Front End Swap: 98-00 to a 95-97

Why is that gap so large?

 

Cause the core support isn't made for those lights.

 

That's what he said

Dunno really.

Only explanation is in order to make the headlight assembly sit square and plumb it had to be recessed quite a bit. Plus in order to use adjustment screws, it had to sit pretty close to the core support.

Come spring time I might look into making a spacer behind the assembly to try and push it out. But it might not be feasable with the adjustment screws, springs, ect

 

After I got home and looked at mine. I don't think it'll be possible. Those odd white clip things we didn't use help push the light forward. But the holes cut out in the core support are much smaller then the 98-04s. So the lights are more forward.

 

Dude, that turned out awesome. Like Monte said, I can't see the gaps except for in the picture you pointed them out!

 

thats what you were worried about? man mine almost looks like that. thats un noticeable haha

 

Honestly it looks a lot worse than those photos suggest.

And yes... it'll gnaw at my craw 'till the end of time.

 

Monte

What do you think of this idea:

Using an intact backing of the 98-00 mounting bracket (the dark gray plastic piece you cut up and bolted to the core support thinking I could mount the corner lights to it) and then nesting the 95-97 housings inside of that?

eg Bolt the 98-00 mounting bracket to the core support, then mount (somehow) the headlights to that. That way the 98-00 bracket pushes the headlights out a bit. I dunno.

Would the heat from the metal headlight assemblies be safe on that plastic?

 

No idea man. Could work but I don't know if that bracket will sit behind the grill with the lights. Plastic I bet would be fine.

 

nice job, i want to do this for my 03. however not sure it will work

 

STLHarry put a 95-97 front end on his 01-04.

I think the only extra major part you need is the hood. Everything else should be much the same as my project.

Here's the start of your research: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/95766-how-95-5-97-grille-swap-onto-01-04-a.html

 

For an 01-04 Id just swap the whole radiator support up front too. The head light holes are so different on the 01-04s I think it would be worth it.

 

Well that escalated quickly

 

I know this is years later but I am interested in how you did the painting of the grill? which one you started with and your process you used to do so. I want to paint mine to match it black with the rest of my truck. Thanks!

 

I bought the one off of RockAuto. Pretty cheaply made but it's held up just fine all these years.

For paint: I went to a Sherwin Williams, that carries automotive specific products, and had them mix up an automotive base coat in an aerosol can. Just give them the color code. Then I bought their 2-part automotive clear coat. I assume other outlets can do this for you as well.

For painting:

1. I wore latex gloves so the oils from your hands don't get on the surfaces of the grille.

2. I wiped everything down with Duplicolor Prep Wipes. I'm sure acetone on a rag will do the same.

3. I masked everything (because I wanted to keep the black inserts and just do the surround in Sunfire Red Pearl.

4. Three light coats of primer. Adhering to the manufacturer's dry times in between and before top coat.

5. Five light coats of automotive base coat. Adhering to the manufacturer's dry times in between and before clear coat.

6. Three light coats of the 2-part clear coat. This stuff is incredibly volatile so wear a respiratory. You also only have a given amount of time before it becomes unusable (it hardens). Once cured it is a very durable clear coat.

 

How has everything held up over the years? Also, did you ever find a way to make the headlights line up with the grill a little better? Was thinking about doing this mod but was hoping for a little more insight...

 

Where did you get the metal headlight buckets from?
Apparently there are two design types that were made that either had a square cutout
with a plastic tab insert for a screw to hold the glass light housings or just a screw hole.

I wasn’t able to find the bucket for the right side that had just the screw hole.
Both original came with the square cutouts, but the plastic inserts tab to hold the glass lens
is not available.

You definitely want the metal headlight buckets that just have a small hole for a screw
instead of the square hole design if you can find.

Did your buckets have the square holes needing a plastic inserts or just a small screw hole?

 

Following as I have this planed for my 00 soon.

 

the paint on the grille looks 1000x better than the paint on my hood and roof

It’s held up great. And that includes wintry travel with tons of gravel on the road for traction.

never got to line up the headlight housings better. It’s really not possible without replacing the radiator support core.

but it’s honestly no big deal. Just a little thing the OCD magnifies.

 

I bought the headlight buckets off a guy parting out his Tacoma here on TW. Can't remember which ones they were. Pretty sure they were the ones with the holes for screws as that's mainly what we used to secure it down.