Front end conversion for a 1997?
10-18-12, 06:33 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: MI
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Front end conversion for a 1997?
Hey everyone, my 1997 Lexus LS 400 was recently hit by a drunk driver. The whole front passenger side needs to be replace. I'm talk about hood, fender, headlight, bumper, and grill.
I know thats going to cost me quite a bit, however, I recently came across a 1991 Lexus LS 400 for sale. I started wondering if I could maybe take the whole front clip of that car and put it onto mine? I know the 1991 LS400 is Series I, First Gen and my 1997 is a Series III, Second Gen; meaning the headlight and hood are different, but as long as the frames on both of the cars match, I can swap out the entire front clip.
So I guess my question to you guys would be, do you know if this is possible? Has anyone ever tried anything like this before?
Attached is a (before) picture of my car, and the picture of the car I am looking to swap with.
My car is on the left.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
I know thats going to cost me quite a bit, however, I recently came across a 1991 Lexus LS 400 for sale. I started wondering if I could maybe take the whole front clip of that car and put it onto mine? I know the 1991 LS400 is Series I, First Gen and my 1997 is a Series III, Second Gen; meaning the headlight and hood are different, but as long as the frames on both of the cars match, I can swap out the entire front clip.
So I guess my question to you guys would be, do you know if this is possible? Has anyone ever tried anything like this before?
Attached is a (before) picture of my car, and the picture of the car I am looking to swap with.
My car is on the left.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
10-18-12, 10:08 AM
#2
Welcome to Club Lexus.
Sure anything is possible with fabrication available but thre first generation front end will not readily be a direct bolt on change. The headlights in the US spec first gen were not as good at projecting a beam pattern over the 95-97 models. The 98+ was even better due to the HID option.
I would suggest gong with the original front end. The rounder styling of the 1-LS will not match-up as nicely with your '97.
Sure anything is possible with fabrication available but thre first generation front end will not readily be a direct bolt on change. The headlights in the US spec first gen were not as good at projecting a beam pattern over the 95-97 models. The 98+ was even better due to the HID option.
I would suggest gong with the original front end. The rounder styling of the 1-LS will not match-up as nicely with your '97.
10-19-12, 11:55 AM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: MI
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, I meant to say my car is on the right! But I'm sure you guys already figured that.
I do agree, the 91 is going to be a huge downgrade, however, the parts for that car are a lot cheaper and easier to find than that of a 98+. But then again, I also figured that it would be too much of a headache trying to get the 91 parts onto my 97.
Anyways, I really appreciate the help! I'm not sure what I'll do as of yet, but I'll keep you guys updated!
I do agree, the 91 is going to be a huge downgrade, however, the parts for that car are a lot cheaper and easier to find than that of a 98+. But then again, I also figured that it would be too much of a headache trying to get the 91 parts onto my 97.
Anyways, I really appreciate the help! I'm not sure what I'll do as of yet, but I'll keep you guys updated!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dataDave
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
2
12-20-17 05:36 PM
yai11984
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
4
10-09-07 05:16 PM
inspector1
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
6
02-22-06 09:38 PM
1997, 2009, bolt, conversion, conversions, coversion, end, front, gen, headlights, lexus, ls400, swap, ufc20
