mhusted318

Hi guys. 1st time lexus owner. Bought a 96 lexus es300 but it was hit by a deer by the previous owner and the headlights, grille and hood need to be replaced. Just wondering if 97 parts will fit. I don't think so but my dad seems to. Any information will be helpful thanks guys!

lostape45

No they won't fit. The second generation (what you have) is from 1992-1996, the third generation is from 1997-2001. They are similar in power train but they're exterior designs are different. The headlights, grille, and hood on the front will not work with your 96.

mhusted318

That's what I thought. I've been trying to tell my dad that haha. But thank you. Also any idea on where I can get the parts? And do they make aftermarket headlights? This is the only car I've seen that has like no performance/aftermarket market.
Thank you.

lostape45

There isn't many aftermarket parts for the first couple gens of the ES because they aren't meant to be modified. I did a quick search on eBay using "1996 lexus es300 headlight assembly" and found used ones going for about $80 but they weren't the pair, just a single left or right.

As for aftermarket, I searched for about 20 mins and couldn't find much. I've seen a few people on the forum with halos but I think they installed them themselves. I may have not been looking hard enough, but my search didn't turn up any for sale currently.

As for the hood and grille, I'd check eBay for those as well. There is plenty of parted out cars on there as well as some new parts for cars as old as ours.

speedkar9

Your best bet is the scrap-yard.

Apparently a 2ES front end will bolt up to a 3rd generation Camry, so I assume vise-versa would work... not that you'd want your ES to look like a Camry haha.

mhusted318

I have seen some pages with brief descriptions of what you're saying in my preliminary car googling. I've also seen a catalog that said an Avalon may work. I was wondering if the bodies are the same. Like a Chevy impala can put bonneville headlights on it but you have to change the grille, bumper and fenders. Because the Bolt holes line up the same because it's the same frame. No chance it's the same case with a es300/Camry/Avalon. I wouldn't think twice about puttin an Camry front end on it if it fits. Lot more availability.

mhusted318

I found out everything I need to know. The local junkyard wants $200 and 2 days. But I'm going o a junk yard that says they have a few 2nd gens but wouldn't say how complete the car is. So wish me luck!

Chocolate

How much did you pay for this vehicle? Also, pics.

Ger some PlastX for the lights and trim, trust me.

mhusted318

I paid $1500 and it has 108k which I found to be really low for the car compared to the other ones people put on Craigslist. The only problems were the hood and the window motor for the driver side. And I will post pictures later today or tomorrow. It raining here In nj . And I ordered new headlights cause the old one had cracks on the mounting brackets. So they were kinda loose.