Front end conversion questions
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Front end conversion questions
Hey all I have a 2003 expedition...I am interested in doing a conversion to a 03 navigator frontend and exterior cladding. My question is what all is involved. I know i will need to get the new headlights, grill, bumpers, taillights, sidesteps, body cladding. Will i need a new hood, header panel, bumper brackets fenders? Just wanting to know how involved this is before i commit to it. And thank you in advance for your info.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
To make the swap look right you will need the entire front clip and for continuity, also the body side cladding and running boards. It would be less expensive and less work to just buy a Navigator.
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You for sure need the fenders. They have the molding built in. Also, you need the rear fender flare if you want to match up to the bumpers. I'm stuck with all that stuff now, and had I been able to find a EB, I would have grabbed that trim, because my body cladding is super faded.
I'm dropping the step steps completely to save some money, and the hatch bolts right up, but the lights won't work. The harness plugs in... but, I'm going to have to do some wiring. It's a big job, but not huge. It is going to get pricey unless you can find stuff on CL cheap. With 2007 lights and grille, 2005 molding, rear bumper and rear hatch, I'm in for less than $500, but I've been searching for a year or so till I could find the stuff cheap enough. And I got the parts in my color, so no painting.
For the front bumper, it's going to be a prerunner tube style because it's getting lifted to go on 35s. I've never seen one done up like that... so I thought I'd try to be the first.
I'm dropping the step steps completely to save some money, and the hatch bolts right up, but the lights won't work. The harness plugs in... but, I'm going to have to do some wiring. It's a big job, but not huge. It is going to get pricey unless you can find stuff on CL cheap. With 2007 lights and grille, 2005 molding, rear bumper and rear hatch, I'm in for less than $500, but I've been searching for a year or so till I could find the stuff cheap enough. And I got the parts in my color, so no painting.
For the front bumper, it's going to be a prerunner tube style because it's getting lifted to go on 35s. I've never seen one done up like that... so I thought I'd try to be the first.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Once again, it would be much less work and expense to just buy a Navigator and you would have the 5.4 DOHC engine. Which in my opinion is a much better performing power plant. Some '03s are pretty cheap right now.
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But if your wife loves her truck and isn't going to sell it (my DD is a Land Cruiser) and lets you work on hers too, then it can make sense. I like that my truck has spent most of it's life with me. Yes, I would like the newer tranny and all, but it's doable and more fun honestly. Plus, my conversion is going to get me a 07 look, which is a BIG difference in price.
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I've already done the exhaust, intake, drilled and slotted rotors, rims and tires... Just doesn't make sense to start fresh. The rear bumper bolts in, and from underneath without taking the front bumper off, it looks like it would bolt up too, but I'm going a different route.
Here's what it looks like without the cladding. I'm going to have to drill some more holes to make the Navi cladding I got to work. (excited to finally get to start cutting and drilling on her)
And here are the rims. Didn't want 20s because I like the comfort of a big sidewall. Tires are going up in size soon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/11842245...10797423477570
Here's what it looks like without the cladding. I'm going to have to drill some more holes to make the Navi cladding I got to work. (excited to finally get to start cutting and drilling on her)
And here are the rims. Didn't want 20s because I like the comfort of a big sidewall. Tires are going up in size soon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/11842245...10797423477570
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Postmaster
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