Steve: Thanks for the info-I just found Cabriolet on the net and sent an inquiry.

Gus: I have been reading your writeups already and found them to be highly educational and informative. Thank you much for the information you have shared.

As a result of all the good info on this forum and a general lack of good mechanics in my area I'll likely go after this bit of labor myself. Installed lots of hydaulic trim tab systems on boats (spent 30 years building/re-building boats and ships for a living-hence my carpenters toolkit could also pass for a mechanics!) and I would imagine it is about the same, although now a lot of those systems are quick-fit snap togethers.
Question: Are the rams located behind the pan in front of the trunk or do you access them elsewhere?

 

rams are behind the rear speakers

 

Thanks Steve:

I've been answering my own question by reading Gus's article on Hose replacement!

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Also the easy reference chart he published by Domingo for hose hook-up:

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Looks like I have another project for next weekend! All I have to do now is make it through the week without putting the top down.

 

Seems like the year 2000 XK-8 used two different systems for attaching to the right ram. Is there an "easy" way to tell for sure without having to do the interior demo?

Edit: Actually removing the cover opened it up enough to see what was what without getting the speaker out of the way.

On another note I must say that the pricing from Vig at Cabriolet was considerable less than the online quote at the other supplier, besides they are only a couple hundred miles from me so shipping is almost nothing and I get them tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

Well, Saturday was the day to get this done and other than a skinned knuckle all went well. The lines that came in were well marked and just right on the length. I took the speaker mounting brackets off as well to give myself more room and changed out the ends at the rams first, pulled the old lines after marking them so it was easy to see where to hook up each new line at the pump, and after getting it hooked up and fluid in the tank tested it before cleaning everything well and re-assembling the panels. Had about 4 1/2 working hours in it and it sure was nice to hit the switch and have the top operating again.

Thanks to all for their advise and hints.