Speaking as somebody who recently drowned their Cherokee, I've been looking at making a few modifications to the airbox too. It seems that the factory intake is designed to funnel water right into the engine (which is exactly what happened to me). Does your 96 have an airbox behind the headlight and then a second chamber over the engine? I was lucky in that the water wasn't too deep, but a small bow wave forces water through the grill. The slab fronted design of the XJ doesn't help. As a quick fix out in the field, maybe covering the grill might buy you a little time? Personally, I'm looking at a snorkel..
