Doing this with my 98. I live in Detroit and saw this overhead console on a ZJ and wanted it. Asked about price. 20$ lol. I bought the ZJ gas tank with a drilled hole in it for 17$!! Now I gotta get the 99 rams head plenum and the 35c axle from a ZJ with disxc brakes! 165$ for an ENTIRE rear end. I found a chrysler 8.25 for 165$ I'm grabbin her! Thanks for confirming it can be done
Thanks Bug. I appreciate you saying that. I'm hoping to catch on little by little. Im hoping to collab with some other RUclipsrs this spring/summer and hopefully expand my reach. I love how you have grown. Your content is fun and different. It's real. Which is what I like. Keep it up!
@MichXJdad Thank you!! XJs are great. Capable, easy to work on and parts are easy to find, but just like any 20 year old Jeep. They have their problems. That's why I like to share my experiences to help others. Thanks for watching
I'm getting ready to do this, my garage door opener panel won''t open on the console I got though, any ideas? Did you take the whole thing apart anyway to reupholster? All those tiny torx screw on the inside it looks like I can take out the garage opener compartment from the back and inspect the mechanism. Thanks!!
Its been a few years, but there is a calibration sequence or something to do to get the garage door. I'm not sure . Yes, i took it all apart to reupholster it.
So I took a console and the wires out of a '97 XJ and am trying to put it in my '01 XJ And the wires are not the same. The only thing that works is the dome lights, the connector for the screen has nowhere to go, do I need to splice it in somewhere? Also, the ceiling bracket is riveted instead of screwed on. I dislike how literally nobody on the entire internet has an 01 model.
I heard something about this. The 01 was such a different animal. Between the exhaust manifold and some wiring. It was very different from all the other years. I had a hard time find much of any information on this swap online. I wish I could help you further,but I don't have access to an 01 xj to try things out. I'm sure it's possible to splice , but I wouldn't recommend it.
@@FMJeeping I found some expert on a Forum who knows everything, apparently they changed the wires for the OHC in 2000, so 97-99 won't work without re-pinning the connectors. I already have everything out so I guess I'm gonna try that anyway.
Alright for anyone who reads these comment threads, I figured it out. I had to re-pin the connectors and reorganize the wires in a different order. I used tweezers to undo each wire, then snapped it in place aligned with its color matching spot on the vehicle side. The only issue I ran into was with 2 identical wires on the harness and the vehicle sides, a white with a black stripe. Initially, the OHC didn't work, but upon switching these wires everything just worked. I plugged in the temp sensor and went for a drive, it tracks MPG and holds an accurate compass. So to anyone looking to add an OHC, it's possible to use any year interchangeably from 97-01, but you'll have a much easier time using a donor console from the same year as your current rig.
@@WAEMIDIV Hello Waemid I am actually in the process of doing the exact same OHC change, i have a 1999 jeep XJ and running into the same issues. Can you post the forum link you used to ri pinn the connectors from the older model jeep to the newer 1999-2001 model? I want to ri pin my OHC.
@@sergiogaetano5693 The forum didn't give specifics, other than match the colors. If you're trying to use a console from 96 or before, I'm not sure it'll work. I had 2 more wires on the harness than I did on the vehicle. These wires did not match any colors and were left in blank slots. Every other wire was color coded. example: red with blue stripe on harness goes to red with blue stripe on vehicle. They're the same wires, just in a different order [at least that's how it was using a 97 console in an 01 jeep] You need a little tiny pin that can fit inside each slot on the connectors to get the wires out, and then just snap them back in. I'll reply with a second comment with the forum link
I went from a normal dome light to the overhead console. The overhead console has more inputs that were not included in the harness that I had from the factory.
Unfortunately, I don't know for certain. I'm sorry I could not help you further. I would check Naxja, they have good archived info that might answer your question.
