Dumb Question re: Front End Swap

So I'm more than likely going to swap a 95-97 front end onto my 1998.

One thing I am wondering, and here comes the dumb question:

Would it affect my MPGs much at all?

My 1998 has a very aerodynamic front end compared to the 95-97 which has recessed headlight assemblies. Not to mention the bumper and valence on my 1998 seems a little more rounded than the 95-97's which seems more straight/square

I really like getting 20-21 mpg with my V6... wondering if it will have any effect?

Thanks for entertaining my idiocy

 

I would not think so, now I love the front end on mine, (but the headlights are a royal pain in the ass) and in reality pick-ups are a brick. And when you raise them..... how many jack-up trucks are on the nascar truck circut?
i would check out the mpg est. on the 95.5-97 and compare to yours maybe that would give you an idea. and remember those used to be done under the very best of conditions.... skinny driver, one gallon of gas in tank, no washer fluid ect.......... and if I remember a read from motor trend, they would take off the spare, jack, stuff like that. now that was years ago, don't know and would wonder if they ever tightened up..... thats what lobbyist get paid to do.

 

I would never want my truck to be that ugly

lol... I'm beginning to get on it.

 

Can you explain?

 

well changing the light bulbs, (I have not upgraded mine yet) when i got her one was burned out, and you have to take off the grill and remove the chrome ring to replace the headlights. they are the "old fashion types, I had to clean out the cobwebs to do it, it had been a long time since I had worked on that type.

 

question: why the swap?

 

If it does it wont be very much. I got about 23 MPGs when my truck was stock

 

He drools over the 95.5-97 body style all the time lol

 

Well that sounds crappy

Pure aesthetics. The 95-97 is a badass looking front end IMO

4-banger?

This ^

 

No. 3.4L V6

 

Damn dude. 23 mpg is great.

Hopefully I get that gain when I make the swap

 

You can solve this by getting the IPF H4 conversion lenses. I have them and they are nice. There's definitely other brands, too, but I like my ARB.

Yes, yes it is. That's mostly why I did my front end swap.

 

well did not mean to put you off about the lights, the modern replacements will last for a very, very long time, when compared to when i was 16, and there are some good write ups about upgrading to a H4 bulb, which will be easier to replace and more light, I just have more important things on the truck to do, lights work right now, so they are way down on the list.
I like the looks of my tuck, what I really like is the fact that it is a Toyota, (sorry had my fill of Fords) and its mine, if I had come across any 1st gen 5sp, no matter the style I would have bought it.

 

STLHarry... The God of Swap

$39.99 conversion lenses?

That thing (I'm googling)

 

Yeah, in reality I'm hoping to do the front end swap soon...

...but if I'm going to spend money for all the parts I might just put it towards sliders

We'll see.

 

Why thank you...hahah. I always seem to find the conversion threads whenever they pop up.
These are what I mean, and that's where I bought them from for my 96 truck a few years ago.

For parts, check out Yota Yard. They are in Denver somewhere. They seem to have a lot of pickup stuff...but maybe there's a few Tacos in there too. They are also close enough to Boulder that if they had a hood and/or grille you could buzz down there and get it.

There are also grilles on Rockauto for less than $40.

 

Thought you said I wouldn't need a hood

I'm a 98, not an 01-04

Thanks for the headlight link... sadly I have no idea what an H4 bulb is, but I'll take your word for it that it's better to have these assemblies

 

Roundeyes.com


Pricier but sooooo worth it. i have them and they are the conventional beam.

 

Halogen headlight bulb, the more modern screw in type. easy to change, but always wear a pair of cheap disposable latex gloves (new pair) you don't ever want to touch the glass end of bulb because dirt, human skin oil, on the surface of bulb will cook, and destroy the bulb.

 

Short answer to OP's original question: more than likely no.

As you acquire parts for this swap(awesome btw!), as mentioned earlier in this thread, you should DEFINITELY look into some H4 conversion headlights for the 95-97 swap. Ebay or Roundeyes.com

Simply put: changing an H4 BULB > changing a whole damn sealed headlight.
Also already mentioned is how much of a PITA it is to do a headlight swap AFTER everything is put together. The grill needs to be taken out or loosened significantly and then the metal ring/trim piece needs to be separated from the headlight casing.

Long story short: buy H4 conversion headlights before you install the swap.

Here is my 95.5 Tacoma w/H4 diamond crystal headlight conversion from Ebay. I am running Sylvania ZXE H4 bulbs and the look + visibility is night and day compared to old sealed style headlights.



Goodluck!