I have a '95, installing an LS3/6L80E, detailed in a separate thread. Had a little issue with a fire under the dash, pulling the dash for a little work. I don't really trust the airbag now, and am not really ecstatic about a used one. Has anyone retrofitted a glovebox? What is needed - just the door, hinges and liner? Plus, of course, I assume the wood will change. I assume it would need to be a post-facelift part? Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Mike

 

In doing another project on my 94 xj6 which is also without a glove box, I had occasion to remove that airbag and found that in That car there appeared to be all the fitments to what a box might attach. The wood panel is separate and hinged but without a latch of course and the airbag mounted in the space behind it. The problem I saw there at the time was that there didn't appear to be enough room because of all the relays and wiring. I suppose this stuff could be moved but I didn't take the time to find out as it wasn't my object. Maybe if you don't have enough room you could adapt a box to fit the space.You can also get replacement faux wood or other different materials online if you are worried about the grain not matching.

 

Thanks for the reply - yes, I wondered about that, looked pretty full. Still, with a damaged harness to repair, doing an LS swap, so engine ecm goes away, along with much of it's wiring, might be able to find a way. I am still wondering how much of the jaguar stuff I can lose - you know, heater and temperature sensor for the washer tank, HVAC ducts for the "Back seat" of the convertible, etc - maybe a way to carve out some space. Good to hear that the hinge fitments were there on your XJ6 though - seems Jaguar does not really take things out, after they have begun putting them in - and I wonder if somewhere in the world they sold cars without the airbag?
Thanks again,

Mike

 

Mike,

I think you will not have a problem sourcing and fitting a glovebox to your facelift car for a few reasons:

There were lots of facelift cars fitted with gloveboxes. The introduction of the passenger airbag as standard happened in early 1994, so plenty of facelift cars built from May 1991 with gloveboxes.

I think that glovebox lids are interchangeable between LHD & RHD cars. I'm pretty sure there aren't separate part numbers for LHD & RHD gloveboxes. So I think you can source one from any market and fit it.

Hope that helps.

Good luck

Paul

 

I have found a different and easy solution for myself: Under the airbag section is the fuse section, which can be opened without screws. I disassembled the little fan inside (This effects that climate control is easier to handle I think) and put a piece of nice carpet in there... As result I've got a hidden glove box without changing the original interieur...

 

I recommend you buy replacement metal clips now. They will eventually break.

I use that area to store a little amp. (Alpine KTP-445u) By disconnecting that fan, you have to make sure your AC panel is always in manual mode. If you leave it in auto, it will be confused because it's no longer able to accurately sense the temperature in the cabin,

 

XJS airbags...here's an interesting piece of trivia. Some years ago my 92/93 got whacked in the nose. After making all the mechanical repairs, I wondered why the driver airbag didn't deploy. I was told the original airbag was "mechanical" and the bumper sensors fail after a decade or so. Then I was told replacement airbags are no longer available because the mfg company couldn't get the old style certified by DOT. The donor car had a "dealer installed" Nardi steering wheel soooo... Karma walked in, and the car now sports a beautiful wood rim wheel! You're better off retro-ing a glovebox!

 

There are no bumper sensors. The airbag is completely self deployed. There is an accelerometer or something in there that senses impact. If you exceed the impact the airbag deploys. It would work exactly the same if you were to remove it from the car, or if you left it in there. There's no wires, or any kind of communication in or out of that airbag.

 

bumper sensors? Thats not how airbags used to work.