2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission SLT to SPORT BUMPER/GRILLE thoughts 99-02 conversion

[IC Smoke]

Ok Ive been searching for a 99-02 front bumper/grille for quite some time now and Ive had many disapointments along the way. Well Now I have found a guy thats willing to trade my SLT + $300 for his SPORT. The catch is that hes around 8 hours away. Should I go ahead with the deal or go to the dealer and keep my SLT in case anything happens?



16 hr round trip



1200 miles total (thats not getting lost)

@ 18mpg X 20 gal tank (minivan) = 360 Miles

4 - 20gal tanks @ $1. 90 = 152. 00



USED

$150. 00 Fuel

$300. 00 bumper

$ 60. 00 food (myself and buddy)

$200. 00 stock bumper (to have on backup but not really needed)

_______

$710. 00





Dealer

Bumper

$305. 00 bumper cover

$180. 00 bumper bream

$ 40. 00 front facia strip

$100. 00 2 brackets at $50/ bracket

*Grille*

$175. 00 Ebay GRILLE shipped opposed to $400. 00 from dealer!

$102. 00 upper bracket

$229. 00 Lower bracket

$ 45. 00 sufbrame

$ 70. 00 2 cross braces @ 35/ brace

________

$1246. 00 OUCH!



(no fog lights from dealer)



Ive called local junk yard and they all seem to be clueless! I hung up on one place because he did not understand the difference with the 94-98 sport PAINTED to the 99-02 LARGER and plastic grille/bumper! but that came up with nothing from any of the calls.



Should I take the trip west to get the bumper which he purchased from a yard and changed his SLT to SPORT or just bite the bullet and get all new? The used bumper will take quite a bit of sandint to get all the paint off..... And I do have paint to match free of charge and Im going to paint it myself too.



Any input is appreciated!

Ian

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Ian I did one of the first converts in 01. To this day I am glad I did it the way I did and that was Get the grille and facia and get the bumper reinforcement , grille frame , facia supports , and latch and frame mounts from the dealer. Most yards are clueless but some can help you out and save a $ or 2. Also MAKE SURE you use a quality flexing agent in the paint as theese front ends are like rubbermaid and move a bit. Prep is key too.

 

[IC Smoke]

Thanks TIM!



Anything I should look out for? I think Im going to go the used route, I need to get away from the town. Will it be a quick change over? dismount/remount? and to get it to set right are there any tricks?



I might just drive the truck out to Iowa drop the front and put the new/used on and drive it back that way I knwo i have everything and it all works. I am going to help him in the change over also.



He has backed out on the deal before so HOPEFULLY I can snag it before he changes his mind.





Ian

 

[**ICEMAN**]

i say go with the new parts and sell your slt front.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107779

 

[pwerwagn]

I love my 99-02 front sport bumper on my 98. I would gladly pay 1000$ for it.

either way, you will be happy!

 

[Cooker]

Dealer

Bumper

$305. 00 bumper cover

$180. 00 bumper bream

$ 40. 00 front facia strip

$100. 00 2 brackets at $50/ bracket





*Grille*

$175. 00 Ebay GRILLE shipped opposed to $400. 00 from dealer!

$102. 00 upper bracket

$229. 00 Lower bracket

$ 45. 00 sufbrame

$ 70. 00 2 cross braces @ 35/ brace

________

$1246. 00 OUCH!



Ian

Are you saying for the grille you need all the pieces listed below it?



If so that is incorrect. You will need the grille, subframe (about $50), and latch (about $20).



Also I do not think the bumper cover comes painted from the dealer but I think the grille does.



Ian, I sent you a PM with my number. Give me a call I might be able to help.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

The grille comes factory colors. The facia is unpainted from the factory. The grille needs a different frame than that of the slt frame and the hood release rod setup too.

 

[IC Smoke]

I was just going off what the dealer was telling me. 2 of the dealers were close in price and 1 was just off in BFE! Id assume the latch was apart of one of the prices but Im not sure. I was a bit frustrated and disapointed by the end of the phone calls.



Thanks cooker for the PM





Ian

 

[IC Smoke]

I was looking at the truck today at work (waiting for equipment to warm up) and I thought about the inner fender wells, will they need to be swapped out too? And I have a meyer plow on the truck will it interfear with my bracket?



Thanks guys

 

[Cooker]

Inner fenders will be no problem, I think I did trim about 1/4" off the front edge of mine to get them to fit a little better.



As far as the plow mount that may be a problem (some are some aren't). The Sport bumper is much lower than the chrome bumper. Do you have the black plastic air dam on your truck? Did you have to modify it to fit your plow mount? If you did not have to modify the air dam then the Sport bumper will be fine.

 

[IC Smoke]

Ahh I will have to put a block inbetween my wiring plug-in then (seen in photo) I have exactly 4" between the bottom of the bolt and top of the bracket I dont have the valance.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

No fender trimmage needed! There are also side plastic clamp type things that were not mentioned before that sandwich the fenderwell liner to the back side of the new sport facia.