Small ZJ Overhead Consloe for MJ

[HOrnbrod]

Anyone ever mounted one of the below in an MJ? Thinking this might be the way to go since the console would not have to be hacked in half for our cabs.

 

 

[JeepcoMJ]

that'd be simple but you probably need the sensor system as well. i'm not too sure if it's all self-contained or not.

[GirsMJ86]

don't those ones also do mileage and stuff or just the newer styles?

 

Alex

[HOrnbrod]

Yeah they do mileage, etc. but not compatible with our old ECu's so those features won't work. Just temp and compass.

[GirsMJ86]

Yeah they do mileage, etc. but not compatible with our old ECu's so those features won't work. Just temp and compass.

 

well since I'm sure not too many of us want to see what those things say for our mileage, temp and compass is just fine.

 

Alex

[jared]

the one from an xj is longer and provides storage room for sunglasses and a garage door opener and such. might be something to look into.

 

i could get a measurement in length off my brothers in his xj, so anyone could figure if it would fit in their manche

[HOrnbrod]

Got that right Alex. When I put my stroker in it dropped from 21-22 MPG down to 16-17 MPG. But it's more fun now...........

[HOrnbrod]

Anyone ever mounted one of the below in an MJ? Thinking this might be the way to go since the console would not have to be hacked in half for our cabs.

 

the one from an xj is longer and provides storage room for sunglasses and a garage door opener and such. might be something to look into. i could get a measurement in length off my brothers in his xj, so anyone could figure if it would fit in their manche

 

The long XJ console won't fit an MJ w/o cutting off about 16". That's why I'm looking at the smaller ZJ unit.

[jared]

really 16''? it doesn't seem like its that long.

[HOrnbrod]

Yeah, overestimated. Just went down and rechecked. More better if you cut about 10" off, that way you can still use the rear support XJ bracket. But you will still have the rear end opened up, not sloping back into the roof unless you fab some kind of end cap. Definitely can not use the rear set of lights.

[GirsMJ86]

I just got done putting the XJ OHC up. but since i don't have the temp sensor or the mounting brackets i used a cheap senor for now and duct tape. :cheers: also since i do not have my headliner up yet it is pulled up and not in the right place.

 

if you want to see pics then look in my 91 eliminator project topic. they are not up yet but once i get a workin camera later today i will post some.

 

Alex

[Eagle]

Yeah they do mileage, etc. but not compatible with our old ECu's so those features won't work. Just temp and compass.

Heck, according to your signature you have a '91 MJ. That's not "old," that's "new."

 

I briefly owned a '99 WJ (Grand Cherokee). One of my (many) complaints was that the trip odometer in the overhead almost never read the same as the one in the dashboard after a tank of gas. It wasn't off by much, but it was usually off by a couple/few tenths. I mentioned this to a factory rep and he said they don't get their input from the same source.

 

That was for a '99 WJ, which didn't use an "ECU" but an integrated PCU (power train control module). I suspect the older ZJs, from the same vintage (mid-90s) as the last of the MJs, probably used very similar ECUs, and the computer functions from one of those consoles might be patchable. At the lest, I suspect there's a way to get elapsed mileage, although getting fuel consumption might be more difficult.

 

That's a great idea -- not being into Grands, I wasn't even aware that they had a "mini" overhead console. Hmmmmm ...

[mfpdm]

This is one of the upgrades I've been pondering for my project.

Was looking at all of the jeep overheads but then did a search on ebay for "overhead console" which lead to a ton of different makes and models of vehicles with a varity of console choices. I've though about ones like this which has the temp, compass, and map lights, plus an auto dimming rearview.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-02-DODGE-OVERHEAD-CONSOLE-WIRING-REARVIEW-MIRROR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33695QQitemZ180100878561QQrdZ1

Alot of the ones offered on ebay come with the wiring harness, brackets, and temp sensor. Plus you could also snag these from the JY probable cheaper than ebay. I'll have to get some measurements but for the most part it looks like alot would fit with minor modification.

[HOrnbrod]

Heck, according to your signature you have a '91 MJ. That's not "old," that's "new."

 

Good point Eagle. By old I meant 1996 and below; according to everything I've read Mopar changed the computer in 1997 and the console "advanced" functions like mileage will not work. The only problem I can foresee with the ZJ console is mounting the mounting bracket w/o pulling the headliner; just more added work. Heading to the yard Monday to check them out and do some measurements.

[Eagle]

Good point Eagle. By old I meant 1996 and below; according to everything I've read Mopar changed the computer in 1997 and the console "advanced" functions like mileage will not work. The only problem I can foresee with the ZJ console is mounting the mounting bracket w/o pulling the headliner; just more added work. Heading to the yard Monday to check them out and do some measurements.

That's correct, but the ZJ came out in 1992 as a '93 model. That leaves several years of probably partial (at least) compatibility with the 91 & 92 MJ OBD-I electronics.

[HOrnbrod]

That's correct, but the ZJ came out in 1992 as a '93 model. That leaves several years of probably partial (at least) compatibility with the 91 & 92 MJ OBD-I electronics

 

That would be great if some (or all) of the early ZJ console's additional functions worked w. my OBD-1. Won't hurt pulling one and doing some experimenting. Sounds like a win-win project.