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I’ve got a 1992 XJS I’m working on. Just repainted and needed a windshield. Safelite and other suppliers said they didn’t have one. Further research from forums suggested all facelift windshields are the same, coupe and convertible with only difference being the rear view mirror mounting. In fact, I read one post from someone who had a 94 convertible windshield in his ‘92 coupe.
soooooo… I’m scouring the web for a used windshield that’s close to me. Found it, from a 1994 convertible—but it doesn’t fit.
so, ARE there actual differences between coupe and convertible? Or is my ‘92 some weird hybrid that has the pre facelift windshield? My original has the dot matrix signifying a bonded screen. And it is, or was “bonded” (not with urethane but with something less durable). VIN is 183043
Does anyone have a pre and post windscreen they can measure for me? Or the opening in the body?
Facelift Coupe & Convertible windscreens are different. But I thought it was just in the thickness, not in the shape / profile?
For some reason, there are also multiple part numbers during the lifeline of the facelift cars for both Coupes & Convertibles. The early ones supersede forward, but then the very late cars have a different part number.
Why don't you try ringing Pilkington Glass in the UK who still make the Triplex XJS screens and ask them.
Windshields up to 188966 are different that ones post that VIN. A 94 would likely be around the 19xxxx VIN, or later. The windshield opening/cowl panel is also different, as is the bright trim, rubber gasket, etc. The parts manual for the late cars starts at VIN 179737, so you need a windshield for a car between that VIN and 188966.
Hope that helps.
Just to clarify, the changepoint is at 186966, rather than 188966.
Paul
Yeah, you are right. My parts manual makes it difficult to distinguish between 8's and 6's in some cases. PDF made from microfiche, and the quality suffers.
My original windshield was fogged all along the bottom edge (and broken while removing) and obscured the part number but I peeled a piece of glass back and discovered this part # : TRIPLEX 43R 00005 and DOT 17-M389-AS1
And in a quick google search I found a 1993 XJS convertible with those part # AND a 1989 convertible with those part #.
So it seems like there are two iterations of the facelift cars and the 1st version uses the older model windshield but it is bonded in. "Bonded" means it sits on some sort of sealant that was not completely hard--it was def not urethane.
But this is where it's about to get real weird. I also found on google images, an XJ40 with a windshield with those exact same numbers above. I'm no expert about windshield codes and I dont know what of those numbers above is the specific part number versus universal code for the various standards of glass, so I'm assuming I'm misunderstanding something. No way the XJ40 windshield is same as XJS, right?
I called them to discover that the Classics division has shut down but they have some remaining parts. But armed with parts book info about coupe and convertible being the same (from above posts) I was able to find one, ONE! convertible version in the country and got my local shop to order it. with any luck, it should be here Thursday.
this has been a nightmare
Where have you found that the Coupe & Convertible are the same? Jaguar's parts system always shows different part numbers, even for early facelifts. Everything we were told says the screens are different thicknesses as a minimum, and the infill rubbers are different part numbers for Coupe & Convertible, presumably reflecting the different size glass.
I worded that wrong. I meant that they are listed as NOT the same but I'm betting/hoping that the shape is the same and that the difference is in the rear view mirror mount. I have read about the thickness difference and will check that when/if I am able to get the screen. I've read that the 'vert screen is thinner which would be weird since cutting the roof off makes you look for ways to stiffen the car back up and a thicker windshield would be the way to go. But regardless, since the screen will be urethaned in, the thickness shouldn't affect the chance of leaking. It might affect the rubber and stainless trim but I'm betting that can be accommodated but we will see...
I was surprised that Jaguar changed the shape of the body with the '94 year so subtlety and I might be surprised again if the convertible windshield doesnt fit my coupe. But I'm doing this in the name of science! ha! actually because i need a windshield and willing to take a chance on a new $325 one versus $550 shipped for a used one. The only real hassle if it doesnt fit will be for the shop that ordered it and having to return it. But I've soothed my conscience about that by also using them to replace the windshield on my wife's Volvo and my other XJ.
I agree, the whole issue of the windscreen shape, thickness, deifference between early & late facelift, Coupe & Convertible is very confusing.
As regards the profile as distinct from thickness, there's only one changepoint in the windscreen aperture panel itself, which is at the introduction of the big bumpers at VIN 188105 in April 1993. I presumed that was merely to do with increased galvanising of some panels but perhaps it also involved re-tooling and a revised shape of some of the panels? More confusingly, the Coupe panel pre-188105 eventually superseded to the new panel which implies that perhaps the shape was the same. But the Convertible panel part number didn't supersede to its later part number which adds more mystery?
The implication of all of this is that, despite all the windscreen part number changes, the aperture size for facelifts could only have changed once for Coupe and once for Convertible at most.
As regards the thickness, I heard from one member who said that a Convertible rubber didn't fit properly with a Coupe windscreen, so you may encounter a similar issue.
I contacted Pilkington Classic last year, to my surprise their Japanese office replied. They can get the glass, they can ship anywhere. But yes, they come from Japan now.
So, shop called and convertible glass for the 92 model is different. not sure how, will have to talk them face to face. reached out to pilkington classics website and facebook but just missed them for the weekend so they will answer monday rep said .
Facelift (??) windshield help,
