Hello, all.
I was wondering how interchangeable the parts between a 1986 and a 1989 Jaguar XJS are. I am asking because I am thinking about trying to pick up another Jag(an 1986) and combining them into a wonderful mix of both. It seems to have a lot of the parts mine lacks, so I think I could make more than a whole one out of the two

 

The ignition may be different, the 1986 will be Lucas, but the 1989 may or may not be Marelli.

• The front seats are different and the seat runners are not the same width apart
• The aircon is more modern in the 1989 being the Mark III Delanaire and the 1986 is the Mark II. The two systems are not interchangeable;
• The column stalks are different as is the windscreen wiper mechanism

I think that is about it. All the body and suspension are identical, ECU not identical I believe if the ignition is Marelli. Fuel injection is the same.


Greg

 

Thanks! That helps a lot. The AirCon in the 1986 would probably be in better shape than my 89. The body and suspension were my main worries.

I would probably have to use the 86 as a base, seeing how bad the floor pan is in my 89. The rest would be comparing to see what is in better condition and swapping.

Would the 89 gas tank fit the 86?

 

Fuel systems in the boot (trunk) are identical, tank is the same. Inside the car the earlier aircon needs the earlier loom, and the later the later. The 1989 aircon system (in the dashboard) is a more modern effort from the control point of view and crucial parts are a bit easier to find. If you do use the 1986 car as a base, you could put the 1989 system into it, but it would need some doing and the appropriate bit of loom stitching in somehow. Best to swap the blowers too as they are, i think controlled differently by the later system. Big dash-out job to do though!

Outside the cabin from the firewall forward, the systems are identical.

Greg

 

Thanks a million! You are an amazingly knowledgeable individual. Thanks for the help. I think I'll look into getting the other car. It'll be a really fun project.