So I need a 98 limited XJ harness right? Cause I can pull one out of a 98 ZJ where I got the console but in the replies it seems it would be different? I can get the harness 5$. I'm putting it in a 98 XJ sport with the classic harness + Up country package (Hitch, gas tank skid plate, tow hooks, ext idle, rear wiper & defrost etc). Grabbed the console for 18$ yesterday at the junkyard. Harness was hard to get out beyond the dash. Going back today with more tools to get that harness either way I'm sure I can get pinouts and make it work. Taking the ZJ sun visors too with the mirror and light because I'm just that pretty haha. Couldn't find the sensor on the ZJ but ill keep lookin for it. I saw the amazon link you dropped, I assume that one will work? I got so much research to do. Thanks brother subbed.
Thanks for watching. I have heard of people rewiring the zj to get it to work, but the direct plug and play would be the easier way. I would opt to get one from the same year to be safe.
I believe that this was an option most years, but I find it to be more common after 97. The trick is to find one from the same year you are trying to add it. The wiring harnesses changed across the years. Mine was a 98 , i pulled my stuff from a 98 .
Very informative. I do have a question though, dunno if you have the answer but is the stock wiring for the dome version plug and play with the lights of the overhead console? Meaning if I didn't care to plug the screen etc. I got a console from a friend but he didn't have the wiring loom for it.
@@FMJeeping No worries, it's been a long time indeed since you made that. In the end of the day, I can always diy wire it. Thanks for the answer and the video!
The consoles are similar, but the zj one I think has a separate computer for the console unlike the xj one being built into the ecu. The wiring is different between the two.
A junkyard , eBay, Craigslist, or a partout. I got mine for a junkyard. Grab the console, headliner if you can. You can cut the stock one to fit, but I went with the whole headliner route. The console one has a few more holes and helps hold it up. Also grab the wiring harness that runs from the console to the fuse panel and the sensor that mounts on the lower radiator support.
Did you mean A pillar? IIRC there are 2 screws and plastic retainers that hold the trim on. You remove the covers for the screws. Remove the screws, and gently pull the trim out. I dont remember exactly, but you need to be gentle. That trim is dried out and fragile.
Correct. The Xj (mine is a 98) has the info built in to the ecm. The only thing you need is the wire harness from the fuse panel to the console and the Thermo sensor . That's it. The zj one you need the separate trip computer.
I'm not sure. Some of these connections go through the fuse panel and I wouldn't mess with it. I like plug n play as much as possible. With the age of these Jeeps, the electrical system gets finicky.
Hard to say. I spent about a month working on it. With filming it takes longer And only working an hour here and there. About a month, but if you work it could be done faster. Depends on the rot.
@@petersaurusrex9135 they are different. I have seen people rewire them to work, but it is not plug n play. The mounting is off as well. Putting a zj overhead console in an Xj leaves a gap between the headliner and console.
I'm sorry but I forgot which way it goes on. If you dry fit the console, the brackets on the console should line up with the curled arms on the bracket mounted to the ceiling. If it doesn't, you will have to spin it around. .Sorry I couldn't be more of a help at the moment. I should have included that info in the video.
It is definitely a nice addition to the Jeep. I've been fortunate to find one or 2 of them in my local pick n pull junkyards . If you have one near you. Give it a shot.
Informative right up until the bracket section then wtf man, what is the orientation of the bracket, how did you modify the headliner to accept the overhead console, how did you install the two pieces together? Did you install the headliner first then the overhead? This is exactly the reason I watched this and the most important parts you completely skipped over.
The bracket is installed with the round claws that hold the console are towards the back . The headliner was the one designed for the overhead console. I didn't modify the headliner besides reupholstering it. The headliner goes in first.
