Will the dashboard wiring harness on my 1997 TJ work with a dashboard from a 2000?

[aclandis]

Hello All. I'm a new member to the TJ family. I have a 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ, 5 speed manual, that the family is fixing up. It's a lot of fun. Takes me back to the good 'ol days when I had a 1969 Jeep with an inline 6.

Anyway, I'm decently handy with mechanical and electrical work, but I'm kinda stumped on this question. I got a parted out dash from a 2000 Wrangler (because it was black and not tan), but I believe the model was an automatic transmission. So, I'm not sure if the wiring harness with the "new" dash, will work with the older Jeep. Connectors, et al, match up, but I'm worried about what to do about the automatic specific wiring (e.g., park light indicator).

My current plan is to just run with it, and strip the old harness out or the old dash in case I need to install it.

Thoughts?

--Alan

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Since it's been 8 hours I'll just say my 2006 is an automatic. I think that would cause more problems than one from 2000 but I don't even know what a park light indicator is. Maybe mine is burnt out, who knows?

 

[Jamison C]

Just swap the wiring from your current dash to your donor dash. The indicator light is on all models but it's tucked away on manual models. HVAC plugs changed in 99, not sure what else. Just seems easier to swap original wiring over and be done with it.

 

[aclandis]

Thanks all, good suggestion on the wiring harness. I was just researching the HVAC connection, since all the vents are manually controlled (via pull cables) versus servos. It is probably easier to just switch the harness.