Header Panel Difference between 84-90 and 91-96

[Warren99]

This isn’t the most in depth or important but since I have the two I figured I’d make this post and possibly save someone from grabbing a part that one fit from the junkyard.

If you didn’t know, the number of pieces and way it’s split between the headlamp doors and grille changes in 91(also note the Jeep emblem changes style). The newer style only consists of 3 pieces.

If you take a 91+ header panel and try to install older headlamp and side marker doors, they won’t fit. However, if you do some trimming like I did, they can slide into place, although the way I did it was very crude and everything was barely held together. The blue lines in the pics show where I cut, and the circles show where I may have trimmed some, but can’t really remember. 
As far as I’m aware overall dimensions will line up with the fenders, so if you wanted to swap a different style onto your MJ or XJ, you can, just as long as the grille and headlamp doors are the same style, unless your willing to modify the panel.

 

The red one which is spray painted white is off a 96 XJ. The regular red one is off an 87 MJ

 

[eaglescout526]

You might have to go further. 84-86 is a different animal than 87-90. The first header panel has studs that go into the fenders vs the fenders having the studs already. 

[Warren99]

Yea feel free to point out things I forgot about or simply never knew about.

[eaglescout526]

I think you nailed them all except my little tidbit. Unless you want to go into part number territory and the Wagoneer header for 84-85 and 86-90. 

[Warren99]

Yea I figured those were a whole different breed