Honeycomb grille question

[lindsay_elaine]

I tried searching but I can't figure it out - will a honeycomb grille fit a non "powerdome" hood or am I not seeing something when I look at pictures? I'm wanting to change a busted grille surround in an '03 XLT and I like the honeycomb style way more. Also, what models got what grille styles? I'm seeing the same years with two different styles and can't figure out what differentiates them.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

if u look for a 01-03 they will fit in each other, any grille, chrome, or honeycomb, the hood doesnt matter there, in the 04 story is different
welcome again, and good luck with that ranger

 

[Jay FX4]

if u look for a 01-03 they will fit in each other, any grille, chrome, or honeycomb, the hood doesnt matter there, in the 04 story is different
welcome again, and good luck with that ranger

 

[lindsay_elaine]

K - that's what I figured but I didn't want to grab one and find out later that it doesn't fit for whatever reason! I'm still having reservations about whether or not get it because everything is so beat up, but guess the good part about that is I can put the grille/headlights on that I wanted in the first place! My daily driver is 21 years old, it's time to retire, lol

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

a Ranger is the best option and u can swap parts between any model 93-09, some will need some custom fitting, but almost anything can be done
i just replaced my 99 tails for the 01-05 type, and looks like if they were stock, im planning to replace my front bumper also for the 01-03 Ranger EDGE

 

[lindsay_elaine]

Well, I looked at the truck again tonight and it looked better the second time around, lol. This time it didn't have rusty ladder racks and toolboxes in the bed and it was too dark to see the busted up interior. I found out my uncle got it for 300 bucks, his labor on the engine is free, we have a dead 94 Explorer in the driveway with nice rims and brand new tires, and another set of rims off a different Explorer (truck currently has rusty mis-matched steelies.) I also work in a body shop so there go all the dents/dings all over the place... yeah I think I'm gonna get it! Even with all the things that need fixing I think I'll come out way cheaper than I would buying an '03 in better shape

 

[Scrambler82]

lindsay_elaine,
If you do a change over the grilles be careful when pulling on the lower lip of the grille shell and when trying to remove the Grille itself form the shell.
If you pull too far on the shell after the locking tabs pops loose IT WILL CRACK.
Plan on breaking the grille mounting tabs too, at least one; I broke off two and was very careful; repaired it with fiberglass and matting.

Luck on the change,

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

If you put an EDGE or XLT 4x4 grille(honeycomb) on with the 'flat' 98-03 steel/alum hood, the gap between the grille and the hood will be larger. It's more noticeable on the lighter colored trucks. Reason being: the 'flat' hood sorta bubbles up above the grille, and the edge hood is completely flat where it meets the grille.

All 01-03 grilles are interchangeable. BUT...whats NOT interchangeable are the inner grille/the insert. You can't put a honeycomb center into a argent or chrome 'bar' style grille shell. Unless you've got good skills and glasswork. lol. The 01-03 XL/XLT 2wd grilles are sometimes refered to as 'closed grilles'. The 01-03 XLT 4x4/EDGE grilles are sometimes referred to as 'open' grilles. Take a look at this comparo...you'll see that the XL/XLT2wd grill is completely surrounded by the shell, thus the reasoning for calling it a closed grille. opposite for the EDGE/XLT 4x4.

Here's a XLT 4x4/Edge truck, next to a 01-03 XL with the EDGE grille...notice the gap.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

wow didnt knew that....

 

[lindsay_elaine]

Thanks for the pics! I kind of thought the gap would be different but I haven't been able to see any side-by-side. It doesn't look TOO noticeable but I bet on my silver truck it will stick out a mile away. Figures the hood is the only thing on the truck that doesn't need some sort of body work... oh well, it definitely needs a grille and grille surround so I might as well get the one I want and price a hood at the same time. I haven't had a chance to get to a junkyard but maybe I'll get lucky, that 2wd hood is too boring