01 Front end swap?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29,909
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Hi, welcome to FTE.
There are 3 updates you can do. Well, I am sure there are a lot more, but this is a start.
The easiest and least expensive is the 05-07 Front end, usually a grill and headlight swap. Minor trimming on the grill, headlights are bolt on.
Here is my 05 update on an 04, just grill and headlights + 08 style mirrors.
Here is my 08-10 swap. Pretty involved, you can check the link in my sig.
The final is the 11-13 swap which I havent done, there are some pics on the net that you can try.
There are 3 updates you can do. Well, I am sure there are a lot more, but this is a start.
The easiest and least expensive is the 05-07 Front end, usually a grill and headlight swap. Minor trimming on the grill, headlights are bolt on.
Here is my 05 update on an 04, just grill and headlights + 08 style mirrors.
Here is my 08-10 swap. Pretty involved, you can check the link in my sig.
The final is the 11-13 swap which I havent done, there are some pics on the net that you can try.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Yeah, I saw the build... looked pretty bad *** until you put the bumper on. I opened up a new tab and spent an hour searching for a website that sold them and posted a price, eventually I found an auction on eBay that had ended... damn those things are expensive! At that point I closed the tab and wept knowing mine would never be as nice as yours.
My main hope is headlights. I can just buy the newer style and they bolt straight in?
My main hope is headlights. I can just buy the newer style and they bolt straight in?
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Good, that's what I was hoping to hear. I think that will make the biggest improvement to the appearance. Plus my lights are hazy so the safety aspect is nice too 
As far as fitment, are they the exact same shape as the older style? I read that the grill has to be cut/trimmed to fit...
As far as fitment, are they the exact same shape as the older style? I read that the grill has to be cut/trimmed to fit...
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
After some trimming of the header panel, yes they will bolt on.
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Header panel? How much trimming? Any pics? Can you tell it's been trimmed from the outside? Will swapping to the newer grill solve this problem or do both the new and old style have the same issue?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
There are some good pics in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...t-install.html
You can also buy the newer style header panel, but the cutting only takes a little time with a dremel or die grinder, and no you can't see it from the outside. The headlight assembly is a little bigger on the back side, so it just needs room to clear.
You can also buy the newer style header panel, but the cutting only takes a little time with a dremel or die grinder, and no you can't see it from the outside. The headlight assembly is a little bigger on the back side, so it just needs room to clear.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
After some trimming of the header panel, yes they will bolt on.
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
After some trimming of the header panel, yes they will bolt on.
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
My question is for the black/tan Excursion owners out there. I'm wondering what color combo to use for my conversion. I think the cleanest updated look would be a chrome base with a tan top pad, but I'm not sure that was made??? I'm also thinking a chrome grille, but black may look nice too.
I'd really like to use a 05+ bumper, as the trimmed grille just doesn't look quite right to me.
Here's how mine looks currently, what color combo (grille, bumper, pad) would you use?
If you want to have it the '05 style but looking more like the color scheme you have now, go with a chrome grill, tan upper bumper part, and chrome main bumper. That's my personal favorite, but I like chrome.
Also, the factory painted bumpers don't hold up very well to rocks, etc. So you may have to repaint it in a few years, unless you had it painted with some kind of special, tough paint.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
That's kinda where I'm leaning now. Do you have a suggestion for where to look for the correct parts?
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
I do see a number of these bumpers on trucks these days that are dented on the bottom, how I don't know. So you may be looking for one for a little while, but it would be worth it.
When I bought mine, it was in early '06 and from the dealer. Wasn't cheap, but they were very hard to come by then and you just can't beat new parts.
