One reason I like my 1989 XJ is because it does not have those, (to me), stupid balloons like the way newer models. I find when I run into the occasional stump, or major rut not having a newer standard OEM, or connected balloon is very satisfying as I do not want one of those infernal balloons exploding and impacting my visual acuity lenses causing perhaps permanent eyeball damage, blah, blah. That, and I would not like to replace my old expensive to replace flight frame/glasses with 12kt gold filled eyeglass frames either. Perhaps such balloons are good around thousands, and thousands of other vehicles playing bumper cars.., but out here in the country there are other obstacle(s) more than likely hit at lower speeds, but also likely to have one explode in my face. Maybe a freeway mishap those things are life saving, but not in our back roads of mud, and snow, etc. Hence my RENIX does not have that feature thankfully. When I am on the highways around here, I consider every oncoming vehicle as someone out to kill me, i.e., they are drunk, or on their damned smart phones texting someone, or talking to someone, or otherwise not paying attention to driving safely, hence I really try to read their vehicle behavior, and am always looking for an out! IF I had a newer XJ, I'd most likely disable those wires with my Leatherman tool... I wonder how many non RENIX era owners have done just that.., to disable their XJ airbags!?! I really don't expect any of 'em to chime in, as delving into our classic era of XJs' are just too obsolete, but perhaps just out of some odd curiosity they might.., perhaps. Where I live there are no annual shop checks to see if we comply in order to be rewarded with an added approval sticker in the windshield.
One thing I do not like about my RENIX is that the headliner droops in the Alaskan summer heat. Well.., painting my roof flat black in order to obtain a tad bit of a few hours of solar winter heat does not help the long summer thing much. (lol).
If I want to add OEM upgrades to my rather stock XJ, such as different axles, brakes, master cylinder, wheel bearings, etc., and such, would those questions be better asked in the modified section, if I just use a newer generation of XJ OEM parts, or would that be considered modified enough to forgo being in the OEM section for those mods? I mean like in the modified section they often weld a whole lot of things, and switch axles, and armor, and honking steering boxes, et al. I am finding it hard to be in the OEM section where most XJ discussions have nothing in it for me. Hmmm... Whoa is me, whine, whine, whine.., sheesh.., get a freaking grip!!!!!
so to keep this technical they are about 4"s shorter on the older year jeeps and do seem to be swappable to the older ones. So I am stuck having them recovered at an upholstery shop, as I doubt there are any after market sources for new ones?
