2008+ Front End Conversion
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2008+ Front End Conversion
Looking for information on converting the front end of my '03 E-150 to the newer style of '08 and later.
I thought I saw a picture on the board of one converted but I can't find it. Hope the owner is here on the forum.
I know the obvious is to get the fenders, hood, grill, bumper, lights but is their somethng else? Does everything bolt up?
I ask this as I looked to put an 08 bumper on mine, while it would bolt up, there was a fairly sizeable gap to my grill. Made me think that perhaps there would be under the hood changes too.
thanks for the help!! Mike
I thought I saw a picture on the board of one converted but I can't find it. Hope the owner is here on the forum.
I know the obvious is to get the fenders, hood, grill, bumper, lights but is their somethng else? Does everything bolt up?
I ask this as I looked to put an 08 bumper on mine, while it would bolt up, there was a fairly sizeable gap to my grill. Made me think that perhaps there would be under the hood changes too.
thanks for the help!! Mike
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I've wondered about this myself, but from a different perpspective - I wanted to convert an '08+ to look like an '07 or earlier. I was in the market for a van about 6 months ago and wanted something with low miles, but I'm not a fan of the '08+ front end or dash changes (overdone and busy to my eyes). I ended up finding an older van with less than 10K miles on it, so I never followed up on this.
I suspect that the updated parts will bolt right on - but there are probably a lot more updated parts than are externally visible. Such a project would probably only be feasable if you could find a complete '08+ donor van (totalled from a rear collision) or find an owner willing to trade parts (not likely, since pre-'08 parts are common as dirt and cheap.
I suspect that the updated parts will bolt right on - but there are probably a lot more updated parts than are externally visible. Such a project would probably only be feasable if you could find a complete '08+ donor van (totalled from a rear collision) or find an owner willing to trade parts (not likely, since pre-'08 parts are common as dirt and cheap.
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Van, yeah lot's of items underneath the core parts, and, I need to find used, wreck, etc. to do it cost effective.
I'm not a fan of all the chrome either, I want the black cargo van grill/lights/bumper and then will paint body color
I'm not a fan of all the chrome either, I want the black cargo van grill/lights/bumper and then will paint body color
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I own an 08' and my guess is that the frame might extend further forward than in previous years. The 08' is quite a bit longer in front of the wheels. But I read on the Sportsmobileforum.com that it can be and has been done. I liked the older style better as well and wanted one with a 6.8L but all that I found had thrashed interiors and tons of miles on them so I settled for a 5.4L in a 2008. The front end is growing on me. What really helped was lifting the front a little and switching to 265's from those dinky stock 225's.
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I've talked with one shop that has done multiple conversions and he said it is extremely simple and fairly a direct bolt on if you have a complete front end sitting there. It's not just a sheet metal swap but you need the brackets, mounts, etc as well. I guess hood latch needs modifying as well. I plan on doing this in next month or two. I'd like to find a front end soon so I can get going on it. Anyone else done this lately or want an older style van front end for your newer style?
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From: Philadelphia Area
Somebody did do the conversion and posted about it, either here or over on the Sportsmobile Forum. Do some search-engine digging and you'll probably find it.
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Odd coincidence. Lastnite, while gleaning the internet in perennial search for a loaded '97-'07 Club Wagon with sliding side door & 4.6L - happened to see a maroon '2008+ Front End Conversion' For Sale. Pretty sure it was on fleaBay.
Still don't like the new Front End, especially the HUGE chrome look. The commercial utilitarian sealed beam grille actually looks better on certain color vans.
Your goal: "want the black cargo van grill/lights/bumper and then will paint body color" sounds interesting.
Glimpsed an E-Series locally that has matched/painted '08+ grille, but w/the 'aero' lites & it's better than the wall of chrome. The BIG lites look better. It also has HUGE spoke rims on it & is slightly lowered. Just a white cargo van. At stoplite happened to get a good look at it & realized it was a pre-'97 Econoline.
Wonder what Damron's gets for "2008+ Front End"? Sounds like Fast Moving Parts.
Still don't like the new Front End, especially the HUGE chrome look. The commercial utilitarian sealed beam grille actually looks better on certain color vans.
Your goal: "want the black cargo van grill/lights/bumper and then will paint body color" sounds interesting.
Glimpsed an E-Series locally that has matched/painted '08+ grille, but w/the 'aero' lites & it's better than the wall of chrome. The BIG lites look better. It also has HUGE spoke rims on it & is slightly lowered. Just a white cargo van. At stoplite happened to get a good look at it & realized it was a pre-'97 Econoline.
Wonder what Damron's gets for "2008+ Front End"? Sounds like Fast Moving Parts.
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Club, I gave up on the idea after looking at pricing (used). Just too much to invest so working on other projects. Here's how I painted my '03 grill, also found used bumpers and painted them lower body color and also painted the running boards the same way
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What's needed for a "2008+ Front End Conversion" was bound to be expensive. Even from big recyclers like Damron's. Surely prohibitive new from FoMoCo.
What kind of "pricing (used)" did you find? Let me guess hood, fenders, grille lights, bumper $1200+?
What kind of "pricing (used)" did you find? Let me guess hood, fenders, grille lights, bumper $1200+?
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$1200-$1500 might get it done? In addition to the sheet metal, bumpers and lights, there are a number of support items needed too. I figure most economical way was to go is to find a total with a good front end. Going that route is very cost effective, but you have to pull the motor and find a good buyer to get you money back. Once I looked at the time,effort and cost I moved on to another project. If you've got the time, skills and storage, you might be able to get it done for just your labor. Good luck, Mike
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I asked the fella from Canada, he was selling his on ebay and yes he did the whole conversion himself, hood, fenders, mounts, lights...its for sale again somewhere in Arizona now 2003 Quigley - Ford E-350 4x4 Van - 2009 Front Clip On 35" Goodyear Duratracs - Used Ford E-350 for sale in Brossard, Quebec | Trucks2Cars.com
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