Doing this with my 98. I live in Detroit and saw this overhead console on a ZJ and wanted it. Asked about price. 20$ lol. I bought the ZJ gas tank with a drilled hole in it for 17$!! Now I gotta get the 99 rams head plenum and the 35c axle from a ZJ with disxc brakes! 165$ for an ENTIRE rear end. I found a chrysler 8.25 for 165$ I'm grabbin her! Thanks for confirming it can be done
Already done this with my '98. This was a good refresher before doing my '01. Thanks!!!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Good job! We definitely like having the overhead console. Keep the vids coming! Your content is definitely worthy of more subs! ❤️🐞
Thanks Bug. I appreciate you saying that. I'm hoping to catch on little by little. Im hoping to collab with some other RUclipsrs this spring/summer and hopefully expand my reach. I love how you have grown. Your content is fun and different. It's real. Which is what I like. Keep it up!
FMJeeping - Thank You! That is really nice of you to say 😊 Never know what 2020 will bring to both of us!! ❤️🐞
@@GoatOffroad definitely. Who knows 2020 is fresh and new. Thanks again!
@MichXJdad Thank you!! XJs are great. Capable, easy to work on and parts are easy to find, but just like any 20 year old Jeep. They have their problems. That's why I like to share my experiences to help others. Thanks for watching
@@GoatOffroad haha, this post seems so optimistic 10 months ago 🤣
Amazing mod! It seems daunting.. but definitely nice to try it out! Tks!
You're welcome . Try and find a donor that is the same year. Less issues that way.
I've seen a couple of oes from ZJs in less ridiculous prices. Do you know if it would be feasible to adapt?
I still want to find me an overhead console
I love mine. The added storage is nice and the better lighting is good at night.
Nobody has a video on how they rewired the connectors
Mine was plug n play. No rewiring needed. It can be done. I think I saw an very old thread on it in a old Cherokee forum.
I'm getting ready to do this, my garage door opener panel won''t open on the console I got though, any ideas? Did you take the whole thing apart anyway to reupholster? All those tiny torx screw on the inside it looks like I can take out the garage opener compartment from the back and inspect the mechanism. Thanks!!
Its been a few years, but there is a calibration sequence or something to do to get the garage door. I'm not sure . Yes, i took it all apart to reupholster it.
@@FMJeepingcool, I'll look thanks man your vid is great prep.
So I took a console and the wires out of a '97 XJ
and am trying to put it in my '01 XJ
And the wires are not the same. The only thing that works is the dome lights, the connector for the screen has nowhere to go, do I need to splice it in somewhere?
Also, the ceiling bracket is riveted instead of screwed on. I dislike how literally nobody on the entire internet has an 01 model.
I heard something about this. The 01 was such a different animal. Between the exhaust manifold and some wiring. It was very different from all the other years. I had a hard time find much of any information on this swap online. I wish I could help you further,but I don't have access to an 01 xj to try things out. I'm sure it's possible to splice , but I wouldn't recommend it.
@@FMJeeping I found some expert on a Forum who knows everything, apparently they changed the wires for the OHC in 2000, so 97-99 won't work without re-pinning the connectors.
I already have everything out so I guess I'm gonna try that anyway.
Alright for anyone who reads these comment threads, I figured it out. I had to re-pin the connectors and reorganize the wires in a different order. I used tweezers to undo each wire, then snapped it in place aligned with its color matching spot on the vehicle side.
The only issue I ran into was with 2 identical wires on the harness and the vehicle sides, a white with a black stripe. Initially, the OHC didn't work, but upon switching these wires everything just worked.
I plugged in the temp sensor and went for a drive, it tracks MPG and holds an accurate compass. So to anyone looking to add an OHC, it's possible to use any year interchangeably from 97-01, but you'll have a much easier time using a donor console from the same year as your current rig.
@@WAEMIDIV Hello Waemid I am actually in the process of doing the exact same OHC change, i have a 1999 jeep XJ and running into the same issues. Can you post the forum link you used to ri pinn the connectors from the older model jeep to the newer 1999-2001 model? I want to ri pin my OHC.
