2003 to 98-00 front grille conversion

[InsaneRedRooster]

Hi all, this is my first post here but I read post's here frequently

Anyways I recently converted my 2003 edge front grille to the 98-00 style and thought I would do write up for anyone interested

Here's how the truck looked for a long time, the 98-00 grille on the newer style header Panel (I didn't like that much).

The new header panel, headlights, and corner lights (bottom bar night shaded) straight from the junkyard

A quick coat of flat black before it goes on.

One badass Mexican cleaning my lights.

My grille, i followed the write up in the tech library for the color change on the oval.

The old header panel and lights removed.

My truck was in a front end collision of some kind as far as I can tell, The forwardmost crossmember is badly bent and to fit the header panel we had to realign the bumper slightly to compensate for the damage Throwing everything off. I doubt if your front end is in good shape that this step would be required. The only modification needed to be done to the header panel is the removal of the center bracket(or just leave it at the j/y.

The damage to my crossmember that's had me irritated for the last year. How can I fix that easily? I don't have access to a torch so i think heating it is pretty much out of the question.

Moving on the panel Fit like a glove after moving the bumper down some.

The finished product. I wired the bottom bar light as the blinker and the little corner lights aren't doing anything right now, I'm not sure why but Ill either wire them into the blinkers or the headlights.

Anyway you guys tell me what you think, I like it more than most of the newer styles

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Bump?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[koda6966]

Not a very common swap, but it pops up every now and then.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Anything you can tell me on that crossmember?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[--weezl--]

for the cross member, BFH a 20$ propane torch will help too


i'm going to be that guy... why do you want your truck to look older? IMO it was not a good swap, aesthetically... you did a good job though, don't get me wrong, just i don't personally think that was a good front end for the rangers...

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

I can respect your opinion weezl. I don't know why but I've always liked that front clip. Thanks for the advice, hopefully I can straighten out that crossmember with enough force

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[--weezl--]

Like I said, to each their own...

You're going to need a BIG f-h, I would think maybe a sledge?


Sent from somewhere naughty!

 

[RangerBoy94]

Why??????

 

[koda6966]

You wouldn't happen to still have the edge grill would you?

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

First run in with a chain strapped to tree and then to the crossmember and the truck in reverse did nothing....I guess its hammer time....I have the old header pannel,lights, and the aftermarket billet grille I bought it with. Pics of the grille wanted?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

It's looking like the radiator is gonna have to find its way out to get any kind of a stroke with a sledge...this is gonna have to wait until I have the time and patience for it.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Alright so now I've run into a strange problem. My left headlight will not turn on. The high beams work just fine on both lights. Fuses look good on both left and right low beam's. Swapped fuses left to right and no solution. Idk what this could be but the sun is setting lol...bulb looks fine.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

Never mind lol I figured it. somehow the lowbeam filaments looked fine but werent, making a quick trip to autozone.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[--weezl--]

Wait... Your headlight burnt out?! Damn... Musta been low on halogen fluid eh?...


Sent from somewhere naughty!

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

It's actually kind of ironic. I used the lights I originally had on the truck thinking they would be better than the junkyard lights I got. And I'm sure you know its a much bigger PITA to change on this style front end than the newer one lol

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk