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What are the best spare bits to harvest from a parts XK8/XKR?
A friend has short-term access to a parts XK8 and has offered to pull parts from it for me.
I like to keep a small collection of spare parts on hand for each of my cars for the parts that commonly fail/break.
Though the parts will be cheap, they won't be free (figure $0.05 on the OEM $1), so I don't want to say "everything"
He has limited transport ability, so bumpers and full wings are out.
Finally, it's an XK8 and I have an XKR, so cross-platform parts are best.
So far I've asked for him to grab the:
Headlights if good,
Driver's door wiring harness (Mine has issues)
Wood dash if it's a 3-gauge center unit,
seats if they are good and match my trim code.
What other priority spare parts would you recommend I ask him to grab and why?
Last edited by sanchius; Feb 10, 2021 at 02:10 PM.
Reason: fix typo
Shock towers, interior mirror, front upper and lower A arms.
Top rams and pump.
Have a good look at the convertible top and liner, might be really good. Take the whole thing.
Rear light fixtures.
Of course the cup holder.
Lucky you.
I did a number of searches before posting specifically to avoid this, but that's never a guarantee that I didn't miss something. If this has been discussed please add the link.
I’m having deja vu. I feel I have read this thread before, word for word.
Originally Posted by sanchius
I did a number of searches before posting specifically to avoid this, but that's never a guarantee that I didn't miss something. If this has been discussed please add the link.
Read the forums for long enough and almost every topic gives a sense of déjà vu.
In order of priority for list making:
1. the first category to disappear from Jaguar inventory is TRIM. (carpet, leather and veneer)
2. the first thing to fail on an XK8 is usually PLASTIC (becoming rare and expensive)
3. things that wear out are electrical/electronic components (door module, seat module, switches)
What are the best spare bits to harvest from a parts XK8/XKR?
A friend has short-term access to a parts XK8 and has offered to pull parts from it for me.
I like to keep a small collection of spare parts on hand for each of my cars for the parts that commonly fail/break.
Though the parts will be cheap, they won't be free (figure $0.05 on the OEM $1), so I don't want to say "everything"
He has limited transport ability, so bumpers and full wings are out.
Finally, it's an XK8 and I have an XKR, so cross-platform parts are best.
So far I've asked for him to grab the:
Headlights if good,
Driver's door wiring harness (Mine has issues)
Wood dash if it's a 3-gauge center unit,
seats if they are good and match my trim code.
What other priority spare parts would you recommend I ask him to grab and why?
***Get the J-gate bezel/shift plate that is plastic. Mine on 80K mile 2000 convertible is broken likely due to the loose/sloppy shift rod movement. I am hunting a bushing kit and replacement bezel now without success. Also, items like door mounted switches, seat release levers and sun visor vanity mirrors or entire visors would be nice to have good replacements for.
Center console/cup holder and the third brake light assembly! I've spent years constantly trying to jerry rig both of those things on my 98 coupe after breaking (all of you who've had these cars for a while know what I'm talking about). Call me cheap and/or stubborn...Ah, also the rear view mirror and the seat switches or the seat switch assemblies. All the Jaguar badges (hood/trunk, side leapers) and wheel hub badges. Those things are ridiculously expensive to replace.
Radiator fan control module....mine went out on my 2003 XK8 this last summer and i had to buy the entire radiator fan assembly - Also the brake control module (you can only get rebuilt ones now). Maybe all of the control modules? Any chance you would share?
Last edited by XKDeviant; Feb 11, 2021 at 10:12 PM.
Littles:
Neutral safety switch (the big switch on the side of the transmission) Common failure point in my experience as I've had two Ebay specials fail.
Engine Control Module
Transmission Control Module
Body Control Module
Lamp Control Module (I've burned out a few, but that might be unique to my car)
Shifter assembly
Interior
Seats/control modules
Interior trim
Rear view Mirror (commonly fails)
Instrument Panel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Transmission if you have room
Engine if you have a lot of room
When I had to replace my XK8 convertible's engine, the wrecker recommended me to take the front and rear bumper covers, front and rear lamp housings and fog lamp housings, armrest with cup holder, sun-visors with vanity mirrors. Apparently, these parts are the most sought after as well as costly items.
The plastic seat hinge covers if still in good shape. Primarily the outer side covers, as they are frequently broken and not easy to find anywhere. Then somebody can 3D print them and sell to the rest of us.
The image of a bunch of Vultures circling the crawling man in the desert does come to mind.
But I think of it both as a treasure hunt and efficient urban recycling that defers consumptive manufacturing.
Without these salvage yards I'd have no hope of keeping my classic fleet alive.
The dead XK8 was pretty well worked over by the time he got to it (just one day after it was placed in the yard),
the trim code was not a match to what I need
The headlights & rear view mirror I wanted for spares were already gone & the taillights were cracked
He did grab some interior trim bits I need and the nice complete 3-center-gauge dashboard
The parts suggested in the posts above will definitely be helpful in future recycling visits.
As a public service, here is the site I use to search for these: Row52.com Jaguar XK8 search
It doesn't look too bad in the row52 picture of it getting processed into the Richmond CA yard.
A few days later, it's quickly becoming a picked over carcass. And that's good as it will be headed to the crusher in 4 weeks
Get the plastic shock tower covers, the plastic front tow hook plugs, the tool kit, ANY factory accessories, the tail lamp bulb access covers (the ones that say "Lift"), the shift knob, for starters. Don't forget the owner's manual and associated literature, grab the fasteners from the trunk, as many as you can find, the spare tire/wheel.
I'm shocked at how many and how quickly all of these beautiful cars are being scrapped, but I guess they are too sensitive electronically, plus Jag has cut off most parts for them. Too bad, they are beautiful cars and functioning survivors will be worth a good price in the future.
Best spare bits to harvest from a parts XK8/XKR?
Irreplaceable plastic
