I've loved the XJS for a long time and am thinking about finally acquiring one soon as a 3rd vehicle/ toy. I have always liked the coupes' styling better, but as a fun 3rd car I think I would prefer to have a convertible. I have done a lot of searching and reading to learn about the cars but I have two questions that I couldn't find solid answers to so here goes:

1. Can I swap a rear seat into a pre-facelift convertible? (before 91 or 92? I'm not sure where the break is in model years) What is underneath that rear parcel shelf of the pre-face lifted convertibles? Could i just remove the lockable storage area and retrofit a back seat and belts from a newer convertible or a coupe back there? I have found info on deleting the rear seat but nothing about adding a rear seat.

I know the rear seat is small and it didn't come in the early convertibles but my wife's requirements for a third car is that we can enjoy it as a family. So that means putting the little ones in a back seat. Buying a newer XJS convertible with a rear seat already installed may be cost prohibitive (XJS prices are going up it seems!) so I am trying to understand possibilities for the older cars.

2. What is the compatibility like for front and rear bumpers between facelift and pre-facelift cars? Can I reasonably fit the more modern looking body colored bumpers from a later car onto an earlier car? Do they use the same piece of chrome belt line trim above the bumpers?

Thanks a ton for any help!

 

By the time that you found replacement bumpers and seats, removed all the old stuff and had the new ones fitted it may be cheaper to get a 4 seat Facelift one anyway.
You will also have to carefully match the trim and bumper colours carefully otherwise it will look odd.
How old are the kids? It won't be many years before they are too big to go in the back other than for short journeys anyway!

 

The face-lifted convertibles I'm finding are selling for many pennies more than the pre face-lift ones. I have seen several of the older convertibles in the $2k to $5k range (in varying levels of repair) which is more of what I am going for. I want to get in the XJS game with a low cost project car not a pristine high dollar classic. If I can save major bucks by getting a pre face-lift convertible then spend a small amount of time and money retrofitting a back seat I figure I'll come out ahead.

Only one child exists so far and he's 2 months old. Eventually there will be a second child coming along. I grew up crammed in the back seat of several different convertibles so my kids can pay their dues the same way! Are the back seats in the coupes more roomy than the convertibles?

I'm not as concerned about the bumper swapping as I am having a back seat, but I just want to know if people have mixed and matched the bumpers on the new and old cars and what is involved. I'm not going to be too picky on pre or post face lift but if I had my choice I'd pair the newer bumpers with the old un-tinted tail lights.

 

Problem 1) The pump and electronics for the soft top are in the rear box and would have to be moved to the trunk. I don't believe that the original rear seat can be fitted to the earlier car.
I had mine done 21 years ago by a specialist and lt was NOT cheap. It includes lap belts. $$$
When my kids were younger all three sat there but now none of the want to....24 26 and 30...lol


2) the front fenders are not the same for the colour coded bumpers as the black ones. Chrome is also different. It would require everything down to the under tray, rear one might fit. $$$


It would be much more cost effective to buy the 2+2 from the start.

 

I agree it would be cheaper to buy the car with the rear seats if needed. Bringing a rough XJS up to good shape is a lot of work and money. Buythe best one you can afford. It would be cheaper in the long run.
Theres no such thing as a cheap XJS

 

Just a thought but, with a 2 month old and another in the future, wouldn't it be easier to just make attach points for the "infant car seats"?

I've got a 2+2 convertible, and with the driver's seat in position, it touches the rear seat bench. There is absolutely no legroom (none, nada, zilch) in the back. Sorry.

Bill

P.S. I don't have a photo handy, but I can take one and post it if you like.

 

+1 on this. I've got a 95 convertible. The reality is that the car is a 2 seater. Back seat Might be suitable for a small Terrier.