@@sergiogaetano5693 The forum didn't give specifics, other than match the colors.
If you're trying to use a console from 96 or before, I'm not sure it'll work.
I had 2 more wires on the harness than I did on the vehicle. These wires did not match any colors and were left in blank slots.
Every other wire was color coded. example: red with blue stripe on harness goes to red with blue stripe on vehicle. They're the same wires, just in a different order [at least that's how it was using a 97 console in an 01 jeep]
You need a little tiny pin that can fit inside each slot on the connectors to get the wires out, and then just snap them back in.
I'll reply with a second comment with the forum link
Why did you change the connections
I went from a normal dome light to the overhead console. The overhead console has more inputs that were not included in the harness that I had from the factory.
I’ll probably head down to my local pick a part. Look for the wiring harness. Perhaps do you know wheee I might be able to buy one?
I see them on eBay from time to time. Just get the same model year as your jeep.
Nicely done.Now I need to get off my lazy but and install mine....
Thanks Dan! It's not too bad. I'm pretty happy with it.
Hi,would you happen to know if the harness from an 1999 XJ will be a direct fit onto a 2000 XJ ?,thank you so much for your answer.
Unfortunately, I don't know for certain. I'm sorry I could not help you further. I would check Naxja, they have good archived info that might answer your question.
So I need a 98 limited XJ harness right? Cause I can pull one out of a 98 ZJ where I got the console but in the replies it seems it would be different? I can get the harness 5$. I'm putting it in a 98 XJ sport with the classic harness + Up country package (Hitch, gas tank skid plate, tow hooks, ext idle, rear wiper & defrost etc). Grabbed the console for 18$ yesterday at the junkyard. Harness was hard to get out beyond the dash. Going back today with more tools to get that harness either way I'm sure I can get pinouts and make it work. Taking the ZJ sun visors too with the mirror and light because I'm just that pretty haha. Couldn't find the sensor on the ZJ but ill keep lookin for it. I saw the amazon link you dropped, I assume that one will work? I got so much research to do. Thanks brother subbed.
Thanks for watching. I have heard of people rewiring the zj to get it to work, but the direct plug and play would be the easier way. I would opt to get one from the same year to be safe.
@@FMJeeping 145$? No thanks I build 3D printers.... I'll wire it up lol.
@@andrewchristiansen8311 do a write up. It could help a bunch of people
Thank you for your video, very detailed, what is the part number for the temperature sensor?
I pulled mine off the donor vehicle. Amazon says this one works.
amzn.to/3G3yDxM
where did you get that hood?
Its a stock hood with Napier hold vents
Wat year nd model jeep dis it come from
I believe that this was an option most years, but I find it to be more common after 97. The trick is to find one from the same year you are trying to add it. The wiring harnesses changed across the years. Mine was a 98 , i pulled my stuff from a 98 .
@@FMJeeping forsure boss appreciate the info im looking for an 01
@@MeNtAlCiTyBoY no problem. Good luck on your search.
9:38 DTE is Distance To Empty ---- ET is Elapsed Time. Or how long you're waiting on the tow truck lol.
Lol maybe
Very informative. I do have a question though, dunno if you have the answer but is the stock wiring for the dome version plug and play with the lights of the overhead console? Meaning if I didn't care to plug the screen etc. I got a console from a friend but he didn't have the wiring loom for it.
I don't remember for sure. Im sorry.
@@FMJeeping No worries, it's been a long time indeed since you made that. In the end of the day, I can always diy wire it. Thanks for the answer and the video!
@@NickArthfael thank you for watching and good luck!
can you get the bracket and the harness from a ZJ?
The harness is different from what I'm told.
Do you know if is the same one for XJ and ZJ
The consoles are similar, but the zj one I think has a separate computer for the console unlike the xj one being built into the ecu. The wiring is different between the two.
Fantastic video! How would one find one of these overhead consoles?
