Gen I/II to Gen 5 front end conversion installed on a Gen 3...

[gijon]

I recently found a Gen I/II to Gen 5 conversion front end here on the forums for a really good price.... (http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91021) only problem is that I have a Gen 3 Ranger. After researching the total cost of all pieces included in this kit I decided that it was a good enough deal to attempt to make it fit on my truck. I figured that the mount points could not possibly be that dissimilar between generations.

In the end, essentially none of the panels lined up.... but with much patience (and lots of power tools) I was able to line things up close enough for my needs. After all, this truck is meant to be used for hauling my junk and having fun offroad, so it doesn't have to look purrty.

I did some backyard body work: filling cracks and holes in the fiberglass, cutting out the grille for a billet insert, and a rattle can paint job using Duplicolor Perfect match from Autozone. I made do with what I had, and I ended up with a fiberglass front end on the cheap. Now if I could only find some long bed fiberglass bedsides to match!!


from original FS post:

And my work on the kitI apologize for crappy image quality)

The grille before shot.

...and after.

Finished product. As you can see the hood, fenders and header panel are not exactly aligned....

 

[farmer]

 

[gijon]

well, I look at it this way: $1100 for the correct conversion parts or $600 to put this front end on my beater truck..... to me that is an easy choice...

 

[86 slo-vo]

it looks rough to say the least...what was wrong with the stock clip?

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

u didnt need to to all that to get a 98+ front clip on your 93.
a 98+ header panel and the fenders, hood,grille and lights u wanted and thats it

 

[gijon]

Just to reiterate:

I was able to line things up close enough for my needs

I know what is required to convert a 93 to a newer front end, there are countless threads about it. The only reason I did this conversion is because I just happened to find the kit for sale on the forum and wanted a fiberglass front....

As for the old clip: black ice on a country road resulted in a chance encounter with an overpass pillar...

My core support is nearly rusted out, so when I replace it I will see about re-aligning these panels. Until then, it will do just fine

 

[r1hatman]

[/IMG]






Dude I'm just bustin your chops!
Hey man to each their own you know? With some cutting and some body filler you could make it look alright

 

[gijon]

it looks rough to say the least...what was wrong with the stock clip?

.....says the member that turned this:

into this:

If there was anyone on this board that I could hope would understand my desire for function over form, it would be you...so obviously there is no hope for my efforts.

 

[farmer]

I understand function over form, but spending $600 on a fiberglass front that looks like ass, compared to swapping in the correct core support, fenders, ect.. for less than $600, sounds like throwing your money away.
If you didn't butcher up the fiberglass too bad, and I were you, I'd try to sell the fiberglass at a profit, then buy the steel to do it right.
OR truck function over form is using a BFH to bash out the wrecked fenders and hood to make it work, and not spend any money at all.
My $.02

 

[r1hatman]

I understand function over form, but spending $600 on a fiberglass front that looks like ass, compared to swapping in the correct core support, fenders, ect.. for less than $600, sounds like throwing your money away.
If you didn't butcher up the fiberglass too bad, and I were you, I'd try to sell the fiberglass at a profit, then buy the steel to do it right.
OR truck function over form is using a BFH to bash out the wrecked fenders and hood to make it work, and not spend any money at all.
My $.02

 

[slow96gt]

screw it i would drive it lol i wouldnt have spent 600 on it but **** it and drive it

 

[84stealthranger]

yahh paint the whole truck that color and put some after market wheels and tires on it with less back spacing and line up them panels it should look sick.

 

[farmer]

It might be worth a try, if you can Gen I/II radiator support, and try bolting it up, then at least the grill, headlights, and fenders will line up better...

 

[Snoranger]

I dont know if 1 is enough, so I'll see your facepalm and raise you:

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

I dont know if 1 is enough, so I'll see your facepalm and raise you:

heres your double

and i raise to triple