I am looking to change out the Nav system to the 3 Gauge display on my 2006 XK8. I see numerous 96-99(?) dash replacements for sale on eBay. I get the impression that there is a considerable difference between those and the later 2002-2006 years? Can they be interchanged? Any chance of a modification??

 

Did this to mine last year. Easy to do and any of the triple gauge clusters will work but try and get a LJA4310AE or LJA4310AG as the AA version has teardrop markings which don't quite match the other instruments. Have you read though this?

XK8 / XKR Navigation to 3-Gauge Conversion - TheJagWrangler

 

I read thru the ad. That is what I plan to use. The problem I am running into is finding a proper wood grain dash trim. I have the Elm trim. Would like to convert to walnut burl, but so far have found no complete sets. I have seen some for 96-99(2000-2002), but it appears they are different from the later 2004-2006 models. I would even stay with Elm if I found a good complete set in the correct year, but so far no luck. eBay has not come thru yet.
Does anyone know what the difference is between the 96-99(2002) and 2003-2006 center gauge piece? That seems to be the chief difference. Size of cutouts(size does matter?).

 

I had the same problem, took me a few months to find the set I wanted, there are other options though, depending on wallet size: https://www.myrtleltd.com/product-ca...-2006-onwards/
The centre gauge dimensions are same for all the variants.

 

Those options are excellent if one has unlimited budget. Unfortunately, I am not in that category. I see the listings for the dashes showing a different dash for 96-2000. And a change for the dashes from about 2000-2006. Seems to be a change in the size of the A/C opening. Does anyone know if there is a difference ?? eBay listings have listings with age rating different years listed for the different models.