A junkyard , eBay, Craigslist, or a partout. I got mine for a junkyard. Grab the console, headliner if you can. You can cut the stock one to fit, but I went with the whole headliner route. The console one has a few more holes and helps hold it up.
Also grab the wiring harness that runs from the console to the fuse panel and the sensor that mounts on the lower radiator support.
FMJeeping was that from another xj?
How did you remove all the trim surrounding the b pillar?
Did you mean A pillar? IIRC there are 2 screws and plastic retainers that hold the trim on. You remove the covers for the screws. Remove the screws, and gently pull the trim out. I dont remember exactly, but you need to be gentle. That trim is dried out and fragile.
@@FMJeeping I’ll give this a try thank you so much!!
So the console itself has all the mpg and trip functions in it, like there were no other wires or sensors beside the thermometer?
Correct. The Xj (mine is a 98) has the info built in to the ecm. The only thing you need is the wire harness from the fuse panel to the console and the Thermo sensor . That's it. The zj one you need the separate trip computer.
nice vid, I bougth a console for my xj but
I havent found the harness, there is no other option?
I'm not sure. Some of these connections go through the fuse panel and I wouldn't mess with it. I like plug n play as much as possible. With the age of these Jeeps, the electrical system gets finicky.
How many hours was this project /
Hard to say. I spent about a month working on it. With filming it takes longer And only working an hour here and there. About a month, but if you work it could be done faster. Depends on the rot.
Did you use a zj wiring harness or xj harnesses for the overhead?
I used a wiring harness from the same year xj as mine(98). I heard there is differences between years
@@FMJeeping thanks for the help.
@@GlockUSMC you are welcome
Where does that single pink wire go to I’m doing the same change on my Jeep
Watching the video again. The only pink wire I saw looked to run to the driver's side visor for the lighted vanity mirror. Hopefully that helps.
What jeep/trim level did this come in?
I think it was standard on Limited jeeps. It was an option on the others.
Were these the same panels that came in the Grand Cherokee ZJ?
@@petersaurusrex9135 they are different. I have seen people rewire them to work, but it is not plug n play. The mounting is off as well. Putting a zj overhead console in an Xj leaves a gap between the headliner and console.
So what way did the bracket that you installed go? Good vid, helped me out a lot.
I'm sorry but I forgot which way it goes on. If you dry fit the console, the brackets on the console should line up with the curled arms on the bracket mounted to the ceiling. If it doesn't, you will have to spin it around. .Sorry I couldn't be more of a help at the moment. I should have included that info in the video.
How much would I have to pay you to do this for me? I need this mod seriously.
If you have all the stuff. I'd do it for free
@@FMJeeping Sweet, now I have to go out and source all the parts. Thank you :).
@@gersonruiz1714 pick n pull junkyards are your friend. That's where I scored mine with the wiring , bracket, console and sensor
Did you transfer you power door lock computer over to the overhead console?
No I didn't. It seemed to work fine. I don't have keyless entry, so it shouldn't effect much
If I could find one I would do this mod! Only on ebay for hundreds
It is definitely a nice addition to the Jeep. I've been fortunate to find one or 2 of them in my local pick n pull junkyards . If you have one near you. Give it a shot.
Informative right up until the bracket section then wtf man, what is the orientation of the bracket, how did you modify the headliner to accept the overhead console, how did you install the two pieces together? Did you install the headliner first then the overhead? This is exactly the reason I watched this and the most important parts you completely skipped over.
The bracket is installed with the round claws that hold the console are towards the back . The headliner was the one designed for the overhead console. I didn't modify the headliner besides reupholstering it. The headliner goes in first.
👍🏻
Please dont put that hard to find overhead console facing face down. My OCD can't handle it. I'm gonna go bang my head against the way now.
Sorry man. Don't go too hard. I get it though. Those consoles are hard to find in decent shape .
@@FMJeeping great video , it helped me. Cheers