If one had, say, a 1995 XJS with the 'growler' badge and wanted to change it to the chrome 'leaper', what would be involved? Is there any filling and/or drilling involved?

 

The leaper has a big spring section under the mount that alows it to be turned around on the mount. you'll need to drill quite a big hole and I believe another small one, but it will reside under the original growler badge if you decide to revert to it. You would then only see the hole from underneath the bonnet. I personally have a 24k gold plated leaper (small type) and as much as the growler badge looks very modern and trim, the leaper adds a ornateness that just isn't done any more and I like that. It's a TRUE hood ornament. Bud

 

My car came with a leaper. I removed it and installed the growler.

Both used the same two holes for the mounting. No drilling, or fixing was required.

The leaper does reveal a little bit of the round depression used for the growler, but it's not very noticeable.

 

There are the 'safety' leapers (from an S type I think), and the not safety leapers available nearly everywhere in two sizes. One has a big spring and requires the big hole and the other can use the original holes. I have the latter in small on mine.

 

Ohhhh, got it. Well that simplifies it for me. Thank you.

 

To me, this is the right way to go. This is a matter of opinion, and I don't claim to be right about it, but I find the leaper just doesn't look quite right on the hood of the XJS. I kind of wish it did.

 

Oh no, here we go...

(Note: I removed my leaper in deference to the growler. The leaper gave it a more phallic appearance.)

 

I like it, l do have the smaller version though.
It seems that very few people when looking at my car even know that its a Jag. The xjs for most people is an unknown vehicle, lf l took the badges off from the rear l would get more people asking me" what car is that.." so just to let them know by having the small leaper.


Oh and l fitted 16" wire wheels too......so there

 

I put the small leaper on my '96 and like it very much.
RagJag

 

Can you please post a pic....I've never seen an XJS with a leaped. Thanks

 

I've got both the leaper and growler on mine.
(See attachments)

 

I love the leaper - actually bought one (tail is short/broken, but it's still gorgeous) and intended to have it put on as it does have the matching hole pattern to the growler badge, but, somehow, it just didn't look right to me when I had my husband hold it up there for a trial. I still have it - should probably turn it into a desk ornament on a base or sell it or something...

 

there are a few different leapers for Jags, depending on the angle of the bonnet ( hood in US speak ) different leapers were produced

so say a leaper made for a different Jag may look like its not at the right angle on an XJS , even though it will fit the mounting holes

i had a leaper over growler and full bonnet chrome strip on my 89 UK XJS , from the dealership , all optional extras at the time

BB

 

Hi friends - the leaper on my 1990 has a small round base. Looking under the hood I think I see 3 likely holes - the center one having a spring. The growler I want to install is bigger in diameter to the base of the leaper. But will I have an extra hole? I assume it will be covered by the growler. Should it be closed somehow? Thank you

 

How about some pics? Its 2023 and its easy to upload them to make things easier for you

 

coming up tomorrow... :-) that was the plan...

 

Good morning.
Here is a photo of the leaper and its attachment to the hood underneath.
Thank you

 

medic,

At least you're removing the leaper that some previous owner chose to decide to put on it!

I would tidy up and carefully paint the edges of the third hole, put a tiny rubber grommet in it and just let the growler cover it.

Good luck

Paul

 

What Paul said

 

order has been restored in the universe ! The leaper I believe was actually an Arden leaper -

says something like AJ underneath (see photo)

Middle hole is not needed for the growler. Too tiny to paint I thought. I can always re do it. The growler’s rubber mat (part BAC 3839) covers all holes comfortably.