If you've spent any time all-terrain as well as just navigating tight parking a lot, you probably know how fragile a jeep cherokee xj header panel can be. It's that large piece of material—usually fiberglass-reinforced plastic—that basically will act as the "face" of the Jeep. This holds the car headlights, the grille, the side markers, and the turn signals all in a single place. Because it's right there in the very front of the vehicle, it's generally the first thing to crack when you nudge the tree on a trail or obtain into a minor fender bender in a stoplight.
The XJ Cherokee is really a popular machine, but let's be honest: these people aren't exactly constructed like tanks whenever it comes in order to the body plastics. If your top end is looking a bit sagging or you've got a headlight pointing toward the treetops because of the cracked mount, it's time to discuss what goes straight into fixing or changing that header panel.
Why These types of Things Tend to Split
It's not really just about accidents. Age is a huge factor for any XJ proprietor. Most of these Jeeps are actually twenty to forty yrs old, and the heat cycles from the engine combined with UV rays in the sun create that composite materials incredibly brittle. You might you need to be attempting to change a burnt-out headlight bulb, and snap —the screw housing in the header panel crumbles like a dried out cookie.
After that there's the off-road factor. The XJ posseses an unibody building, meaning the whole thing flexes. More than years of rotating the chassis on rocky trails, the particular rigid plastic associated with the jeep cherokee xj header panel can produce tension fractures. Every crack starts, vibration through the road surface finishes the job. Prior to you know it, your grille is rattling, and the whole front finish feels loose.
Understanding the Year Distinctions
Before a person go out and purchase a replacement, you have to understand which version you need. The Cherokee XJ had a pretty significant "facelift" in 1997.
From 1984 to 1996 , the header panels were more angular and boxy, matching the classic 80s aesthetic. These are usually produced of a heavy fiberglass-like material. If you have an older Wagoneer-style XJ along with the stacked dual headlights, your header panel is even more specific.
From 1997 to 2001 , Jeep smoothed out the edges. The header panel became more rounded, and the way it mounts to the particular fenders changed somewhat. You can actually swap a late-model front-end onto an older Jeep, yet it's not really a "bolt-on and go" situation—you'd need the fenders and the hood to match the particular lines. Most individuals just stay with the version that fits their year in order to keep things simple.
Choosing Between OEM, Aftermarket, or even Used
As it pertains time to buy a new jeep cherokee xj header panel , you have three main paths.
- The Junkyard Dive: This is actually the least expensive route and frequently the best for obtaining a perfect fit. In the event that you can discover an XJ within a local yard by having an intact front finish, grab it. The advantage the following is that it might currently be the same color as your own Jeep. Drawback? It's just as older and brittle as the one you're replacing.
- Brand new Aftermarket: You can discover these online with regard to surprisingly affordable prices. They will are usually made of ABS plastic material rather than the original fiberglass blend. They may be lighter plus less prone to shattering, but the fitment can be hit or miss. Occasionally you have to trim a little plastic or redrill a hole to get almost everything to fall into line flawlessly.
- Brand new Old Stock (NOS): These are original Mopar parts that possess been sitting within a warehouse. They are the "holy grail" regarding restorers because the fit is perfect, but they are becoming incredibly rare plus expensive.
The particular Joy of the particular Replacement Process
Replacing the header panel isn't the difficult job, yet it is a bit tedious. You're going to end up being dealing with a lot of small 10mm bolts and those annoying plastic clips that love to break the moment you take a look at them.
You'll start by removing the grille as well as the headlight doors (the trim pieces throughout the lights). Once individuals are off, you are able to access the bolts holding the header panel to the particular radiator support plus the fenders. 1 tip from someone who's done this particular way too a lot of times: label your hardware . There are usually about a number of different screws plus bolts of changing lengths, and trying to puzzle out which one goes where during reassembly is a headache you don't need.
The trickiest part is generally the wires harness. The change signals and part markers are all plugged into the harness that runs along the back from the panel. You'll need to carefully unclip these. If your own Jeep is crusty or has lived in the rust belt, be prepared for some of those electric connectors to become stubborn. A little bit of electronics cleanser or WD-40 can go a lengthy way here.
Painting and Appearances
Until you obtain lucky at a scrapyard, a new jeep cherokee xj header panel will arrive in the flat black or gray primer colour. If you have got a "trail rig" where looks don't matter, you can just bolt this on and call it a time. It actually gives the Jeep a rugged, two-tone appearance that some individuals actually like.
However, if you want it to appear factory-fresh, you'll have to color it. Because panels are plastic or even composite, you can't just spray any kind of old rattle may on them and expect it to stay. You need a good plastic-adhesion promoter first. Then, you can use a color-matched spray color. Many auto components stores can blend a can of paint based upon your Jeep's particular paint code (found on the driver's side door jamb or even the firewall).
Don't neglect the clear layer! Without a few layers of very clear, the sun will fade that new color in a matter of months, plus you'll be right back where you started with a boring front end.
While You're In There
One of my preferred rules of DO-IT-YOURSELF car repair is usually the "while I'm in there" guideline. Since you have to take the whole front side from the Jeep apart to swap the header panel, it's the perfect time to upgrade additional components.
- Headlights: The stock XJ sealed-beam headlights are notoriously poor. It's like traveling with two weakened flashlights taped in order to the bumper. While the header panel is off, consider swapping to H4 housings or DIRECTED units.
- Wiring Harness: Installing the heavy-duty headlight wiring harness with relays will pull power directly from the battery instead of through the outdated dashboard switch. This makes your lighting significantly brighter.
- Cleaning: You'd become surprised how very much dirt and results in get trapped behind the header panel. Get a shop vac plus a wire brush in there to clear up the radiator support and look for any hidden corrosion.
Final Thoughts for the Project
It may seem such as a lot of work with a piece of plastic, but the jeep cherokee xj header panel is what gives the Jeep its identity. It's that iconic seven-slot grille and those rectangular eyes that everyone recognizes. When typically the panel is damaged or sagging, the particular whole vehicle appears tired.
The first time you step back again and look at the Jeep with the fresh, straight header panel, you'll realize it had been worth the particular effort. It tightens up the front end, stops the annoying rattles, and the actual old XJ seem like it's ready for another 200, 000 miles. Just attempt to keep away from the trees this time!