jknguyen80

im sure someone has to of done this. i need to replace 1 fender and fix my bumper. but i was thinking if its not hard to just replace my older 97 front end for a 98+ front end. does anyone know if this is pretty simple bolt on and modify a few things. or would this be an extensive conversion?

trukn1

Not a direct bolt on as the design changed a bit in the mug. The money that you would spend trying to convert everything over to the later model front end would ALMOST justify you just buying the later model and being done with it.

jknguyen80

yea tru. gettin fender and bumper would be alot less costly. thanks for the info

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

yeah through searching you'll discover you need the entire front end. fenders, hood, bumper, grill, lights, and more.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Yup, all those "little items like the fogs, markers, lamp assemblies, wiring, mounts for the headlamps...then finishing with paint. Since you have to replace the bumper and sounds like you want a different look, put a 98+ bumper and have the shop mod it. Then you need the get the fogs. Much lower cost with an updated look.

jknguyen80

yea thats a good idea. i want to keep the car simple. no crazy body kits or anything. i like the 98+ front bumper alot more then the older version.

akitomk3

iTrader: (2)

Understanding that everything is needed for the swap. What i am asking is, if i have a whole front end of a 98+ car. Would it be bolt on and just replacing parts for it and nothing else ( meaning, welding required) to have it installed?

steve2006

If you have the time money and inclination anything is possible.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-92-ls400.html


http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=1809

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

for a '95-97, you would not need to do any major welding or customization.

you would need an entire '98-00 front end, fenders, hood, crash structure, lights, and etc. all of it.

00LSFOUR

agree with the person above, i believe the only thing that can be reused is the hood relase and the cable. everything else would need to be converted, even the hood struts.

akitomk3

iTrader: (2)

Cool, sounds like a lot of work but nothing like cutting and wielding the rad support to do the conversion. Good to know, i'm not doing this, it was just a question that came up when i was reading this thread.

jknguyen80

i have a friend that owns a parts warehouse the body shops buy from in beaumont, tx. he can get me all the parts i need for a discount. but still not sure if i want to go ahead with this. i just bought my car 2 weeks ago. right now im thinking first fix fender then suspension and wheels. then possibly changin out the front end.

00LSFOUR

i have a good condition passenger headlight if your still interested and both fogs. but enjoy its gonna be fun but like they've all said it gonna be alot of work

ariasuriah

This is a super easy conversion that will bolt right up. If you source everything out from different places you might be able to save a lot of money. I personally could probably get everything I need for this conversion for way less than a thousand bucks. I like the 95-97 front end better but, the 98-00 is growing on me. Me personally am planning on doing what polobai did to his front end , i think it looks fresh. Either way you decide to go, good luck.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the HID headlights alone are worth at least ~400usd USED.....