lookin at '96 cherokee, got random Q's

So my girlfriend has a '96 cherokee country, and I am thinking about making it mine. Its got the 4.0, power everything, good body etc. The thing is I don't like the '96 model as well as the the '97-'01s. I know, I know, there are minimal differences, but w/e, and I think I could have some fun w/ this thing. That's where my questions come in. Because of the close similarities in the models, I am wondering if I can swap out parts from the '96 and use parts from '97-'01 models. The parts I want to swap out/modify are:

Front Grill and Headlights
Center Console Unit
Front and rear seats (I want leather ones from the later models)
-also is there anyway to make the rear seat split fold?
Swap out the 3A tranny for a 4A or 6M from a '06 Wrangler

How difficult will these be? Will they even work? I know the 6M tranny wasn't offered for the XJ, but the 4.0 never changed did it? Let me know what you think. If these things work, I think I would have it in a place where I'd be willing to try to turn it into a pretty comfortable and capable trail vehicle. Please let me know what you think, and thanks