Installing overhead console - Page 2

**CJ7-Tim** · 07-07-2009, 10:09 AM

Any 1997-2001 XJ Cherokee overhead console will fit and function in any 1997-2001 XJ Cherokee. Be sure you get the wire harness. The wire connectors on the fuse box end changed from year to year but you can use the FSM wire diagrams to sort out the connections you need to make so the console will display. I can email you the wire diagrams if you need them.

1997 on top
1998
1999
2000-01
.

**compcrasher86** · 07-07-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

Any 1997-2001 XJ Cherokee overhead console will fit and function in any 1997-2001 XJ Cherokee. Be sure you get the wire harness. The wire connectors on the fuse box end changed from year to year but you can use the FSM wire diagrams to sort out the connections you need to make so the console will display. I can email you the wire diagrams if you need them.

Wire diagrams would be awesome help seeing as the XJ hanes is not all inclusive, I'll pm you my personal email...

I just checked behind the glove box and found that the connector is in the middle of a wire harness (the one for the lights is attached straight to the fuse box), and they look just like the ones in the picture. the bigger one is actually already connected and I traced the two (violet and white/black) wires up to the RKE. The only thing it does is prevent the horn from tooting while pressing the lock button if the car is on (hahaha wow what a waste) but this is awesome because I can use the existing plug to rebuild the harness. The one I am getting comes with harness, bracket, and sensor all included. Plus its only a 30-40 minute drive which is well worth it

Jon00XJ · 07-07-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJR

But the 93-95 I think only does compass/temp and you'd still have to modify the bracket and custom wire it

So what does the XJ console do that the ZJ's doesnt? Sorry if its a dumb question i have never seen an XJ with an over head console and I never seen one period that did more that compass and temp lol

MJR · 07-07-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compcrasher86

hey, will a 97 XJ console do the trick? Found a local one around here because I lost the bid on ebay by a couple bucks for the first one. I want the computer connection to be fully compatible.. ideally

I need a quick answer so I can jump on the deal and get a start on this project

Parts catalog says 97-01 supercede to the same number so they are interchangeable.

**compcrasher86** · 07-07-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon00XJ

So what does the XJ console do that the ZJ's doesnt? Sorry if its a dumb question i have never seen an XJ with an over head console and I never seen one period that did more that compass and temp lol

Neither have I and neither did the man at the pull n' pray! But if compatible and hooked up correctly it will not only show you compass and temp, but also theres a timer(count up) an avg and instant fuel economy readout in mpg, a distance to empty to give you a rough idea of how much more you can drive on your tank and also a blank display (kinda pointless). The XJ console is functionally just like the ZJ one and provides every option the ZJ one does, but the computer has plug and play compatibility with the bus and it fits the headliner better than the ZJ one.

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 12:14 AM

Those ZJ consoles were so so tempting, harbor auto in lynn MA has a couple and they are giving them out for $50. So tempting yet the real reason I'm doing this is for the eco and dte and temp so I'm sucking it up, I will know by tomorrow whether I landed the deal on the xj console because my debit card kept getting declined today (very weird) so hopefully its still there tomorrow

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 08:09 AM

Awesome news! I got the console but (being lazy) I am having it shipped to me from across the state. I can't wait

Heres the pics he emailed: (looks like he has two XJs haha)

And also, I removed the existing harness today and here is what it looks like:

Notice it has all of the plugs already on it?? this is good because I will just swap pins over according to the diagrams (dont worry I will explain this all later) to the newer style plug (comes with the 97 harness) and take pictures etc etc.

Notice he also included a piece of his old headliner attached to the console? this will let me cut the perfect template with minimal measuring

A+ seller by the way he had great communication

99Greenmachine · 07-08-2009, 09:02 AM

Nice score ^^^^

There is a 99 Limited XJ sitting in my local JY with a console but the rear lights have been removed out of it...not sure if it's worth it or not.

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Greenmachine

Nice score ^^^^

There is a 99 Limited XJ sitting in my local JY with a console but the rear lights have been removed out of it...not sure if it's worth it or not.

100% worth it, because the XJ consoles are so rare, you should grab it then find a ZJ console and grab the lights out of that. You can always find a ZJ console, the XJ consoles are tough finds I was lucky to snag mine at only $160. If you find them at JYards they are probably cheaper because they don't know the true value of these haha. these are selling for $200+ on ebay

99Greenmachine · 07-08-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compcrasher86

100% worth it, because the XJ consoles are so rare, you should grab it then find a ZJ console and grab the lights out of that. You can always find a ZJ console, the XJ consoles are tough finds I was lucky to snag mine at only $160. If you find them at JYards they are probably cheaper because they don't know the true value of these haha. these are selling for $200+ on ebay

After I go wheeling tomorrow I might head over there and get it. At another JY I saw one but it had a lot of dirt and grime all over it. The one I was talking about was pretty clean

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Greenmachine

At another JY I saw one but it had a lot of dirt and grime all over it.

If its the plastic, nothing a little sandpaper and spray paint can't fix haha

If its carpet, go oxi-clean! Viva Billy Mays!

99Greenmachine · 07-08-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compcrasher86

If its the plastic, nothing a little sandpaper and spray paint can't fix haha

If its carpet, go oxi-clean! Viva Billy Mays!

I was more worried about the computer not working haha

Do you think these have resell value on JF???

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Greenmachine

I was more worried about the computer not working haha

Do you think these have resell value on JF???

ohh, well yes that could be a problem...

as far as resale value, its a rare part so I imagine so

**compcrasher86** · 07-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Alright so once you get the old harness off, you may need to save the connectors if the New harness is from a different year, Theoretically you could snip the wires and re-crimp or solder them, but I want a factory-quality solution so I took the pins out of the old connector. Okay, first off look at the connectors and write down the pin configurations and wire colors somewhere. I did mine on paper but also in excel:

You can later fill this in with info for the harness you are going to build with the connectors. So, here is how I got the pins out... I used a long sewing needle and stuck it in to pry the little plastic tabd inside. While doing this I pulled on the wire and it slid right out. Repeat for all the pins and voila you have your new connector, no cutting required. Do the same with the new harness and just insert pins on new harness into appropriate spots (will cover later once I do it)

**compcrasher86** · 07-09-2009, 05:16 PM

ITS HERE! Under two days from the time of purchase and $10 shipping for a console, I am speechless! Starting install now