

Any thoughts on going that route? Cause my dad has a 77 Chevy with 3.83 gears that he will be swapping out to 4.11's. I can have his 3.83 gears for about $400. Should I go 3.83 with the conversion kit or just order 3.73/3.90 Jaguar gears?