Why?

I quite often get into trouble with these accessories and so I wanted to do a little research before I pulled the trigger. I see that there are retractable cargo covers for what appears to be the preface-lift models and dinky little pieces of canvas for post facelift. I went to the junkyard today and was lucky enough to find an XJ with the mounts for the retractable cover. Does anyone know if this will work or has anyone seen a post like this? I dug around for a little bit and couldn't find any answers about this topic. Thanks!

Ralph77

I have been meaning to try this but have not yet.
One thing I did come across in researching this though.
It said even though the plastic, right behind the hatch, looks the same the curve is different in '97 and up compared to '96 and down.
So those mounting points won't sit flush like they should.
And cause of the way those 2 mounting points are set up without actually drilling the holes for those "stems" the screws go through in the bottom you can't really tell.
So I don't know if that is true or not. Or if it really even matters that much.
I guess you could grind those "stems" down which would let you see one way or the other but....
One other thing you should know.
Behind the interior plastic for the 2 mounting points behind the rear seat there is a metal support back there.

The '97 and up cover is kind of cheesy.
But not really that bad.
Sourced one for my '00.

I had to modify the set up a bit cause the D-Rings on the tire cover is what the tarp attaches to on the left.
I did not want to use the fuzzy tire cover and wanted to keep my fancy '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 tire cover so...
LOL.
Also know that both types of covers came 2 ways.
One for the space saver spare and one for the full size spare.
Shot of the straps I rigged up.